Skin Cancer Chemicals

Risk Assessment

Health and safety regulations require employers to carry out an assessment of the risks to the health from hazardous substances present in the workplace. A suitable and sufficient risk assessment is required wherever exposure to a substance that can cause skin cancer is likely to occur.

Where there are five or more employees a written copy of the risk assessment should be provided, and employees should always be informed of any significant findings from the assessment process.

Understanding when employees and others may be exposed to hazardous substances is important when conducting a risk assessment. All potential sources of exposure should be identified as well as who is likely to be exposed, and for how long.

Identify Hazards

Identify any substances in the workplace which may cause skin cancer such as arsenic, coal tar, creosote, industrial oils, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Review substance labels and safety data sheets (SDS) to determine which may be harmful to health. If in doubt, contact your supplier.

Evaluate the Risk

• How often and how long workers are exposed to any identified substances

• How workers might be exposed (i.e. how may a substance get onto or through the skin)
• The effects of exposure
• Control measures in place
• Anyone else who could be exposed - do not forget maintenance workers, contractors and other visitors or members of the public who could be exposed

Monitor and Review

• Regularly review and update risk assessments to account for changes in work conditions, environments, or regulations.
• Investigate incidents of occupational skin cancer or near-misses to improve safety measures.

• Seek feedback from workers on the effectiveness of controls.