Download Forum IV, Chemical Safety in a Vulnerable World

Forum IV, Chemical Safety in a Vulnerable World
Thematic Briefing Note
Occupational Safety and Health Issues
Introduction
The Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety’s (IFCS) Priorities for Action Beyond 2000, an
internationally accepted agenda for action on chemicals management, states that: “to protect the health
of workers, special attention should be paid to occupational health and safety concerns caused by
chemicals”. An expert Working Group, Chaired by Trinidad and Tobago, has undertaken a review to
determine global actions which need to be taken to address worker safety. They have prepared an
assessment and recommendations for discussion and decision at Forum IV.
Summary of Forum IV Report Findings
Chemicals in the workplace account for a major source of human toxic exposures. Occupational
exposure to hazardous substances has contributed significantly to both diseases and deaths of workers
world-wide. The ILO estimates that occupational exposure to hazardous substances could cause some
340,000 deaths per year globally, not to mention the number of people subjected to injuries and illnesses
caused by chemicals (Dr. Jukka Takala, ILO, Address to the XVI World Congress on Safety and Health
at Work, May 2002, Vienna). Despite efforts to address chemical safety through international
conventions, sickness and deaths of workers continues. Strengthened efforts are needed to protect the
health of workers.
Children as a vulnerable population in the workplace
 Children employed in the informal labour sector may be exposed to a multitude of toxic chemicals
(Laraqui and others 2000, World Bank, Toxics and Poverty).
 The ILO estimates that over 171 million of the 352 million children ages 5-17 who work mainly in poor
regions of the world are exposed to hazardous conditions, including chemical exposure and
poisonings (www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/index.htm).
Examples of work-related chemical health threats
Carcinogens:

Many of the 150 chemical or biological agents classified as carcinogens are encountered in occupational settings (International Agency for
Research on Cancer, IARC Monographs Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans, http://193.51.164.11).

World-wide, occupational exposures to carcinogens, such as asbestos, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, diesel exhaust, and nickel account
for about 10.3% of cancer of the lung, trachea and bronchus, which is the most frequent occupational cancer (World Health Report, 2002).
Airborne Particulates:

Workers in a variety of occupations, such as mining and construction, are exposed to microscopic airborne particles, such as silica,
asbestos and coal dust. Inhalation of these particles may cause cancer of the lung, trachea and bronchus, as well as respiratory diseases
(World Health Report, 2002).

Studies estimate that 5-18% of asthma may be attributable to occupational exposure (World Health Report, 2002).
Pesticides:

Farmers in developing countries are often unaware of the short and long-term hazards associated with exposure to many pesticide
products (World Bank, Toxics and Poverty, 2002). Where waged agricultural workers and farmers are aware of what needs to be done,
they often do not have reliable access to any form of personal protective clothing, equipment or modern application equipment
(IFCS/Forum IV/10w).
Action requested at Forum IV
In each of the IFCS priority areas, specific action items have been identified for consideration by Forum
IV. For example, actions are recommended to: improve reporting and data collection for international
assessment of chemical risks in the workplace; assist with implementation of the Globally Harmonized
System in the workplace; enhance workers’ “right-to-know” about the safety of workplace chemicals and
their right to participate in decisions regarding health and safety measures; update and implement ILO’s
SafeWork standards; and, identify capacity building needs in organizations responsible for chemical
safety activities in the workplace.
Countries are also asked to consider activities to address occupational safety and health from a broader
perspective, including identifying through the ILO the particular demands and needs, and corresponding
capacity building efforts, with respect to institutions and organizations responsible for workplace-related
activities concerning chemical safety.