Protection of Workers from Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reproductive Toxins: Key Aspects of Royal Decree 612/2024

Key Innovations of RD 612/2024 Regarding Worker Protection

Protection of Workers from Reproductive Toxic Agents

The measures outlined in the Royal Decree vary depending on whether or not there is a level of exposure deemed safe for health, establishing limit values tailored to the characteristics of each agent.

New Occupational Exposure Limit Values

Up to fourteen new agents have been added to the occupational exposure limit values table in Annex III, specifically 2 new carcinogenic agents and 12 reproductive toxic agents.

Among them, we highlight:

• Acrylonitrile: used in the textile industry.
• Nickel compounds: found in the metal industry, nickel-cadmium battery manufacturing, and sectors such as ceramics and glass.
• Lead and its inorganic compounds: one of the most widely used reproductive toxic agents, employed in activities such as recycling, battery manufacturing, and paint production.
• Additionally, the limit value for benzene has been updated, a substance present in industries such as plastic production, dyes, synthetic rubber, and pesticides.

Training and Information for Workers on the Risks Associated with Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, and Reproductive Toxic Agents

The Royal Decree emphasizes the importance of providing adequate and specific training on the risks associated with these agents and the preventive measures. Preventive actions must be tailored to the particular conditions of each job role.

• Specific Assessments and Documentation Retention

• Comprehensive Assessments: Companies must identify hazardous agents present in the workplace, assess their impact on health, and implement preventive measures such as containment systems and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Record Retention: The company must retain individual medical records for at least 40 years after exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic agents, and at least 5 years in the case of reproductive toxic agents. If employment ends before these periods are fulfilled, the records must be forwarded to the labour authority.

Conclusion

Collaboration with prevention services, rigorous identification of risks, and the adaptation of measures to the specific conditions of each job role will be key to the successful implementation of this regulation.

Do you need advice? Access our areas related to the protection of workers from carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxic agents:

Labour Law