The Hazards Campaign has criticised an HSE intervention strategy on occupational cancer saying it ‘fails to acknowledge the actual scale of cancer caused by work’. The paper, which was discussed by the HSE board on 22 August 2012, outlined a detailed plan of activities that the HSE was undertaking to prevent further exposure to carcinogens, including asbestos, diesel fumes and silica. The Hazards Campaign said: ‘The paper is based on a fairy tale unrealistic view of the world of work today, ignores many known carcinogens, shows little interest in finding unknown exposures, underestimates the numbers of workers exposed and shows no sense of urgency to tackle this massive but preventable workplace epidemic. Because of the lack of action now, more people will develop occupational cancers and die from them in the future.’

Hazards Campaign news release. HSE cancer paper for the 22 August 2012 board meeting. Risks 570.