Work-related cancers: EP approves stringent prevention measures

Every year, more than 100,000 people in Europe die from work-related cancers. Today, MEPs will approve an agreement struck with the Member States to strengthen the rules concerning carcinogens and mutagens at work. Claude Rolin MEP negotiated this revision on behalf of the EPP Group.

Rolin said: “We’ve been waiting for more stringent European rules for 10 years now. This revision will ensure the better protection of all EU workers. The European Parliament has taken the original proposal’s ambitions to a whole new level by calling for a thorough medical follow-up of workers’ health, even after the end of their career. As symptoms often do not occur until a couple of years after exposure, a timely response is of the utmost importance.”

The revision will be conducted in several phases. Claude Rolin will be the EP’s main negotiator during the second phase. Rolin added: “Our work is not done. Now, we need to look to our social partners and together work out a step-by-step approach to ensure better protection and provide the necessary preventive measures in work environments. Workers need to know how to handle hazardous substances safely. In this situation, knowledge is key. We need to take every new research development into account and limit our workers’ exposure to hazardous substances to the absolute minimum.