Time out to beat occupational cancer

All BESIX Watpac projects and those of the BESIX Group around the world are taking a Safety Time Out today Wednesday 28 April to focus on beating occupational cancers.

Toolbox Safety Talk
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Coinciding with the International Day for Health and Safety at Work, the global Safety Time Out is focused on working together to help beat occupational cancers, in particular those attributed to exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust fumes, silica dust and solar radiation.

Toolbox talks will include details on all four exposure risks. In relation to asbestos, workers will be reminded that there is no safe level of exposure and that asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma are deadly. This is why there are prescriptive regulations around notification of the presence of asbestos and why its safe removal is only carried out by licensed specialists under the guidance of occupational hygienists.

The critical importance of eliminating or minimising exposure to silica dust will also be stressed. Silica dust is generated during the cutting, drilling and shaping of various stone and concrete products and the procedures and equipment necessary to carry out these actions safely are well established on all BESIX Watpac projects.

Focus is also being applied to minimising exposure to diesel exhaust fumes and reinforcing the sun safety messages to reduce the risk and contracting melanoma and other conditions related to sun exposure.

BESIX Watpac’s Group Work Health and Safety Manager Justin Simpkin believes the global focus of the Safety Time Out campaign brings a higher level of engagement in the messages.

“Across the world, cancer caused by exposure to carcinogens while at work accounts for many more deaths than work accidents and these deaths are totally avoidable,” Justin said.

“We have made great gains in reducing the number of injuries at work and we want all our people to apply the same vigilance in preventing occupational cancer. Events like our Safety Time Out will help make all our people stop and think.”

The BESIX Group Global Safety Time-Out is part of the No Time To Lose Campaign of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

"We have made great gains in reducing the number of injuries at work and we want all our people to apply the same vigilance in preventing occupational cancer."


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