Austrian campaign on carcinogens

To monitor the implementation of rules on carcinogens and to strengthen the knowledge about the risks of these chemical agents, Austrian’s labour inspectorate will conduct an inspection campaign on enterprises using these substances throughout 2017 and 2018. As all Austrian carpenters were visited at least two times throughout 2012-2016 they will not be part of the programme. Other branches well known for the use of carcinogens will be in the focus of in hygienic techniques specialized labour inspectors this (2017) and the next year. They will be supported by labour inspectorate physicians.
During the second term of 2017 a stratified sample of about 300 enterprises all over the country will be policed (“first wave”). Based on the experience gained during this visits and monitoring in enterprises, other companies not (yet) presented in the database, but known to the local labour inspectorates will be visited in the first term of 2018 (“second wave”). During the same period a sample of the first wave enterprises will be visited again, to gain insight on how counselling and questioning changed behavior and handling of carcinogenic substances. In the second term of 2018 a part of the second wave enterprises will be visited again to assess compliance and development concerning carcinogens.

The Austrian Worker’s Compensation Board also plans to emphasise carcinogens at the same time as the labour inspection and will provide information for enterprises, which the Austrian labour inspectorate will also use and distribute. The focus of the labour inspectorate’s work program is to raise awareness on carcinogens and to provide information on how to substitute, to minimize and how to safely handle carcinogens used in workplaces. Examples of best practice found during the campaign shall be used for further information.