Occupational Exposure

People who work with cancer causing substances on the job may be exposed to much higher levels of these substances than they would be at home or in their community. Since higher exposure is often associated with greater cancer risk, eliminating or reducing exposure is important in the primary prevention of cancer.

Current scientific evidence suggests that occupational exposure to cancer causing substances is associated with a small percentage of cancers. For some workers, the exposure and risk of cancer is substantially higher. Action should be taken to prevent cancer from occurring by ideally eliminating exposure, especially for the cases where exposure is much higher. If it is not possible to eliminate exposure to cancer causing substances entirely, steps should be taken to reduce exposure to the lowest possible level.

In recent years, research and social action have resulted in the adoption of legislation, regulation and good working practices in Canada. For example, Canada’s Labour Code promotes the use of less hazardous substances wherever possible.

Canadian Cancer Society position

The Canadian Cancer Society believes that Canadian workers should not be exposed to carcinogens in the workplace. Where exposure cannot be eliminated, it should be reduced to the lowest achievable level. We also believe this will require the following commitments by employers, governments and individuals:

Employers must:

• Educate workers about cancer and inform them about their exposure to carcinogens in the workplace.
• Eliminate or reduce exposure to carcinogens by removing them or by choosing an alternative substance.
• Establish processes and make changes to the workplace so that workers’ exposure to hazardous substances including carcinogens is minimized. The use of personal protective equipment should be a last resort.

Governments must:

• Ensure that evidence informed legislation and regulation is in place to protect workers.

Individuals have the right to:

• Under provincial, territorial and federal health and safety legislation, refuse work that exposes them to known and highly suspected carcinogens.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society