Awareness Must Improve as More Cancers Become Associated With the Workplace

10 Feb 2020

In the field of occupational hygiene and safety, there are a growing number of cancers being linked to working environments. As well as from asbestos - the number one workplace killer - there are other substances like silica dust that have been linked to mesothelioma, a particularly virulent form of lung cancer.

According to the Irish Cancer Society, work-related cancers of this kind, which are strongly linked to improper asbestos removal and disposal, are certainly on the increase. At last count, there were 400 cases of workplace mesothelioma annually, equating to 1 in 4 of all cases seen in the country.

Increase Awareness
The key to reducing this number is through the raising of awareness, not only of the dangers of failing to adhere to asbestos regulations but also of how to spot all forms of danger in the workplace. The tragedy of mesothelioma is that it is currently incurable and can lay dormant for up to 30-40 year before becoming apparent.

There are many cases where people in their 20s have worked on building sites where rules regarding asbestos removal and disposal have not been followed and then gone on to develop lung cancer in their 50s and 60s. Despite this fact, there are still those not qualified in safe asbestos removal dealing with the dangerous material and releasing deadly asbestos fibres into the air as a consequence.

If in Doubt, Stop and Call the Professionals
When the presence of asbestos or other dangerous substances are suspected, there are strict guidelines to follow that involve asbestos surveys, air quality monitoring and the decision relating to the safest route to deal with the issue. When someone who is unqualified attempts to deal with dangerous materials, everyone in the vicinity is in grave danger.

The sooner the gravity of these kinds of situations are fully understood, the more chance we have of reversing the current trend of workplace fatalities. If you would like to know more about asbestos abatement or occupational hygiene, please visit our website www.ohss.ie where you’ll find everything you need to know. Alternatively, call us now on (01) 6905907 for advice from our team of experts.

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