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Latest News - February 2026
Occupational cancer risk factors in Europe - Overview of the findings of the Workers' Exposure Survey
EU-OSHA has just published its final report on workers’ exposure to occupational cancer risk factors. The findings are based on 24,402 interviews conducted between Sept 2022 and Feb 2023 in Ireland, Germany, Spain, France, Hungary and Finland. The report highlights significant gaps in prevention and underscores the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions to protect workers’ health and reduce the burden of occupational cancer across Europe.
Access the findings
- Overview report: Occupational cancer risk factors in Europe - Overview of the findings of the Workers' Exposure Survey
- Summary: Occupational cancer risk factors in Europe - Overview of the findings of the Workers' Exposure Survey
- Thematic section: Workers' Exposure Survey on cancer risk factors in Europe
Previous Updates
New Chemical Agents Risk Assessment Resources
The Health and Safety Authority have released 3 new resources for supporting chemical agent risk assessments.
They include a template to develop your inventory, a risk assessment template (which can be customised to suit your chemical activities) and a Document with supporting information.
The chemical agents risk assessment template aims to support small and medium sized businesses to complete chemical risk assessments. This template is not intended for complex businesses or work activities. This is not an approved or statutory form, and chemical agent risk assessments may be produced in other formats. Using this template does not guarantee compliance with the requirements of the legislation; it depends on how it is completed.
Commission publishes indicative list of hazardous medicinal products
Indicative list of hazardous medicinal products according to Article 18a of Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances at work.
EUR-Lex - 52025XC01150 - EN - EUR-Lex
Joint Summit: Preventing occupational exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs)
The Health and Safety Authority participated in a joint Summit on preventing occupational exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs). The Summit was held at Fórsa’s office in Dublin on the 30th of January 2024, hosted by Fórsa, the European Biosafety Network (EBN), the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI), and the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT).
The EU Commission has published new ‘Guidance for the Safe Management of Hazardous Medicinal Products ‘’HMPs’’ at Work
HMPs are defined as medicinal products that contain one or more substances that meet the criteria for classification in accordance with Regulation (EC)No 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation). This includes medicinal products for both human and veterinary use. The guidance on the use of HMPs is presented in a simple and reader friendly way by using graphics, photos and special training documents. It is a non-binding document designed to be used by workers, employers, public authorities and safety experts. Link to Guidance
Risk Assessment Page Updated
The Chemicals Risk Assessment webpage has been reorganised and updated. It now includes examples of assessments that Inspectors have seen during inspections and investigations. They are in different formats because different formats suit different types of activities involving chemicals. The examples have been reviewed and comments included on how they should be improved. They illustrate how you can improve the compliance of your risk assessments.
How to achieve best outcomes for occupational hygiene monitoring in your business
Occupational Hygiene is the discipline of anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment. It is not just about the air quality at the workplace. It includes inhalational exposure (air), dermal exposure (skin, contaminated surfaces) and inadvertent ingestion. It applies to measurements of chemicals, noise and vibration in the workplace.