protecting worker health webinar
TRANSCRIPT
Protecting Worker Health 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 there’s another story – construction workers are also exposed to dust and other agents that can affect their health
• About 3 700 occupational cancer cases
• over 500 workers believed to die from exposure to silica dust
• 31 000 new cases of work-related ill health
each year in the construction sector
• About 3 700 occupational cancer cases
• over 500 workers believed to die from exposure to silica dust
• 31 000 new cases of work-related ill health
each year in the construction sector
Unfortunately these facts and figures don’t make the headlines
There are currently approximately 13,000 deaths each year due to occupational diseases
Looking at the broader picture
That 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
An estimated 1.1 million people who worked in 2011/12 were suffering from a work-related illness
Almost 5000 deaths per year are attributable to asbestos exposure
Although it’s use is banned in Europe, asbestos is still present in many buildings
and people can still be exposed if it is damaged or disturbed
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
Approx 1000 cancer deaths in Great Britain per annum are due to silica exposure
Welding is a common process and exposure to fume can lead to COPD, asthma and other diseases,
including cancer
Fume from processes like this one can lead to COPD
Now you see it
Paint sprayers can be exposed to a wide range of hazardous substances including isocyanates, a major cause of occupational asthma
Bakers are about 80 times more likely to develop occupational asthma than the average British worker
Approx 1000 fatalities per year from cancer 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
Prevention or cure?
Recognise Evaluate Control
Occupational Hygiene
Recognise Evaluate Control
Occupational Hygiene
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
The use of asbestos has been banned in Europe and many other countries
Silica sand is no longer used for blasting – it’s been replaced by safer substitutes
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/copd/casestudies/wetcut.htm
Damping down with water
Process containment combined with local extraction
An effective local extraction system
www.aessolutions.co.uk
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Reduce exposure time Increase distance Working methods Standard procedures
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
• It only protects the user
• It doesn’t address the source of the problem
• It is usually not as effective as people believe
• It’s uncomfortable and people don’t like wearing it
Why is PPE the last resort?
A failure of management
Prevention
Engineering
Work practices
PPE
Supervision
Maintenance
Procedures
Auditing
Testing
Health surveillance
Monitoring
Information
Training
Management of controls
In many cases solutions are readily available
If you know where to look !
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Occupational hygienists have the skills to find solutions to new and emerging risks
http://www.bohs.org/OHServices-directory/
Employers
Have the key role in preventing ill health due to work
HSE
Government Employers
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
Professionals
BOHS Worker Health Protection Arena (Sponsored by Shell)
17 – 19 June
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pTnkODfIHad5s9dpuPrpw?feature=watch
[email protected] http://www.bohs.org Twitter: @bohsworld http://www.slideshare.net/mikeslater