News

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

News

There are around 35,600 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year – that's 98 every day*

A range of lung diseases can be caused by exposures in the workplace, including very serious diseases such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can often be fatal.

Construction sites by their very nature play host to a whole range of respiratory health hazards, including:

• Silica dust
• Asbestos
• Wood, plasterboard, and fibreglass dusts
• Welding and soldering fumes
• Diesel exhaust fumes

There are an estimated 18,000 new cases annually of self-reported work-related breathing or lung problems.

Ensuring construction site workers and the general public are adequately protected is paramount to helping reduce the number of people affected each year.

Workers that are directly affected should have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before undertaking any potentially hazardous activity. Enclosures, extraction units and proper ventilation should also be used to protect other workers nearby and the general public.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month serves as an annual reminder to protect your own life, and the lives of those around you. Three key actions help to ensure this:

1. Recognise the hazards
2. Evaluate the risks
3. Control exposure

Join us in helping to raise awareness of lung health and ensure that occupational lung disease is reduced through education, specialist equipment and regulation.


*Cancer Research Statistics