Occupational Health & Safety

Netherlands RIVM Assesses Asbestos Risk for School and Childcare Workers From Contaminated Play Sand

In April 2026, the Dutch RIVM published a worst‑case risk assessment showing that asbestos in play sand used at primary schools and childcare centres generally poses a very small health risk to workers, while highlighting four decorative sand products that likely exceeded the occupational asbestos exposure limit.[^1^](https://www.rivm.nl/publicaties/gezondheidsrisicos-voor-werknemers-basisscholen-en-kinderopvangcentra-tgv-blootstelling-asbest-uit-verontreinigd-speelzand) For compliance teams, this reinforces the need to prevent asbestos contamination in children's play materials, monitor NVWA and labour-inspection follow‑up, and ensure all asbestos exposures are properly recorded under existing Dutch occupational health obligations.

10 Apr 2026, 16:11rivm.nlNetherlands

New York Senate Introduces Bill S09842 on Unemployment Benefits and Unsafe Working Conditions

In April 2026, the New York Senate introduced Bill S09842 to amend its unemployment insurance law so workers who leave or refuse work due to unsafe health or safety conditions maintained by their employer are not disqualified from benefits. If adopted, this would increase employers’ exposure to unemployment claims linked to non-compliant or unsuitable working conditions, strengthening incentives to identify and correct workplace safety issues promptly.

10 Apr 2026, 15:39assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

France Submits Harmonised Classification Dossier for Morpholine Under EU CLP

France has submitted a harmonised classification dossier for morpholine under the EU CLP Regulation, adding a proposed Reproductive Toxicity 1B (H360FD) classification alongside its existing flammability, acute toxicity and skin corrosion hazards. If this proposal is adopted, suppliers and downstream users of morpholine and morpholine-containing mixtures in the EU will face stricter classification, labelling and risk-management obligations and may need to reassess substitution and exposure controls.

10 Apr 2026, 12:48echa.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Reply on Petition 1162/2025 Clarifies How Regulation (EU) 2024/573 Training Aligns With EU OSH Law

In March 2026, the European Parliament’s PETI Committee published a notice on Petition 1162/2025 and the European Commission’s reply, concluding that Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and its implementing acts already embed safety content in technician training while leaving EU OSH directives fully applicable. For refrigeration and HVAC operators, this confirms that F‑gas and natural‑refrigerant certification schemes complement rather than replace employers’ risk‑based OSH training duties, reinforcing the need to manage both environmental compliance and workplace‑safety obligations in parallel.

10 Apr 2026, 12:35europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Italy: Albo Nazionale Gestori Ambientali Adopts Geolocation Requirements for Category 5 Hazardous Waste Transport Vehicles

Italy’s Albo Nazionale Gestori Ambientali has adopted binding rules requiring GPS‑based geolocation systems on Category 5 vehicles transporting hazardous special waste, with the new technical suitability requirement entering into force in early April 2026. Waste transport operators must equip eligible fleets, certify compliance by 30 June 2026, and ensure that all new or amended Category 5 registrations from 01 July 2026 meet the geolocation and digital traceability standards, or risk registration and enforcement issues.

10 Apr 2026, 10:52albonazionalegestoriambientali.itItaly

South Korea (NICS) Proposes New Quantity Thresholds for 73 Hazardous Chemicals

South Korea’s National Institute of Chemical Safety has launched a consultation to amend the Regulation on Designated Quantities of Hazardous Chemicals, setting new quantity thresholds for 73 recently designated hazardous substances and clarifying how designated quantities are applied at site level. If adopted, the changes will determine which Korean facilities handling these substances trigger hazardous-chemical control and accident-prevention requirements, so operators should review the draft thresholds against their inventories and consider submitting comments by 15 April 2026.

10 Apr 2026, 10:43nics.me.go.krSouth Korea

Louisiana HB 1103 Would Expand Building-Code Exemptions for Certain Industrial Facilities

Louisiana has introduced HB 1103 to broaden state-level building-code exemptions and prevent local governments from requiring permits or applying building codes to construction and improvement work inside certain secured industrial facilities, including NAICS 334511 electronics and aerospace system manufacturers. If enacted, this would relax facility-construction compliance obligations for covered operators while concentrating oversight at state level, so EHS and facilities teams should monitor the bill’s progress and identify projects that might rely on the expanded exemption.

10 Apr 2026, 10:18legis.la.govUnited States

Germany (MAK Commission) Publishes GF-AAS Air Monitoring Method for Beryllium in Workplace Air

Germany’s MAK Commission has published a standardized air monitoring method for beryllium to ensure precise quantification of workplace exposure. Facilities should adopt this technical benchmark for occupational hygiene assessments to ensure robust compliance with existing exposure limits and mitigate liability risks.

9 Apr 2026, 17:38baua.deGermany

Great Britain HSE Consults On Amendments To RIDDOR 2013

The UK HSE is consulting on significant updates to RIDDOR 2013 reporting requirements, targeting clearer definitions and an expanded list of reportable occupational diseases by mid-2026. Businesses should prepare for broader reporting obligations and potential revisions to internal incident management systems to capture a wider range of work-related health conditions and dangerous occurrences.

