Search Legislation

Council Directive 98/24/ECShow full title

Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

 Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As adopted by EU)
 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

More Resources

 Help about UK-EU Regulation

Legislation originating from the EU

When the UK left the EU, legislation.gov.uk published EU legislation that had been published by the EU up to IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.). On legislation.gov.uk, these items of legislation are kept up-to-date with any amendments made by the UK since then.

Close

This item of legislation originated from the EU

Legislation.gov.uk publishes the UK version. EUR-Lex publishes the EU version. The EU Exit Web Archive holds a snapshot of EUR-Lex’s version from IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.).

Status:

EU Directives are published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. Since IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.) no amendments have been applied to this version.

Article 5U.K.General principles for prevention of risks associated with hazardous chemical agents and application of this Directive in relation to assessment of risks

1.In carrying out his obligation to ensure the health and safety of workers in any activity involving hazardous chemical agents the employer shall take the necessary preventive measures set out in Article 6(1) and (2) of Directive 89/391/EEC and include the measures set out in this Directive.

2.Risks to the health and safety of workers at work involving hazardous chemical agents shall be eliminated or reduced to a minimum by:

  • the design and organisation of systems of work at the workplace,

  • the provision of suitable equipment for work with chemical agents and maintenance procedures which ensure the health and safety of workers at work,

  • reducing to a minimum the number of workers exposed or likely to be exposed,

  • reducing to a minimum the duration and intensity of exposure,

  • appropriate hygiene measures,

  • reducing the quantity of chemical agents present at the workplace to the minimum required for the type of work concerned,

  • suitable working procedures including arrangements for the safe handling, storage and transport within the workplace of hazardous chemical agents and waste containing such chemical agents.

Practical guidelines for preventive measures to control risk shall be developed in accordance with Article 12(2).

3.Where the results of the assessment referred to in Article 4(1) reveal a risk to the safety and health of workers, the specific protection, prevention and monitoring measures laid down in Articles 6, 7 and 10 shall be applied.

4.Where the results of the risk assessment referred to in Article 4(1) show that, because of the quantities of a hazardous chemical agent present in the workplace, there is only a slight risk to the safety and health of workers, and the measures taken in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article are sufficient to reduce that risk, the provisions of Articles 6, 7 and 10 shall not apply.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the EU Official Journal
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.

The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.

For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources