CIS Newsletter

No. 176
May 2004

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

Contents

  1. Editorial Promoting 28 April 2004 ILO World Day for Safety and Health at Work
  2. Successful prevention of risks during construction Good Practice Awards 2004
  3. 2004 Warner Lecture - presented by Dr John Howard NIOSH Director
  4. News from around the World - Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Europe, ILO, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, UK, USA
  5. FOCUS on BOHS in the 21st century
  6. Women and Health and Safety
  7. Passport to safety
  8. OSHE web sites
  9. Diary of Events
  10. CIS

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

Don't forget 28 April 2004 is/was (depends when you read this) The World Day for Safety and Health at Work and is intended to focus international attention on promoting and creating a safety and health culture at work and to help reduce the number of work-related deaths each year. Please take this special day to make your CIS Centre known in your country - invite the media in to see what is being done, or have a special "open day" and give people the opportunity to hear about your work and products. Whatever you do you might send me a message so that I can share your successes with other Centres in our Network.

News items from around the world abound in this edition - giving details of lots of very diverse products, services and events that are happening. You will be interested in a summary of the main points of US NIOSH Director Dr John Howard's Warner Lecture at the British Occupational Health Society on 20 April 2004 which was really exciting to listen to and shows what one country is doing about grasping the opportunities to look at the 21st century workplace and potential problems/solutions. There is also a feature article on BOHS.

Sorry, no news from CIS HQ Geneva regarding the 2004 annual meeting, the where and when still being discussed! Try and keep 13-17 September 2004 week..... I could be wrong! I am getting a number of emails and phone calls regarding no announcement....all our lives are on hold.... we need to and must discuss the role of the CIS network in the future, fast changing OSH world.

Further to my note last month I hope that this year will see more CIS Members able to receive this newsletter by email. If you are reading this in print format and wish to receive it via email please let me know. I am checking out the emails listed in the ILO CIS Bulletin that comes out 4 times per year, and will send to those who as yet have not opted for this way of receiving it. I am very aware that when compiling this newsletter there are still Centres who do not have computer equipment, email facilities and FULL Internet accessibility.

Thanks to all the contributors to this edition of your Newsletter - all news however small is most welcomed. If you are planning any publications, 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.

Remember the back issues of the CIS Newsletter are available at the click of the mouse on www.sheilapantry.com/cis. Please note my new email.

Best wishes to you and your colleagues.

Sheila Pantry, OBE

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

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

Successful prevention of risks during construction Good Practice Awards 2004

25 countries to take part in European health and safety award scheme

The Agency has invited nominations for the fifth European Good Practice Awards in occupational safety and health. The 2004 award scheme will recognise companies or organisations that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to the prevention of risks from construction and building activities.

Good practice examples are implemented solutions to prevent the exposure of workers to risks during construction activities. All entries should show good management, particularly the effective use of risk assessment and implementation of its findings, and be focused on 'successful prevention of risks to workers'. Entries are invited from all areas of building and maintenance work, not just construction and examples may come from different stages of the construction process - from the initial design and planning stage right through to the work place or worksite phase. They can be submitted by workplaces or by intermediary organisations, including chambers of commerce, trade and professional associations and trade unions.

The Director of the European Agency, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, said 'Construction is one of Europe's largest industries, with an annual turnover in excess of €900 billion. Unfortunately it also has one of the worst occupational safety and health records. This has to change and the good practice awards aim to demonstrate, by example, to all European employers and workers the benefits of following good safety and health practice in building tomorrow's Europe.'

This is the fifth year of the awards, which come under the umbrella of the annual European Week for Safety and Health at Work. This year's awards will also be open to the new Member States - which means that a total of 25 countries will be taking part. The Agency will announce the winners at the week's closing event in November. The awards will provide the winners with European recognition for their role in improving working conditions in Europe. The Week, which will take place 18 - 22 October 2004, is an information campaign designed to raise awareness and promote activities to make Europe a safe and healthy place to work. It is coordinated by the European Agency and will be run in the Member States, acceding, EFTA and candidate. The Week is aimed at the workplace and all safety and health institutions and organisations, trade unions, companies, managers, employees and safety representatives are invited to take part and organise their own activities. These can include special audits and risk assessment activities in the workplace, organising training, distributing information material, launching a new workplace policy, suggestion schemes, encouraging participation of employees and their representatives or linking-up with other organisations, businesses or sub contractors to carry out activities in partnership. The slogan of EW2004 is "Building in safety".

