IOSH is showcasing the campaign at six events, starting in Ohrid, Macedonia today. It will also be highlighted at two events in Montenegro, and one each in Kosovo, Serbia and Albania.
The three-day workshop in Ohrid this week (12-14 September) has been organised by the Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association, itself a supporter of No Time to Lose. The workshop is aimed at improving labour conditions and raising awareness among public institutions, trade unions and employer organisations.
Today (14 September) Paul Eyre CMIOSH will talk about the campaign, providing insight into research on occupational cancer, and highlight the cancer risk caused by sun exposure at work.
Research suggests that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Studies show that up to 90 per cent of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented if people controlled their exposure to the sun.
Mr Eyre will explain how businesses can put in place prevention strategies to manage sun exposure at work and reduce the risk of skin cancer. He will also signpost delegates to the campaign website, where they can download IOSH's free solar radiation materials translated into Macedonian.
He said: "A huge number of people in Macedonia and other Balkan countries are exposed to solar radiation while at work. By taking some simple steps, businesses can control this exposure and help to safeguard the health of employees.
"Our campaign has a series of free resources which can help businesses with developing controls to protect workers. These workshops are an excellent opportunity to spread the message among business leaders about the campaign and how they can manage workplace risks."
No Time to Lose will be profiled at five other events in the next two months. Former IOSH President John Lacey will give a presentation in Montenegro on 21 September, while Malcolm McIntyre, Chair of IOSH's New Accession Countries working party, will present in Kosovo on 5 October, Serbia on 26 October, Montenegro on 28 October and Albania on 16 November.
Recently-published global research revealed that 742,000 people die every year from cancer contracted through work activities -- nearly double the number of deaths in workplace accidents.
The research by the International Labour Organization, ministries in Finland and Singapore, the Workplace Safety and Health Institute in Singapore, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the International Commission on Occupational Health and the European Occupational Safety and Health Agency was announced last week at the XXI World Congress for Safety and Health at Work in Singapore.
Separate research has revealed that 102,500 people die from work-related cancer annually in Europe alone, with one in five workers faced with a workplace cancer risk.
For more details about IOSH's campaign, including details of how to sign up, visit www.notimetolose.org.uk/balkans
