HELP WITH DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES - ACTION PACK FOR EUROPEAN WEEK NOW AVAILABLE

HSE press release E147:03 - 6 August 2003

According to recent research, an estimated 30 million of Europe's employees regularly come into contact at work with dangerous substances. This year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work, October 13-18, is trying to get everyone to think more about how to ensure these substances do not affect them and their families.

To help them a free Action Pack containing a 12 page newsletter full of information and ideas is now available from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at www.hse.gov.uk/euroweek

The Action Pack points organisations towards helpful information sources including HSE's free web site: electronic COSHH Essentials (COSHH = Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health). This is available on www.coshh-essentials.org.uk

It also includes a mini CD ROM, fact sheets, leaflets, stickers and a poster, focusing on this year's theme of Dangerous Substances. The week is designed to help organisations that use potentially harmful chemicals plan sustainable initiatives to protect workers' health.

An estimated 6,000 people die from cancer due to occupational causes every year and an estimated 66,000 people suffer from new or existing skin diseases caused by work - around two thirds have dermatitis or eczema.

Every year 7000 new cases of asthma are occupationally caused or have work as a significant factor - with an estimated cost over the next 10 years of between £600 million and £1,200 million. Many of those affected are in their prime, resulting in loss both to the individual and the employer and to families suffering in their everyday lives.

Kate Timms, Deputy Director General of HSE said: "All this is preventable. An estimated 1.3 million companies use chemicals and many are small and medium sized firms. Many of these don't think of themselves as using chemicals - they see them simply as branded products - but they can also be dangerous substances. Employers, workers and stakeholders need to use the week to start to make an impact on reducing ill health".

The campaign is relevant to most organisations, particularly those in cleaning, hairdressing, motor vehicle repair shops and the food business. The newsletter invites all participants who get involved to tell HSE what they did - those who do so will receive a unique personalised certificate to acknowledge their contribution - and all entries will be considered for an award.

Notes to editors

1. Support for the Week has continued to grow since it started in 1996 with millions of employees now being reached.

2. Nearly 200,000 action packs were sent out in the UK last year.

3. Participants will be considered for regional and national awards.

4. This will be the seventh European Week since it began in 1996. It is part of a wider European initiative organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office