The Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updated rules designed to strengthen protection for workers exposed to hazardous substances that may cause serious illnesses, including cancer and asthma

The agreement relates to the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), which updates EU occupational health and safety legislation by introducing stricter measures against workplace exposure to dangerous substances.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a high level of protection for workers against serious occupational health risks. By introducing new occupational exposure limit values, we are ensuring that the Union’s legislative framework keeps pace with the latest scientific evidence and technological developments. This outcome will help create safer working environments for millions of workers across Europe and further strengthen the prevention of work-related illnesses,” said Marinos Moushouttas, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Republic of Cyprus.

The revised rules are expected to prevent approximately 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other work-related illnesses over the next 40 years.

Under the proposed revision, the directive will introduce new occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 1,4-dioxane. It will also add welding fumes to the list of substances, mixtures and processes covered under Annex I of the directive.

As part of the provisional agreement, the Council and Parliament agreed to expand the scope of the directive by introducing an OEL for isoprene. The agreement also extends the transitional period for applying the new OEL for PAHs to seven years and expands the sectors eligible for this transition period to include all carbon and graphite manufacturers.

The revised framework will also introduce requirements for regular breaks for workers using personal protective equipment (PPE) and clarify rules governing PPE use in relation to existing legislation.

In addition, the agreement updates the definitions of 'carcinogen', 'mutagen' and 'reprotoxic substance' to reflect the inclusion of welding fumes in Annex I, recognising their potential reprotoxic effects. It also highlights the need for further guidance on welding fumes and notes that establishing occupational exposure limits alone does not completely remove risks to workers’ health and safety.

The provisional agreement must now receive formal approval from both the Council and the European Parliament. Once adopted, the legislation will enter into force following legal and linguistic review.

The CMRD establishes measures to prevent and control risks arising from exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances in workplaces across the EU. The directive requires the introduction of occupational exposure limits wherever possible.

Following an evaluation of EU occupational safety and health legislation in 2017, the CMRD has undergone several updates, with five revisions already adopted addressing more than 40 hazardous substances. The European Commission presented its proposal for the sixth revision on 18 July 2025.

Middle East companies have a strong showing in this year’s British Safety Council International Safety Awards

The International Safety Awards, sponsored by HSI donesafe, are open to organisations of all types, sizes and sectors in the UK and internationally, both members of the British Safety Council and non-members, and relate to the health and safety management at a specific site or business unit. The awards include a range of auto enter awards as well as free to enter awards.

British Safety Council held its annual Gala Dinner on 19 June in London to celebrate the winners of its International Safety Awards (ISAs) 2026. It was combined with a daytime conference, themed “Designing Safer Workplaces”, which explored practical and strategic approaches to improving health, safety, and wellbeing performance.

851 organisations won an International Safety Award. They span a wide range of sectors with significant representation from the construction, manufacturing, oil, gas, mining, power and utility sectors. Winners were drawn from 51 countries worldwide. 234 organisations were awarded a Distinction, 428 organisations were awarded a Merit and 189 organisations achieved a Pass.

Middle East winners

Country winners In the Middle East included Kuwait National Petroleum Company – Projects Directorate; China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd (EGYPT) and China State Construction Overseas Development Co Ltd – The Cairo New Administrative Central Business District Project (Package 8&11); Qatar Free Zone Authority; ENGIE (Fadhili Operations & Maintenance Company), Saudi Arabia; and Roads and Transport Authority – Dubai.

Sector winners in the Middle East included Roads & Transport Authority Dubai (local government); ENGIE (Fadhili Operations & Maintenance Company) (power and utilities); Ecolog International, Dubai (hospitality & catering); and Dubai Duty Free (retail).

Health Safety and Wellbeing Ambassador of the Year Award went to Mayasa, Dubai Municipality - Health & Safety Department, while Rising Female Star Award in collaboration with SOWSHE was won by Dr. Hessa Al Jawi, Dubai Municipality - Health & Safety Department. Bashar Al Malik, Saudi Arabia Railways won the CEO Award, while Wellbeing Initiative Award went to WSP Middle East.

Speaking at the event, chief executive of the British Safety Council, Mike Robinson said, “The nature of our profession is such that success is often invisible. When safety systems work, nothing happens. When cultures are healthy, incidents do not occur. When leadership is strong, risks are identified and addressed before they become tragedies.

“That invisibility is, in one sense, the highest form of achievement. But it can also mean that the people responsible for it go unrecognised, their contribution unacknowledged by those around them.

“But our International Safety Awards have always striven to reward the unseen, to celebrate the invisible, and to shine a light on success; because success in safety is measured in lives unchanged by tragedy. That is worth celebrating, even when no one sees it.”

Chairman of the British Safety Council, Peter McGettrick said, “Last year alone, over 13,000 people in more than 100 countries came through our training programmes. But for me, it’s not really about the numbers.

“It’s about the fact that every one of those people leaves better equipped to look after the person working next to them. And that’s how change really happens. One decision, one action, one workplace at a time.”

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced US$12.7mn in grants through the Susan Harwood Training Grants Program for training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards

Administered by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants aim to advance the job quality of the American workforce by providing instructor-led training opportunities for workers and employers in small businesses with an emphasis on industries with high injury, illness, and fatality rates, and those facing barriers to accessing safety and health training.

The grants will fund training and education on hazard awareness, avoidance, and controls to protect workers from on-the-job hazards, and to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Applicants may apply in the following categories:
– Targeted topic training: Support educational programs that identify and prevent workplace hazards and require applicants to conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards.
– Training and educational materials development: Support the development of quality classroom-ready training and educational materials that identify and prevent workplace hazards.

The grants are available to non-profit organisations, including community-based, faith-based, grassroots organisations, employer associations, labour unions, joint labour/management associations, Indian tribes, and public/state colleges and universities; entities that operate OSHA On-Site Consultation programmes; and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.