LABOR ADVOCACY GROUP: 12,000 die from ‘work cancers

12,000 die from ‘work cancers

THE country’s health watchdog has been branded “feeble” in failing to prevent nearly 12,000 deaths caused by work related cancers.
A Health and Safety Executive board meeting report last week revealed that cancers were to blame for 8,000 to 12,000 deaths per year due to occupational illness.
But according to an occupational health expert more needs to be done to stop people being exposed to dangerous work environments.
Nearly 14,000 new cases of workplace cancers are registered every year realrted to exposure from toxic chemicals and pollution.
The biggest killer according to the HSE is asbestos which is accountable for 4,000 deaths per year.
There are around 1.8million tradesmen who are at risk of contracting mesothelioma which causes cancers of the lung, larynx and stomach from asbestos exposure.
Almost 800 deaths per year are caused by breathing in silica dust – stonemasons, quarriers and foundry workers are especially a risk from this.
More than 600 deaths in drivers, miners and construction workers are linked to inhaling exhaust emissions from diesel engines.
There is even evidence that suggests that prolonged night-shift work is responsible for 500 people dying from breast cancer every year.
Other occupational hazards that induce cancer are paints, welding, toxic chemicals used in dry cleaning and the radioactive gas radon.

LABOR ADVOCACY GROUP: 12,000 die from ‘work cancers: THE country’s health watchdog has been branded “feeble” in failing to prevent nearly 12,000 deaths caused by work related cancers. A Health...