Campaign week will focus on dangerous substances

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched its campaign for European Health and Safety week, which begins on 13 October. This year's campaign focuses on "dangerous substances" such as asbestos, solvents and substances that cause asthma.

The HSE has published a free action pack, which includes a newsletter, a mini CD ROM, stickers, fact sheets, leaflets and a poster. The HSE says that last year, organisations in the UK employing over six million workers took part in the week.

The TUC supports the European week. It will be stressing the need for substitutes and for general strategies to reduce the use of toxic substances.

The TUC's concerns are backed by research carried out by the European Union (EU) which reveals that 21% of employees in the EU are exposed to known or suspected carcinogens and 22% inhale fumes and vapours for at a least a quarter of their working time.

These risks are heightened because many employers fail to comply with the law. EU studies found that only 12% of firms were aware of their regulatory duties.

For more information and to get action packs phone 0800 0850050 or visit: www.hse.gov.uk/euroweek/index.htm