Workplace Health Expert Committee Meeting

10th October 2017

University of Glasgow

Present:

Anthony Newman Taylor (Chair) (ANT)

Peter Buckle (PB)

John Cherrie (JC)

Emma Donaldson-Feilder (ED-F)

Martie van Tongeren (MvT)

Andrew Curran (HSE Chief Scientific Adviser) (AC)

Penny Barker (HSE secretariat) (PBa)

Visiting:

Peter Brown(HSE Health and Work Programme)

Apologies:

Paul Cullinan

Len Levy

Keith Palmer

David Fishwick (HSE Chief Medical Adviser)

  1. Welcome

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

  1. Matters arising from the last meeting

The Chair will prepare an annual report with the four published reports attached. HSE will have an opportunity to provide a response to the content of the reports.

  1. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and the requirement to carry out health surveillance

Further work will be carried out on the draft paper. WHEC discussed the apparent lack of a threshold level from existing studies and the issue of limited evidence on the extent of progression of silicosis after exposure to RCS has ceased. WHEC are aware that accurate measurement of low levels of RCS can be associated with practical difficulties. HSE invited WHEC to comment on any research gaps if WHEC considers that the evidence base could be improved.The work is to be completed before theJanuary 2018 WHEC meeting.

  1. Confidence and uncertainty in the evidence base

This work covers how best to communicate confidence and uncertainty in the evidence relating to occupational risks of specific health effects. Members of WHEC discussed effective ways of representing the overall message in a diagram. This paper is to be completed before the January 2018 WHEC meeting.

  1. Risks of disease associated with past and contemporary occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust

WHEC has found that limited data exist concerning occupational exposure to exhaust from newer technology engines and more modern diesel.This work is due to be completed before the January 2018 WHEC meeting.

  1. Sedentary work

WHEC has been in contact with international experts to gather their views. A literature review is in progress. The main issue could be a paucity of data on occupational exposure. HSE would like to know about scientific evidence on any health effects of standing at work for significant periods of time.This review is to be completed before the January 2018 WHEC meeting.

  1. Evaluation of risk of breast cancer associated with night time shift work

A review conducted by IOM will be considered if it can be made available to WHEC. This work will be completed in the next 6 months.

  1. Interrelationshipbetween musculoskeletal symptoms and psychological ill health

WHEC noted that fewer studies are available relating to the prevention of ill health. This work is due to be completed within 6 months.

  1. Risk of cardiovascular disease associated with occupational exposure to inorganic particulates

This work is due to be completed within 6 months.

  1. AOB

The next meeting will be held on 19thJanuary 2018.