CIS Newsletter

No. 180
September 2004

CIS Newsletter celebrates 16 years & still going strong! Bringing news to over 135 countries in the CIS Network

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. CIS Annual Meeting, Workshops and Visits
  3. CIS and the future....
  4. News from around the World - Belgium, Egypt, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Philippines, ILO, Spain, UK, USA
  5. OSH UPDATE: affordable new Internet based service
  6. News from the Philippines
  7. FOCUS on JAPAN
  8. News from around the World
  9. OSHE web sites
  10. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

The CIS Annual Meeting, Workshops and Visits are being held in Brussels, Belgium from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 September 2004. To be hosted by Prevent, Rue Gachard 88, Bte 4, Brussels 1050, Belgium. See detailed notes below.

For those who are not able to attend these meetings, I will as usual report on the event in the next issue of CIS Newsletter. If you have not sent your report to CIS HQ please do so, and perhaps you can send a copy to me so that I can include details in the forthcoming editions.

As usual a range of news items, details of conferences being planned - well into 2005, a range of activities that have been carried out or currently being undertaken, plus new publications and services. There is never a better time for OSH information people - there are so many ways that services to users can be improved. CIS Information Centres and Staff need to watch closely and alert users about new trends, technologies and hazards.

My thanks to all the contributors to this edition of your Newsletter - all news however small is most welcomed.

If you are planning any publications, conferences, seminars or training courses, then please send your details to me so that we can share your efforts with others. Don't forget to send me your latest news! It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world.

You know I welcome ideas for inclusion in the future editions of this Newsletter. Let me know if there are any areas you would wish to see covered in future.

If you wish to receive by email the CIS Newsletter please let me know your email. Some of you who have changed your email number in recent months, and have NOT CIS Newsletter by email recently please re-send your email to me and I will re-instate you on the mailing list. There have been a number of emails that have "bounced back" recently. Remember that you will get the CIS Newsletter about 3 weeks earlier by email.

Remember the back issues of the CIS Newsletter are available at the click of the mouse on www.sheilapantry.com/cis.

Best wishes to you and your colleagues.

Sheila Pantry, OBE

85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +441909 771024
Fax: +441909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
www.oshworld.com
www.sheilapantry.com
www.shebuyersguide.com

CIS NETWORK OF NATIONAL AND COLLABORATING OSH CENTRES.....
WORKING TOGETHER AND HELPING EACH OTHER....

IMPORTANT REQUEST

CIS Meeting 2004, Brussels, Belgium

You should have had your invitation letter from Geneva CIS HQ.

Please let CIS and Sheila Pantry know:

  1. if you attending the Annual meeting
  2. if you intend to make a presentation
  3. if you are attending the Workshops
  4. if you are going on the visits - inform which ones.... See below

CIS Annual Meeting, Workshop and visits 15-18 September 2004 - start making your travel arrangements now.... countdown

The outline programme for the CIS 2004 Annual Meeting, Workshops and visits of CIS Centres is as follows:

Wednesday 15 September 2004

10.30 am Visit to the European Parliament

2.30 Visit to the TUTB - Trades Union European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety, Bld du Roi Albert 22 5 bte 5, B-1210 Brussels

If you intend to go on these visits urgently inform Veronqiue de Broeck at Prevent so that she knows the numbers involved. Tel: +32 2 643 4444 | Fax:+32 2 643 4440 | Email: V.Debroeck@prevent.be

Meeting up on Wednesday evening 15 September 2004

A number of people are staying in hotels around the Grand Place area. Some of us are staying at the IBIS Hotel and if you wish to join people for a get-together to sample the Brussels food and drink then meet at the IBIS Hotel at 18.00 hours (6 pm) to start the evening.

Thursday 16 September 2004 - Workshop to be held at Prevent, Rue Gachard 88 BTE 4, B-1050 Brussels

Please come and make your ideas known at this Workshop.... we need your input

Aim of the workshop is to help CIS National and Collaborating Centres Focus on promoting occupational safety and health (OSH ) priorities. The main activities of the workshop include:

The One day Workshop will have 4 sessions:

10.00

Welcome and Introduction Sheila Pantry

10.10 - 11.30

Session 1 What are the key OSH messages
Lead by Vern Anderson (VA)

10.10 - 10.15

Short introduction (VA)

10.15 - 11.00

Break out groups (at least 2)
Groups will identify the key messages

11.00 - 11.30

Feedback and conclusions 11.30 -11.45 Short break

11.45 - 13.00

Session 2 Targeted audiences - local, national, regional and international
Lead by Barbara Szczepanowska (BS)

11.45 - 11.50

Short introduction (BS)

11.50 - 12.35

Break out groups (at least 2)
Groups will identify the targeted audiences

12.35 - 13.00

Feedback and conclusions

13.00 - 13.45

Short lunch break

13.45 - 15.00

Session 3 How do we (CIS members) become more influential?
Lead by Irja Laamanen

13.45 - 13.50

Short introduction (IL)

13.50 - 14.35

Break out groups (at least 2)
Groups will identify how and who we try to influence

14.35 - 15.00

Feedback and conclusions

15.00 - 16.00

Session 4 Setting the priorities and Action planning
Lead by Sheila Pantry

15.00 - 15.30

Summary of conclusions of the 3 workshops
Setting the priorities and Action planning (Everyone)
Further brainstorming will identify the key messages

15.30 - 15.45

Open forum - have we missed anything?

15.45 - 16.00

Conclusions
Centres will have a template of the key messages, targeted audiences and ways and means to influence that they can adopt in their own countries.

Friday & Saturday 17 - 18 September 2004 Annual CIS Meeting, Prevent, Brussels

The meeting will be hosted by the Belgian CIS National Centre, PREVENT (Institut pour la prévention, la protection et le bien-être au travail), and we take this occasion to thank them for their offer and help.

The CIS Annual Meeting intends to give to the members of the network of CIS Centres the opportunity to share their experiences in OSH information management and to reinforce the collaboration among themselves.

We look forward to seeing a large number of CIS Centres represented in Brussels.

Friday evening

On the Friday evening after the work day is completed Prevent have arranged a meal at a nearby restaurant at the restaurant Amaze at 8 pm (20.00) The Restaurant is located at the Chaussée de Vleurgat, at 5 minutes walk from Prevent offices. Further details at the Workshop on Thursday and Meeting on Friday.

ARE YOU ATTENDING? IMPORTANT NOTE AND URGENT REQUEST

Please inform CIS HQ, Geneva URGENTLY and also Sheila Pantry if you intend to be at the meeting. It is very important that the numbers attending are known as soon as possible.

If it is not possible to attend there will be a full report in the CIS Newsletter October 2004 edition.

You are also reminded to send in your annual report to Geneva.

HOTELS

Some hotels in the centre of Brussels near the Grand Place are as follows.You can book via the Internet and there is usually a reduction in costs, and the Friday and Saturday night rates are even cheaper.

1. Novotel Brussels off Grand Place
120, rue du Marché Aux Herbes1000 Brussels, Belgium | Tel: +32 2 514 3333 | Fax: +32 2 511 7723 | Email : H1030@accor-hotels.com | www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/nov/1030/fiche_hotel.shtml | Hotel manager : Mr Fonck Yves

2. Novotel Brussels Centre Tour Noire
Rue de la Vierge Noire 321000 Brussels, Belgium | Tel: +32 2 505 5050 | Fax: +32 2 505 5000 | Email: H2122@accor-hotels.com | www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/nov/2122/fiche_hotel.shtml

3. IBIS Brussels off Grand Place
Grasmarkt 100100, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 1000 Brussels, Belgium | Tel : (+32)2/5144040 | Fax : (+32)2/5145067 | To make a reservation www.ibishotel.com/ibis/index.html | www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/1046/fiche_hotel.shtml | Manager's name : Mr. Thomas DUBAERE

A list of hotels that may be of interest can be found on www.hotelclub.net/SearchResults.asp?id=538

Maps of Brussels see www.trabel.com/brussels-mapslist.htm

The Grand Place - centre of Brussels area is the most interesting area - great food - cafes and restaurants, shopping and historical interest.

Please note that Prevent is located about 30 minutes walk from Brussels city centre/Grand Place area or a tram journey that will involve a change of trams. Alternatively, a number of people could share a taxi to get to Prevent.

CIS Annual meeting Brussels, 18-19 September 2004 Outline Programme

Please note that these times.......... but may change, also a number of people are wanting to give presentations so Saturday may well extend into the afternoon.

Friday, 17 September 2004 (Room Tillieux)

9.00

Welcome coffee

9.30

Opening
Election of a chairperson
Adoption of the agenda
Adoption of the report of the 2003 Annual Meeting

9.45

Report of the CIS

10.30

Coffee Break

11.00

Reports of the centres
Constitution of regional/linguistic groups

12.30

Lunch (sandwiches and dessert in Prevent cafeteria)

14.00

Visit of Prevent Information Centre

14.30

Discussion groups (3)

15.30

Short break

15.45

Reports

16.15

End of the meeting

20.00

Dinner at the Restaurant Amaze
Saturday, 18 September 2004 (Room Tillieux)

9.00

Welcome coffee

9.30

Reports of groups, continued

10.30

Short Break

10.45

Reports of centres, continued

11.45

Summary and concluding remarks

12.00

Lunch (buffet)

Depending on the number of reports meeting will continue after lunch.

CIS Network..........WORKING TOGETHER AND HELPING EACH OTHER....

But ...for the future........

The world has moved on in the past 5 years since the advent of the Internet and the advances in IT

What do you want from the Network?

What should the future CIS strategy include?

What do you need for your work that perhaps CIS and the network could provide?

What do you want to see on the ILO and CIS web sites that is not already covered?

What about Training?

Regional Meetings?

Let the CIS HQ know... and come and discuss at this year AGM of the CIS Network

News from around the world......

EurOhse2004: helping you to keep ahead with health, safety, fire and construction standards: conference

Following on the successful 2003 EurOHSE conference held in London November 2003, Angel Business Communications - publisher of EurOhs: European Occupational Health and Safety Magazine and newsletter and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd are now organising the EurOhse2004 conference to be held on 10 and 11 November 2004 at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, in London, UK.

The conference programme looks further at the themes of the European Commission's Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community Strategy on health and safety at Work 2002-2006 and this year EUROHSE 2004 Conference: Health in the Workplace looks at different aspects.

EurOHSE 2004 conference will provide key points for future activities for all those responsible for securing good standards of health and safety in the workplace, and excellent networking opportunities. The two-day conference will have sessions on:

A number of eminent speakers with backgrounds in government, industry, research and education have agreed to speak. They include:

Chairmen are Professor Peter Waterhouse, Dr Brian Kellard and John Howard - Director of RoSPA.

Opportunities for networking and hearing the latest information. Bookings have already been made. It is the major conference of 2004! There will also be a small exhibition.

We look forward to seeing you in London in November.

For fuller details regarding the speakers and their topics see www.eurohse2004.com

To Book contact: Mary Meadows, Office and Logistics Manager, European Occupational Health and Safety Magazine (EurOhs), Angel Business Communications Ltd, 34 Warwick Road, Kenilworth CV8 1HE, Warwickshire, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1926 512424 | Fax: +44 (0) 1926 512948 | Email: mary@angelbc.co.uk | www.eurohse2004.com

Health & Safety for Employees Working from Home

An increasing number of employers are allowing their employees to work partly, or exclusively, from their home. But being at home can mean that the homeworker becomes 'out of sight and out of mind', particularly when it comes to their health and safety. Both employers and the employee have responsibilities that they need to be aware of, and to implement, to ensure that both parties can have a safe and productive working relationship.

Scriptographic Publications' new 24-page booklet Homeworker's Guide to Health and Safety covers the important issues that employees need to understand, from doing a risk assessment, preparing and managing the working environment, through to avoiding slips, trips and falls.

It also covers electrical safety, lifting and carrying, using display screen and other equipment, and finally, how the employee can look after their personal welfare.

A free sample of this booklet, or any of Scriptographic Publication's other booklets, are available by calling Freephone 0800 028 5670, by e-mailed at sales@scriptographic.co.uk, fax on 01420 541743, or at the Scriptographic website.

Michael Whitcroft, Scriptographic Publications Ltd, Charwell House, Wilsom Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2PP UK | Tel: 08701 609 220 | email: michaelwhitcroft@scriptographic.co.uk

More news about Nanotechnology ... the interest keeps developing

March 2004, the CEN Technical Board (BT) created CEN/BTWG 166 'Nanotechnology'. The Working Group reports to the CEN/BT and its secretariat is with the BSI (British Standards Institution).

Its major task is to analyse the need for standardization activities in this new area and to initiate relevant activities. The first step is the drafting of a Business Plan for a new CEN/TC.

The first meeting took place in July 2004, the next one will be at the BSI on 8 October 2004.

People interested in attending this meeting and contributing to the work should liaise with their National Standardization Standards Body.

Contacts

Its major task is to analyse the need for standardization activities in this new area and to initiate relevant activities. The first step is the drafting of a Business Plan for a new CEN/TC.

The first meeting took place in July 2004, the next one will be at the BSI on 8 October 2004.

People interested in attending this meeting and contributing to the work should liaise with their National Standardization Standards Body.

www.cenorm.be/cenorm/index.htm

OSH UPDATE: new Internet based service from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

Want to keep up-to-date in worldwide occupational health, safety, hygiene, road safety, water safety, environment trends and the latest information? Do budget constraints not allow you to buy all the journals, newsletters and documents that contain the latest information? Can't afford the time to search for the latest information, legislation and standards? No staff to search for this information? And no time yourself to spend hours searching for information?

Then a new, very affordable Internet based service OSH UPDATE, from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd is the answer for you.

Powered by Head Software International's Headfast/Discovery Internet publishing software*, OSH UPDATE will be launched in the Autumn 2004 and updated monthly.

It contains a number of bibliographic databases from worldwide authoritative sources such as the UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Canada Ryerson University, the International Labour Office CIS Health and Safety Centre, European Union legislation and other legislation sources and OSH standards specifications.

OSH UPDATE will expand - we are continuing to make agreements with other well-known information producers around the world and these databases will also be included.

As well as the latest information many reference sources go back 80 or more years and so a valuable tool for researchers.

This new aggregation of databases will contain thousands of relevant references with abstracts or keywords and will keep you and your colleagues alerted to hot topics such as the health risks of nanotechnology, corporate killing, bioterrorism, management of road risks, preparedness and business continuity.

The title price for a single user via the Internet will be GBP250.00 / US$ 450.00 per year - less than 68 pence / 1.2 dollars per day.

The price reflects our aim to bring health and safety guidance, advice, research, journal articles, papers, standards to the attention of health and safety practitioners and managers, researchers, trade union safety representatives, occupational physicians, information specialists in industry, colleges and universities, government staff, inspectors, university and college safety directors, university and college lecturers and those in training - at a cost that is affordable and a service that is time efficient.

If you are interested in taking up this service on trial please complete the OSH UPDATE Interest Form, or contact us to ask further questions.

Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com
Electronic Products: Environment Plus | Fire Worldwide | OSH Ireland | OSH UPDATE

* Headfast/Discovery is being used for important bibliographic and full text information services on the Internet by other publishers including CERAM Research, Ellis Publications, Inspec, Nielsen BookData, Oxmill Publishing and TWI.

From US NIOSH

Word of the Month....Autonomous detection systems (ADS) are advanced systems currently under development to provide approximate real-time alerts when biologic or chemical agents are present; the system works by continuously sampling air that impinges in a buffer solution.

Check out our new Surveillance Resource for the U.S. on OS&H morbidity and mortality. The Chartbook This application allow one to drill down to the raw data in spreadsheet form. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook

'Dignity and Older Europeans' - conference

Reducing the barriers between the generations and positively influencing the portrayal of older people is the aim of a conference organised by the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University. The conference 'Dignity and Older Europeans' to be held on December 2-3 2004 will call for a public debate on a central issue for Europe's ageing population and society in general.

There are more than 70 million people aged 60 and over in the EU, representing just under one in five of the population. Nearly one-third of the Union's population and one-fifth of the labour force are over the age of 50. The conference aims to address how older people view dignity in their lives; how health and social care professionals view dignity when planning and providing services for older people and how younger adults view dignity in relation to older people.

Dr Win Tadd, Project Co-ordinator and conference organiser said: "This public conference will share the findings from a multi-disciplinary study involving 1,320 participants from 6 European countries. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate the policy recommendations and review an educational package for health and social care professionals both of which are intended to enhance dignity in the lives of older people. We are keen to call for national and international delegates to attend, particularly those responsible for policy formulation, health and social care delivery and organisations supporting older people."

John Griffiths, Minister for Older People at the National Assembly for Wales will deliver the opening address.

The conference is the result of 3 years research into Dignity and Older Europeans, which has been funded by the European Commission, DG Research, Directorate E: Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food, under FP5, Quality of Life Programme.

Places are still available at the conference, for further details please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine/geriatric_medicine/international_research/dignity

Further information: Dr Win Tadd, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Cardiff University | +44 (0) 2920 716980/6982 | Email: doe-project@cf.ac.uk

First INSHPO President a familiar face

The first President of the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) is a familiar face to IOSH members - as former president of the Institution Paul Faupel CBiol MIBiol MIRM FIOSH RSP has been elected for the prestigious role.

Paul, Cambridgeshire County Council's Health and Safety Adviser, was appointed IOSH president from 2000 - 2002. It was during this time that discussions took place with Eddie Greer, former President of the American Society of Safety Engineers and Jim Allan, former President of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, on the formation of an organisation that would provide a global network for professional bodies representing generalist practitioners in OSH.

INSHPO has since formed and exists to bring together generalist professional safety and health practitioner organisations throughout the world in order to reduce, minimise or eliminate the exposure of humans to risks connected with work activities.

The objectives of INSHPO include promoting and developing the OSH profession throughout the world, promoting the exchange of OSH information among member organisations, encouraging the further development of OSH at a professional level and engaging with other bodies in the field of health and safety in areas of common interest.

On being elected first president of INSHPO, Paul said: "It is a great honour to have been recognised by my international peers in this way. It is a first for IOSH, a first for Cambridgeshire County Council and a personal first for me.

"It is a timely event to have established this network because colleagues in the related professions of Occupational Hygiene, Occupational Health, Ergonomics and Risk Management all have their own international associations.

"The health and safety profession needs to be operating in the same context to establish truly global standards of best practice in the drive to reduce the toll of death, injury, ill health and collateral losses associated with poor health and safety management."

IOSH chief executive, Rob Strange, said: "I'd like to express my warmest congratulations to Paul on receiving this great honour. Paul has played a major role in the establishment of and success of INSHPO and I am sure his appointment into such an important position will ensure INSHPO's continued success."

INSHPO members include:

Membership of INSHPO is open to generalist professional safety and health practitioner organisations throughout the world, but it is not open to individual practitioners.

For further information on INSHPO, please visit its website at www.inshpo.org. Alternatively contact Sascha Lemon on 0116 257 3100 or email sascha.lemon@iosh.co.uk

IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1NN, UK | t +44 (0)116 257 3100 | f +44 (0)116 257 3101 | www.iosh.co.uk

News from Romania

Occupational Safety and Health Institute of Public Health under the patronage of TREHB (Training And Research In Environmental Health - The Balkans) Michigan State University organizes a workshop on THE ROLE OF THE OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN IN PREVENTING OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES IN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Date: October 20th 2004
Place: Institute of Public Health - auditorium

The workshop is organized in the framework of EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2004 - BUILDING IN SAFETY

TOPICS: Occupational risks in construction workers' activity; Occupational diseases of construction workers; Health promotion in construction industry workplaces

PROGRAMME

9.00

Opening: Why construction industry? Do we know all the risks that construction worker is exposed to?
Dr. Adriana Todea

9.30

Occupational risks in construction workers' activity
1. Musculoskeletal disorders do to overuse in occupational medicine
Prof. Dr. Toma Niculescu
2. Exposure to physical agents in construction industry workplaces
Dr. Nuţi Deliu
3. Chemical agents in construction industry workplaces
Chem. Dana Rusea

11.00

Coffee break

11.30

Occupational diseases of construction workers
1. Occupational dermatoses - etiologic aspects characteristic to exposure in construction industry
Dr. Letiţia Bucur
2. Asbestosis - pathological changes in organisms occupationally exposed to asbestos
Dr. Dana Mateş, Chim. Vali Constantinescu
3. The existence of occupational diseases in 2003-2004, an unwanted reality!
Dr. Adriana Todea, Dr. Aurelia Ferencz

13.00

Health promotion in construction industry workplaces
1. The role of psychologist in preventing work accidents and occupational diseases
Psych. Gabriel Popescu
2. The role of periodical medical examinations in determining the aptitude of each worker (practical aspects encountered in construction industry)

14.00

Discussions, conclusions

GUESTS

The workshop is opened for participation for all occupational physicians, engineers working in safety at work and all the specialists involved in the implementation of the concept of health and safety at work. Please inform us of your participation at phone number: 021-2249228/extension 203 or 213, Dr. Adriana Todea, Dr. Aurelia Ferencz. E-Mail adrianat@ispb.ro

LIFELINES ONLINE .............

Dear Colleague:

LIFELINES ONLINE is a new, monthly publication that covers health and safety topics specifically relevant to the signatory employers, business managers and health and welfare fund administrators associated with the Laborers' International Union of North America. We think the online magazine also will be of interest to health and safety professionals, members of the Laborers and other unions and the media that monitors the construction industry or safety and health, generally.

The on-line magazine tracks developments in health promotion, health care cost control, occupational safety and health, workers' compensation and state and federal regulation. Published by the Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA) - an organization dedicated to advancing health and safety for Laborers and their families - the magazine also serves as the portal to the newly redesigned LHSFNA website. The website is filled with information and services designed to improve the health of workers, the safety of workplaces, the profitability of signatory employers and the effectiveness of health care service providers.

Because you have expressed some interest these concerns, we have added you to the initial subscriber list for LIFELINES ONLINE. As such, you will receive a monthly notification when each new issue is published. The notice will feature the headlines of the new issue and provide a link to its on-line location. We will not share your name and email address with other organizations. If you'd rather not be on this list, an "unsubscribe" link is provided at the end of this notice.

The August issue of LIFELINES ONLINE (Vol. I, No. 3) is now available at the LHSFNA website. These are the headlines:

To view the stories and access our website, click www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm.

Please forward this announcement to others in your organization who may be interested. They can subscribe on-line.

We look forward to your feedback and comments. Steve Clark, Communications Manager, Laborers Health and Safety Fund of North America, 905 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

News from Egypt

Mohammed Allam sends his best wishes to CIS colleagues and says he will miss you all at our CIS meeting. He says it was really wonderful meeting with people in the past and to let you know that he is still working as consultant for the Egypt NIOSH institute and also instructor for our safety training courses.

Living to work - working to live
Tomorrow's work-life balance in Europe

Dublin, 3-4 November, 2004

These data from the Foundation's recent European Quality of Life survey, highlight one of the key challenges facing Europe's policymakers today. How can we balance worklife commitments while moving towards the full employment target of the Lisbon agenda? While aiming to create more and better jobs, policymakers across the 25 countries of the new European Union are increasingly faced with the pressing issues of flexibility and work, pension reform, time management and labour market restructuring.

These issues, and many more, will be examined at this year's Foundation Forum 2004 which brings together high-level European representatives from the social partners, government and civil society, as well as experts in the field to provide fresh and timely insights into the future direction of this crucial debate.

www.eurofound.ie

News from the Philippines

Success Story on 2004 World Day for Safety and Health at Work

RP Joins in the Observance of 2004 World Day for Safety and Health at Work

OSHC, as the expert agency of the DOLE for preventing work-related accidents and illnesses, is the national authority on research, training, and information dissemination and technical services in the area of work safety and health. It ventured into an intensive media campaign for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2004 in April. OSHC personnel were featured in 24 media outfits, both in print and broadcast.

As one of the prime movers of the observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, OSHC implemented the following activities:

Presented a technical paper during the National Tripartite Meeting on Safety and Health at Work which was sponsored by the Manila Office of ILO which was attended by its tripartite constituents.

Some Points to Ponder

More News from the Philippines

Awarding of OSH Champions in RP Set

9th National OSH Congress Set

FOCUS on Japan

Activity Report of CIS National Centre in Japan from May 2003 to August 2004

1. CIS bulletin / CD-ROM subscribers (as of July 2004): 12
Decreased by one from FY 2003 subscribers.

2. Introduction of CIS theses to JISHA associate members:
Through JISHA monthly magazines "Safety and Health for Workers": about 60 theses
Request of copying service of the above theses: 10 times

3. Mr. Fumiaki Saito, Deputy Director for International Affairs attended the
41th Annual Meeting of ILO/CIS National Centres, held in London, United Kingdom.

4. JISHA English printed-materials sent to CIS headquarters:

5. International Cooperation
Promote various types of exchanges with overseas safety and health organizations/institutions.

6. Joint Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health with counterpart of JISHA

7. Japan International Center for Occupational Safety and Health (JICOSH)
The following training courses, which had 130 participants, were held in FY2003.

8. Group Training Courses jointly with JICA

9. JICA Technical Cooperation Projects

[Dispatch experts to Malaysia (NIOSH)]

  1. Field of Occupational Health Management (heavy metal)
    One expert, 18 days
  2. Field of Occupational Health Management (Noise)
    One expert, 16 days
  3. Field of Biological Monitoring (heavy metal)
    One expert, 1.5 months
  4. Field of Risk assessment
    One expert, three weeks
  5. Field of working environmental measurement (heavy metal)
    One expert, five weeks
  6. Field of Occupational Safety (PPE)
    One expert, 1.5 months

[Counterpart training program: accepting trainees from Asian countries]

[Training program: trainees from institute/laboratory]

10. Other

News from around the World

First International Symposium on Occupational Health Implications of Nanomaterials Palace Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK 12-14 October 2004

Organised by the UK Health and Safety Laboratory in collaboration with the UK Health and Safety Executive and the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Key Topics

The nanotechnology symposium is the first of its kind to bring together researchers, industry representatives and policy makers in order to define the issues facing workers and employers and to develop strategies to address the potential health risks. This is an open symposium aimed at initiating dialogue on nanotechnology and workplace safety and health.

