Workplace risk and cancer
Occupational cancers are those that occur due to exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents in the workplace.
Occupational exposures to carcinogens are estimated to cause over 5,000 new cases of cancer in Australia each year.
As of February 2021, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had identified 210 known and probable cancer-causing agents and circumstances; exposure to a number of these agents primarily occurs within the workplace.
Some of the most common carcinogens found in Australian workplaces include:
- solar ultraviolet radiation
- silica – blasting, cutting, chipping, drilling and grinding materials that contain silica can result in silica dust that is not safe to breathe in
- diesel engine exhaust
- environmental tobacco (second-hand) smoke
- wood dust
- asbestos
- welding
- benzene – benzene is found in crude oil and is a major part of petrol. Used to produce plastics, resins, synthetic fibres, rubber lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides
- lead
- artificial ultraviolet radiation
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – organic chemicals released from burning organic substances such as coal, oil and petrol
- chromium VI – occurs during activities such as welding on stainless steel and other alloy steels containing chromium metal.
Putting in place control measures for carcinogenic hazards is the only way to reduce cancer risk at work. Safe work practices should always be outlined and followed in the workplace.
Cancer Council Australia has developed fact sheets and other resources that provide information on various occupational carcinogens, how you can control them, legal obligations and where you can go for further information.
Click here to learn more.
Learn more about making compensation claims for work-related cancers here.
Workplace cancer factsheets
Visit the Cancer Council Australia website to learn more about workplace carcinogens.
Cancer Council eLearning for GPs: occupational carcinogen exposure and cancer
Learn about common occupational exposures to cancer causing carcinogens and the processes that will help you, as a health professional, assist a patient in need.
This webpage was last reviewed and updated in September 2023.