With more than 100,000

Stop cancer deaths a year, cancer is

the number one work-related
killer in the EU28

at work Estimations of occupational cancer deaths per EU country in 2011, based on

Takala report (2015).

53 % of all work-related deaths

are caused by occupational cancer.
2100
1130

290

1240 490
690
3720
930
13330 17700 7500
2080
100 2240
1150
1820 1810
12030
440 4230
740
10610

1440

2370 9810
2130

70 180

THESE DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE

Some of the main

carcinogens causing
work cancers diesel exhaust crystalline asbestos mineral oils benzo(a)pyrene chromium VI ethylene trichloroethylene
engine silica oxide

50 5
carcinogens The current number OELs are minimum levels There are large differences in the level
account for more of binding occupational of protection against of protection of workers across the EU. Every
than 80% of all exposure limit values (OELs) hazardous substances country has its own number of OELs, and
exposure at work. adopted at EU level. in the workplace. often different levels for the same substance.

Future
Number of carcinogens with binding limits in some countries (EU-OSHA, 2009)
goal

80

60 1st goal:
50+
40

20
only
0 5
EU AT BE CY CZ DK EE FI DE EL IT LV LT LU NL PL PT SK SI ES SE UK

Binding OELs are one of the essential tools for minimizing the exposure levels.
The ETUC calls on the EU to urgently update the carcinogens and mutagens directive
and adopt binding OELs for at least 50 priority carcinogens.