Poster Exhibition
There will also be a poster exhibition for those with relevant new work to report. Three hundred word abstracts should be submitted by 3 September 2004, to:

Karen Wilkinson, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom SK17 9J | Tel: (+44) 0114 289 2023 | www.hsl.gov.uk

News from the USA

News from NIOSH
The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have produced the following new publications.

Surveillance Resource for the US on occupational safety and health and mortality - the Chartbook.
This allows you to drill down to the raw data in spreadsheet format. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook

Wildland firefighters suffer from respiratory problems
NIOSH is conducting a pilot study to determine the feasibility of measuring potential respiratory risks that wildland firefighters may face from work-related exposures. Statistics show that approximately 5 percent to 10 percent of wildland firefighters suffer from respiratory problems, but scientists do not know what proportion of those cases may be due to job-related exposures. In the pilot project, NIOSH scientists followed two National Park Service Interagency Hotshot Crews from Colorado and California. The scientists took air samples at wildland fire operations and conducted medical evaluations of the firefighters. Results will determine whether a full study is feasible. For more information on this project, contact Denise Gaughan at DGaughan@cdc.gov or (304) 285-6262, or visit www.nps.gov/fire/download/pub_fir04_romo_seki_hotshots.pdf

News from Ireland: Minster Fahey establishes Bullying Advisory Group

The Minster for Labour Affairs, Frank Fahey, T.D., has announced the establishment of an expert advisory group on bullying and resulting stress in the workplace. The Minister said that for some time he has "been concerned with the loss of workdays, ill-heath effects including stress, the workplace difficulties and the general dysfunctional work cultures which bullying and resulting stress is causing". The expert group will, he says, provide information on the best way forward to tackle the problem.

The Minister's announcement follows his comments about the issue when he spoke at the launch of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) annual report (see Health and Safety Review, July/August 2004, p7). The Minister, who acknowledged the work done in the area by the former Minister and the Task Force on the prevention of Workplace Bullying, has asked the expert group to report within three months on:

The 15 member expert group, which will be chaired by Paul J Farrell, partner, Business Consulting Services IBM Ireland, includes in its membership bullying expert Professor Mona O'Moore, the HSA's organisational psychologist Patricia Murray and HSA board members Marie Rock, Louise O'Donnell, Fergus Whelan and Martin Lynch.

Herbert Mulligan, Editor, Health & Safety Review, Dublin, Ireland | www.healthandsafetyreview.ie

UK HSE publish multilingual information for the catering industry

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a series of leaflets providing guidance for all those working in the catering industry in a variety of different languages.

The leaflets cover a range of information including the management of health and safety in kitchens, guidance on preventing accidents, kitchen ventilation and the maintenance of equipment. They alert employers to some of the main risk areas in the kitchen. The most common being slips and trips and manual handling injuries. The information, already available in English, has now been translated into Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Greek, Turkish and Urdu for the following leaflets:-

The leaflets are available to download from the web at www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm or from HSE Books on Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165.

The leaflets demonstrate HSE's commitment towards the joint Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and HSE Race Equality Scheme launched in May 2002. HSC and HSE each have a duty to publish a race equality scheme. However, because the work of both organisations is so closely aligned, they have decided to issue a single scheme that commits both organisations to working in partnership to achieve improvement. A revised edition was published in September 2003 and takes account of a consultation undertaken with stakeholders since the launch, including employers and workers from ethnic minorities, and updates HSC/E's progress with actions. The Race Equality Scheme, September 2003 edition can be viewed www.hse.gov.uk/hsc/res.pdf or hard copies can be obtained by contacting Radha Hirani at HSE on 020 7717 6985.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The following new Agency publications, in all official languages of the EU, provides brief introductions to the Agency and its activities.

Issue 54: Corporate social responsibility and occupational safety and health
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/54/en/index.htm

Issue 53: Ensuring the health and safety of workers with disabilities
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/53/en/index.htm

Issue 52: Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into education
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/52/en/index.htm

Issue 51: Asbestos in construction
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/51/en/index.htm

Issue 50: Management of noise in construction
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/50/en/index.htm

Issue 49: Safe roofwork
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/49/en/index.htm

Issue 48: Health and safety on small construction sites
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets/48/en/index.htm

Issue 313: Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into education
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/313/en/index.htm

This publication is available in PDF format

The European Union strategy on health and safety has identified education and training as key factors to strengthen the prevention culture. Education about health and safety does not start with entry into the world of work; it should be part and parcel of the school curriculum or a vocational subject in its own right. The report is aimed at practitioners and intermediaries within the educational system, and policymakers and social partners both at Member State and EU level. It consists of three main parts: a description of good practice; an analysis of the key elements of a successful mainstreaming process illustrated within a model; and a road map for the future development of a coherent strategy to mainstream occupational safety and health into education at European level.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain, email: information@osha.eu.int, fax: +34 94 479 4383.

