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Bilbao (pte053/14.05.2003/17:26) - Thirty-two million people, one fifth of workers employed in the EU, are working in offices or places that harbour cancer-causing chemicals and toxins. During about two thirds of their working time, twenty-two per cent of employees breathe in toxic smoke and vapours, reports the European Agent for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) http://europe.osha.eu.int . The agency has now submitted a campaign to the EU parliament to minimise the use of chemicals, biological substances and other dangerous matter in the work place.
High-risk branches include construction, farming, the print and cleaning industry, auto mechanics and the health services. The already existing risks are magnified when regulations are not upheld and when workers are not well enough informed by employers. One of the studies showed that only 12 per cent of businesses were aware of their duty to inform employees of health risks.
The agency intends to use the media to inform people about work-place health hazards at the European Safety and Health at Work week to be held in October. Information and brochures are available at http://osha.eu.int/ew2003.
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