OCCUPATIONAL CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAMME (Progress)

Mr Goh Chee Wee asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour what has been the progress of the occupational cancer prevention programme; and whether the Government will consider introducing compulsory medical examination for workers exposed to occupational cancer hazard.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Occupational Cancer Prevention Programme was launched in late 1978 with the following activities:

(a) Identification of workplaces with occupational cancer hazards;

(b) Environmental monitoring and control of such workplaces:

(c) Medical monitoring of workers exposed to cancer hazards;

(d) Health education of workers and management; and

(e) Setting up of an informal register of exposed persons.

In launching this programme, more than 4,800 questionnaires were sent to various establishments to identify users and determine the extent of usage of cancer-causing agents. The Ministry then proceeded to confirm the presence of the hazards and to monitor the workplaces and the workers involved. So far, 63 establishments have been placed under the programme and 910 workers monitored for exposure to two cancer-causing agents, namely, asbestos and benzene. Workers exposed were given talks on how to minimize the risk of exposure and to take precautionary measures. Other cancer-causing agents such as arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, vinyl chloride monomer and aromatic amines, will be included in the programme in phases.

At present, statutory medical examination is compulsory for workers exposed to asbestos and benzene under the Factories (Asbestos) Regulations, 1980, and the Poisons (Benzene) Rules, 1974, respectively.