Spotlight on… occupational cancers aims to raise awareness of the health risks involved in construction work, specifically those relating to occupational cancers within the sector...
Considerate Constructors Scheme
BEST PRACTICE HUB
occupational cancers
The campaign
‘Spotlight on… occupational cancers’ aims to raise awareness of the health risks involved in construction work, specifically those relating to occupational cancers and the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard all employees within the sector.
There are various types of cancer which affect the workforce, however skin cancer and lung cancer have been identified as the two main types that significantly affect individuals working within the construction industry.
Skin and lung cancer can be caused by exposure to carcinogens and UV radiation in the workplace over a prolonged period of time. The causes can also take various forms from solid substances to gases and dust. Without appropriate control measures in place, the workforce can be harmfully exposed breathing these substances in or absorbing them through the skin.
Due to the risks associated with the construction industry and the various harmful substances encountered on a day to day basis, workers within the industry are at a greater risk of developing cancer at work compared with any other industry group, if the risks posed fail to be appropriately managed. A number of the substances potentially causing risk include asbestos, silica, diesel engine exhaust emissions, paint and prolonged exposure to UV radiation.
Whilst a higher number of people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Australia, the survival rate is higher than in the UK – almost 3,000 more people have died from skin cancer in the UK over the past 5 years. This is the result of better public attitudes to sun protection and early detection of any skin changes due to Australia’s well-funded awareness campaigns which have spanned over more than 20 years, coupled with primary and secondary school education. The UK needs to take a more proactive approach to this health problem, which is particularly relevant for outside workers.
It is difficult to determine the true extent of occupational cancers as in many cases individuals fail to develop any noticeable symptoms of either skin or lung cancers until many years later. Therefore, they may not be prioritised within the construction industry as a high risk health and safety issue immediately affecting the workforce.
Facts and figures
Despite this, the following facts have been identified:
- In the UK there are 13,500 newly occurring cases of occupational cancer per year (HSE 2015/16)
- Over 40% of the total occupational cancer deaths arise within the construction industry (HSE statistics 2013/14)
- 99% of construction industry deaths are caused by work related ill-health and 1% of occupational deaths are related to poor safety within the British industry as a whole (HSE statistics 2013/14)
- Asbestos is responsible for the largest proportion of occupational cancer, with an estimate that 50% of occupational cancer deaths and 1 in 3 newly occurring cases of occupational cancer were caused by exposure to asbestos (Chen and Osman, British Journal of Cancer, 2012)
- Construction workers have a 6 times greater risk of developing skin cancer than the general population (Construction Enquirer, 2015)
Law and legislation
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External resources
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Examples of best practice
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Case studies
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What can you do?
The construction industry cannot afford to overlook the topic of occupational cancers. As highlighted above, this is a significant problem affecting the industry, with devastating long term effects, thus demanding a great deal of attention today.
A good understanding of the risks and factors which contribute to occupational cancers is vital to be able to appropriately manage and minimise the hazards and effectively safeguard the workforce. Each member of the workforce has a personal responsibility to implement measures to minimise the risks posed. Employers also have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment to ensure that employees are not being exposed to hazardous substances or UV radiation.
On every site before work commences, a risk assessment should be conducted and measures to minimise the hazards found should be implemented and effectively communicated to the workforce.
The following control measures can be utilised to minimise harmful exposure of substances and UV radiation:
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Sites need to proactively eliminate harmful substances, when this isn’t achievable working methods and equipment must be substituted for safer alternatives
Removing the carcinogens and hazardous substances from the workplace is an effective method to counter the risks posed to employees on site; in situations where this isn’t possible sites should actively seek and adopt less hazardous alternatives.
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Sites should isolate high risk areas
Specific areas should be designated at a distance from the main working area or workers should be removed from areas where hazardous operations are underway. This will minimise the number of workers exposed, and those who are exposed can be properly protected during operations such as cutting timber or cement blocks.
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Sites could introduce controls to reduce exposure
Measures to minimise the exposure to dust and fibres include implementing a general ventilation system or installing local exhaust ventilation systems on woodworking machinery. Dust bags could be integrated on power tools for sanding or cutting or providing an enclosure for hazardous operations such as spray booths. Certain controls could be employed to reduce the amount of harmful exposure operatives have to UV radiation such as providing shade, sun cream protection, reflective PPE, modifying reflective surfaces and using window tinting on vehicles.
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Sites should review and update safe working procedures
Outdoor work can be rescheduled to ensure that it does not take place in the middle of the day when UV levels are at their strongest. Jobs could be moved into shaded areas, outdoor tasks shared and staff rotated so the same person is not always working outside in the sun.
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Personal Protective Equipment should be adapted to match the working conditions
PPE could be used alongside other control measures (see above) such as dust masks and respirators to protect against fumes. Gloves, overalls, neck protectors, sun cream and sun hats could also be provided for the workforce.
