Workplace Report February 2015

Health & safety news

TUC survey on hazardous substances at work

The TUC wants to hear from workers about their experiences of being exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace.

Its survey also asks questions about whether employers are taking appropriate action to remove or prevent exposure to hazardous substances.

“Many think of hazardous substances as being a problem in the chemical industry or manufacturing, but they are just as much a problem in offices or shops where cleaners and others have to use cleaning products or hospitals where there are a huge range of bodily fluids around,” the TUC said. “Restaurants, hairdressers and even call centres all have their share of dangerous substances that employers often ignore or are not even aware of. Dust, including the killer asbestos, is present in over a million potential workplaces.”

Safety reps should complete the survey online by 31 March at: www.tuc.org.uk/tuc-survey-on-hazardous-substances

The results will feed into the TUC campaign on the theme of “removing exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace” for this year International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April.