Hazardous substances on the political agenda

Working with hazardous substances is receiving growing attention, including in The Hague, the Netherlands. Following an interview with our CEO Daan Huizer on Stand van Nederland: Generatie Next by WNL, Member of Parliament Tamara van Ark submitted questions to Minister Eddy van Hijum. The minister’s response confirmed figures from the RIVM. Each year, an estimated 3,000 people in the Netherlands die due to occupational exposure to hazardous substances. Around one in six workers, more than one million people, are exposed during their work. A key challenge is that the effects of exposure often appear years later. Around 80% of cases involve people who are already retired. As a result, risks are still too often underestimated by both employers and employees. We welcome the fact that this issue is being taken seriously at a political level. It underlines exactly why we do what we do.