The No Time to Lose campaign aims to get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood and help businesses take action. It suggests solutions that can be transposed internationally and offers free practical, original materials to businesses to...
Developed by official campaign partner the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in the United Kingdom, the campaign focuses on one of the most serious occupational health issues facing industry today — managing carcinogenic exposures at work. This is also a key focus of the Healthy Workplaces Managing Dangerous Substances campaign, and IOSH links both campaigns in an effort to raise awareness of the risks related to dangerous substances. Across the EU, 1 in 5 workers faces an...Se mer
Many workers in the EU are exposed to neurotoxic chemicals capable of affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nerves and sensory organs. Strict monitoring and control of exposure is essential, together with preventive measures, to keep...
Neurotoxic chemicals and the nervous system The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. Neurotoxic chemicals can facilitate, block or inhibit neurotransmission leading to a change in the chemistry or structure of the nervous system. The nervous system is particularly vulnerable to nerve gases, which explains why the most effective chemical weapons are neurotoxins like Tabun, Sarin and VX gas...Se mer
On 19 June, Kosovo* officially launched its campaign to manage dangerous substances at work. At a kick-off event in Pristina, participants underlined the importance of safety and health at work and announced the first national Good Practice Award...
Opening the event, Mr. Luigi Brusa, Head of Cooperation Section in the European Union Office in Kosovo, highlighted the importance of health and safety at work and the need for Kosovo to implement its legislation framework on occupational safety at work. Kosovo’s Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Skender Reçica, told participants that new labour laws had been drafted in full compliance with EU regulations and stressed that all stakeholders must be actively engaged to improve the safety and...Se mer
In its latest episode of Real Economy Euronews explores the dangers of working environments in the European Union, with a focus on occupational cancer. The episode features an interview with EU-OSHA’s Executive Director Dr Christa Sedlatschek and a good practice example from the wood working industry. Occupational cancer is one of the biggest health threats faced by workplaces across Europe, causing the highest proportion of work-related illnesses and deaths. EU-OSHA through its current Healthy...Se mer
Two years ahead of proposed EU legislation, Formacare has agreed on a voluntary agreement to implement pan-European occupational exposure limits (OEL) for workers in the formaldehyde sector.
The voluntary agreement represents a commitment to implement an EU-wide binding occupational exposure limit of 0.3ppm (parts per million) for the 8-hour average and 0.6ppm for the short-term exposure limit. There is consensus among industry and trade unions that these values constitute a safe threshold for workers. The agreement has been signed by most members of Formacare, which is the formaldehyde sector group of official campaign partner European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) , and...Se mer
In jobs that involve the use of chemicals and dangerous substances, the risk of an industrial accident is always present. Accidents can cause casualties, environmental damage and economic harm. To keep their working environments safe, healthy and...
There is a broad spectrum of risks and consequences associated with workplace accidents involving chemicals. Some accidents can be small in scale and have relatively low impact, especially if basic preventive measures have been taken. Others, while still relatively small in scale, might have more serious consequences for the employees. For instance, a worker’s skin might become exposed to a dangerous substance due to a burst pipe or faulty container; or a farmer could accidentally drink...Se mer
Many workers in the EU face dangerous substances on a regular basis. Indeed, 17% report being exposed to chemical products or substances for at least a quarter of their daily working time. Workers at shop-floor level should have access to...
International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC) are a joint initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) , with support from the European Commission. They can help businesses instruct and inform their workers about dangerous substances. Each card is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed data sheet featuring a particular substance, giving employers resources to take preventive measures. The ICSC scheme can be used by employers to protect workers...Se mer
On 16 May some 100 experts, stakeholders and social partners took part in the European Wood Dust Conference in Brussels. Topics included implementing new occupational limit values for wood dust exposure, the state of play in relation to new...
Organised jointly by the European Commission, social partners from the Social Dialogue Wood and the Social Dialogue Furniture organisations (including official campaign partner European Federation of Building and Woodworkers ), the conference began with an update from the European Commission's Stefan Olsson. He provided information on new legislation relating to occupational limit values for wood dust. Experts from different companies across Europe then outlined the challenges: different...Se mer
Every year, 31 May draws attention to the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. The World No Tobacco Day aims to discourage the use of tobacco in any form and to call individuals, the public and governments to take action to promote a smoke-free lifestyle. The initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) each year highlights a theme that disseminates a unified global message and the 2019 campaign raises awareness about the exposure to tobacco and how it...Se mer
Exposure to carcinogens is estimated to be the leading cause of work-related deaths in the EU, responsible for nearly 80,000 deaths a year. Large numbers of workers are exposed to carcinogens, including those generated by work processes. However,...
What are carcinogens? A carcinogen is a substance that can cause, aggravate or promote cancer in humans or animals. They can be inhaled or may enter through the skin or mucous membranes. Hundreds of carcinogenic substances exist to which workers may be exposed. Many workplace exposures are generated by work processes, and carcinogens can also be found in raw materials, products or by-products. Common examples include combustion products such as diesel exhaust emissions, welding fumes, soot and...Se mer
