Asbestos directive agreed

The Council of Ministers, which brings together ministers from EU member states, has reached agreement on a new directive protecting workers from the dangers of asbestos. The directive tightens controls on workers' exposure to asbestos and prohibits activities which expose workers to asbestos fibres during the extraction of asbestos and the manufacture of asbestos products. The directive will be formally adopted shortly.

The council also adopted a new EU strategy on health and safety, which lays particular emphasis on the prevention of occupational illnesses and the reduction of "social risks" such as stress and harassment at work.