The increased cases of allergies, asthma, infertility, and more serious diseases like cancer among European workers point towards insufficient management of substance risks at workplaces. Everyday a large number of employees in Europe face the danger of life threatening diseases by coming in contact with risky substances. The emerging field of nanotechnology also has a significant impact on the health of the employees, and more caution over its use has been advised in a report published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).
Almost fifty prominent experts from all over Europe were involved in the recently published study titled Expert Forecast on Emerging Chemical Risks. Their findings unveiled the fact that an increasing use of nanoparticles by industries like IT, manufacturing units, and cosmetics companies poses maximum threat to the workers in Europe.
Experts feel that more studies should be conducted to understand the impact of nanoparticles on workers’ health. However, suitable work procedures have already been evolved that can reduce the chances of exposure to such harmful substances.
The agency has urged that matters related to women’s reproductive health should no longer be considered as taboo, and should be contained in risk assessment studies.
The problem of exposure to hazardous substances is most severe for workers involved in waste management, construction business, and home nursing or cleaning activities.
Jukka Takala, the director of EU-OSHA stressed upon the growing impact of hazardous substances on European workers. According to Mr. Takala, there are ten times more cases of fatalities due to harmful exposure than those due to workplace accidents. He also observed that the chances of dangerous exposure are more at SMEs, and adequate precautious should be taken by these companies to protect their employees from substance risks.
Workplace Law’s nebosh course is a great step towards improving your workforce’s understanding of new health and safety law and best practice.