For the purposes of the Agency's European Week on Safety and Health at Work 2004, the campaign refers to all construction-related activities, and includes activities such as building, works of engineering, construction and demolition. By defining it as construction activities, the week therefore includes: the maintenance of buildings (including the management of buildings containing asbestos), repairs to buildings, painting and decorating, the renovation of ancient monuments, road repair and pipeline work.

Further information about the awards is detailed in a leaflet available online at http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/ew2004

Contact: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain | e-mail: information@osha.eu.int | fax: (34) 94 479 43 83.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao - Spain | Tel: + 34 94 479 4360 | Fax: + 34 94 479 4383 | e-mail: information@osha.eu.int

Summary of the main points of US NIOSH Director Dr John Howard's Warner Lecture at the British Occupational Health Society on 20 April 2004

Dr Howard gave an exciting wide-ranging overview of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the 21st century - the challenges and opportunities that we all face irrespective of where we are located in the world.

Globalisation of economies means that no one country can act in isolation. The 21st century workplace is very different from those of previously centuries.

Websites: www.cdc.gov/niosh | www.nano.gov

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Research to Practice (r2p)

Research to Practice (r2p) is a new NIOSH initiative focused on the transfer and translation of research findings, technologies, and information into highly effective prevention services and products which are adopted in the workplace. The goal of r2p is to reduce illness and injury by increasing workplace use of effective NIOSH and NIOSH-funded research findings. In order to achieve this, NIOSH is continuing to work with our partners to focus our research on ways to develop effective products, to translate research findings into practice, to target dissemination efforts, and to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts in improving worker health and safety.

Several recent NIOSH successes exemplify the types of activities the new r2p initiative is designed to promote and enhance:

Historically, NIOSH has been a leader in applying research into workplace solutions that reduce injury and illness. Now, as our mission grows increasingly complex and intensive, we are challenged to work more efficiently and effectively with our partners, to apply r2p practices at every turn, and to evaluate their effectiveness so that our best practices keep getting more focused to serve the needs of our customers. To learn more about the r2p initiative and for more examples of r2p, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/r2p. NIOSH contact: DeLon Hull at dhull@cdc.gov.

US Department of Homeland Security Adopts three NIOSH standards

In February, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopted three NIOSH criteria for testing and certifying respirators for protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) exposures. NIOSH uses the criteria to test self-contained breathing apparatus, air-purifying respirators and escape respirators used by emergency responders against CBRN exposures. These are the first DHS standards regarding personal protective equipment for emergency responders against CBRN exposures. The standards are used to assist state and local offices in making procurement related decisions related to emergency responder equipment.

More information appears at www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1218226975457.shtm

Is your control system safe asks HSE Publication

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently updated its popular guide aimed at managers, engineers and technicians with responsibility for safety-related control systems in any industry.

Out of Control: Why control systems go wrong and how to prevent failure
(2nd Edition) features a description and analysis of 12 incidents. In these, control system failures caused fatal crushing, amputation, physical trapping, microwave injury, gas releases, an acid spillage, the listing of a drilling rig and the malfunctioning of a radiation shield.

The guide shows how the incidents could have been prevented by the application of straightforward precautions and a summary of a further 22 incidents lists primary and secondary causes.

Together, these results reveal the relative importance of each activity in a typical development lifecycle.

For the 34 incidents analysed, 44% had inadequate specification as their primary cause. The other results were 20% changes after commissioning, 15% design and implementation, 15% operation and maintenance and 6% installation and commissioning. This means approximately three-fifths of all control system failures are built-in before operation commences.

As technology advances our lives depend more and more on the correct operation of electrical and electronic control system. An understanding of how and why electrical and electronic control systems fail can help prevent further incidents in future.

Copies of 'Out of Control: Why control systems go wrong and how to prevent failure (2nd edition)', (HSE ref: HSG 238) ISBN 0-7176-2192-8, price £11.95.are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1787881165 or Fax:+44 (0)1787-313995,

IIRSM Chairman becomes a Freeman

The Chairman of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Paul Hopkin, was presented with the Freedom of the City of London in a ceremony held in the Chamberlain's Court at the Guildhall, London on 11th March 2004.

The status of the Freedom has been in existence since the 12th century and the ceremony is steeped in tradition. After reading the Declaration, and signing the Declaration Book, Paul was presented with the framed parchment by the Clerk of the Court who was assisted by the Beadle.

The Institute is a professional body for safety practitioners and its membership has increased by an impressive 39% in the last five years, making it the fastest growing professional health and safety body in the UK. Today over 7,000 members in over 60 countries receive a comprehensive range of membership benefits. These benefits include designatory letters, free technical and legal helplines, Health and Safety Manager's Newsletter, Safety Management Magazine, certificate and membership card.

