Within the scope of the "Regulation on the Prevention of Exposure Risks to Biological Agents" published in the Official Gazette on 10.06.2004 / 25488, the
biological factors are microorganisms, including genetically modified organisms, which can cause any infection, allergies or poisoning, cell cultures and human parasites . When biological risk factors are mentioned in the working life, microorganisms (including genetically modified ones), cell cultures and human parasites, which can lead to any infection, allergies or poisoning come into mind. Biological factors include all viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. A biological factor leading to illness in healthy persons depend on; 1. The cause of disease is the high level of sickness (pathogenicity-virulence) 2. To the ways of transmission (contact, common inanimate objects, air and vectors) 3. To the sensitivity of the person called the host 4. Environmental factors (temperature changes, humidity, radiation, air pressure, speed of air flow, chemical substances, gases and toxins) CLASSIFICATION OF BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS Biological factors are classified into 4 risk groups according to the level of infection risk; Group 1 biological factors: are biological factors that are unlikely to cause human disease. Group 2 biological factors: are biological factors that can cause human disease, generally harmful to workers but not likely to spread, and that generally have effective protection or treatment. Group 3 biological factors: are biological factors that cause severe human illnesses, pose serious hazards to employees, can be found to spread, but generally have effective protection or treatment. Group 4 biological factors: biological factors that cause serious diseases in man, a serious danger to employees, a high risk of spreading, but no effective protection and treatment methods.
SECTORS EXPOSED BY BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS
Biological factors can be directly used in the production process of some extractors and biological factors are spontaneously developed in the environment depending on the working conditions in some branches of work. For example, in the production of fermented foods in a food processing plant, microorganisms are directly used, whereas in a veterinary clinic, microorganisms found in animal skin and hides threaten clinical workers. • Food production and processing • Agricultural product breeding, production, packaging and storage • Animal care and health • Processing of animal products • Breeding and maintenance of laboratory animals • Clinical and veterinary health services • Clinical and research laboratories • Daily and personal care centers • Processing, collection and destruction of wastes DETERMINATION AND EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL RISKS In any work involving exposure to biological agents, the type, level and duration of the worker's exposure are determined to assess any risk to the health and safety of the worker and to determine the precautions to be taken. Risk assessments in work involving exposure to biological agents in more than one group are made taking into account the hazards posed by all of the harmful biological agents. The risk assessment is renewed at regular intervals and when there is a change that may affect the worker's exposure conditions to the biological factors, and the employer is obliged to give the information used in the risk assessment to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, if requested. Biological risk assessment is carried out taking into account all the information, including the following: • Classification of biological agents which may be harmful to human health
• The recommendation of the competent authorities on the control of biological agents to protect workers' health, • Information on diseases that may arise as a result of workers' • Allergic or toxic effects that may arise as a result of workers' • Information about the illnesses that workers have taken in connection with their work. RISK REDUCTION The employer shall avoid using harmful biological agents according to the nature of work done and should use biological agents which are not dangerous or less dangerous for the health of workers in the conditions of use in accordance with technical developments. Employers are obliged to comply with the following: • The number of workers that can be exposed or remain must be kept to the minimum possible. • Working processes and technical control measures should be designed to prevent biological agents from spreading to the environment or to minimize exposure to the environment. • First, collective protection measures should be taken and / or personal protective measures should be applied where exposure can not be prevented by other means. • Where visible in the workplace, they should use the internationally recognized biological risk mark and other relevant warning signs. • Prepare plans to prevent accidents involving biological factors. • Make the necessary arrangements for safe transport of biological agents in the workplace. • Ensure that wastes are safely collected by workers after they have been properly disposed of, disposed of properly and disposed of at the workplace, using appropriate methods, including the use of safe and specialized containers. If the results of the risk assessment show that there is a risk to the health and safety of the employees, the employer, if required,
• The results of the risk assessment • Work that workers are exposed to or may have been exposed to biological factors • Number of exposed workers • Name, surname, title and qualification of persons responsible for health and safety at work • Preventive and preventive measures, including the mode of operation and methods • Urgent action plans for the protection of workers from exposure to biological agents in Group 3 or Group 4, which may arise from the physical removal of physical obstacles they should send the records to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. TRAINING AND INFORMING WORKERS Employers should, when necessary, repeat the process of contact with biological agents before starting work; • Possible health risks, • Measures to be taken to prevent exposure, • Hygiene requirements, • The use and wearing of protective equipment and clothes, And in the event of any incident and the prevention of incidents, the workers are obliged to provide adequate information and instructions to workers and their representatives at the point where they should be done.
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
• Ensure that studies are subject to health surveillance before beginning and at regular intervals. • When an employee is suspected of having an infection and / or disease suspected of having exposure, the occupational physician or the person in charge of the health surveillance of employees shall ensure that other similarly exposed workers are subjected to the same surveillance. • The workplace physician or the person responsible for the health surveillance of the workers shall make recommendations regarding the preventive and preventive measures to be taken for each worker. • Provide employees with necessary information and advice on any health surveillance to be performed after the end of the exposure and keep the necessary records for at least 10 years.