Cleaners are at risk from exposure to cleaning products through inhalation and skin contact, wet work activities, needlestick injuries and dirt. Skin problems are the most common problem for cleaners, who are also at increased risk of developing asthma, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory problems This e-fact looks at how to recognise dangerous substances and explains how they can enter the body and cause harm. It also offers ways to prevent or minimise risk.

This factsheet provides information on the work-related risk factors and the occupational safety and health (OSH) issues associated with the planning and construction of green buildings, their maintenance, renovation (retrofitting) and demolition, and on-site waste collection. Chemical risks are only briefly addressed. Some of these OSH risks are new compared with traditional construction sites and are associated with new (green) materials, technologies and/or design.

This e-fact should assist and advise employers, safety officers and workers to prevent harm caused by Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) by raising awarness, preventing colleagues from smoking at work and other organisational and technical measures. 

This factsheet outlines how healthcare workers may come across manufactured nanomaterials when undertaking everyday activities in their workplaces. It provides information on the specific occupational risks involved and what should be done to prevent exposure.

This case study describes the application and benefits of a dutch guide on preventing legionella risks on ships.

Workplace safety depends on risk awareness. Employers and workers need to know the dangerous substances that exist in the workplace and how to deal with them. This factsheet offers hints for successful communication in the workplace about dangerous substances, including the use of safety data sheets, and provides a list of sources of further information.

This short factsheet provides an overview of the basic risk management related to dangerous substances at the workplace. It briefly describes legal obligations and outlines the process of risk assessment and implementation of preventive measures.

This factsheet outlines the risks of workers in educational establishments, including in laboratories.

This factsheet summarises a European Risk Observatory report on young workers, which aims to provide a review of the hazards that young workers are exposed to at work. It does this by analysing statistics and studies, and selected case studies of prevention. Many of the sectors and occupations that young people are employed in are characterised by high accident rates and exposure to many workplace hazards. Specific targeted measures need to be taken in terms of education and training, as well as in daily workplace practice.

For the 2003 European Week for Safety and Health at Work, EU-OSHA produced a series of factsheets containing information on occupational safety and health specifically in relation to dangerous substances. This factsheet contains information on skin sensitisers as well as preventive measures in relation to skin exposure. Occupational skin diseases have been estimated to cost the EU EUR 600 million a year, resulting in around 3 million lost working days. They affect virtually all industry and business sectors and force many workers to change jobs.