The dangers of exposure to substances in the workplace

An estimated 3,000 people die each year as a result of exposure to substances at work. The action programme 'safe working with hazardous substances' is intended to do something about this. Henri Géron of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment will be presenting LabSafety delve deeper into this topic.

By: Dimitri Reijerman

In addition to the thousands of deaths resulting from exposure to substances in the workplace, over 14,000 occupational diseases are also diagnosed each year, according to figures from the RIVM. A current case is the unrest that has arisen around the use of the carcinogenic Chromium-6 (Cr-6), including in spray booths at Defence and at an NS workshop in Tilburg.

Géron will mention Chromium 6 during his lecture in the hope of creating more clarity: “The objective is to provide clear and factual information about Cr-6 to prevent concern, but also to increase awareness about when Cr-6 can be released and to offer a perspective for action: what can you do to prevent exposure? A Factsheet Cr-6 has now been published. We will mention Cr-6 in a radio commercial and pay attention to it in the newsletter to increase risk awareness. We will stimulate the discussion about 'how to deal with safely' via meetings so that not everyone has to reinvent the wheel.”

In a broader context, SZW has been fully engaged in the 'safe working with hazardous substances' campaign since 2018. Géron: “The aim is to increase awareness of exposure and the dangers of hazardous substances among employers and employees. We do this in collaboration with various parties – Focal Point (FoP), sectors, companies, occupational health and safety professionals, knowledge institutes – by indicating the urgency, collecting knowledge and disseminating it again. We also offer support at sector level for the development and implementation of safe working methods and by stimulating knowledge development.”

Broad scope

Several sectors fall under the scope of the campaign: “We focus on priority sectors such as construction, metal and agriculture,” says Géron. The examples and case studies that we discuss are often from these environments, but not exclusively. 'Good example' stories are well-read via the newsletter. We have also linked network partners to the programme (sectors and professional groups) with whom we regularly exchange substantive information together with the FoP. We achieve the results that we have set ourselves, so at the level of activities. Whether this results in more conscious work and fewer occupational diseases as a result cannot be determined. Especially given the fact that 70 to 80% of occupational diseases manifest themselves after retirement age.”

In order to reach as broad an audience as possible, SZW is also trying to explore other paths by innovating in communication. Géron: “For example, we are developing a serious game with the same goal as the program and are trying to steer the discussion on the work floor more towards the 'how'. It is often a topic that is not or insufficiently addressed. It is often about the 'what'. In addition, of a completely different order, we are taking further steps with TNO towards the further development of fine dust sensoring.”

Géron hopes that the message, although repeated many times, will still stick with his audience at LabSafety: “Because, despite the fact that people actually know it, they still work more carefully with hazardous substances in the laboratory. It is therefore a matter of repeating the message and pointing out the possible consequences if this is not done.”

You can attend Henri Géron's lecture by to sign up for the LabSafety event.