For more information please contact Julie Silvester (General Manager) on: Tel: +44 (0) 20 8600 5538 | Email: info@iirsm.org | www.iirsm.org

TUC Risks 151 - 10 April 2004

This edition of Risks contains - Union news: TUC to champion safety reps on HSC * CWU calls for Royal Mail clampdown on assaults * Unions warn that violence victims could lose out * Jail law call after firm's £2m disaster fine * Pilots call for peer support for alcohol problems * Teachers threaten workload action - Other news: Temporary worker law takes effect * Seventh safety minister in seven years * Government proposals on new chemical law * Smoking ban could slash heart attacks - Action: HSC noise at work consultation * Help HSE with slips and trips studies - Resources: The importance of being rehabilitated * UNISON overcrowding guide - International news: Australia: Report calls for powerful roving reps * Canada: Stop "pretending asbestos safe" call * Greece: Workers die for the Olympic dream * Japan: Karoshi deaths system speeded up * USA: Resignations over failed nuclear compo scheme * Message to injured workers - adapt or adios

www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-7885-f0.cfm

CCOHS Health and Safety Report

The latest edition - Volume 2, Issue 3 - March 2004 of the CCOHS Health and Safety Report contains the following items:

Click onto: www.healthandsafetyreport.com/ezine.htm

News from Belgium

ERGONOMA European Tradeshow on Workplace and Work situations Ergonomics: wellness at work for real people

"Ergonomics must promote the wellness at work and must also guarantee the identification and a better resolution of the problems encountered in order to avoid more weak ones to be excluded from the labour market". It is in these terms that Mr Karl Van Damme, adviser to Mrs Kathleen VAN BREMPT, Belgian Secretary of State for Work Organization and Wellness at Work, concluded his opening speech at ERGONOMA 2004 tradeshow.

Previously, Mister Adviser also made a point of underlining: "a prevention policy which is made to fit people such as they really exist in the companies and not for a young strong virtual person in excellent health... "

There were 3161 visitors (+ 54% compared to the first time the exhibition was held) from 27 countries which came under the Pyramid of Espace Rogier in BRUSSELS. They met there equipment and services exhibitors, as well as European institutions and associations, as well as a number of them took part to the training courses. Belgium very present with 67% of the visitors welcomed on this tradeshow 33% visitors coming from other countries : Algeria - Germany - Australia - Canada - Columbia - Denmark - Spain - United States - Finland - France - Greece - Israel - Italy - Japan - Luxembourg - Malaysia - Morocco - Nigeria - Norway - Netherlands - Poland - Portugal - United Kingdom - Senegal- Sweden - Switzerland.

73% of the visitors were users and 27% distributors, all eager to inform themselves about ergonomic solutions and the corresponding products, to set up within the companies to prevent as well as possible the risks of MSD MusculoSkeletal Diseases.

GERMANY was the guest of honour country of the tradeshow: His Excellency Peter Van Butler, Ambassador of Germany in Brussels came to meet the German exhibitors, accompanied by representatives of the German-Belgian organizations.

ERGONOMA 2005 tradeshow has been booked for the same location, but from March 23 to 25 2005. Keep these dates free.

Press Office: Pansyshell Communication

Nicole Peyronnet-Le Martin | E-mail : nicole@pansyshell.com | Tel: +33(0)144 195 965 | mobile: +33 06 11 07 94 98

www.ergonoma.com

Fully searchable E-Catalogue now available on CD-ROM

Cooper Lighting and Security has launched a CD-ROM version of its popular web-based e-catalogue, which contains comprehensive technical data on the company's entire range of Crompton Lighting, Menvier and JSB products.

The CD-ROM provides a rich source of useful information for anyone involved in specifying mains lighting, emergency lighting systems or fire detection systems.

It includes an introduction to the company, a case studies section, design guides, PDF files of the new 'Lighting Solutions' catalogue, contact details, location maps, and the e-cat itself.

Structured by product category, the fully searchable e-cat is navigated by means of a Windows Explore-type interface, enabling the user to quickly identify the most suitable products for each particular application, based on the attributes and photographs displayed in the main window.

Clicking on a product name brings up a full datasheet, including photograph, line diagram, general description, list of key features and technical specifications.

In addition, the datasheet contains links to any related items, e.g. accessories and lamps, and buttons for accessing additional resources such as installation leaflets and application photographs.

