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Protecting yourself from cancer risks in the workplace starts with understanding what are carcinogens and how they affect your health. With approximately 3.6 million Australians exposed to one or more carcinogens at work, it’s important to take charge of your own health and know how to stay safe.
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Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents found in various workplace environments. These substances can increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer through prolonged exposure. Common workplace carcinogens include:
Understanding workplace dangers is essential so you can protect yourself and your colleagues. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified 198 known and probable cancer-causing agents, with many present in workplaces.
Here are some important facts to know about occupational hazard risks:
Environmental hazards in the workplace can vary depending on your industry and location. Here are key hazards to watch:
Asbestos can pose serious health risks if disturbed. Even though it was banned in Australia in 2003, asbestos is still present in many older materials and buildings. Understanding where asbestos is found, how it can affect your health, and what steps you can take to stay safe is essential.
Asbestos is a natural mineral made of tiny, fibrous particles that can cause harm if inhaled.
Learn more about asbestos.
In some areas, asbestos also occurs naturally in soil and rock. This is most common in road building, construction, excavation, and mining.
Workplaces should follow Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s codes of practice:
When working in areas where asbestos may exist in its natural state, workplaces can refer to Geological Survey of Queensland to check geological survey information.
No matter your workplace, taking proactive steps to stay safe is crucial. Visit our Taking action to stay safe section for general health and safety guidelines that apply to all hazards.
If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos, take action:
People most likely to be exposed to asbestos include:
If you work with materials installed before January 2004, you may be at risk of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibres are so small that they can’t be seen, but they can easily be inhaled. Once in the lungs, these fibres can become trapped and cause damage over time.
These tiny fibres can lead to serious health problems, often many years after exposure.
Asbestos exposure can increase the risk of developing:
These conditions often take decades to develop, which is why early prevention and action are crucial.
Learn more about how to manage asbestos risks at work with the Queensland Government.
Welding is the process of permanently joining two or more materials, usually metals, using heat, pressure, or both. Welding fumes can pose serious health risks when inhaled, as they contain harmful gases and fine particles. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the welding arc is also a hazard. Understanding the dangers of exposure and taking steps to minimise risk is essential for staying safe at work.
Welding fumes are created when metal is heated to a high temperature and then cools down. As it cools, it turns into fine particles and fumes that can be inhaled. These fumes contain substances that can potentially cause cancer, such as metallic oxides, silicates, and fluorides. There are many different welding techniques, but most fall into the categories of electric arc welding or oxy-fuel welding.
Airborne Contaminants Exposure Limits also details how employers and workers can control welding hazards to minimise exposure to contaminants in the air.
The Fume Minimisation Guidelines from Weld Australia also contain further information about controlling airborne contaminants.
If you think you’ve been exposed to welding fumes, it’s important to:
Learn more about how to manage welding risks at work with the Queensland Government
Welding fumes are present wherever welding is taking place, such as in:
People who work directly with welding activities or are in close proximity to them, including:
Welding fumes contain a range of toxic chemicals that can cause serious health issues. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory problems, lung damage, and increase the risk of cancer and other serious lung conditions.
Welding fumes and ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the welding arc are linked to an increased risk of developing:
Environmental tobacco smoke, or second-hand smoke, is a harmful mix of smoke from the tip of burning cigarettes and smoke exhaled by smokers, containing thousands of toxic chemicals, including many that cause cancer. This page also covers third-hand smoke, which refers to toxic residues left on surfaces, and environmental e-cigarette emissions.
Environmental tobacco smoke, also called second-hand smoke, is a mixture of:
Second-hand smoke is a carcinogen, containing around 7,000 chemicals, including 69 that can cause cancer. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Even low levels, including outdoor exposure, can be harmful.
Third-hand smoke refers to the toxic residues left on surfaces and in dust after tobacco has been smoked. In workplaces, these residues can linger on furniture, walls, and equipment, potentially exposing employees long after smoking has occurred. People who spend some time in contaminated spaces may face increased risks of toxin exposure through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
To reduce these risks, workplaces should enforce comprehensive no-smoking policies, including prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas near building entry points, and ensure regular cleaning and ventilation. However, it’s important to note that cleaning alone may not completely eliminate third-hand smoke residues. Employers should stay informed about ongoing research and take proactive steps to protect workers.
