1,200 die of work-related diseases every year

MORE than 1,200 die every in Ireland from of work-related diseases in that could be prevented.

Many of the deaths, mostly of men, are caused by lung cancer attributed to dangerous chemicals and other substances, according to the head of an EU safety agency.

Some night workers, in particular, are at high risk, it emerged.

“About 15% of all lung cancers are work related,” Dr Jukka Takala, director of the European Agency for Healthy and Safety at Work, declared yesterday.

“5% of all fatalities are caused by occupational diseases.”

Speaking at the annual conference of the National Irish Safety Organisation in Galway, Dr Takala said effective mechanisms were in place to monitor and control workplace accidents which caused about 70 deaths a year. However, despite the much higher death toll attributed to preventable workplace diseases, he said, not enough attention was focused on them.

“While there is much focus on fatalities as a result of accidents, we need to be more conscious of the role of the workplace in contributing to cancers and cardiovascular diseases,” the Finnish-born doctor said.

Speaking after the conference, Dr Takala said those who worked at night and in jobs with little scope for individual decision-making were particularly vulnerable to heart disease.

“Night work and stress are a fatal combination. If, for instance, you are a bus driver who works at night in a non decision-making role, that creates huge stress and can lead to cardiovascular disease.”

He added: “Workers who are in such stressful employment are shown to have cardiovascular diseases at a much younger age than others. Much of it can be prevented and people can enjoy good health throughout their working lives and when they retire at the age of 65.

“However, this requires good prevention measures and a proper management system, similar to what is in place in preventing workplace accidents.”

Dr Takala said that a reduction in night work by replacing it with shift work, and efforts to prevent stress would help cut deaths.

“If you look at the effort currently being put into reducing traffic fatalities in Ireland, you have to give the same level of attention to workplace diseases because they are killing people.

“First we must recognise the problem and, for this, we need a detailed study to find out whether cancer, cardiovascular or communicable diseases are the biggest causes. Then we need to take preventive measures. It can be done.”

It was Dr Takala’s first speech since taking up his new role at the EU agency, based in Bilbao, last month.

The agency is a tripartite organisation which brings together representatives from EU member state governments, employers and workers’ organisations.