Contact with a wide range of chemicals and other hazardous substances at work is endangering the health of workers across Europe, and nanotechnology is one of the risks causing most concern to experts from 21 European countries.

A report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) – called Expert Forecast on Emerging Chemical Risks - identifies the main groups of substances which could pose new and increasing risks to workers, contributing to diseases which range from allergies, asthma, and infertility to cancers. Dangerous substances are not only found in the chemical industry, but also in occupations such as farming, nursing, construction and in many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) outside the chemical industry.

“It is estimated that each year there are 74,000 work-related deaths linked to hazardous substances encountered in the workplace.
 

To keep safe in relation to dangerous substances, workers should be kept informed about:

• the findings of their employer’s risk assessment

• the hazards they are exposed to

• how they may be affected
 

• what they have to do to keep themselves and others safe

• how to check and spot when things are wrong
 

• who they should report any problems to

• the results of any exposure monitoring or  health surveillance
 

• preventive measures to be taken in case of maintenance work first aid and emergency procedures.

 

Call for 2009 DuPont Safety Awards Applications

The DuPont Safety Awards recognises outstanding achievements in fostering safety and protection at work and at home. Previous winners include shopping centre safety design, stakeholder engagement of local communities in W. Africa and Kurdistan, and creation of new safety programmes.

If your company has implemented an innovative safety programme, we would like to hear from you. For further details on how to apply for the 2009 DuPont Safety Awards, please click here.

Companies need to register their intent to apply by 30 June 2009.

As from 6 April 2009, HSE is publishing new versions of its approved health and safety poster and leaflet.

The new versions are modern, eye-catching and easy to read. They set out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points, what employers and workers must do, and tell you what to do if there is a problem.

Employers can, if they wish, continue to use their existing versions of poster and leaflet until 5 April 2014, as long as they are readable and the addresses of the enforcing authority and the Employment Medical Advisory Service up to date.

Coastal  Training Technolgies Kerkenbos 10 -141 6546 BJ Nijmegen The Netherlands Freephone: 0800 169 3084 Ext.: 1724, 1725, 1726 and 1727 Fax: 0808 234 6225

E-mail: info@coastal.co.uk
Web: www.coastaltraining.co.uk

If your employees are working with chemicals, hazard communication is their safety net. This DVD features the training content of Coastal’s Hazard Communication: Your Safety Net video, and focuses on the essentials necessary to work safely around chemicals.

 

Model #: HAZ008-DVD-EUR

Length: 17 minutes

Price: ₤ 299