Environmental and Occupational Health Response to SARS

Efforts by NIOSH industrial hygiene specialists who assisted Taiwan in controlling the transmission of SARS are described in the July issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a peer-reviewed journal published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID). The NIOSH specialists were part of a team deployed by CDC in early 2003 at the time of the SARS outbreak in Taiwan. The article, "Environmental and Occupational Health Response to SARS, Taiwan, 2003," depicts the rapid assistance that helped Taiwanese authorities keep medical personnel and patients safe through infection control methods such as utilization of personal protective equipment and construction of adequate isolation rooms. Environmental findings and observations from their visits to hospitals and medical centers throughout Taiwan are detailed in the article. The full article is available at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no7/03-0728.htm

MMWR Features DRDS Study on Eliminating Asbestosis and Other Pneumoconiosis

Although deaths from certain occupational diseases caused by inhalation of mineral dusts have shown a significant decline over the last 30 years, the death rate for one such disease, asbestosis, has been rising, according to results of a NIOSH study published in the July 23 issue of the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Even though the use of asbestos has declined substantially, leading to fewer workers significantly exposed, and despite regulation, new cases of asbestosis continue to appear as a result of exposures that occurred many years or decades ago. Continued vigilance and prevention efforts are necessary to assure that the progress made in eliminating this disease and other pneumoconiosis is maintained, the study reports. Changing Patterns of Pneumoconiosis Mortality - United States, 1968-2000 is available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5328a1.htm.

US FEMA Releases New Web page on Wildland Fire Preparedness

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency's Wildland Update Web page is designed to help firefighters and community leaders locate important and up-to-date information on preparing for and fighting wildland fires, such as weather predictions, current aviation strategy, community programs and a six minute safety briefing. The Web page includes links to the National Fire Plan, FIREWISE and the handbook "Preparing a Community Wildfire Plan." The new Web page can be accessed at www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/wildfire/update_2004.shtm

News from NIOSH

Three new NIOSH publications address the prevention of serious potential hazards in mining. The products are:

Other new publications from NIOSH are:

OSHFE web sites to explore

EUROPE

European Commission Goods (TDG) and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS)   EUROPE
www.nanoforum.org
This European Union sponsored Thematic Network will provide a comprehensive source of information on all areas of Nanotechnology to the business, the scientific and social communities. The main vehicle for the thematic network will be this dedicated website. Nanoforum will encompass partners from different disciplines, bring together existing national and regional networks, share best practice on dissemination national, EU-wide and Venture Capital funding to boost SME creation, provide a means for the EU to interface with networks, stimulate Nanotechnology initiatives in European underdeveloped countries, stimulate young scientists, publicises good research and form a network of knowledge and expertise. Nanoforum aims to provide a linking framework for all nanotechnology activity within the European Community. It will serve as a central location from which to gain access to and information about research programmes, technological developments, funding opportunities and future activities in nanotechnology within the community.

SWITZERLAND

United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS)   SWITZERLAND
www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm
United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) gives details of publications, bodies and committees e.g. ECOSOC and links.

World Standards Services Network (WSSN)   SWITZERLAND
www.wssn.net/WSSN
World Standards Services Network (WSSN), is a network of publicly accessible World Wide Web servers of standards organizations around the world. Through the Web sites of its members, WSSN provides information on international, regional and national standardization and related activities and services. Direct links from the WSSN site are provided to the Web sites of: International Organization for Standardization - ISO; International Electrotechnical Commission - IEC; International Telecommunication Union - ITU; International standardizing bodies; Regional standardizing bodies; National members of ISO and IEC; Other international/regional organizations with related activities; Alphabetical list of Web sites in WSSN and Geographical list of Web sites in WSSN

UK

Asbestos Building Inspectors Certification Scheme (ABICS)   UK
www.abics.org
Asbestos Building Inspectors Certification Scheme (ABICS) has been set up by the Faculty of Occupational Hygiene (FOH). FOH is the British professional body for occupational hygienists, who are expert on control of risks to health at work. For many years FOH, and its predecessor the British Institute of Occupational Hygienists (BIOH) has been setting syllabuses and exams for training courses on various hazards, including those from asbestos in buildings. FOH is now part of the British Occupational Hygiene Society, founded in 1953 to bring together those concerned with health risks resulting from work.

British Occupational Hygiene Society BOHS Directory of Consultants   UK
www.bohs.org/aboutus/structure/directory-of-consultants
British Occupational Hygiene Society BOHS Directory of Consultants lists consultancies able to provide qualified and experienced occupational hygiene support services.

Hazards Magazine: Nanotechnology   UK
www.hazards.org/nanotech
Hazards Magazine website for nanotechnology - which is engineering on a very small scale. Presents warnings and links to other sites.

Hazards Magazine: Safety Representatives   UK
www.safetyreps.org
Hazards magazine has setup this website specifically for safety reps, that gives information on rights and roles not just in the UK but in other countries such as the US, Australia and New Zealand. Links to other union safety related website, training and resources. Also links to a wide range of topics such as drinks and drugs policy, women and hazards, SARS, smoking etc.

