Introduction With cancer accounting for an estimated 53% of all work-related deaths in the European Union, data on exposure to known cancer risk factors at work are essential to improve the safety and health of workers, support the evaluation of existing policies and foster a productive and sustainable economy.

Objective Recognising the lack of harmonised figures at European level, and having carried out a feasibility study, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has started a workers’ survey on exposure to cancer risk factors following the Australian Workplace Exposure Studies (AWES) model. The objective of this initiative, which plans to publish first findings in 2023, is to identify the most prevalent cancer risk factors across occupations and sectors in Europe.

Methods EU-OSHA will initially carry out the survey in six European countries, interviewing a representative sample of workers about their current job. Based on the respondent information on specific tasks performed at work, exposure data to one or more cancer risk factors will be derived for each worker, using the occupational exposure assessment tool for epidemiological studies (OccIDEAS), an algorithm using epidemiological data, workplace measurements and expert assessment, which EU-OSHA is adapting to the European context.

Results The survey looks into the number and characteristics of the workers exposed to a range of cancer risk factors, including asbestos, benzene, chromium, diesel exhaust, nickel, silica dust, UV radiation, wood dust, among others. Information on workers’ multiple exposures and the use of control and protective measures at work will be available. Results can be analysed by activity sector, occupation, country, gender, etc.

Conclusion To provide an overview of the methodology and adaptations of the Australian model to Europe, and to discuss the limitations of the survey and the challenges in adapting it to national contexts.