Occupational cancers are those that occur due to exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents in the workplace. Such exposures include:
- a wide range of different industrial chemicals, dusts, metals and combustion products (e.g. asbestos or diesel engine exhaust)
- forms of radiation (e.g. ultraviolet or ionising radiation)
- entire professions and industries (e.g. working as a painter, or in aluminium production)
- patterns of behaviour (e.g. shift working).
Occupational exposures to carcinogens are estimated to cause over 5000 new cases of cancer in Australia each year.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified over 165 cancer-causing agents that workers are potentially being exposed to in their workplace. A study in 2012 considered 38 of these agents of high priority and specific to Australian workplaces. The list can be found in the Occupational Exposures to Carcinogens in Australia monograph, page 3.
Occupational groups where exposure was greatest included farmers, drivers, miners and transport workers. Exposures reported for men compared to those reported for women showed that a much higher proportion of males were exposed to one or more carcinogens at work, particularly those who hold a trade and are residing in regional areas.
Asbestos in the workplace and home
Learn about why asbestos is dangerous, where it might be present in your workplace and measures to reduce your risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Welding fumes
Learn about how different types of welding and different products used in the welding process can produce different types of fume. Some welding fumes can cause cancer.
Environmental tobacco smoke
Tobacco smoke increases your risk of both short- and long-term health problems. Read more about the occupational hazards related to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Diesel engine exhaust
Read about diesel engine exhaust, how it can cause cancer and how to reduce exposure.
UV radiation
Learn more about your cancer risk from solar UVR at work. Environmental factors such as solar elevation, cloud cover and altitude will affect your risk from solar UVR.
Silica dust
Exposure to silica-containing materials can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Read more about reducing your exposure to silica dust here
Wood products
When wood products are worked on, dust and formaldehyde are released into the air. Prolonged exposure and inhalation of these products may cause some types of cancer.
Toolbox resources
Access posters, PowerPoint presentations, eLearning courses and more to ensure you stay safe at work. Asbestos-containing Material Check is a new app designed to help you identify materials around your home that could contain asbestos fibres.
Prevention is better than a cure
Putting in place control measures for carcinogenic hazards is the only way to reduce your cancer risk at work. Therefore, you should always follow the outlined safe work practices at your workplace.
Cancer Council has developed fact sheets about various occupational carcinogens, designed for both employers and employees. They provide information about some workplace cancer risks, how you can control them, legal obligations and where you can go for more information.
If you are concerned about possible cancer-causing agents in your workplace please contact Cancer Council 13 11 20. If you know someone who might be exposed to a carcinogen at work, please share this page with them.
Other useful websites
Specific work health and safety laws by state and territory:
Commonwealth: Work Health and Safety Act 2011
legislation.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory: Work Health and Safety Act 2011
legislation.act.gov.au
New South Wales: Work Health and Safety Act 2011
legislation.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory: Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
legislation.nt.gov.au
Queensland: Work Health and Safety Act 2011
legislation.qld.gov.au
South Australia: Work Health and Safety Act 2012
legislation.sa.gov.au
Tasmania: Work Health and Safety Act 2012
legislation.tas.gov.au
Victoria: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
legislation.vic.gov.au
Western Australia: Work Health and Safety Act 2020
legislation.wa.gov.au
For further international information and free resources on workplace carcinogens including solar UV radiation, diesel engine exhaust, silica dust and asbestos please visit the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's Preventing Occupational Cancer webpage.
Sources
- Fritschi, L. and T. Driscoll. Cancer due to occupation in Australia. J Public Health. 2006;30:213-219.
- Carey, R.N., et al. Estimated prevalence of exposure to occupational carcinogens in Australia (2011-2012). Occup Environ Med. 2014;71(1):55-62
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Lyon, France: IARC World Health Organisation; 2013.
- Fernandez, R.C. Driscoll, T.R. Glass, D.C. Vallance, D. Reid, A., Benke, G., et al. A priority list of occupational carcinogenic agents for preventative action in Australia. Aust NZ J Public Health. 2012;36:111-115.
- Safe Work Australia. How to manage work health and safety risks – Code of Practice. Canberra, ACT: Safe Work Australia; 2011.
This content has been developed by Cancer Council Australia's Occupational and Environmental Cancer Committee.