INTRODUCTION

In this chapter we outline the role of OELs in regulatory strategies on managing chemical risks in Greece. We consider practices in relation to the two substances that have been a particular focus of the study as a whole toluene and wood-dust in the three sectors in which their occurrence is most common. But we also address the use of OELs in regulating risk management in relation to hazardous substances more generally.

According to the Third European Survey on Working Conditions (European Foundation 2001), nearly one third of Greek workers felt they were breathing in vapours, fumes, dust or dangerous substances for more than half their working time. Some 15 per cent of Greek workers suggested that they experienced such exposure for the whole of their working time. These percentages were considerably higher than those found amongst workers in any other of the EU 15 member states that comprised the Community at the time the survey was undertaken. Higher proportions of workers in Greece also reported handling dangerous products or substances than in any other country in the same survey. Other survey results within Greece itself paint a similar picture. For example, in a survey of 2,809 workers in Athens of those working in industry 45 per cent thought they were exposed to fumes, 50 per cent to dust and 29 per cent to toxic substances (Athens Labour Centre 1998).

Despite the seriousness of this perceived problem of workers' exposure to hazardous substances, the extent to which...