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Site managers should raise awareness of occupational cancers and offer appropriate support and advice
In the long-term, the construction industry should be aiming to acknowledge and address dust and UV related issues. Sites should educate and inform the workforce about the dangers of occupational cancers via regular toolbox talks, nurse visits, posters and leaflets. A clear message needs to be communicated to everyone and equipment should be provided and made available to ensure that workers are able to protect themselves. The attitude in the UK amongst many people that we ‘don’t get any sun’ so we are not at risk of skin cancers needs to change immediately. UV radiation is very damaging and outside workers are at particularly high risk. Breathing in dusts or harmful air also cannot be ignored as this can lead to long-term health implications and/or problems later in life.
As well as the information above, it is also advised to use the resources provided in the ‘External resources’ section of this campaign, which offers a plentiful amount of resources from other organisations and companies that cover the full spectrum of the topic.
Although the Scheme has been able to identify a number of current awareness campaigns and best practice, it is clear that these issues are in many cases still failing to be fully addressed on site. It is apparent that there is a heavy focus on basic protection, however there is a lack of awareness and adequate provisions to tackle the risk of skin and lung cancers within the industry. The importance of protection for the long-term health of the workforce needs to be carefully considered and reinforced amongst workers. If the industry is to better safeguard against occupational cancers, further awareness, guidance and support will certainly be of great benefit and very much welcomed.
If the industry wants to attract talented new recruits, it must ensure it is doing everything it can to provide a safe working environment for today and the future, considering both the short-term and long-term health impacts and risks involved.
The Scheme will continue to update this page as new examples and case studies of how the industry is tackling this issue are identified. If you would like to share how your company is addressing occupational cancers, please contact the Scheme by emailing enquiries@ccsbestpractice.org.uk
Examples of best practice
The Scheme aims to improve the image of construction through sharing best practice with the industry. Below are a number of best practice initiatives that have been witnessed by the Scheme’s Monitors on their site visits, which are related to occupational cancers:
Sun Safety
Dr David Hazafy, from the school of chemistry and chemical engineering at Queens University visited Farrans Construction site to test a newly devised wristband indicating overexposure to ultraviolet light. Outdoor workers are at an increased risk of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun. With 100,000 cases of skin cancer resulting from overexposure to ultraviolet light in the UK…
Hollow drill bits
Several drill manufacturers including Dewalt, Hilti and Milwaukee now provide hollow drill bits which allow the dust created when drilling holes to be extracted via the bit when drilling. The drill bits have an on-board dust extractor port that can be connected to a vacuum hose. Since dust is extracted as the hole is drilled, there is less risk if…
Spotlight on… campaign posters
Spotlight on… posters have been designed for general display in and around site welfare facilities. The Scheme is currently developing a collection of A3 posters from the series of ‘Spotlight on… ‘ awareness campaigns. This resource has proven valuable for display on site and raising awareness amongst the workforce and visitors.
Harmful Ultraviolet rays
Ultra violet radiation can cause skin cancer as well as short term pain and irritation. Within the construction industry, operatives are regularly exposed through their daily activity, working outdoors in direct sunlight. The board provides a link to the MET office website whereby the daily UV index can be checked. The board is then updated on site to record the…
Air Quality Monitoring Survey
An air monitoring survey was undertaken in June 2016 to assess personal exposures to Diesel Engine Exhaust Emission (DEEE) for operatives carrying out work on the M60. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans if exposed to high fume levels. The data has shown that the overall exposure to the…
Construction workers reminded to stay sun safe on site
HSS Hire is raising attention and encouraging construction workers to protect themselves against the harmful effects of long term sun exposure with a new poster campaign. Supported by Cancer Research UK and in conjunction with Sir Robert McAlpine, a site in London is displaying UV ray reactive posters that change appearance after exposure to the sun. The poster which initially…
Minimising the risk of skin cancer
Morganstone recognises that those working in the construction industry are at a high risk of developing occupational cancers such as skin and lung cancer and as such takes a proactive approach to support the health and wellbeing of its employee’s and sub-contractors. Whilst it has been Morganstone’s long-standing policy to include sun cream dispensers in their WC’s as standard, Morganstone…
Spotlight on… campaign flyers
