From 2021 the Roadmap on Carcinogens will start running twelve challenges to gain further impact, all to help prevent our workers from getting exposed to carcinogens.
The challenges are lead and executed by the Roadmap partners. However, they need others to succeed. We therefore invite Roadmap-friends and relevant organisations from all over Europe to join one or more of these challenges and help completing them. We will come back to you on this in the beginning of 2021, but please give it a thought already and send your idea’s, remarks or input to: info@roadmaponcarcinogens.eu
These challenges will all contribute in reaching our four goals. Click on the links to check out the short descriptions of the challenges of each pillar.
Pillar 1: Creating awareness
A first step in prevention of occupational cancer is raising awareness about the risks caused by carcinogenic substances within the concerned stakeholder community. From our awareness activities, we know that it sometime lacks good data on, for instance, national or sectoral level. Awareness strongly relies on reliable data (Ch1.1). Changing behaviour is a challenge, therefore, we also focus on the education of future employers and employees about risks, mandatory protection and solutions (Ch1.2).
Pillar 2: Providing help
Substitution of carcinogenic substances is the important first step in avoiding risks caused by carcinogenic agents. New products and new technologies support this, but companies need guidance to make decisions (Ch. 2.1) and implement adequate risk reduction measures (Ch. 2.2). Execution also depends on financial support to either directly install technical solutions or to bridge investment cycles (Ch. 2.3).
Pillar 3: Mobilising stakeholders
Many organisations play a part in the prevention of exposure to cancer causing agents. The roadmap wants to seek cooperation and mobilise those important stakeholders if needed. Cross-industry and sectoral organisations play a significant role to their members in raising awareness, in assisting businesses as well as in developing specific practical guidance (Ch. 3.1). Enforcing bodies need to assess compliance (Ch. 3.2, Ch 3.3) and workers need to be aware of risks and accordingly adjust their behaviour (Ch. 3.4).
Pillar 4: Targeting innovation
Innovations need to be targeted to meet workplace demands. To support substitution strategies, material innovations (to replace a carcinogen) and technological developments (to promote safe handling and use) need to be adapted to the conditions of the workplaces and be safe(r) by design (Ch. 4.1). A better understanding of how and where process-generated carcinogens are generated (4.2) and to come up with practical solutions is another important project to undertake (Ch. 4.3).