Similar to tobacco smoke, second-hand and third-hand exposure to e-cigarette emissions should be avoided. Research on the effects of environmental e-cigarette emissions is still limited, but studies show that harmful chemicals can be inhaled by those nearby. E-cigarettes can emit chemicals like nicotine and cancer-causing substances like formaldehyde. To protect your health, avoid exposure to e-cigarette emissions, just as you would with tobacco smoke.
Benefits of a smoke-free workplace
A smoke-free workplace benefits both employers and employees by
To reduce the risks of second-hand smoke exposure in the workplace, employers should refer to Safe Work Australia’s Guidance note on the elimination on environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace and:
If you think you’ve been exposed to prolonged environmental tobacco smoke:
Second-hand smoke contains more toxins than the smoke directly inhaled by the smoker. This is due to side-stream smoke being produced at lower temperatures and without a filter, which results in higher concentrations of harmful chemicals. Additionally, smaller particles in side-stream smoke can penetrate deeper into the lungs, increasing its toxicity.
Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke face:
Exposure to second-hand smoke is linked to the development of several types of cancer, including:
The cancer risk from second-hand smoke depends on several factors, including the duration of exposure, toxicity levels, ventilation, and the size of the space. Second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone, with non-smokers being particularly sensitive.
Quitting smoking or vaping is hard, but there is a lot of support to help you.
Workplaces can:
The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienist’s Diesel Particulate Matter and Occupational Health Issues Position Paper recommends workplace exposure limits that help to reduce the irritant effect of DEE. However, the limit in this paper is higher than the level of DEE which is associated with cancer.
There is a risk of exposure to DEE for anyone working with or around diesel-powered engines, especially in confined spaces. Workers in mining, construction, agriculture, transport, and vehicle maintenance are most likely to be exposed.
DEE is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (meaning it is proven to cause cancer in humans). Chemicals in DEE can cause many short- and long-term health problems.
Regular exposure to high levels of DEE, over a long period of time, increases the risk of getting lung and potentially bladder cancer.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of invisible energy produced by the sun and some artificial sources, such as welding arcs. UVA and UVB rays from the sun reach the earth’s surface and are classified as carcinogenic to humans. Overexposure to UV radiation can harm skin cells and contribute to increased skin cancer risk.
While sun protection is important for everyone when UV levels reach 3 or higher, outdoor workers need protection at all UV levels, even 1 and 2. This is because they receive significantly more UV exposure throughout their lives, putting them at increased risk of skin cancer.
Car windows don’t block all UV radiation. Most skin damage in vehicles comes from passenger and open windows. To minimise risk, wind up windows and use air conditioning. If you spend a lot of time in vehicles, combine sun protection (long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, sunscreen) to protect yourselves inside and outside the vehicle. No matter your workplace, taking proactive steps to stay safe is crucial. Visit our Taking action to stay safe section for general health and safety guidelines that apply to all hazards.
Develop a regular habit of checking your skin for any new or changes to existing moles, freckles or lumps. Speak to your health professional:
On top of checking your own skin, you should get your skin checked regularly by a health professional. This can be your GP or a dermatologist (skin disease doctor). Discuss with your health professional what regular looks like for you.
Stay aware of any changes in your health and seek medical advice if needed.
Over 1.2 million Australian workers are exposed to solar UV radiation at levels five to 10 times more than indoor workers. Solar UV radiation at work contributes to about 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers each year in Australia. UV radiation can damage all skin types, and this damage adds up over time. While skin cancer can affect anyone, outdoor workers are at a significantly higher risk of developing it due to increased UV exposure.
UV radiation has been linked to skin cancer and cancer of the eye. It can also contribute to cataracts (clouding on the lens of the eye) and pterygium (a growth on the white of the eye).
Learn more about the five key sun protection measures.
If you work outdoors, you may be eligible for tax deductions on sun protection products. Consult your tax advisor or visit the Australian Tax Office at ato.gov.au or call 13 28 61.
Silica dust (crystalline silica) is found in stone, rock, sand, gravel, clay, and materials like bricks, tiles, concrete, and some plastics. The most common form is quartz. When these materials are worked on, silica dust is released, which can be harmful when inhaled.
If you’re concerned about your health due to silica dust exposure, talk to your doctor. Be aware of any health changes and seek medical advice if needed.
In 2011, about 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust. It is estimated that 5,758 of these workers will develop lung cancer from their exposure over their lifetime. Occupations at high risk include:
You may be exposed if your work involves tasks like:
Silica dust is harmful when inhaled. It’s fine enough (100 times smaller than a grain of sand) that you may not even notice it. Long-term or repeated high-level exposure can cause:
Approximately 230 people develop lung cancer each year due to past exposure to silica dust at work. While not all exposed workers will develop cancer, the risk increases with prolonged exposure.
Learn more about how to manage silica dust risks at work with the Queensland Government.
Wood dust is created during woodworking activities like cutting, sanding, and machine operations. It can also be released when disturbing settled dust, such as during cleaning or maintenance.
If you’re concerned about exposure, talk to your doctor and stay aware of any health changes. Seek medical advice if needed.
Wood dust and formaldehyde, both released during woodworking, are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prolonged exposure to these can cause cancers of the nasal cavity, sinuses, and nasopharynx, as well as leukaemia.
Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas used in glues for pressed wood products like plywood, particleboard, and MDF. It is released as a vapour and can attach to dust particles in the air.
In 2010, 14% of Australian workers were exposed to wood dust and related fumes, with the highest exposure among:
You may be at risk if your work involves cutting, sawing, sanding, routing, or milling wood or pressed wood products.
Under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, firefighters diagnosed with one of 23 specified cancers or diseases are presumed to have developed their condition as a result of their work, as long as they meet the required qualifying period of service. This means that firefighters do not need to prove that their cancer or disease was work-related in order to file a workers’ compensation claim.
This provision applies to all current and former firefighters, including full-time, auxiliary, and volunteer staff, who are diagnosed with one of the listed cancers or diseases after serving the prescribed period.
While this legislation helps simplify the process of claiming workers’ compensation for cancer-related conditions, it does not replace the need for ongoing prevention and safety measures in the workplace. Firefighters, like all workers, should continue to follow safety protocols to reduce exposure to risk factors and prevent cancer wherever possible.
To protect yourself from workplace dangers and maintain a safe working environment, always follow your workplace safety procedures and make proper use of any protective equipment provided. It’s also essential to be proactive in reporting potential environmental hazards in the workplace as soon as you identify them. Stay informed about occupational hazard risks through regular updates and make the most of any workplace safety training opportunities you have.
Workplaces:
Workers:
Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer, and they can include materials like asbestos, wood dust, and certain chemicals. In Queensland, workplaces are required to manage these risks under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. This includes maintaining a hazardous substances register and providing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for workers to identify and understand the risks associated with carcinogens. Employers must ensure that exposure to these substances is controlled and does not exceed safe limits. Additionally, workers should be provided with appropriate training, personal protective equipment, and guidance on handling hazardous substances safely. For more information on identifying and managing carcinogens in your workplace, you can refer to resources from WorkSafe Queensland or consult the WHS regulations.
If you notice a workplace danger, you should first report it to your immediate supervisor or health and safety representative. If the issue isn’t addressed, or if it’s a serious safety concern, you can contact Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) at 1300 362 128. For certain incidents, such as fatalities or serious injuries, you are legally required to notify WHSQ immediately. You can do this either by calling the number or through their online incident notification form. For non-notifiable incidents, while not mandatory, WHSQ recommends documenting and investigating them to prevent recurrence. This helps in identifying safety improvements to avoid future risks.
To protect yourself from environmental hazards while working outdoors, it’s essential to follow your workplace’s health and safety policies. This includes using any protective equipment provided, such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing. You should also make use of shade structures whenever possible to limit your exposure to harmful UV radiation.
Outdoor workers are at a higher risk of skin cancer due to prolonged exposure to UV radiation. Employers must take steps to minimise these risks, such as implementing sun protection measures and conducting regular risk assessments. Outdoor workers should be sun safe at all UV levels.
Additionally, be mindful of other environmental risks in your workplace, such as air quality alerts, and always stay informed about potential hazards through workplace danger alerts. Regularly checking these updates and following guidelines can help you stay safe on the job.
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