25 November, 2013
Workplace dangers
Some jobs can cause cancer - it won’t happen overnight, but it can happen!
People who are exposed to cancer-causing agents, as part of their job, face the risk of changes in body cells that can
lead to cancer later in life.
“We think that around 400 people may die each year due to cancers caused by something they were exposed to at work.
These are deaths that may well have been preventable if certain precautions had been taken,” says Barbara Hegan, the
Cancer Society’s spokesperson.
“We know there are a number of substances commonly found in New Zealand workplaces that with long term exposure can
cause cancer. By preventing exposure we can reduce the number of people that end up being cancer patients, an ideal that
is at the heart of what the Society stands for.”
An obvious cancer-causing agent that needs immediate action is asbestos. “We know people working in the construction
industry and people doing home renovations are at risk. We need stronger guidelines and better notification methods to
protect people from this known, highly potent, cancer-causing substance. Australia has taken significant steps in this
area and we can learn from them.”
The upcoming forum on workplace carcinogens is the first step in trying to reduce the number of avoidable deaths. “We
want to start the conversation. The time is right. With WorkSafe New Zealand taking up the reins next month we thought
that by bringing together the key players we can start to make some changes,” says Barbara.
The Society, in conjunction with the Centre for Public Health Research Massey University is hosting the forum to be held
at Te Papa Museum, Wellington. “We want to start seeing some action in this area and now is a good time to start”.
ENDS