Some carcinogens
Australian workers are exposed to carcinogens in the workplace. Welding fume, respirable crystalline silica, diesel engine exhaust, asbestos and solar UV are all examples of important carcinogens in terms of actual and potential occupational exposure and the associated risks. The resulting burden of cancer attributable to work, which should be largely avoidable, appears considerable.
Some questions
Despite the known issue of occupational exposure to carcinogens, there are a lot of related questions for which the answer is not known, or not known with confidence. What are the levels of exposure? Where the exposures are not well controlled, why is this? Which industries; which occupations; which tasks; which workers? What do workers and employers know about this? Do they care? Should they care? What can be done? What should be done? What is being done?
Some case studies
This presentation will consider these and other questions relevant to work-related cancer, using case studies to illustrate key aspects.
Some answers
Despite undoubted improvements over the last several decades, there is still much to be done. Information on exposures is limited and fragmented. Many workers, employers and members of the public do not appear to have a good understanding of the important exposures, the likely associated risks and the strengths and limitations of various control measures. This can lead to inadequate control of exposures, and conversely pressure for limited resources to be utilised in a manner that might not be best for workers.
Some thoughts for the future
Improvements in information, better understanding of risk, emphasis on the use of the hierarchy of control, and keeping exposure to carcinogens as low as reasonably possible are all important if the risk of work-related cancer is to be controlled to the level it should be.