TUC Risks 23 March 2007 www.tuc.org.uk
Reported that a trade union study carried out by the Danish Confederation of Construction Workers, (BAT-Cartel) has identified high levels of occupational cancers in construction workers in Denmark. Researchers analysed statistics in the Danish National Cancer Registry and they found a range of jobs had a statistically significant risk for a range of cancers, many associated with asbestos exposure.
Rates of lung cancer and mesothelioma in plumbers were over three times the expected level. In carpenters, joiners and electricians, mesothelioma was more than twice the expected rate, and higher still in insulators at over six times the expected figure.
In response to the union analysis, the Danish minister for employment, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, announced that the Asbestos Act would be amended so that the Danish Cancer Registry would automatically register cancer cases with the National Board of Industrial Injuries. The BAT-Cartel says this should ensure that people who have occupationally contracted asbestos-related lung cancer will be compensated. It is now demanding a national action plan on asbestos, including a national asbestos registry and a duty on employers to manage asbestos.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment