CIS Newsletter

No. 242
November 2009


CIS Newsletter celebrates 21 years & still going strong!
Bringing news from Members to Members in over 154 countries in the CIS Network!


Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Reports on CIS Annual Meeting 2009 plus 50 years of CIS.
    Meeting with the WHO. Social events on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
    Some ideas to help in promoting the CIS Network... Don't Work Harder, Work Smarter!
  3. Webinars and Podcasting: Useful new ways of distributing OSH Information!!!
  4. News and Events from around the World - Abu Dhabi, Austria, Bahrain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Kish Free Zone, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rica, Romania, Switzerland, UK and the USA to name a few!
  5. OSHE websites to explore
  6. Diary of Events

The CIS Newsletter is a monthly newsletter for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) International Occupational Health and Safety Information Centres and is edited by Sheila Pantry OBE. The CIS Newsletter is NOT an official publication of the ILO but a newsletter containing information from Members in CIS Centres and other sources and is intended to be shared by anyone who finds the data contained useful. Users are free to use and reuse the data in these newsletters.


Editorial

Greetings Dear CIS Colleagues

It was really good to see colleagues from CIS HQ and also Centres at last week's

2009 CIS annual meeting held on 21 - 23 October 2009.

There was also a joint meeting with the WHO Centres on Wednesday 21 October 2009 - see details below.

I am reporting both events with links to other information where possible.

Some people have been asking about what they should be doing in their own country to celebrate this very special year - the 50th anniversary of the CIS network.

As suggested by Gabor Sandi ... reflect and promote what has been achieved in your country to improve the visibility of the CIS Network.

Then state what you and organisation intends to do in the future to

See also further suggestions from Thomas Netter - the Chief of the ILO Media Department in this edition and also the August 2009 CIS Newsletter.

To help Centres keep up-to-date in the use of technologies to spread OSH information I have included some information on Webinars and Podcasting: Useful new ways of distributing OSH Information!!!

Don't forget you can you use information in previous CIS Newsletters particularly the June 2009 Special edition that contains many articles on the promoting OSH information. Work smarter not harder - and use the ideas brought together by many experienced people. If you did not get a chance to read it, then take a few moments of your life to reflect what has been achieved over many years see www.sheilapantry.com/cis/cis200906.html

Together the CIS Network can achieve so much.

Thanks for all the discs, publications, emails and news - these are always gratefully received and are used as soon as possible.

Remember any news you send gets an amazing further publicity as much of the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world. Take advantage of free publicity! Remember you can see CIS Newsletters on the web site www.sheilapantry.com/cis where back issues are stored.

Make my day ... please send your news items to your Editor!

Remember... Publicity is the key ... tell them, tell them and tell them again...

All good wishes to you, your families and your colleagues.

Sheila Pantry, OBE

Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +44 1909 771024
Fax: +44 1909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
www.oshworld.com
www.sheilapantry.com
www.shebuyersguide.com
www.oshupdate.com
www.fireinf.com


Report from the 2009 CIS Annual Meeting held Thursday and Friday 22 and 23 October 2009 at the ILO HQ, Geneva and also the Joint meeting with the WHO Centres held on Wednesday 21 October 2009

CIS celebrates the 50th anniversary of its existence this year - 2009!

We have been around long enough to see a complete transformation of the world of information processing, storage and dissemination from being based on print and paper to being based on digital storage in various electronic media. During the same period the world of occupational safety and health has also progressed from a relatively marginal position in the working environment to being a key component of what the ILO considers as the decent work agenda. CIS's future depends on paying close attention to the ongoing changes in the two components of its mandate: Information and OSH.

Who or What is CIS?

CIS is the knowledge management arm of the Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork). Its goal is to ensure that workers and everyone concerned with their protection have access to the facts they need to prevent occupational injuries and diseases. CIS continuously monitors world literature on occupational safety and health through its contacts with publishers and with 154 (and growing) focal points ("CIS Centres") at the national or regional level. Summaries and citations of the most useful publications, as well as products based on the collected information, are disseminated electronically and in print. The network of CIS Centres contributes to the exchange of information among persons responsible for the establishment and implementation of national policies and programmes.

CIS was founded in 1959 as a joint endeavour of the ILO, the International Social Security Association, the European Coal and Steel Community and the occupational safety and health authorities of 11 European countries. The original 11-member network of National Centres has grown to cover 154 countries all over the world.

In many countries, Collaborating Centres complement the National Centres, and the Arab Occupational Health and Safety Institute of the Arab Labour Organization became the first Regional Centre in 2004. With the evolution of European institutions, CIS now enjoys the support of the European Commission.

"CIS Fifty Years of History" has been published

Members from CIS Centres attending the Annual General Meeting were presented with a 16-page booklet that logs the milestones in the history of CIS. Delightfully written by Gabor Sandi with the help of other CIS Staff, past and present.

Will be of great use to those just starting out as CIS Centres as well as those who have been part of the CIS Network for many years. It will remind the Members of what can be achieved with co-operation - e.g. electronic products (such as this Newsletter, training courses and meetings.

It is entitled CIS: Fifty years of history and is published by the International Labour Office, Geneva, 2009.

ISBN 978 92 2 122 768 0 Print
ISBN 978 92 2 122 768 7 web PDF (although at the time of writing not on the web site)

If you wish to read other write-ups on CIS activities over the years see the CIS Newsletter Special Edition June 2009 www.sheilapantry.com/cis/cis200906.html


The social side of the CIS Meeting...

The Potluck party

We had a very enjoyable "Potluck Party" (i.e. people brought food and drink from their own country for the buffet table) on the Wednesday evening, 21 October 2009 after we have finished our joint meeting with the WHO collaborating centres during the day.

The party enabled us to spend social time together and catch up with each other and enable us to get to know our new members attending for the first time.

Celebration Cocktail party on Thursday 22 October 2009

This was preceded by a string quartet short concert that gave us a very enjoyable programme. Many thanks to the players.

The very entertaining cocktail party brought together people from the past as well as current members of CIS and the network. It was good to catch up with people.


Report from the 2009 CIS Annual Meeting held Thursday and Friday 22 and 23 October 2009 at the ILO HQ, Geneva and also the Joint meeting with the WHO Centres held on Wednesday 21 October 2009

The CIS Annual Meeting, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CIS Network was held on 22 -23 October 2009 in the ILO Headquarters in Geneva. Representatives came from around 40 countries.

The meeting was opened by Gabor Sandi, Coordinator of the CIS Centres who introduced Mr Assane Diop, Executive Director of the ILO Social Protection Programme who gave a welcoming address. Mrs. Sameera Al-Tuwaijri, Director of the SafeWork ILO programme also gave an address.

Irja Laamanen from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health for the CIS Meeting was elected chairwoman for the meeting. This was proposed by Elly Goos - from The Netherlands Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment CIS Centre.

Gabor Sandi gave a presentation that looked at what has been achieved over the past 50 years and what services and products could be achieved in the future given resources required to sustain them. Gabor noted the many products such as CISDOC - the database that collects references from around the world - there are around 70,000 records in CISDOC with an increasing number linking to full text documents. See www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/cisdoc.htm

From CISDOC other products are made such as the Virtual Bulletin, Thesaurus and Glossary. The CIS website will be revamped in future; the ILO Encyclopaedia is being revamped and revised. Do check out the CIS website and look at products that will be useful in the daily work of any health and safety information centre. He reminded people that various newsletters such as the CIS Newsletter, the African and the Asia Pacific Newsletters can be found on www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/oshworld/news.htm

Annick Virot's presentation noted the growth of the numbers of CIS Centres and establishment of Regional Centres. Also during 2010-2011 Annick proposed more activities, including the idea that regional meetings should be organised.

Andras Szucs, who keeps the technology side of CIS advancing gave his vision for the future of the CIS Centres Network. This includes revamping the CIS web site with the Encyclopaedia at the centre of the website and major offshoots such as links to other sources of information so as to make it easy for people to navigate to obtain quality information. Characteristics of this Internet based service would include multi-language versions, with a network of dedicated editors.

Andras, who is retiring from the ILO CIS on 31 December 2009 was thanked by Sheila Pantry (UK) for his many efforts, advice and guidance in developing the CIS electronic services.

28 April World Health and Safety Day Theme in 2010

The World Day was referred to a number of times during the meeting and we were informed that in 2010 the day's theme will be Securing the Future: emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work.

www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/worldday

Soon there will be a number of posters and other handouts etc available that you can use in your Day's activities. It was emphasized that if the official day for Safety and Health in some countries is different to 28 April then use and adapt any of the handouts etc for your own use.

Use of the media to help you get your health and safety message across to workers, managers, supervisors, business owners and union representatives

ILO Chief of Media Thomas Netter gave an interesting and useful run-down on how to achieve your goal in getting the health and safety message out in your country. Advice included:

See also CIS own Working Group Report on Publicity ... more details are available within The report from the CIS Working Party 1 Publicity, Promotion and Communication Strategy (2005) that covers many useful points and a range of topics.
See www.sheilapantry.com/cis/other/wp01.html

Presentations from CIS Centres

A very large part of the meeting was taken up with presentations from about 25 countries detailing the activities of their CIS information centre. Unfortunately this can be a mind-numbing time for delegates. Each presentation tends to "blur" into another. We stopped this practice in the past because people found it much better to read the reports in detail when they are put up on the CIS website and then ask questions to the appropriate CIS Centre.

Group work

Later Friday morning there were three groups discussions on different topics:

Group 1 discussed:
How can communication between all the CIS Centres and the ILO be improved? What are the new means of communication that could be introduced?

Amongst the many topics discussed the Group proposed the following:

  1. Enquiry Service
    Members felt that they did communicate much with the ILO because of shortage of staff to answer enquiries. So CIS HQ in Geneva should establish a Members' Enquiry Service. This would answer either by email or telephone enquiries from the CIS HQ by a competent person. These enquiries could also be passed to other competent CIS Centres for further help.
  2. Forum on the use or technology to broadcast the OSH message
    Establish a Forum on the CIS website on latest developments in the use of IT and other communication services that could be used to disseminate the OSH messages. Establishing Webinars were suggested and surprisingly no-one seemed to know of these!
    Use of Blogs (again not much known), Podcasts, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube should also be considered.
  3. CIS Centres to decide the agenda for Annual Meetings
    This will enable Centres to focus on main issues/topics and come to meetings prepared for meaningful discussions.
  4. Establish plans of work each year
    These could be rolling plans over one or more years on specific areas that all CIS Centres could be involved in. At each annual meeting evaluate the results, achievements and areas that did not succeed. Cost implications should also be discussed.
  5. Use the technologies to better promote CIS and its services and products
    It is apparent that much better promotion of CIS, the Network plus the products is needed.
    Using the technologies available it is easier and cost-effective to constantly get the message across, international, regionally and in our own countries.

Group 2 discussed:
How do you see the future of the CIS Products available to you?
What are the possible changes that could be made to the products and are there any suggestions for new products?

Amongst the topics discussed the Group proposed the following:

  1. The CIS Products
    These are good and should be continued. There is a need for information on new laws and new hazards.
  2. CISDOC
    The importance of keeping the CIS database - this helps some Centres to answer enquiries and produce reading lists and bibliographies to help users in their own country. Useful also for those being trained so they could see examples of good practice, guidance and advice.
    More publicity needed for CISDOC and where it is also available, e.g. in the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) product OSH REFERENCE collection of 7 databases see www.ccohs.ca/products/oshreferences/databases.html and also in the OSH UPDATE collection of 19 databases produced by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd see www.oshupdate.com
  3. CIS Newsletter
    This should be kept. The CIS Newsletter is a monthly newsletter for CIS Centres and others and is compiled and edited, alerts emailed to CIS Members when the latest edition is available and hosted by UK based Sheila Pantry OBE through her company. The CIS Newsletter is NOT an official publication of the ILO but a newsletter containing information from Members in CIS Centres and other sources. It is cost free to the ILO CIS and has been produced for over 21 years.
    The Newsletter is intended to be shared by anyone - not necessarily CIS Member, who find the data contained in it useful. Users are free to use and reuse the data in these newsletters.
  4. CIS website
    Need revamping and must be kept up-to-date. The CIS News Centre is not being used as it should by Members. NB If you wish to contribute news, then contact CIS HQ for a password to add your information into the News Centre.
  5. ILO Encyclopaedia
    Details are needed on the proposed new edition: specification, authors, timescale, priority subjects so that CIS Centres can inform organisations and individuals in their own country of these developments. Little finance available for this project - there is a need for authors to write for free.
  6. Thesaurus
    This needs developing to include many new words in the OSH field e.g. safety management, globalisation, nanotechnology etc.
  7. French language
    Information in the French language still needed by some Centres, but is expensive to administrate.

Group 3 discussed:
How can we encourage more inter-regional and inter-sub regional communication amongst CIS Centres?

Amongst the topics discussed the Group proposed the following:

  1. ILO CIS should define each CIS Centre and to which region it will belong.
  2. Each region should devise a business plan stating objectives and priorities that integrate CIS's activities.
  3. Each region to have a Regional Co-ordinator (debate on whether this role is funded by CIS).
  4. Select terms of references for CIS Centres. (NB THERE EXISTS ALREADY A CIS MANUAL ON "HOW TO SETUP A CIS CENTRE" that covers everything from how to become a National Centre, policy statements, services offered by CIS HQ and services to be offered by the Centres, acquiring premises to writing press releases! Written by Sheila Pantry.) Does need updating on the electronic resources but nevertheless covers some of the basic information need to set up a service. Next month will also give details of recent books on the subject of setting up information services, including e-information services from scratch.) Please don't reinvent the wheel!!!
  5. Exchange experiences, best practices and ideas for activities between the Regional Centres and Centres worldwide - especially those that have been in existence for many years.
  6. Exchange email addresses - NB these exist already on the CIS website.
  7. Exchange CIS Members photos.
  8. Introduce regional awards for best performance (will need to establish what is "Best performance")
  9. Encourage other institutions to join as Collaborating Centres.
  10. Get special discounts for travel, hotels, rent a car etc (NB WHO practices this)
  11. The ILO to help in capacity building by the use of technology in training e.g. video conference, web casting etc.

Recommendations for the future of the CIS: report from the group of CIS members' meeting, London, UK on 10-11 September 2008

CIS Members, especially new Members may wish to read this report on www.sheilapantry.com/CIS/meeting2008/Meeting_2008.html

The report was the result of the London meeting and though now over a year old contains some very important suggestions from a group of long established, experienced information managers.

Joint session with the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health

As you already know, the 47th Annual Meeting of CIS National, Collaborating and Regional Centres held from 22 to 23 October 2009 enabled a joint meeting to be held on Wednesday 21 October 2009 during the World Health Organization (WHO) 8th Meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health to strengthen the collaboration between these two networks.

This meeting was chaired by Dr HO Far-Sweet from the Singapore CIS Centre. Very short presentations were made by a number of members from both the WHO and CIS networks briefing everyone on some of the current activities.

Perhaps these presentations will be available on the CIS web site at a later date.

CIS ... So how much money does CIS have to perform its duties?

The answer can be found in the following document.

For a two-year period the resources available for CIS activities are established by the Governing Body of the ILO in November of odd-numbered years. For recent biennia, the relevant documents are available on the ILO's public Web site through the links in the following list.

2008-09 GB.300/PFA/4/1

If you wish you can also see previous budgets back to 1998-9.


Useful new ways of distributing OSH Information!!!
So what are these "New Ways" for you to consider?

Occupational Health and Safety Information is the content that we all seek so as to be informed and be ahead of our customers. I was amazed that some of these ways were not known to some of the delegates at the CIS Annual meeting held in October 2009. So to help bridge the gap here are a couple of definitions and links to good examples... more to follow in next edition of the CIS Newsletter.

Webinars

A webinar is an acronym for Web Based Seminar.

Attending a webinar is like attending any seminar apart from the place where the event takes place. Instead of meeting in a conference room people meet in a virtual conference room on the web. Joining a meeting does not take long - just follow the instructions, which you will receive information after you have registered - just like registering for a seminar.

Once you have logged in you can sit back and listen to the presentation on the phone while watching it on your screen. If you wish to ask a question you can raise your hand by clicking on the hand symbol which will appear on your screen.

So what is required to participate? Basically a phone and PC with access to the web is all you need. No special software is required to participate. Some webinar organizers do charge for joining.

OSH webinar examples can be found on:

Podcasting

Podcasting lets you automatically receive the latest episode of your chosen programme or information sources as soon as it is available.

A podcast is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. The term podcast, like broadcast, can refer either to the series of content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also called podcasting.

In order to sign up for a podcast you need an internet connection and a piece of podcast software which is usually available free of charge.

You can "subscribe" to receive a podcast, rather like you might subscribe to a magazine and get it delivered each edition. Many are free of charge, and you can stop receiving the files at any time. You can download episodes of a podcast series individually.

You can then listen to podcast on your computer, or transfer them to a portable device, such as an MP3 player. You can take your favourite podcast with you on the move and listen wherever and whenever you like.

OSH Podcast examples can be found on:


News from around the World

News from Austria

125 year of Labour inspection in Austria: Resolution regarding the new OSH strategy

At the occasion of the celebration of 125 years of labour inspection in Austria, the Austrian Minister for Labour, Social affairs, and Consumer Protection, Mr. Hundstorfer, presented a resolution regarding the national occupational safety and health strategy. In this resolution, all national actors endeavour to support all efforts in occupational safety and health despite the current economic crisis and its effects.

Currently there are five working groups with members from ministries, social partners and the statutory insurance organisations who are working on pressing topics in health and safety at work, with the overall aim of reducing workplace accidents and injury.

Learn more about the Austrian OSH strategy

The Austrian labour inspection is celebrating this year its 125th anniversary. On 1st February 1884, the first Austrian labour inspectors took up their activities. Since then, the world of work has considerably changed. Austria´s labour inspection service is today a modern organisation adapted to the needs of a service-oriented society: In 2007, it was granted an award in the category "public service management - e-government" by the Austrian chancellor´s office, for its website and quality management capacities.

Learn more about the service - the Arbeitsinspektion


News from Canada

IRSST publishes Garbage Collection - Choosing a Truck with an Articulated Arm

Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST) IRSST and ASTE published a new technical fact sheet intended to designers-manufacturers, potential buyers and trucks operators.

A previous study on the biological agents and ergonomic constraints related to the use of trucks with articulated arms demonstrated a significant reduction in the main health and safety hazards to which waste collectors doing conventional waste collection are exposed. However, it's also demonstrated new problems related to the physical layout of recent trucks and their maintenance and cleaning operations. The authors had proposed driving station and cab layout criteria, taking into account the manufacturer's potential constraints. This publication presents the evaluation of the improvements made by applying these modifications and proposes others solutions. These results will also allow garbage trucks with articulated arms to be optimized in relations to the requirements of the waste collectors' new tasks.

To download the document, please visit: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/_publicationirsst_100482.html

Available in French: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/fr/_publicationirsst_100481.html


News from Canada

LATEST ISSUE of INFO IRSST (Electronic newsletter from the Institut de recherché Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail)

www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/en/InfoIrsst/Archives/InfoIRSST_v07n05.htm

Pleasant reading!

Jacques Millette, Communications Director, IRSST, 505, De Maisonneuve blvd. West, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3A 3C2 | www.irsst.qc.ca | communications@irsst.qc.ca


News from Canada

Chemicals and Noise - A Hazardous Combination: CCOHS

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) CIS Centre says:

It is no surprise that most work-related hearing loss is caused by noise exposure, and that genetics and age can also be contributors. What may not be as well known is that some chemical exposures can pose a potential risk to hearing. Both animal experiments and human studies suggest that certain chemical exposures may cause "ototoxic effects (damage the hearing and balance functions of the ear).

In general, the exposure concentrations that cause these effects are considered high. However, exposure to some of these chemicals and noise at the same time can significantly increase the risk of developing ototoxic effects.

www.ccohs.ca/newsletters/hsreport/issues/2009/10/ezine.html?id=5112&link=1#inthenews


News from Korea

KOSHA President Got Global CEO Prize

On September 19, President Noh, Minki of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) received the 2009 Korea Global CEO Prize for contributing to enhance the international status of Korea's occupational safety and health.

The prize is given every year to a CEO who make a contribution to exploring the global market. President Noh was highly evaluated for his work to successfully hold the 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work and disseminate the Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work across the globe. The declaration was adopted by leading figures of the safety and health sectors at the congress in 2008. The congress in Seoul was recognized as the most successful one in history with the record high number of participants, 4,550 from 121 nations. The congress and the declaration have provided a precious opportunity to raise awareness on workers' safety and health in the international community.

"Safety and health are the core factors for efficient management in the harsh global competition," said President Noh in his remarks at the ceremony. "KOSHA will continue strengthening our status as a leading safety and health agency by disseminating the Seoul Declaration across the globe."

KOSHA-ILO Workshop on Working Conditions

The Workshop on Participatory Approaches to Improving Working and Employment Conditions was held at the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) from September 21 to 25th. This workshop was co-organized by KOSHA and the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 20 tripartite representatives from nine Asian nations made presentations on each country's working environment and conditions.

LEE, Kyung-won, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, International Cooperation Department, 34-4, Gusan-dong, Bupyeong-gu, INCHEON, Republic of Korea |  Tel: +82-32-510-0746 | Fax: +82-32-502-7199 | Mob: +82-10-9377-5272 | Email: priestrun@naver.com | Email:overseas@kosha.net


CIS Centres News... what is this?

Here is an opportunity for you to spread news about your organisation and the activities, publications and other events.

It is easy to use and all you need is an account number - ask Geneva CIS Headquarters for one - contact Andras Szucs email: szucs@ilo.org

The CIS Centres News is a multilingual database containing news items related to events and developments in occupational safety and health worldwide.

News items are entered by authorized editors in the CIS National and Collaborating Centres worldwide and appear in the language of choice of each contributor.

CIS welcome your comments on any of the items appearing on this site. Please contact CIS or the editor displayed below any individual news item.

See www.ilo.org/safework/info/cis


News from Macedonia

MOSHA attends the meeting to celebrate 50 years of the existence of the ILO/CIS Health and Safety Information Centres

Below you will find the link to the article on MOSHA's web site related to the Conference held in Geneva last week.

www.mzzpr.org.mk/?option=com_content&view=article&id=502&catid=94&Itemid=44&lang=en

Ljupco Kocovski, ILO/CIS Center coordinator, Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association (MOSHA), 29 Noemvri 50, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia | Tel/Fax: ++ 389 (0)2 2774 868 | Cell: ++389 (0)75 432 051 | www.mzzpr.org.mk


News from the UK

OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2010: 27-29 April 2010
The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK

OH2010 is already on the horizon and will be held in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The Call for Papers has now been announced. New for this year 'Practical Occupational Hygiene Experiences in the Workplace' is intended to give real life case studies of problems faced by Occupational Hygienists daily.

Please visit www.bohs.org/events for guidelines and information on how to submit abstracts. The final deadline for abstracts is 31 October 2009.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Louise Hall, Membership & Events Co-ordinator, British Occupational Hygiene Society, 5/6 Melbourne Business Court, Millennium Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8LZ | Tel: +44(0)1332 250713 | mailto:louise@bohs.org


News from the UK

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 4th Edition by Hughes and Ferrett

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work has been developed for the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health and is endorsed by NEBOSH. Each element of the syllabus is covered by a dedicated chapter and both taught units are covered. A chapter on international aspects make the book also suitable for the NEBOSH International Certificate. The successful previous editions have also found ready acceptance for other NVQ level 3 and 4 courses in Health and Safety.

Full colour pages and hundreds of illustrations bring the subject to life. To make studying easier, each chapter starts with learning outcome summaries and ends with questions taken from recent NEBOSH examinations. Specimen answers and a study skills chapter help to prepare for the exam. As an introduction to all areas of occupational safety and health the book is also a practical reference for managers and directors with health and safety responsibilities and safety representatives. It covers the essential elements of health and safety management, the legal framework, risk assessment and control standards and includes handy forms and checklists.

New in this edition:

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 4th Edition
by P. Hughes and E. Ferrett,
Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009, 4th ed, 496 pages.
ISBN-13: 9781856176682


News from the USA

Dr Vern Anderson

Dr Vern Anderson is still with NIOSH, but is now focusing all of his efforts in the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector of the National Occupational Research Agenda

www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/wrt

Donna van Bogaert is the new Chief of the Information Resources and Dissemination Branch at NIOSH to whom CIS Members extend a very warm welcome.


Three New US NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Reports Now Available

Workers' asthma and respiratory symptoms at a soy processing facility
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Programme evaluated workers' asthma and respiratory symptoms at a soy processing facility. Investigators found that some dust concentrations in the air exceeded current occupational exposure limits. Investigators recommended respiratory protection for all workers with work-related asthma and, if that is ineffective, relocating those workers to lower exposure areas.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0073-3089.pdf

Concerns about exposure to lead solder paste and fumes and noise at a printed circuit board manufacturing plant
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Programme evaluated employees' concerns about exposure to lead solder paste and fumes and noise at a printed circuit board manufacturing plant. Investigators found that auto insertion operators' noise exposures were very low. Investigators found lead on employees' hands, on work surfaces, and in a break room. Investigators recommended improving general housekeeping and using engineering controls when removing solder dross and cleaning wave solder machines.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0201-3086.pdf

Airport cargo handlers' exposure to carbon monoxide. Investigators found that all airport terminal service employees' carbon
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Programme evaluated airport cargo handlers' exposure to carbon monoxide. Investigators found that all airport terminal service employees' carbon monoxide levels measured in the evaluation were above recommended limits but transportation security and air logistics employees' carbon monoxide levels were not. Investigators recommended replacing fuel-driven forklifts and tugs with electric ones, reminding drivers to turn off vehicle engines when at the dock doors, increasing warehouse ventilation, and installing carbon monoxide alarms.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0144-3087.pdf

Guidelines for Refuge Chamber Setup, Use, and Maintenance
Take Refuge! NIOSH announces the release of guidelines on how to set up, use, and maintain refuge chambers (emergency structures designed to provide safe shelter) in underground mines. Refuge chambers may save the lives of miners trapped underground and waiting for rescue after a mine explosion or cave-in.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3169.htm


Make my day ... please send your news items to your Editor!


Need OSH information? Can't afford journal subscriptions? Budgets tight? There is no excuse for not having access to the latest occupational health and safety information! OSH UPDATE is here to help!

OSH UPDATE - arguably one of the best collections of full text and bibliographic health and safety information, is continuously updated as new data is published.

You may have had access to OSH-ROM for many years and will now know that it has ceased publication. OSH-ROM was created by Sheila Pantry OBE who subsequently, in 2004, produced OSH UPDATE.

Don't make health and safety decisions without consulting the world's authoritative and validated guidance and advice that is found within OSH UPDATE. www.oshupdate.com

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Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
Websites: www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com | www.fireinf.com


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FIREINF is the world's premier collection of validated, authoritative fire and fire related information and contains two major collections in 17 databases.

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OSHE web sites to explore...

We look at websites in different parts of the world that are offering quality information. This month we look at a variety of websites from Luxembourg to The Netherlands.

Also look in www.oshworld.com/links.html for hundreds of links to authoritative and validated web sites... constantly updated.

If we do not have your web site please send it to me sp@sheilapantry.com

POLAND

Central Institute for Labour Protection CIOP
www.ciop.waw.pl

Central Institute for Labour Protection site contains details of the Institute's activities, training, research and accreditation services, publications including the Journal of Safety and Ergonomics. JOSE CIOP Information Services is also the International Labour Office Health and Safety National Centre. CIOP is also the CIS Centre for Poland.

Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB): SMEs
www.ciop.pl/6718.html

Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), Warsaw, Poland has prepared the important tool for the owners and employees of micro-enterprises in this country. The objective of providing access to information on safety and health in the working environment to the smallest and most numerous companies in Poland. It has been prepared in the form of sets of informative and popular materials for each of the selected sectors. The materials that have been put together in this service are therefore organized by sector for various sections of the national economy. The information contained in it allows employers to independently assess the state of occupational safety in their enterprises. It contains a discussion of the basic duties of employers in the area of occupational safety and health. The OSH check lists contain a summary of potential hazards that could appear in the companies of a given sector, together with proposals of methods for eliminating or reducing them. The materials also contain the necessary references to the OSH related legal regulations and technical standards being in force in Poland. At the moment this website contains information for: Construction, Wood processing and Automotive mechanics. A section on Food processing - baking and confectionery is under construction and will soon be available.

National Labour Inspectorate of Poland
www.pip.gov.pl/html/en/html

The National Labour Inspectorate of Poland, subordinate to the Sejm (the Lower Chamber of Polish Parliament), is a body for supervision and inspection of the observance of labour law, in particular occupational safety and health regulations and rules. The range of its activities and powers is specified in the Act on the National Labour Inspectorate of 6 March, 1981 (Journal of Laws of 2001, No 124, item 1362). Supervision over the National Labour Inspectorate - in the scope defined by the above-mentioned Act - is executed by the Labour Protection Council, appointed by the Speaker of the Sejm. The National Labour Inspectorate is managed by the Chief Labour Inspector, appointed by the Speaker of the Sejm, with the assistance of the deputies. The National Labour Inspectorate of Poland is formed by the Chief Labour Inspectorate, 16 district labour inspectorates, together with labour inspectors acting within the territorial competence of district offices. Each of the district labour inspectorates covers the area of one province with its competence. The NLI's structure also includes 42 sub-district offices. The National Labour Inspectorate runs its own training facility - the NLI's Training Centre in Wrocław, named after Prof. Jan Rosner.

Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
www.imp.lodz.pl

Details of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, other organisations, and legislation. Member of the Baltic Sea Network on Occupational Health and Safety.

PORTUGAL

Instituto para a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde no Trabalho (ISHST)
www.ishst.pt

Instituto para a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde no Trabalho (ISHST) has a range of information covering news, inspections, campaigns etc.

Portugal Labour Inspectorate
www.act.gov.pt

Portugal Labour inspectorate web site contains a range of topics.

ROMANIA

Romania Labour Inspectorate
www.inspectiamuncii.ro

Romania Labour Inspectorate website gives a wide range of topics and there are statistics on www.inspectmun.ro/Statistici/statistici.html


Make my day ... please send your news items to your Editor!


