Risk news

A new report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) stated that nanotechnology is causing concern over the risks it poses to workers.

Nanoparticles were placed at the top of the list of substances in the report entitled Expert Forecast on Emerging Chemical Risks from which employees need protection.

The IT and cosmetics industries in particular use nanotechnology, which EU-OSHA claimed is expected to grow into a global and multibillion euro market.

Chemicals are responsible for up to 90 per cent of skin diseases and occupations of emerging concern where workers may experience a high risk of coming into contact with hazardous substances include cleaning and home nursing, construction and waste management, the report said.

"Many companies do not give enough consideration to the elimination or substitution of hazardous substances. Management of chemical risks is particularly poor in small and medium-sized enterprises and subcontractor firms," said Jukka Takala, director of EU-OSHA.

Further information on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 - amended 2005 - can be found on Norwich Union Risk Services' website, here.