EU-OSHA survey reveals top cancer risk factors in the workplace

The following article is an abridgement of a press release originally published on the EU-OSHA website.

The Workers' Exposure Survey

The Workers’ Exposure Survey on cancer risk factors (WES) in Europe is a new survey conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) with thousands of workers in six EU Member States. The survey aims to provide accurate data that can contribute to the prevention of occupational cancer, which is one of the biggest health challenges faced by European workplaces. According to the 2021-27 EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work, carcinogens cause an estimated 100,000 occupational cancer deaths in the EU every year.

What are the main findings of the survey?

The survey estimates the probable exposure of workers to 24 known cancer risk factors, which include industrial chemicals, process-generated substances and mixtures, and physical risk factors. It also considers the combined exposure of workers to at least two cancer risk factors during their last working week prior to the survey. The key findings are:

• The most frequent probable occupational exposures identified were solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, diesel engine exhaust emissions, benzene, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and formaldehyde.
• More than 60% of the workers in mining and quarrying activities and in construction activities had combined exposure to multiple cancer risk factors.
• The survey covers workers who would not normally be covered, such as self-employed or employed in micro and small organisations, across all kinds of occupations.

How can the survey data be used for policy and practice?

The data can support possible future amendment proposals to the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive, and advance occupational safety and health (OSH) actions of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Moreover, it can improve the prevention of work-related diseases, especially cancer, which is one of the key objectives of the 2021-27 EU OSH Strategic Framework. The survey data can also help raise awareness of the risks from exposure to carcinogens in the workplace and exchange good practices between companies and organisations.

William Cockburn EU-OSHA Executive Director says,

"It is the first time we have a study considering combined exposure and reaching workers who would not normally be covered, such as self-employed or employed in micro and small organisations, across all kinds of occupations. It is certainly going to contribute to improving preventive measures and to updating evidence-based policy."

Where can I find more information?

You can find more information about the survey on the EU-OSHA website.

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Sources

New survey reveals that UV radiation and diesel emissions are the most frequent cancer risk exposures in Europe’s workplaces by EU-OSHA, 20th November, 2023.

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