Lifting the load: Reducing the

burden of occupational disease in

the UK

Mike Slater

BOHS President 2014/15

On Sunday 13th April 2014 there was a two page spread in the Observer

On the next day this happened …….

• 39 fatal injuries to workers in Construction in 2012/13

But accident statistics don’t tell the full story

Here this worker is exposed to dust containing silica that presents a serious risk to his health

Exposure to respirable silica dust can cause silicosis – a serious lung disease that can be fatal

and lung cancer

• About 3 700 occupational cancer cases in construction

• over 500 workers believed to die from exposure to silica dust

• 31 000 new cases of work-related ill health

There are currently approximately 13,000 deaths each year due to occupational diseases in the whole of industry

13,000 people per year equates to 36 people per day, but we don’t hear anything about it in the news

148 workers died in accidents at work

99%

health

Approx 12,000 died from work related disease

148 workers died in accidents at work

An estimated 1.1 million people who worked in 2011/12 were suffering from a work-related illness

What are the main causes of occupational ill health in Great Britain?

Almost 5000 deaths per year are attributable to asbestos exposure

Silica released during stone cutting activities

Source: HSE

Here we can see a stonemason who is exposed to dust containing crystalline silica

Silica released during stone cutting activities

Source: HSE

Around 1000 new cancer cases per year due to silica exposure

Fume from processes like this one can lead to COPD (Chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease)

Now you see it

The paint in this example contains solvents and isocyanates, a major cause

of occupational asthma

Bakers are about 80 times more likely to develop occupational asthma than the average British worker

Many workers can be exposed to diesel exhaust emissions – a known carcinogen

Approx 1000 cancer cases every year due to exposure to diesel exhaust emissions at work

Workers manufacturing pharmaceutical products can be exposed to highly toxic dusts

Recycling

Here workers can be exposed to a wide range of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic metals, and biological agents

Fracking

Fracking has been in the news due to environmental concerns, but the process can also lead to workers being

exposed to silica dust and hazardous chemicals

And it’s not just chemical agents Here exposure to noise can cause deafness and vibration from the power tool can cause nerve and vascular damaage

Recognise Evaluate Control

Occupational Hygiene

Recognise Evaluate Control

Occupational Hygiene

Prevention

Engineering

Work practices

PPE

Employers

Have the key role in preventing ill health due to work

HSE

Government

Employers

Trade Unions

Professionals

But others have a role to play too

“HSE .. (should continue) .. to

seek new and innovative

ideas for interventions that

maximise its impact on the

continuing high levels of

work-related ill health.”

HSE

Government

Employers

Trade Unions

Professionals

http://www.bohs.org

Occupational Hygienists have the knowledge and skills to help employers find solutions

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

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pTnkODfIHad5s9dpuPrpw?feature=watch

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