Zero Occupational Cancer Campaign
The AEU is joining unions nationally and internationally in the Occupational Cancer/Zero Cancer campaign. It builds on the legacy of Bernie Banton and the hundreds of thousands of other Australian workers killed or directly affected by exposure to carcinogens at work.
Occupational cancer is the most common work-related cause of death. The International Labour Organisation estimates the human toll at over 600‚000 deaths a year - one death every 52 seconds.
At least 1 in every 10 cancers - and probably many more - is the result of preventable‚ predictable workplace exposure. Today‚ more people face a workplace cancer risk than at any other time in history. It's just that most of them don't know it.
Unions have won recognition of causes of occupational cancer‚ restrictions on their use and compensation for their victims. By finding out about workplace risks and taking action to eliminate‚ substitute or control the risks‚ workers and their unions can make the workplace safer.
Occupational Cancer/Zero Cancer is a global union campaign to prevent occupational cancer. Click on the link to download the ACTU publication Occupational Cancer/Zero Cancer: a union guide to prevention (PDF 1.9MB).
