The International Labour Organization (ILO) has officially recognised “biological hazards at work” by adopting the first-ever international labour standards on this issue. The international standards, which may be cited as the Biological Hazards in the Working Environment Convention, 2025 (or Convention No 192), is aimed at preventing exposure to, and protecting workers from, biological hazards in the workplace.
At it’s 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) on 13 June, the ILO stated that Convention No 192 calls on Member States to formulate national policies and adopt measures on occupational safety and health that include the prevention and protection against biological hazards, and the development of preparedness and response measures to deal with accidents and emergencies. It requires employers to adopt preventive and protective measures, in collaboration with workers, who must also be informed and trained on the hazards and risks.
The accompanying Recommendation from ILO provides detailed guidance on implementation, including risk assessment, early warning systems, preparedness, and response measures (for example in the event of outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics) and training. It also further elaborates on the definition of biological hazards and risk and lists specific routes of exposure and transmission – such as airborne, contact, or vector-borne pathways.
Taken together, the instruments offer a powerful, adaptable framework to prevent biological risks in every type of workplace, now and into the future. Conventions are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member States, while Recommendations serve as non-binding guidelines.
Background information
Here at Health & Safety Works Ltd, we support this international standard and see this as a natural extension of the H&A work we do toward biological hazards. For example, our IOSH Approved Laboratory Safety course is the only accredited specialist Laboratory Safety course available in the UK.
A ‘biological hazard’ is a threat to human health posed by a pathogen, a biological substance, or uncontrolled sanitary conditions. In practical terms, this can include bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, prions (infectious proteins), allergens, toxins, genetic material, or bodily fluids. These agents can lead to disease, injuries, infection, allergic reactions, or poisoning, which can also cause after-effects. The source of the threat may be plant-based, animal, or human.
Waste management and cleaning services, healthcare workers, and laboratory technicians are also among the most exposed to biological hazards. Furthermore, all workers, and their families, can potentially be exposed to biological hazards. However, some occupations carry greater risk than others, particularly those involving contact with animals (especially in livestock farming) or organic materials. In agriculture, workers can also be affected by diseases linked to plants (particularly dust and pollen) and insects.
Reference:
https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/ILC113-Convention-192-EN.pdf