Division INTRODUCTORY NOTESF1

United Kingdom

1. 1In line with the scope of the Directive, only agents which are known to infect humans are to be included in the classified list.
2. 2The list of classified agents is based on the effect of those agents on healthy workers.
3. 3Biological agents which have not been classified for inclusion in groups 2 to 4 of the list are not implicitly classified in group 1.
4. 4Where a strain is attenuated or has lost known virulence genes, then the containment required by the classification of its parent strain need not necessarily apply, subject to assessment appropriate for risk in the workplace.
5. 5Division 5
6. 6The list of classified biological agents reflects the state of knowledge at the time that it was devised.
7. 7Division 7
8. 8Certain biological agents classified in group 3 which are indicated in the appended list by two asterisks (**), may present a limited risk of infection for workers because they are not normally infectious by the airborne route.
9. 9Division 9
10. 10This list also gives a separate indication in cases where the biological agents are likely to cause allergic or toxic reactions, where an effective vaccine is available, or where it is advisable to keep a list of exposed workers for more than 10 years.