WorkSafeBC Home

Menu

Occupational cancer

Cancer is caused by exposure to harmful materials and certain types of radiation. Workers in some jobs are at more risk of being exposed to these cancer-causing agents. It’s the responsibility of both employers and workers to make sure everyone stays safe.

The risks

At the worksite workers can be exposed to carcinogenic material through:

  • Inhalation
  • Absorption through the skin
  • Ingestion

Workers and family members can also be exposed through “take home” exposure. Workers who work with carcinogenic material should always change into their street clothes before leaving work. Bringing home your work clothes can also bring carcinogenic materials into your home.

In many cases, certain types of cancer(s) are associated with specific occupations or carcinogens. The table below lists some of the carcinogens, the cancers they cause, and the occupations in which workers are most commonly exposed.

Occupation Hazardous material or agent Cancer types
Agriculture workers Diesel engine exhaust Lung
Pesticides Lung
Other organ
Solar radiation Skin
Building maintenance workers Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Silica Lung
Construction workers
(residential, industrial, commercial)		 Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Ionizing radiation Lung
Skin
Silica Lung
Wood dust Nasal
Electricians Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
PCBs Liver
Other organ
Firefighters Combustion products from fires and diesel exhaust Cancer types including those identified in the Firefighters’ Occupational Disease Regulation
Furniture and cabinet makers Formaldehyde Pharynx & nasopharynx
Wood dust Nasal
Healthcare workers Formaldehyde Pharynx & nasopharynx
Hepatitis C Liver
Mechanics Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Diesel engine exhaust Lung
Metalworkers Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Oil & gas workers Diesel engine exhaust Lung
Silica Lung
Painters Lead, solvents Lung
Other organ
Pest control workers Arsenic Liver
Skin
Other organ
Pesticides Lung
Other organ
Plumbers Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Pulp & paper mill
and wood products
manufacturing workers		 Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Formaldehyde Pharynx & nasopharynx
Road construction workers Diesel engine exhaust Lung
Silica Lung
Solar radiation Skin
Roofers Asbestos Lung
Mesothelioma
Silica Lung
Solar radiation Skin

How to reduce the risks

If workers could be exposed to airborne hazards in the workplace, the employer must develop and implement an exposure control plan (ECP). This plan must identify the workers at risk of exposure and the controls that are required to protect those workers. Exposure to carcinogens must be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The controls will be unique to each worksite and work environment. When choosing risk controls, consider the following questions. These are grouped according to type of control. The types of control are listed here in order of effectiveness.

Steps to reduce the risk

  1. 1

    Substitution

    This involves eliminating the hazard by substituting a safer process or material, where possible. It is the most effective control. Some questions to consider:

    • Can a less hazardous material be used?
    • Can a different process be used that generates less of the hazardous substance?
  2. 2

    Engineering controls

    This type of control involves making physical modifications to control the hazard or reduce exposure. Some questions to consider:

    • Can local exhaust ventilation be used to reduce worker exposure?
    • Can the process be isolated so workers are not exposed to the hazard?
  3. 3

    Administrative controls

    This type of control involves changing work practices and policies. Awareness tools and training also count as administrative controls. Some questions to consider:

    • Have workers been trained on the health effects of exposure to the hazards?
    • Are written safe work procedures available?
    • Is there an effective personal hygiene program for workers?
  4. 4

    Personal protective equipment

    This is the least effective type of control. When used, there must always be at least one other control in place as well. Some questions to consider:

    • Are workers using respirators as required by the exposure control plan?
    • Are workers using protective clothing as required by the exposure control plan?

Web resources