Businesses urged to do more to tackle preventable tragedies

With more than 7,000 people dying annually from work-related lung cancer and mesothelioma in Great Britain, IOSH says it’s crucial that action is taken. This includes businesses having strong preventative measures in place.

This month marks 10 years since the beginning of IOSH’s No Time to Lose occupational cancer campaign. It highlighted the risks of cancer-causing workplace carcinogens, including asbestos, respirable crystalline silica and diesel engine exhaust emissions, and provided guidance for employers and employees on how to prevent exposures.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), of the 12,000 lung disease deaths in Great Britain every year that are linked to past exposures at work, 20 per cent are asbestos-related lung cancer and 24 per cent are non-asbestos-related lung cancer. A further 20 per cent are from mesothelioma, a form of cancer which mostly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.

IOSH launched its occupational cancer campaign in November 2014, initially focusing on diesel engine exhaust emissions. Attention later switched to respirable crystalline silica, which has been in the news recently with calls to ban artificial stone worktops in kitchens due to the risk they pose. Following this, IOSH also highlighted the risks of asbestos exposure and how it can be prevented.

During the campaign, hundreds of businesses committed to putting measures in place to prevent workers being exposed to carcinogens.

Ruth added: “Ten years on from launching No Time to Lose, we recognise that this issue hasn’t gone away. In fact, when we talk about these statistics, they include workers who were exposed previously, and they also include young people who are coming into workplaces now, who may not be aware of the risks they face and how they can protect themselves. So, our need to take action and prevent exposure continues.

“Unlike an accident in the workplace, the impact of exposure to these carcinogens will usually not be noticeable for many years due to the latency period – this can be decades afterwards. But those impacts can be life-limiting and life-ending, so it’s crucial this is taken seriously and that all workers are protected.

“That is why we are calling on businesses to ensure they do everything they can to prevent exposures and prevent more people and their families from suffering.”