New report the European Risk Observatory identifies some of the emerging biological risks that are most likely to affect EU workers, especially farmers, health personnel or people working developments in sectors such as waste treatment. Communicable diseases such as SARS, avian flu or dengue fever, are of particular concern. Despite European legislation, yet little is known about these threats and in many workplaces biological hazards are not analyzed or are prevented adequately. The report emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach regarding health and safety, public health, environmental protection and food safety. According to Jukka Takala, Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, which is an integral part of the

European Risk, "biological risks are often underestimated, although they can be very high for workers in the EU virtually any industry. " "We must quickly identify with it, analyze its possible consequences for people's health and develop policies and procedures to minimize its spread." The forecasts of experts of the Center identifies new biological hazards and increase in relation to safety and stress the importance of taking into account all the responsibilities and means of control groups, both inside and outside the workplace. Communicable diseases threaten EU workers An estimated 320,000 workers around the world die annually due to diseases caused by biological risks represented by viruses, bacteria, insects or other animals. Although most deaths occur in developing countries, about 5 000 workers are victims of these diseases in the EU. Women are more prone to contracting the men, because jobs with a level of biological risk and exposure is highest. Most emerging risks related to global epidemics caused by new pathogens as the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian flu and Ebola, while the reappearance of other hazards such as cholera and yellow fever . Given the speed and volume of international traffic and trade, these pathogens can spread throughout the world in a few hours to unleash a new pandemic. Sectors most at risk Since many of these diseases jump the species barriers and are transmitted from animals to humans, workers in contact with livestock are particularly at risk. Other pathogens such as tuberculosis have become resistant to known drugs and can cause serious infections among health care workers. Exposure situations may occur in complex new sectors such as waste treatment, in which workers come into contact with a number of microorganisms and organic compounds that are transmitted through the air. The fungus can spread in the workplace due to poorly maintained air conditioning, with a consequent risk of asthma and allergies.