Be safe at work
Your work environment may expose you to harmful chemicals or radiation that are linked to cancer. These cancer-causing substances are called carcinogens. Scientific evidence tells us that being exposed to carcinogens on the job is responsible for a small percentage of cancers.
Since higher exposure means greater cancer risk, the most important thing you can do to prevent cancer is to avoid being around these harmful substances – or reduce the time you’re around them.
Find out what you can do to protect yourself at work, and learn more about what kind of substances are harmful to your health.
Protect yourself
- How do I know if my health is at risk at work?
- What governments and employers should do to protect workers
- What you can do to be safe at work
- How much do you know about workplace safety? (quiz)
Asbestos
- What is asbestos?
- Asbestos and cancer
- On the job: how you may be exposed to asbestos
- Learn more about asbestos on the job
Formaldehyde
- What is formaldehyde?
- Formaldehyde and cancer
- Is formaldehyde in your workplace?
- How to reduce your exposure to formaldehyde
Radiation
- What is radiation?
- On the job: How to reduce your exposure to medical radiation?
- Radon in the workplace
Sun and UV
- Why do I need to protect myself from the sun when I work outside?
- How sun-savvy are you? (quiz)
- Learn more about solar radiation
Shift work and the circadian rhythm
- What is the circadian rhythm?
- Am I at a greater risk of cancer if I do shift work?
- Tips to reduce your risk from shift work
Pesticides
- What are pesticides?
- Pesticides and cancer
- The Canadian Cancer Society's perspective on pesticides
- 12 ways to protect you and your community from pesticides at work