The Spotlight on… flyers have been designed for general display in and around site welfare facilities. The Scheme provides a collection of A5 flyers from both past and current ‘Spotlight on… ‘ awareness campaigns. Each unique flyer contains information on the industry issue and advice on how to tackle it. This resource has proven valuable for display on site and raising awareness…
IOSH’s No Time To Lose – Silica Dust Mythbuster Quiz
IOSH’s No Time To Lose campaign launched in November 2014, bringing together industry leaders, cancer charities, MP’s and professional bodies to raise awareness and share experiences of preventing occupational cancer. They have created a Mythbusters Quiz detailing the facts on the dangers of exposure to silica dust. The quiz includes the answers to: Where silica dust can be found and the…
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is coordinated annually by the Union for International Cancer Control. The week promotes the research for curing as well as preventing the disease, upgrading the provided services to the patients, the sensitisation of the common opinion and the mobilisation of the global community against cancer. To support Cancer Talk Week on your site, you could do the following: Hold a…
HSE guidance: Occupational Health Risk Management in Construction
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) results from its annual refurbishment initiative have revealed that poor standards or dangerous practices were found on 46% of construction sites visited. In light of the results, HSE have issued new specialist guidance, ‘Occupational Health Risk Management in Construction’ to ensure basic health and safety measures are in place on all sites. To read…
HSE appointed doctors
An appointed doctor is a registered medical practitioner appointed by HSE to undertake statutory medical surveillance. Employers have a legal duty to ensure employees are under medical surveillance by an appointed doctor, if they work with specific hazards and undertake certain work activities covered by the following relevant regulations: Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Control…
Providing appropriate respiratory protective equipment
It is important to identify hazards posed to operatives on site and implement measures to offset the risks. The construction industry poses a number of hazards to operatives, most notably of which being silica and silican dusts. It is important to appropriately inform and protect your workforce to minimise exposure to harmful substances. Below is an example of how a site…
IOSH No Time to Lose Campaign: solar radiation
IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign aims to get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood and help businesses to take action. They have provided a number of resources which may help businesses better understand the risks posed by solar radiation: Research on solar radiation exposure at work (documents can be found below); Free events are held to learn more about occupational…
Occupational Health – Controlling Dust
Our aim was to reduce the volume of harmful wood dust polluting the atmosphere in the area where our carpenters are working to a level as low as ‘reasonably practical’. Wood dust has a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 5mg/m3 and can cause asthma, nasal cancer, emphysema, etc., when inhaled in large quantities for prolonged periods. To reduce the risk,…
Skin Cancer awareness
Rates of Skin Cancer are higher than any other cancer in the UK and it is estimated that 37 people a day in the UK are diagnosed with Skin Cancer. At Knightbuild Ltd, a Skin Cancer Awareness campaign has been implemented and introduced across all our projects to educate our workforce about the associated dangers and also to introduce control…
Dust Protection Devices
Active measures should be taken to minimise dust and fumes on and around site. Dust can be a cause of complaint for the community and poses environmental and occupational health hazards for the workforce. When installing monitoring points on site, fixings had to be drilled into concrete, stone, masonry or similar substrates, which caused large amounts of dust. Some of this dust would be…
On site ‘Breathe Easy’ training
To ensure that the Asbestos removal contract could operate safely, ‘Breathe Easy’ kit training was organised on site, for all nine operatives. As asbestos removal is a high risk activity it was essential that all staff were fully up to speed with the risks and how to safely deal with asbestos related work, before going to work in the enclosures. This…
Workplaces should have a sun protection programme in place
Construction workers have an increased risk of developing skin cancer due to their prolonged exposure to outdoor conditions. It is important to acknowledge these risks and take a proactive stance to prevent harmful exposures. The Australian construction industry have taken measures to safeguard their workforce, with the Cancer Council Australia recommending that workplaces should have a sun protection programme in place,…
Men’s Health Toolbox Talks
Toolbox talks are a great way of engaging with the workforce and delivering talks on relevant health and safety topics. Havercroft Construction Limited are working alongside the Men’s Health Forum to create Toolbox Talks developed for the construction industry relating to various men’s health issues including: Stress related issues Alcohol consumption Skin safety To view the toolbox talks click below.
