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IOSH No Time to Lose campaign: ‘The dangers of solar radiation – and what to do about it’. Dr Lesley Rushton and IOSH Vice-President Tim Eldridge. Occupational cancer. Global estimate. At least 742,000 people die every year from a work-related cancer
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IOSH No Time to Lose campaign: ‘The dangers of solar radiation – and what to do about it’ Dr Lesley Rushton and IOSH Vice-President Tim Eldridge
Occupational cancer Global estimate At least 742,000 people die every year from a work-related cancer – more than one deathevery minute. Source: ILO, Ministries of Finland and Singapore, WSH Institute Singapore, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), ICOH and EU-OSHA
Occupational cancer Research in Britain – first detailed study of its kind • What proportion of cancer now in Britain is caused by occupational exposure to carcinogens? • How many cancer deaths and new cancers occurring each year are caused by workplace exposures Source: HSE ‘The burden of occupational cancer in Great Britain’, 2010, Dr Lesley Rushton
Occupational cancer Research in Britain • 5.3% (8.2% men, 2.3% women) of all cancers are due to occupational carcinogens • 8,000 work-related cancer deaths a year • 14,000 new cancer registrations each year are attributed to occupational exposure • Just under half of deaths linked to occupational cancer are in the construction industry Source: HSE ‘The burden of occupational cancer in Great Britain’, 2010, Dr Lesley Rushton
Spotlight on skin cancer caused by solar radiation exposure at work
Skin cancer Global estimate Around 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year. Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
IOSH research on work-related sun exposure in Britain Imperial College London • In a year, malignant melanoma caused by solar radiation exposure at work claims around 50 lives and there are at least 240 new cases. • Around 40 per cent of malignant melanoma cases involve construction workers. • The majority affected are men.
Burden of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) from solar radiation at work
IOSH research on work-related sun exposure in the UK construction sector The University of Nottingham • Awareness around solar radiation risks is generally poor • 59 per cent of construction workers reported having sunburn at least once in the last year • 40 per cent thought there was no need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day • Both workers and managers didn't see sun safety as an important issue because of the UK climate
People who could be at risk • Construction workers • Dock and maritime worker • Engineers • Farmworkers and other rural workers • Police officers • Decorators • Postal workers • Rail or road workers • Refuse and recycling collectors • Sports persons • Traffic and parking workers
Controlling solar radiation exposure • Assess the risks of exposure • Do any employees work regularly outside? • Are workers exposed to higher levels of solar radiation for significant periods? • Are workers unprotected from the effects of solar radiation?
Prevention • Avoid • Check the UV index • Avoid exposure during midday • Work rotation • Work in the shade • Take breaks in the shade • Raise awareness of solar radiation issues with workers • Cover up • Wear sunglasses • Wear sun protection • Check your skin • Drink plenty of water
Mark Story Video https://youtu.be/alRqaZt4ZZM
The No Time to Lose campaign aims to: • raise awareness of a significant health issue facing employees • offer businesses free practical, original materials to help them deliver effective prevention programmes • suggest solutions to tackle the problem
Free practical materials www.notimetolose.org.uk
Free practical resources to tackle solar radiation exposure www.notimetolose.org.uk
Pledge to take action – join 116 leading businesses • 1. Assess the risks • 2. Develop and deliver a prevention strategy • 3. Brief managers • 4. Engage employees • 5. Demand the same standards from their supply chain • 6. Report progress
Royal Mail Story https://youtu.be/j8-t50gNoKc
New No Time to Lose website www.notimetolose.org.uk
IOSH supports European campaign – ‘Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances’ www.iosh.co.uk/healthyworkplaces