The document discusses occupational diseases and their impact. It notes that there are approximately 12,000 deaths each year due to occupational respiratory diseases, equivalent to 30 Boeing 777 planes full of passengers. An estimated 1.1 million people in 2011-12 were suffering from work-related illnesses. Some of the main causes of occupational diseases mentioned include silica exposure from stone cutting, bakers having higher rates of asthma, and potential issues from new technologies like nanotechnology, fracking, and recycling. It argues that occupational hygienists have skills to help develop solutions to reduce these diseases and protect workers.

1. Reducing the Burden of
Occupational Disease
Mike Slater
President Elect 2013/14

5. There are currently
approximately 12,000 deaths
each year due to occupational
respiratory diseases

7. Deaths from work related respiratory
disease are equivalent to 30 Boeing 777’s
full of passengers every year

9. 32 people per day - But we don’t hear
anything about it in the news

10. About 8,000 cancer deaths
and 13,500 new cases of
cancer each year could be
due to work

11. An estimated 1.1 million
people who worked in
2011/12 were suffering
from a work-related illness

12. An estimated 1.1 million
people who worked in
2011/12 were suffering
from a work-related illness
And it’s not just about fatalities
Occupational disease affects quality of life

13. An estimated 1.1 million
people who worked in
2011/12 were suffering
from a work-related illness
Let’s look at some of the main cause of
occupational disease

17. Silica released during stone cutting activities
Source: HSE

19. Now you see it

22. Bakers are about
80 times more
likely to develop
occupational
asthma than the
average British
worker

23. Nanotechnology

24. And new technology and processes
can present new problems
Nanotechnology

25. Recycling

26. Fracking

28. And it’s not just chemicals agents – here the
worker is exposed to noise and vibration

29. “Current trends indicate that in
2060, there will be 13,000 deaths
from preventable occupational
cancers, if we do nothing”
Lesley Rushton (BOHS Annual Conference 2013):

30. “Current trends indicate that in
2060, there will be 13,000 deaths
from preventable occupational
cancers, if we do nothing”
Lesley Rushton (BOHS Annual Conference 2013):

32. “HSE .. (should continue) .. to
seek new and innovative ideas
for interventions that maximise
its impact on the continuing high
levels of work-related ill health.”

35. Employers

36. Recognise
Evaluate
Control

37. Occupational Hygiene
Recognise
Evaluate
Control

39. Sometimes there’s an obvious solution…..

41. … but employers don’t always know where to
find them. Occupational hygienists can help

42. Nanotechnology

43. And with new problems, occupational
hygienists have the skills to develop
solutions
Nanotechnology

46. Government
HSE
Employers
Professionals

47. President-elect@bohs.org
http://www.bohs.org
Twitter: @bohsworld
http://www.slideshare.net/mikeslater