The role of chemicals in life

What creates the dilemma are the risks associated with chemical exposure. Pesticides help crops increase yield, but have adverse effects on workers during production and use, in the field or in contact with excess chemicals. Excess of pesticides in production and use also affects the ecological environment for many years after use. Pharmaceutical products for the treatment of sick people can adversely affect the health of workers due to exposure during the production of drugs or their management. Detergents make the living environment clean and hygienic, but also expose workers to adverse effects in both production process as well as daily contact. Chemicals cause adverse effects in a very wide range, from carcinogenic factors to fire and explosion hazards and environmental pollution, for example poisoning of aquatic species. Many fires and explosions and environmental disasters are caused by poor chemical management.

Over the years, in the field of OSH, many studies on chemical safety have been carried out. Although much has been achieved in the management of chemicals, many countries, employers and workers are also making efforts to limit their adverse effects, both at the national and regional levels, but so much so. not enough. Incidents continue to occur and adversely affect human health and the environment. Workers who are in direct contact with hazardous chemicals must have the right to work in a safe and clean environment – ​​they need to be informed, trained and protected.

Global linkages are required for scientific and technological advances, developments in chemical production, and changes in the organization of work. Similarly, new tools need to be developed so that information on chemical hazards and preventive measures is readily available; systematic ways of organizing and using information to use chemicals in the workplace safely.