8.3.2 The workers''right to know'

REACH also targets workers. According to article 35, "workers and their representatives shall be granted access by their employer to the information provided in accordance with articles 31 and 32 in relation to substances or preparations that they use or may be exposed to in the course of their work". This means that workers will have access to SDSs (art. 31 REACH) and general information about substances (art. 35 REACH). Article 35 aims to reduce the number of chemical-related occupational diseases. Millions of workers across Europe are exposed to dangerous chemicals in their workplace. In the EU, more than 26,000 deaths of workers were registered in 2001, because of their exposure to hazardous chemicals.1 Dangerous substances are not only found in chemical industry workplaces, but also employees who are engaged in farming, nursing, construction, health-care services and the automobile and airspace industry, can be directly exposed to chemicals.2 The current system of dealing with chemicals poses serious occupational health risks for workers, and unless it changes, an additional 3,000-4,000 cancer deaths per year over the next 30-40 years can be expected.3 The European Trade Union Confederation is convinced that REACH can help reduce the number of chemical-related occupational diseases and associated costs for both industry and society,4 provided it is properly implemented throughout the supply chain. Making information available to workers will significantly improve their situation and reduce health risks. Yet, it has been argued that for real progress to be made, dangerous chemical substances have to be substituted by safer options. Another issue is the dilemma of nanomaterials. A report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) states that nanomaterials top the list of substances that workers need protecting from.5