Protection from the sun on site using a UV helmet sticker
Construction work can pose a number of health and safety risks. A significant proportion of construction work is performed outside, with operatives exposed to different types of weather conditions. During the summer months, the workforce needs to be aware of both heat and sun exposure, remain protected from direct sunlight and ensure they keep hydrated. Below is an example of how…
Asbestos awareness training
The workforce is often exposed to a number of occupational health risks. It is important to implement procedures and provide appropriate training to effectively safeguard your workforce. Asbestos awareness training is a legal requirement for most employees working in the construction industry, to minimise the risks associated with working with asbestos. There are many types of asbestos removal training courses available…
Minimising operatives’ exposure to the sun
Construction workers have an increased risk of developing skin cancer due to their regular exposure to the sun. It is essential to assess the risks posed and implement appropriate control measures to minimise operatives’ exposure to the sun. Below is an example of how a site has offered sun protection to their workforce: A ventilated neck sun protector with sweat headband…
Face fit mask stations
Securing the wellbeing of your workforce is essential. This is important when certain activities result in air contamination through dust or fumes. Measures to minimise the hazards to operatives should be actively sought and encouraged on site. Below is an example of how sites can protect their workers from breathing in harmful substances: All operatives were provided with free face fit mask…
Breathe Freely – preventing lung disease in construction workers
Occupational health risks need to be addressed in order to care for the health and wellbeing of the workforce. It is no secret that construction workers are at a high risk of contracting lung disease from the work that they do. In 2015, approximately 3,500 will die from cancer caused by past exposures to asbestos, 500 more from silica dust,…
Network Rail Campaign: skin protection
Network Rail and Cancer Research UK have come together to raise awareness of the risks associated with skin cancer. Network rail have identified the risk posed to their employees with many working outdoors for several hours at a time. The importance of sun protection has been made clear, with sites encouraging the use of an SPF spray or cream, lightweight…
The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) No Time to Lose Campaign
IOSH launched their campaign in November 2014, bringing together industry leaders, cancer charities, MP’s and professional bodies to raise awareness and share experiences of preventing occupational cancer. IOSH wants to raise awareness of five of the top causes of occupational cancer registrations and deaths: Diesel Engine Exhaust emissions – is linked to 650 UK deaths a year; Solar radiation –…
HSE Beware Asbestos Campaign
The presence of asbestos in the workplace presents a significant risk to employees health. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious and fatal diseases with around 20 tradespeople suffering asbestos related deaths every week. HSE have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with asbestos, where it can be found as well as identifying ways to manage and…
Sun protection in the workplace: UV bracelets
Construction work can pose a number of health and safety risks. It is the responsibility of not only management but also operatives to take precautions to safeguard themselves from the hazards posed on site. A significant proportion of construction work is performed outside, with operatives exposed to different types of weather conditions. During the summer months, the workforce needs to be…
Solar radiation risks
Workers often face difficult working environments due to the various weather conditions they have to work through. Consideration should be given to the conditions facing operatives and the measures that can be developed and implemented to counteract the impact of these environments. Sun protection and awareness of solar radiation risks are vital to ensure the wellbeing of your workforce, and to provide the best…
Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest charity fundraising event. This event focuses on getting together to have a chat and a cup of tea and inviting people to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support. To support Macmillan Coffee Morning on your site, you could do the following: Arrange a Macmillan Coffee Morning and encourage all of your operatives…
Dust control equipment
The creation of dust is a very common cause of complaint for the construction industry. Dust not only poses a health hazard for those working on site, but is also the root cause of many complaints made by the public. It is therefore essential that appropriate methods are adopted to minimise the risk of dust on sites, to safeguard workers’ wellbeing, as…
Skcin – Sun safety in the workplace
Skcin are a skin cancer charity whose primary objectives are to raise awareness of skin cancer and promote the importance of sun safety and early detection through national educational initiatives and targeted campaigns. All of the funds they receive into the charity via corporate support and the generous donations made by fundraisers and members of the public, are ploughed back into…
Dangers of construction dust – HSE information sheet
Active measures should be taken to minimise dust and fumes. Dust created by construction sites is one of the major causes of complaints from the public and local residents. Dust is also an occupational health hazard for the workforce. HSE have created an information sheet about construction dust and the related health risks. This includes examples of how to stop…
Training and updates regarding occupational health
Occupational health issues should be addressed by site management. Operatives should be made to feel supported and cared for in regard to their mental and physical health. Examples of training and updates provided for occupational health include: Many smaller sites have arranged for visits by a mobile unit, to carry out general and specific occupational health related screening; Occupational health facilities…
Reducing dust and dirt
The circulation of dust and dirt from a construction site often causes frustration and upset amongst the local community. To help reduce this, some site managers have implemented the following: Designated operatives were given responsibility for keeping specific areas of the site clean, tidy and dust free; perimeter dust levels were checked using hand held meters; At the end of…
Case studies
A-one+ have acknowledged the risks that over-exposure to UV radiation can have on their workforce, in response they have launched a new campaign to encourage their employees to stay safe in the sun. Click here to read more. 
Galliford Try have focused on the importance of sun safety on site, by using some of the resources supplied by IOSH’s ‘Stay Safe in the Sun’ campaign they have issued the UVProtectA to their operatives and apprentices. The UVProtectA is a ventilated neck sun protector with a sweat headband which is worn under site helmets. To find out more, click here. 
Land Securities have acknowledged the challenges facing the construction industry in making health a priority on site, click here to view how they are combating this issue. 
Morgan Sindall produced a brochure to introduce the 6 S’s of summer working to identify the best ways for workers to protect themselves in the summer months. The brochure was sent to the homes of all employees to think about the risks in both the work and home situation. The brochure was also issued to a number of significant subcontractors to share the message. To view the brochure, click here. 
VolkerWessels UK have provided an insight into how the issue of occupational cancers is addressed on their sites. To read more, click here.
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