occupational cancer what you need to know

Occupational cancer - what you

need to know

Mike Slater

BOHS President 2014/15

Approximately 8,000 workers die every year in Great Britain from occupational cancer

0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Other agents

Working as painter

Shift work

Mineral oils

Diesel exhaust emissions

Silica

Asbestos

Occupational cancer deaths by cause in Great Britain, 2005

Controlling exposure to carcinogens at work

Recognise Evaluate Control

Occupational Hygiene

Recognise Evaluate Control

Occupational Hygiene

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

This is the basis of the “hierarchy of control” - a list of common control

measures in order of preference.

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Let’s look at some examples of how it can be applied to

controlling common occupational carcinogens

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

We’ll start with how exposure can be

prevented

Beta-napthylamine, a potent bladder carcinogen, has been banned

The use of asbestos has also been banned

The use of silica sand for blasting is not allowed. Alternatives must be used.

Diesel powered fork lift trucks can be replaced by LPG powered vehicles

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

When we can’t prevent exposure, we should try to find engineering approaches to

control exposure

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/copd/casestudies/wetcut.htm

Wet cutting of stone or concrete significantly reduces dust exposures

An example of process containment

Partial containment with local extraction

On tool extraction

Local extraction

www.aessolutions.co.uk

Cleaning up using a vacuum rather than sweeping

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Reduce exposure time Increase distance Working methods Standard procedures

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Respiratory protection really

shouldn’t be used as a primary control

for carcinogens

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

But it may be needed in some situations as a

secondary control or where other

approaches aren’t practicable

Good training and supervision is needed to make sure respiratory protection is effective

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Supervision

Maintenance

Procedures

Auditing

Testing

Health surveillance

Monitoring

Information

Training

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Supervision

Maintenance

Procedures

Auditing

Testing

Health surveillance

Monitoring

Information

Training

These management measures are needed to ensure controls work effectively

Lot’s of good guidance on control is available from the HSE

Occupational hygienists can help employers to locate the relevant

information

Nanotechnology

New substances can present new challenges

Occupational hygienists have the knowledge and skills to develop solutions

http://www.bohs.org/OHServices-directory/

Qualified Occupational hygienists can help to control problems like this!

president@bohs.org http://www.bohs.org Twitter: @bohsworld http://www.slideshare.net/mikeslater