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Annotated slides from a presentation given at the Safety and Health Expo in London 17 June 2014
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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!
[email protected] http://www.bohs.org Twitter: @bohsworld http://www.slideshare.net/mikeslater
