1 August 2018 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal
Businesses are being urged to save lives by accessing free practical resources to reduce the toll of work-related lung cancer.
Figures show that each year 260,000 people die from lung, trachea and bronchus cancers caused by carcinogenic exposures at work.
The call coincides with #WorldLungCancerDay, held today, and with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) joining forces to encourage employers to take action.
In Britain alone, asbestos-related cancer kills 5,000 people every year, with silica dust claiming 800 lives, and diesel engine exhaust emissions taking the lives of more than 600.
To tackle this significant health issue, IOSH has developed free practical resources as part of its No Time to Lose campaign.
Craig Foyle, IOSH president, said: "Occupation-related lung cancer is preventable. IOSH has developed a range of resources, from fact sheets explaining how to develop a prevention strategy to toolbox talks, leaflets and posters to help engage and educate the workforce.
"We're also encouraging businesses worldwide to sign up to our pledge to protect employees from carcinogenic exposures. The pledge is a six-step action plan which captures what organisations are doing, or planning to do, to tackle harmful exposures."
More than 100 businesses from around the world have already signed up to IOSH's No Time to Lose pledge, including Laing O'Rourke, MTR Corporation Ltd and JMS Mining Services.
Professional bodies, charities and educational establishments can also support the campaign by providing a supporting statement. No Time to Lose currently has at least 250 supporters globally who have committed to raising awareness of occupational carcinogens.
World Lung Cancer Day is organised by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) to commemorate and support those affected by lung cancer. FIRS is an organisation comprised of the world's leading international respiratory societies, which are working together to improve lung health globally.
Organisations are encouraged to get involved by tweeting using the hashtag #WorldLungCancerDay. To join the conversation on social media, follow @_NTTL on Twitter.
To find out more about IOSH's No Time to Lose campaign and to get free resources to prevent exposure to asbestos, silica dust and diesel engine exhaust emissions, go towww.notimetolose.org.uk.
For more information about ADAO's Know Asbestos campaign, visit www.adaoknowasbestos.org