Diary of Events

These events may inspire you and your organisation to offer similar type of events.
If you have a seminar, conference or exhibition that you would like to promote - please send details to your Editor.

Also look in www.oshworld.com/diary.html that is constantly being updated.

3-6 November 2009 - A+A 2009
Dusseldorf, Germany
Contact: www.AplusA-online.de
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

3-6 November 2009 - IALI's Role in influencing the Decent Work agenda and participating in the implementation of the Decent Work Country Programme (DCWP) with the focus on Labour Inspection and National OSH Strategies
Düsseldorf, Germany
Programme: www.iali-aiit.org/iali/event_docs/aua09_Kongressuebersicht_finalversion.pdf
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

5-8 November 2009 - The 8th International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health
San Juan, Puerto Rica
Note: Organized by the American Psychological Association, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Society for Occupational Health Psychology
Themes: Job stress, risk factors, and interventions in developing countries; emergent concerns in developed regions; prevention and educational initiatives by governmental agencies and NGOs around the world; national policies and guidelines affecting work, stress, and health; etc.
Contact: 2009 American Psychological Association, Public Interest Directorate, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242, United States. | Tel: +1 202 336 6050 | Fax: +1 202 336 6040 | Email: publicinterest@apa.org | www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html

10-11 November 2009 - Hazards XXI symposium and exhibition
Weston Building, Manchester Conference Centre, University of Manchester, UK
Contact: Rosemary Cragg, IChemE, Davis Building, 165-189 Railway Terrace, Rugby, CV21 3HQ, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1788 534476 | Fax: +44 (0)1788 560833 | E-mail: rcragg@icheme.org | www.icheme.org/events.aspx
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

15-18 November 2009 - Process Safety in Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals 2009 Conference
Hilton Hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: www.oilandgasprocesssafety.com/Event.aspx?id=214442

16-17 November 2009 - Health and Safety Forum for the Energy Industry 2009
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Contact: Sumreen Rizvi, Marcus Evans, | 11 Connaught Place, London W2 2E, UK | Tel: +44 (0)20 3002 3277 | Email: sumreenr@marcusevansuk.com | www.marcusevans.com/html/eventdetail.asp?eventID=15946&SectorID=3&pageID=0
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

17-18 November 2009 - Safety Instrumented Systems according to IEC61511
Holiday Inn, Heathrow, London, UK
Contact: ICHEME Courses Department, Rugby, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1788 534458 | Fax: +44 (0)1788 560833 | www.icheme.org

17-18 November 2009 - Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Environment 2009 - Meeting the Technical and Regulatory Challenges
(2 day course will bring expert speakers together to present the very latest developments to the key environmental directives and regulations (REACH, RoHS, WEEE and EuP)
Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow, UK
Contact Rebecca Hall, ERA Technology Cobham Technical Services, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7SA, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1372 367 140 | Fax: +44 (0)1372 367 009 | Email: Rebecca.hall@cobham.com | http://shop.era.co.uk

18-19 November 2009 - Safety Management in Oil and Gas
London, UK
Contact Justyna Korfanty, ACI (Europe), 5/13 Great Suffolk Street, London, SE1 0NS, UK | Tel: +44 20 7981 2503 | Fax: +44 20 7593 0071 | Email: jkorfanty@acieu.net | www.acius.net

10-12 February 2010 - International Conference Towards Better Work and Well-being
Helsinki, Finland
Contact: Conference Secretariat, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 30 474 2498 | Email: betterwork@ttl.fi | www.ttl.fi/en/international/conferences/towards_better_work

25-28 February 2010 - IXth ASSE-MEC Professional Development Conference & Exhibition: Global look into Safety, Health and Environment
Bahrain
Contact: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) | Email: info@asse-mec.org | www.asse-mec.org

March 2010 - NIVA Course: The evidence-based approach for OSH professionals
Kuopio, Finland.
Contact: www.niva.org

2-5 March 2010 - The First International Health, Safety & Environment Exhibition
Kish Island, Kish Free Zone, Persian Gulf
Contact: Tel: +98 21 88658216-8 | www.hseinternationalexpo.com
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

8-9 March 2010 - Forum III: Leading the Change
Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Canada
Contact: CCOHS | Tel: + 1 800 668 4284 | www.ccohs.ca/events/forumIII

14-17 March 2010 - Fourth International Conference on Safety and Environment in the Process Industry (CISAP4)
Palazzo degli Affari, Piazza Adua 1, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Contact: www.aidic.it/CISAP4
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html