International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations - INSHPO   UK
www.inshpo.org
International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations - INSHPO. Members include: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), America Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Canada Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention (IFAP), Australia Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), UK Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Management (IOSHM), Mauritius Safety Institute of Australia (SIA), Australia. Membership of INSHPO is open to generalist professional safety and health practitioner organisations throughout the world, but it is not open to individual practitioners.

Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity   UK
www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk
Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity provides detailed information about all aspects of thrombosis. We aim to 'Stop the Clots' through a programme of education and research.

Royal Academy of Engineering: Nanotechnology   UK
www.nanotec.org.uk
In June 2003 the UK Government commissioned the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK national academy of engineering, to carry out an independent study of likely developments and whether nanotechnology raises or is likely to raise new ethical, health and safety or social issues which are not covered by current regulation. 'Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties' - was published on 29 July 2004. The report illustrates the fact that nanotechnologies offer many benefits both now and in the future but that public debate is needed about their development. It also highlights the immediate need for research to address uncertainties about the health and environmental effects of nanoparticles - one small area of nanotechnologies. It also makes recommendations about regulation to control exposure to nanoparticles.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents: Road Safety Planner   UK
 www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/work_safer_journey.pdf
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has produced a new journey planner to help bosses keep their drivers safe at the wheel. Covers: driver fatigue, reducing distances, controlling hours spent on the road, safer routes etc.

USA

Federal Emergency Management Agency Wildland Fire: Preparedness   USA
www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/wildfire/update_2004.shtm
Federal Emergency Management Agency's Wildland Update Web page is designed to help firefighters and community leaders locate important and up-to-date information on preparing for and fighting wildland fires, such as weather predictions, current aviation strategy, community programs and a six minute safety briefing. The Web page includes links to the National Fire Plan, FIREWISE and the handbook "Preparing a Community Wildfire Plan."

National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH Morbidity and mortality: USA
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook
US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH Surveillance Resource Chartbook allows one to drill down to the raw data in spreadsheet format.

National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH The Workers' Health Chartbook 2004   USA
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook
US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH The Workers' Health Chartbook 2004 [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-146] consolidates information on the incidence and prevalence of work-related illnesses, injuries and deaths from the network of injury and illness surveillance tracking systems in the U.S. and is designed for agencies, organizations, employers, researchers, workers and others who need an authoritative reference source on occupational injuries and illnesses.

National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH Pneumoconiosis: Coal Workers' X-Ray Surveillance Program Frequently Asked Questions & Resource   USA
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2002-122
National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH Coal Workers' X-Ray Surveillance Program Frequently Asked Questions & Resource List [DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2002-122] addresses important questions for miners about coal workers' pneumoconiosis (black lung), medical resources and federal disability benefits or compensation.

National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH Respiratory Disease Surveillance   USA
 www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/surveillance/ords
National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety NIOSH serves as a reference for surveillance information and includes links to the latest the Work-Related Lung Disease (WoRLD)

Diary of Events

15-16 September 2004 - ICNA Conference & Exhibition 2004
Belfast Waterfront Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Contact: Polly Oates, The Tristel Company Ltd, Lynx Business Park, Fordham Road Snailwell, Cambs CB8 7NY UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1638 721500 | Fax: +44 (0) 1638 721911 | Email: mail@tristel.com | www.tristel.com

1 October 2004 - Ageing and occupational risks How to protect workers' health throughout their working life? European discussion workshop organised by Eurogip, in conjunction with the occupational risks department of the French National Health Insurance Fund for Employees (CNAMTS) and the National Research and Safety Institute (INRS)
France
Contact: Isabelle Leleu, EUROGIP, 55 rue de la Fédération, 75015 Paris, France | Tel: +33 0 1 40 56 30 40 | Fax: +33 0 1 40 56 36 66 | www.eurogip.fr

12-14 October 2004 - Managing Health and Safety
Earls Court, UK
Contact: Safety and Health Practitioner, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 870 429 5308 | Email: webmaster@ctsnet.co.uk

23-24 November 2004 - Techsec: security solutions for end-users
Excel, London, UK
Contact: Paul MacDonald, Techsec, London, UK | Tel: +44 (0)20 8997 4083

30 November - 3 December 2004 - Pollutec 2004
Lyon, France
Contact: Pollutec, 70 rue Rivay, 92532 Levallois-Perret Cedex, France | Tel: +33 (0)1 47 56 21 24 | Fax: +33 (0) 147 56 21 20 | Email: www.pollutec.com

2005

4-6 April 2005 - IAPA Health and Safety 2005 Conference and Trade Show
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Canada
Contact: Industrial Accident Prevention Association, 207 Queens Quay W., Suite 555, Toronto ON M5J2Y3, Canada | Tel: + 1 416 506 0488/8888 1 800 669 4939 | www.iapa.ca

12 May 2005 - Environmental legislation and regulations review
Holiday Inn Regents Park, Carburton Street, London W1P 8EE, UK
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 12-18 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH, UK | Tel: +44 0845 120 9602 | Fax:+ 44 (0)20 7259 0283 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk | www.cronertraining.co.uk

19-23 September 2005 - IOHA 6th International Scientific Conference
North West Province, South Africa
Contact: Sue Moseley, IOHA 2005 c/o MVS, PO Box 93480, Yeoville 2143, South Africa | Tel/Fax: +27 114871073 | Email : oha2005@asosh.org

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