Highlights

EU-OSHA marks European week against cancer (25–31 May) with a new report identifying the exposure of health and social care workers to occupational cancer risks.

The report Occupational cancer risk factors in Europe - Findings of the Workers' Exposure Survey (WES) for health and social care (HeSCare) workers reveals that 29.5% of workers in the sector were exposed to at least one of the 24 cancer risk factors assessed in the survey during their last working week. A further 7.8% were exposed to two or more cancer risk factors.

Ionising radiation, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation were among the most common sector-specific exposures. The report also identified broader, non-sector-specific risks such as diesel engine exhaust emissions, solar UV radiation, and benzene.

Access the general presentation of overall key findings of WES (beyond HeSCare sector) available in 13 languages.

Discover our web section on health and social care sector and occupational safety and health.