9 Apr 2026, 14:49consultations.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Germany BAuA Releases UV Index Memecard for Protection Against Solar Radiation

The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) has released new guidance mandating protective measures for outdoor workers when the UV Index reaches 3 or higher. Companies with outdoor operations must integrate these technical, organizational, and personal protection standards into their occupational risk assessments to mitigate rising solar radiation risks.

9 Apr 2026, 14:49baua.deGermany

Spain: Nuclear Safety Council Rectifies Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2) on Nuclear Event Notification Criteria

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) has rectified Instruction IS-10 (Rev. 2), clarifying event notification criteria and mandating new reporting formats for nuclear safety incidents. Nuclear operators must update internal compliance procedures to align with the revised Annex I templates to ensure adherence to mandatory reporting timelines.

9 Apr 2026, 14:48boe.esSpain

Netherlands Plans Bal Amendment Moving Ferrous Scrap Storage to Dust Class 5

The Dutch government plans to reclassify ferrous scrap storage to a lower dust class (Class 5) by mid-2027, removing the default requirement for enclosed storage of rusty scrap. This shift aims to reduce operational costs and administrative burdens for the recycling sector while maintaining environmental protection through standardized dust-control plans and general duty-of-care obligations.

9 Apr 2026, 14:46iplo.nlNetherlands

Region of Murcia Adopts 2026 Industrial and Mining Safety, Seveso and Metrology Inspection Plan

The Region of Murcia has launched its 2026 inspection plan targeting industrial safety, mining operations, Seveso-regulated sites, and metrology compliance. Operators in the region must ensure all technical documentation, safety reports, and equipment certifications are audit-ready to mitigate enforcement risks during this high-intensity inspection period.

9 Apr 2026, 14:23borm.esSpain

Brazil: Bill Proposes National Noise Depollution Policy And Acoustic Impact Study Requirements

Brazil introduced Bill PL 225/2026 in February 2026 to establish a National Noise Depollution Policy and nationwide acoustic quality standards. Industrial and commercial operators face stricter licensing requirements, including mandatory Acoustic Impact Studies and potential criminal liability for non-compliance.

9 Apr 2026, 14:19camara.leg.brBrazil

Washington Pharmacy Commission Opens Rulemaking On Animal Euthanasia Training Program Guidelines

Washington is transitioning animal euthanasia training guidelines into enforceable regulations to standardize the authorization of personnel handling controlled substances. Affected agencies should anticipate mandatory training criteria and stricter compliance oversight for chemical capture and euthanasia programs.

9 Apr 2026, 14:19content.govdelivery.comUnited States

Brazil Amends CLT To Require Employers To Promote Vaccination And Cancer Prevention Campaigns

Brazil enacted Law No. 15.377/2026 in April 2026, requiring employers to promote vaccination and cancer awareness and inform staff of paid leave rights for preventive screenings. Businesses must update HR protocols and internal communications to ensure compliance with new labour law duties and manage associated leave entitlements.

9 Apr 2026, 14:15www2.camara.leg.brBrazil

Japan MHLW Calls for Executing Bodies for FY2026 SDS Digitalisation Subsidy

Japan's MHLW has launched a call for organizations to manage the FY2026 SDS Digitalisation Subsidy program, aimed at modernizing chemical safety communication. This initiative signals a continued government push toward electronic SDS management, potentially streamlining compliance workflows and data accessibility for chemical manufacturers and users in Japan.

9 Apr 2026, 14:10mhlw.go.jpJapan

OVAM Launches Sixth Free Asbestos Roof Collection Call for Agricultural Businesses

Flanders launched a sixth call on April 2, 2026, offering free asbestos roof collection for up to 600 agricultural and horticultural businesses. This initiative accelerates the regional 2040 asbestos-safe goal, providing a cost-saving window for operators to manage legacy hazardous waste liabilities and infrastructure upgrades.

9 Apr 2026, 10:19ovam.vlaanderen.beBelgium

Italy Publishes Official FAQs on State–Regions Health and Safety Training Agreement 59/2025

Italy's Ministry of Labour has issued critical clarifications on the new health and safety training framework (Accordo 59/2025), confirming the end of the transitional period on May 19, 2026. Businesses must urgently audit training records for supervisors and equipment operators, as the new rules impose stricter in-person requirements and invalidate older qualifications lacking recent refreshers.

9 Apr 2026, 10:17lavoro.gov.itItaly

New Hampshire Proposes Interim Rule He-P 4040 on Radiation and MRI Machine Registration

New Hampshire is reinstating registration and safety standards for radiation and MRI machines through interim rule He-P 4040, following the expiration of previous regulations. Affected facilities and service providers must verify registration status and shielding compliance to maintain legal operation and avoid penalties during the transition to permanent rules.

9 Apr 2026, 10:16gc.nh.govUnited States