Disease Reduction Programme (DRP)

Workplace exposure to substances, including chemicals and dusts, can cause pain, suffering, ill health and sometimes death.

The aim of the Disease Reduction Programme (DRP) is to reduce ill health that results from failures to properly control hazardous or dangerous substances in the workplace by encouraging healthier working practices, reducing exposure to potentially harmful substances including chemicals and dusts and ultimately reducing the cases of work-related ill health.

The DRP is part of the “Fit for work, Fit for life, Fit for tomorrow” Strategic Programme (Fit3).

Priority areas of the DRP

DRP aims to focus on 3 priority areas:

These 3 priorities are within a varied range of occupations and workplaces including hairdressers, maintenance workers, the health services, the catering industry, motor vehicle repairers and construction. In each of these areas DRP is targeting specific industries based on the best available evidence in respect of the size of the problem.