The article describes the basic information about changes in harmonized European standards for footwear intended for occupational use, what is important for footwear manufacturers and end-users.
The article covers the basic changes in test methods for footwear and requirements concerning safety and occupational footwear, footwear for firefighters and the new requirements for foundry and welding footwear. The examples of manufacturers doubts concenring the European Commission decission related to safety footwear and the necessity of adaptation of its production to the requirements of the updated standard were taken into account in this article.

Nowadays organisation of work time often involves shiftwork, which affects workers'' health. This article analyses recent reports on the influence of shiftwork on the risk of carcinogenesis. It presents various definitions of shiftwork and the scale of the problem. It also discusses the latest research on the association between risk of breast and shiftwork at night. According to the position of the International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC, shiftwork that involves night work resulting in disturbance in the circadian rhythm is a potential carcinogenic factor, class 2A. We conclude that  further research should focus on preventive strategies.

The article presents results of investigation of potential exposure to silicon dioxide nanoparticles during spraying of commercially available preparation Profiline Nano Paint Protect (PNPP). This preparation is intended for protecting car varnish and can be applied both in repair shops as well as by private users. The base of assessing of potential exposure to silicon dioxide nanoparticles were results of investigation of changes of concentrations and size distributions of particles in the wide range – from nanometer-size (10 nm) to micrometer-size (10 μm) - it means particles which are usually inhaled by humans. It was fined that during 10 seconds spraying of preparation in the distance of 52 cm from the surface, to which preparation was being sprayed, considerable increases of concentrations of emitted particles were obtained.

Sugar factory environment went through a check aimed at detecting microbiological agents threatening employees’ health. The research on the matter was conducted on air samples, swabs as well as agar imprints taken from machines, walls, floors, floor drains, personal protective equipment and shower water. The research shown significant contamination of the sugar factory with mould. In the so-called clean zones no agents infectious towards people were found. In the so-called dirty zones the mentioned agents were spotted sporadically and never above the level of 10² CFU.