As a wood finishing specialist, your role involves applying finishes to wood surfaces to enhance their appearance, durability, and protection. Carcinogenic risks in woodworking finishing activities can arise from exposure to
As a horticulturist, your role involves cultivating and managing plants, studying plant growth, and ensuring optimal conditions for plant development. While your primary focus is on plant care and cultivation,
As a crop farmer, your occupation exposes you to potential carcinogenic risks associated with various agricultural practices and exposures. These risks can manifest in different forms, including pesticides, herbicides, and
As a tool and die maker, your role involves crafting and repairing precision tools, dies, and molds used in manufacturing processes. While your occupation may not directly involve exposure to
As a veterinary technician, your role involves assisting veterinarians in providing medical care to animals, performing diagnostic tests, administering treatments, and assisting with surgeries. While your occupation primarily focuses on
The National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) hosted a series of seminars in November in conjunction with the Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland (OHSI) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
As a construction manager, overseeing construction projects can expose you to various occupational hazards, including potential carcinogenic risks, mainly as a by-stander. These risks arise from exposure to certain materials
As a stone polisher, your role involves refining and enhancing the appearance of various types of stone surfaces, and it’s crucial to be aware of potential occupational hazards, including those
As a pipefitter, your work involves installing, assembling, and maintaining piping systems in various industrial settings. While your primary focus is on ensuring the proper functioning of pipes and related
As a roofing installer, your job involves hands-on work with various materials and tools to ensure the successful completion of roofing projects. It’s crucial to be aware of potential health
As a textile chemist or finisher, your work involves the development and application of chemical processes to enhance the properties of textiles, such as durability, color fastness, and water resistance.
In 2024, the European Commission issued the Critical Raw Material Act (CRMA) in order to establish “a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations
As a stone mason, your craft involves working with various types of stone to create structures and decorative elements. It’s essential to be aware of potential occupational hazards, including those
The European Commission’s Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee (SLIC) launched its Guidance for National Labour Inspectors on Thursday 27 October 2016 in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its purpose is to help
As a paint technician, your role involves working with various substances that may expose you to potential carcinogenic risks. These hazards can stem from the use of specific chemicals and
As a production supervisor, your role involves overseeing and managing the manufacturing process, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety. While your primary focus is on achieving production targets and maintaining product
As a process operator, your responsibilities often include overseeing and controlling various industrial processes to ensure efficiency, safety, and product quality. Depending on the industry, you may work in chemical
As a swine producer, your role involves the breeding, raising, and management of swine for various purposes such as meat production, breeding stock, or research. While your occupation may not
As a recycling sorting and processing worker, your daily tasks may expose you to various carcinogenic risks associated with the handling and treatment of recyclable materials. The diverse range of
Alone in the rubber industry more than 350,000 workers are employed in the EU; additionally about 260,000 workers are estimated to be exposed to metal-working fluids and corrosion inhibitors. N-nitrosamines
As a printed circuit board (PCB) assembler, your role involves the assembly and manufacturing of electronic components onto PCBs. While your primary focus is on producing functional electronic circuits, it’s
As a plastics engineer, your role involves the design, development, and manufacturing of plastic products and components. While your primary focus is on innovation and efficiency in plastics processing, it’s
As a painter or coater, your profession involves working with various substances that may expose you to potential carcinogenic risks. These hazards can arise from the use of specific chemicals
As a prepress technician, your role involves preparing and optimising digital files for printing in the graphic arts industry. While your primary focus is on ensuring high-quality print output, it’s
As a dairy farmer, your profession exposes you to potential carcinogenic risks associated with various agricultural practices and exposures. These risks can manifest in different forms, including chemicals, dust, and
As a surface preparation worker, your job involves preparing surfaces for painting, coating, or other finishing processes, and it’s important to be aware of potential occupational hazards, including those related
As a weapons maintenance technician, your role involves inspecting, repairing, and maintaining firearms and other weaponry used in military, law enforcement, or security settings. While your occupation may not directly
As a dyeing and printing technician, your role involves working with various chemicals and processes that, if not managed properly, can pose potential health risks. It’s crucial to be aware
As a process technician, your role involves monitoring and optimising industrial processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety. Depending on the industry, you may work in manufacturing, chemical processing, or
About 3 million workers in the EU are estimated to be exposed to hardwood dust. Prolonged exposure to hardwood dust can cause cancer in the nose and paranasal sinuses. Hardwood
As a pharmaceutical chemist, your work revolves around the research, development, and production of medications and pharmaceutical products. While your primary focus is on advancing medical science and improving patient
As a welder and fabricator, your role involves not only joining metal pieces through welding but also fabricating metal structures and components. Your occupation directly involves exposure to carcinogenic substances
As a sewing machine operator in the manufacture of textiles, your occupation involves potential exposure to certain occupational hazards that may pose carcinogenic risks. These risks primarily arise from materials
It is estimated that about 900,000 workers in the EU are potentially exposed to chromium VI. Studies of workers in chromate production, chromate pigment and chrome electroplating industries employed before
As a tire builder, your job involves assembling various components to construct tires for vehicles. While your occupation may not directly involve exposure to carcinogenic substances, it’s important to be
According to the latest existing assessment from the early 1990s, 971,000 workers were estimated to be exposed to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a skin-sensitizing agent that can cause an immune system
Estimates of current numbers of exposed workers to Vinyl Chloride in the EU are not available. In 1993, a number of 40,000 exposed workers for the EU 15 was estimated.
