TUC launches occupational cancer campaign

A leading organisation is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the chemical risks workers are being exposed to.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) initiative will focus on work which deploys toxic chemicals such as wood dust and diesel which increase the risks of employees developing cancers.

While it recognises restrictions are in place for certain substances, the organisation warns this does not mean workers exposed to less than this level are safe.

The union claims safer alternatives to certain chemicals are available but cost often dissuades companies from using these.

Brendan Barber, the TUC's general secretary, states this type of illness kills between 15,000 and 18,000 on an annual basis.

"Every one of these workplace cancer deaths is avoidable and far more must be done to both increase awareness of the risks and also to remove employees' exposure to carcinogens," he states.

Earlier this month, the University of Stirling's professor Andrew Watterson asserted there are more Scottish deaths from this type of occupational disease than road traffic fatalities, murders and suicides combined.