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USRs And Trade Unions Need To Talk About Indoor Air Pollution And Occupational Health

Indoor air quality should be a tpic of H&S Inspections Regime

“How can it be right that there is a UK exposure standard for indoor air pollution at work that is 200 times worse than for exposure outdoors? We call on the Government to act on this double standard as a matter of urgency” says Graham Petersen, TUCAN committee member.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the international community to invest in clean air to save lives and combat climate change. UN chief urges investing in clean air to save lives, combat climate change - China.org.cn

In his message for the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, observed on 7th September 2024, the UN chief said,

“Ninety Nine percent of humanity breathes polluted air, leading to an estimated 8 million premature deaths including more than 700,000 children under five.”

Pollution is also choking economies and heating up the planet adding “fuel to the fire” of the climate crisis, Guterres warned, stressing that pollution disproportionally affects those most vulnerable in society, including women, children and older persons. “Yet, pollution is a silent killer that can be stopped,” he pointed out.

TUCAN’s view is that air pollution also disproportionately impacts workers, many of whom work where there is little legal protection.

Like the UN Secretary General, we believe that pollution can be stopped, but only if a legal framework is put in place that forces employers and others to tackle the deadly cocktail of pollutants in the workplace. It also requires workers and unions to be given powers to intervene.

The TUCAN Briefing Paper sets out 20 proposals which need to be actioned to give occupational indoor air pollution the necessary recognition and response. We will be seeking meetings with the Government and other statutory authorities to press for implementation.

The Briefing Paper can be accessed through this QR code. You can also download the briefing paaper from the unionsafety E-Library by clicking on the image of the paper above, right, or by going to the E-Library search page in order to access other documentation regarding both air pollution and Climate Change.

Source:Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN) Press Release

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