Unions focus memorial day on hazardous substances

摘要

The International Trade Union Confederation used this year's International Workers' Memorial Day to draw attention to the need to eliminate exposures of workers to hazardous substances. The day is commemorated worldwide on 28 April and has been marked in the UK for 23 years, although it was not officially recognised by the UK government until 2010 (see below). The twofold purposes of the day are to "remember the dead: fight for the living". The TUC listed over 60 events that took place in the UK on 28 April. The TUC points out that hazardous substances are found in almost every workplace in the UK, with many workers lacking any protection, despite the fact that exposures result in tens of thousands of workers developing asthma, dermatitis, lung disorders and cancers. Responses from 500 workers to a TUC online questionnaire found that 71 % of respondents believed they were exposed to, or at risk from, potentially dangerous substances at work. The substances included asbestos (49% of those exposed or at risk), hazardous chemicals and gases (49%), radiation sources (35%) and biological agents (27%). The British Occupational Hygiene Society launched an initiative to tackle lung diseases in construction on the day too (see above).