A study competed by Dr Lesley Rushton has revealed that work-related cancer kills more people every tear than road accidents.  The study estimates that over 8,000 are killed each year in comparison with 3,000 who are killed in road traffic accidents.

More than 50% of the men who were diagnosed with cancer worked in construction.  Construction sites can expose employees to asbestos, silica and diesel fumes.

The figures for women showed that approximately fifty four per cent were employed in shift work.  The shift work, including night shits, are said to disrupt the body’s natural rhythms.

The study did not only look at work related deaths and estimates that nearly 14,000 newly diagnosed cases of cancer occur each year which are related to occupational carcinogens.

The Society of Occupational Medicine claims that over 1 million British people are exposed to cancer-causing substances whilst at work.

Asbestos is said to be the main culprit, followed by materials such as exhaust particles, paints and mineral oils, which are commonly found on construction sites.

There appears to be social inequality in the exposure to these risks and the exposure seems to be concentrated in manual workers and lower employment grades.  Unfortunately this means that many of the workers who are exposed to the risk do not have access to proper occupational health advice.

If you or a family member suffers from a work related cancer, be it mesothelioma, asbestosis  or pleural plaques then contact Thompsons today on 0800 0891331 and we can help you claim  the compensation you deserve on a No Win No Fee basis.