As a Screen Printer, your job involves consistent exposure to potential carcinogenic risks associated with the printing processes and materials used in your occupation. These hazards can take various forms,
As a pharmacist, your role involves dispensing medications, providing patient counseling, and ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. While your primary focus is on patient care and medication
It is estimated that 46,900 workers in the EU are exposed to ethylene oxide. Exposure to ethylene oxide mainly takes place via inhalation and ingestion. The substance is Carcinogenic Category
Estimates of current numbers of exposed workers to trichloroethylene (TCE) in the EU are not available. In 1990, 276,000 workers were estimated to be exposed to TCE although uses have
According to the most recent estimates, about 20,000 workers in the EU are potentially exposed to beryllium. Beryllium has a harmonised classification under the CLP regulation as Carcinogenic Category 1B,
As a metalworker, your profession involves hands-on work with various metals and machinery, exposing you to potential hazards that may pose risks to your health, including potential carcinogenic substances. The
According to the latest estimates from 2019, approximately 80,000 workers in the EU are exposed to airborne fumes, dusts and mists containing nickel and its compounds. Nickel compounds are classified
In the EU, according to the latest estimates, up to 1.45 million workers are potentially exposed to lead and inorganic lead compounds. For activities involving lead and lead compounds, it
As a water resources engineer, your role involves the planning, design, and management of water-related infrastructure and systems, including dams, reservoirs, stormwater management systems, and water treatment facilities. While your
It is estimated that up to 30,000 workers are exposed to 1,4-dioxane in the EU. Typical workplaces, where 1,4-dioxane is used, are in the rubber and chemical industry. It can
As a metallurgical engineer, your role involves working with various metals and alloys, and although your exposure to carcinogenic risks may be limited compared to some other professions, it is
As a wood product quality inspector, your role involves examining wood products to ensure they meet industry standards for quality, safety, and performance. While your occupation may not directly involve
As a painter and decorator, your profession involves working with various substances that may expose you to potential health risks, including carcinogenic hazards. These risks can stem from the use
Field service technicians in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas face various occupational hazards due to the demanding and potentially dangerous nature of their work. These hazards can
As a recycling facility manager, your responsibilities may expose you to various carcinogenic risks associated with the handling and processing of recyclable materials. The nature of your work involves overseeing
Histologists, who specialize in the study of the microscopic structure of tissues, frequently work with various hazardous substances. These substances are used in tissue preparation, staining, and preservation processes and
As a plumbing and HVAC estimator, your role involves assessing project requirements and providing cost estimates for plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. While your primary focus
As a paving worker, your job involves tasks related to the construction and maintenance of roadways, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces. While your primary focus is on ensuring the quality
Laboratory technicians, who specialize in the study of the microscopic structure of tissues, frequently work with various hazardous substances. These substances are used in tissue preparation, staining, and preservation processes
As a water treatment plant operator, your role involves operating and maintaining equipment to treat and purify water for safe consumption by communities or industries. While your occupation may not
As a construction worker, your job exposes you to various occupational hazards, including potential carcinogenic risks associated with certain materials commonly used in the construction industry. Being aware of these
As a packaging technician or engineer, your role involves working with various materials and processes that may expose you to potential carcinogenic risks. These hazards can stem from the use
As painters and glaziers, your work involves exposure to various substances that may pose potential health risks, including carcinogenic hazards. These risks can arise from the use of specific chemicals
As a millwright, your occupation involves working with various machinery, mechanical systems, and construction projects, and it may expose you to potential hazards that could pose risks to your health,
Maintenance workers in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas face various hazards due to the demanding and potentially dangerous nature of their work. These hazards can lead to
As a tire technician, your role involves inspecting, repairing, and maintaining tires for various types of vehicles. While your occupation may not directly involve exposure to carcinogenic substances, it’s important
As a weaver or knitter, your role involves crafting textiles by interlacing threads or yarns together to create fabric. While your occupation may not directly involve exposure to carcinogenic substances,
As a production technician, your role involves working on the manufacturing floor to ensure the smooth operation of production processes. While your primary focus is on contributing to efficient production,
As a science teacher or laboratory technician, your profession entails regular interaction with a variety of potentially carcinogenic substances and hazards within the laboratory environment. These hazards may include chemical
True to the motto ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ it is necessary to start with integrating activities that raise awareness in primary schools and in vocational educational
‘Strādā vesels’, the Latvian organisation for occupational safety and health, has developed self-tests for employees to test their knowledge on asbestos, dust and carcinogens generally, in order to raise awareness
Introduction and problem setting Every year at least 100.000 people die due to exposure to carcinogens. Legislation forces companies to substitute CMR-products, and often companies know which substances and/or processes
Setting and problem 5 times better (in Dutch: 5x beter) is a cooperation between five parties: Koninklijke Metaalunie, FME, FNV Metaal, CNV Vakmensen and De Unie. 5 times better has
Breathe Freely is a British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) initiative that focuses on mitigating occupational lung diseases. These conditions lead to severe health impairments and are responsible for approximately 13,000
The “Fiches d’Aide au Répérage des Cancérogènes” (FAR) and the “Fiches d’Aide à la Substitution des Cancérogènes” (FAS) have been created by the French Prevention Network (Prevention Departments of Occupational
Are you being exposed to carcinogens at work? Find it out here.
Learn about the risks, exposure limits and possible measures.
What do employers legally have to do? What are workers’ rights?
Prevention from cancer-causing agents is key! What can you do?
Use our knowledge base to find measures and good practices to reduce or eliminate exposure.
Learn about inspection cases that demonstrate risk assessment and control measures.
This website is an initiative from the Roadmap on Carcinogens.
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Read about developments and activities to tackle work-related cancer.
