European legal framework related to underground mining and tunnelling concerning commission directive (EU) 2017/164, 31 January establishing a fourth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values

Abstract

Directive (EU) 2017/164 establishes a fourth list of indicative occupational exposure limit values (IOELVs) to protect workers from risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals. It states that in underground mining and tunnelling, Member States may benefit from a transitional period regarding IOELVs for nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, during which the existing established IOELVs may be applied. The European Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work questions the technical feasibility of the proposed IOELVs in underground mining (CO, NO and NO2) and tunnelling (NO and NO2). Challenges arise concerning the availability of measurement methodologies for compliance with proposed IOELVs (NO2) in underground mining and tunnelling environments.