Factsheet 33 - An introduction to dangerous substances in the workplace
Dangerous substances are found in many workplaces. A recent survey found that 16 % of workers in Europe reported handling hazardous products and 22 % being exposed to toxic vapours. Exposure to dangerous substances can occur anywhere at work, on farms, in hairdressers’ shops, in motor-vehicle repair shops, at chemical plants. Dangerous substances can cause many different types of harm. Some cause cancer, others can affect the ability to reproduce or cause birth defects. Other substances may cause brain damage, harm to the nervous system, asthma, and skin problems. The harm done by dangerous substances can occur from a single short exposure or by the long-term accumulation of substances in the body. The theme for the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003 is the prevention of risks from dangerous substances. The Agency is producing a series of factsheets focusing on the communication of occupational safety and health-related information on dangerous substances including biological agents. This factsheet introduces the key issues in this topic.
:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
:
07.03.2003
:
TEAE03S33END
Order a printed copy of this document!
One conclusion from the EU-OSHA economic incentives project is that incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as accident numbers in experience rating), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Experts from the economic incentives project therefore suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA (hotels, restaurants, catering). The preventive measures from these compilations are worth promoting in their own right, as well as being applied in economic incentives schemes. These preventive solutions can be used as a basis for incentive-providing organisations to develop their own incentive scheme, adapted to the specific situation in their sector and country.
This Guide on Economic Incentives Schemes is intended to serve as a practical and user-friendly guide to help incentive providers to create or optimise their own economic incentive schemes. Incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good OSH management (such as low accident numbers), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health. Therefore the expert group suggested the development of compilations of innovative and evidence-based preventive solutions, starting with the three sectors construction, health care and HORECA.
This Magazine is part of the resources produced to support the European Campaign on Safe Maintenance. The articles in the Magazine demonstrate the wide range of maintenance related issues that have an impact on maintenance safety and more generally on safety and health at work. These include, among others, maintenance organisation, maintenance planning, risk assessment, human behaviour, chemical safety, design, subcontracting maintenance, communication and training, and inspection of personal protective equipment.
Show more publications on
Cleaning workers
&
Horeca
&
Construction
&
Maintenance
&
Health care
&
Dangerous substances
&
Education
&
Agriculture
&
Nanotechnology
- Upcoming Events
- 12th World Congress on Environmental Health LT Vilnius, 22.05.2012
- Bilbao ORP 2012 X Congreso Internacional de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales ES Bilbao , 23.05.2012
- 12th edition of Green Week 2012 BE Brussels, 24.05.2012
- Worker's Compensation Symposium 2012 DE Munich, 24.05.2012
- aktivaltern2012 AT Vienna, 25.05.2012
- Search
- Subscribe
- Free Newsletter
- Alert Service
