Study of Workers in the Hard-Metal Manufacturing Industry in the UK
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), based in Edinburgh, is carrying out the UK component of an
international study of the long-term health of workers who were employed in the hard-metal manufacturing
industry at any time between the early 1950s to date. It is anticipated that the study will be completed
during 2014. IOM are a not-for-profit organisation based in Edinburgh in Scotland. For more information ,
see www.iom-world.org. For more information about the study see www.iom-world.org/research/hardmetal.php.
What is the purpose of the study?
At present there is no clear evidence that occupational exposures in the hard-metal manufacturing industry
affects the risks of disease, such as lung cancer, or death. This study aims to assess the evidence for or
against such associations, by comparing the death rates in those who have worked in the industry with
those in the general population. It will also investigate whether death rates differ between those with lower
and higher exposures arising from work in the industry. In addition, we may want to ask a small selection
of some current and former workers about other possible employment and lifestyle factors (e.g. the amount
of tobacco smoked) that may have an important role in modifying any health risks for workers in the
industry. The UK study is being led by Professor Damien McElvenny, and the international study is being
led by Professor Gary Marsh of the University of Pittsburgh in the USA, both very experienced scientists
working in this area.
Why am I being told about this?
We want to bring this study to the attention of current and former workers in the industry, or their close
family relatives, in order to inform them that this research is taking place. Anyone who does not want their
details used in this new study may opt out by contacting us. In addition, if you are selected to obtain details
about other employment or lifestyle factors then we will seek your agreement to take part in this phase of
the investigation.
Will my details be kept confidential?
IOM will not disclose details of any worker studied to any third party, except for the purposes of obtaining
death details for those participants that may have died, nor will we identify anyone in any publications
arising from the study. Any data supplied to the University of Pittsburgh for the international analysis will be
anonymised.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
This study may help identify whether there are any health risks from having worked in the hard-metal
manufacturing industry in the UK or elsewhere.
What happens to the results of the research study?
The IOM and other researchers involved in the international study will publish the results of the research in
scientific journals. We will also present the results of the study and will distribute a leaflet summarising the
study’s findings to the current workforce.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The study is being funded by the International Tungsten Industry Association (see http://www.itia.info/), and
has the full support of Sandvik management.
Who has reviewed the study?
The study will be reviewed by a National Health Service (NHS) Ethics Committee and also by the
Department of Health’s National Information Governance Board’s Ethics and Confidentiality Committee. It
will also be reviewed by the NHS Data Access Advisory Group and the Microdata Release Panel of the
Office for National Statistics (ONS). The study team members will also apply for approved researcher
status from the ONS. If you wish to seek further advice in relation to any workplace exposures you may
have received, we suggest you contact your employer or your trade union representative.
What am I being asked to do?
If you’re happy for your details to be included in the study, then you need do nothing further. If you (or a
relative on your behalf) do not want your details to be used in the study, then please contact the
study team directly at hard-metal.study@iom-world.org or telephone 0131 449 8051 and ask for the
Hard-metal Study Team. If at a later date you are asked by us for further details about your employment
or lifestyle then you are free to opt out of this phase of the study. If you request not to be included in either
phase of the study, then IOM will ensure your wishes are respected and your details will be removed from
the research database.