Further information from: Vernon Salmon, Cooper Lighting and Security | Tel: +44 (0)1302 321541 | Fax: +44 (0)1302 303203 | Email: vernon.salmon@cooper-ls.com

BOHS: into the 21st century

It is now a year since the merger of the British Institute of Occupational Hygienists (BIOH) and the original British Occupational Hygiene Society into the new BOHS, as well as 50 years since it was first established, thus the merger and the golden anniversary have provided the focus for Paul Oldershaw's 2003/2004 year of Presidency. As he steps down and Lynne Morgan takes over, both reflect on the Society's recent history and its future.

The merger

The challenge in the first year as a joint body has been to maintain the multidisciplinary nature of the Society whilst ensuring that the professional aspects of BIOH have been preserved, and both Paul and Lynne see this seamless transition as a major success. "Our membership embraces anyone who is involved in working towards ensuring a healthy working environment, not just occupational hygienists, and we didn't want to lose this diversity. New challenges to health from work are continually appearing and it takes the combined action of many professions to control them", says Paul. Nevertheless, it was also vital to fully establish the role of the new Faculty of Occupational Hygienists as the professional arm of the Society, developing and maintaining the professional standards of hygienists, and overseeing the suite of syllabuses and examinations.

The merger has also provided an opportunity for BOHS to become much more outwardly focused. "We've expanded our regional branch activities and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), run open roadshows and seminars and increased our links with other professional societies and learned bodies", Lynne explains.

Not least, BOHS has recruited its first ever Communications Officer who has developed and is implementing a long-term communications strategy. "Whilst there is a high scientific content to the discipline of occupational hygiene, we do recognise that, to have an impact in the workplace, we have to communicate better", concedes Paul.

The changing world of work

This combination of old and new as the reformed BOHS emerges in its 50th year mirrors the reality of the profession today. Current workplaces are very different to those when the Society was established in 1953, yet the basic approaches and many of the main concerns remain.

"Hygiene is a practical discipline addressing real problems", says Paul. "Proving our relevance in a climate of cost-cutting and competitiveness will be a continuing challenge."

Another will be to reach small businesses. About half of the UK workforce is employed in enterprises of less than five people. Paul again: "Take asthma as an example: hairdressers, craft bakeries and motor vehicle repairers seem at particular risk, and we need to get to them."

The concept of occupational hygiene

Lynne Morgan agrees that "the implementation and training approaches need to adapt to fit in with the modern day work patterns, population, technologies and concerns".

The message she'd like to get across during her term of office is succinct: "Good health is good business and better health is better business". Occupational hygiene is a widely misunderstood term, which "is not about washing your hands properly at work", she emphasises. "Qualified occupational hygienists understand how the workplace environment may affect the health of those who work there. They measure how significant the effects of chemical, physical, biological or psychosocial agents may be and, more importantly, they specialise in controlling the risks to health in practical and cost-effective ways. It's time we let people know."

International understanding and education

And this is just as true outside of Northern Europe and North America: occupational hygiene as a concept is little understood anywhere in the world. BOHS is a founder member of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) whose aim is to promote occupational health and hygiene worldwide. The Society provides its secretariat and acts to provide a profile for hygiene in other countries, especially where prevention of occupational disease is an emerging aim.

An example of this is the Memorandum of Understanding that the Society has with the recently formed Romanian Occupational Hygiene Association, which is being used as a model to see how BOHS might help. There are other ways in which the Society advances education and good practice: a great deal of information is put out on its website; it has also, through IOHA, given substantial support to teaching hygiene in collaboration with bodies such as ILO and WHO, providing, for example, assistance in Southern Africa and in Brazil; the Society's modular training and examination system is particularly well suited to developing practical skills and is widely used internationally, and the Faculty is currently exploring the possibility of web-based training in hygiene.

On a very practical level, BOHS is collecting and redistributing useable but redundant equipment donated by UK industry. This is proving particularly valuable in establishing occupational hygiene in countries with no history in this discipline and therefore no market for equipment, a prime example being Romania.

Taking the initiative

Within the UK, the Society has long had very close links with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and, through its Standards Committee, provides professional comment on relevant HSE documents. Many individual members are involved in working groups addressing occupational health issues as wide-ranging as chemical limit setting, attacking asthma, and developing new tools to combat chemical risks.

Spreading the word

"Many of our activities and services, and certainly our aims, need to be promoted throughout the wider health, safety and environmental arena", states Lynne. "We were instrumental in the setting up of POOSH (Professional Organisations in Occupational Safety and Health) and are probably one of its most active members, hosting a two-day asthma workshop last year and striving for better communications at all levels." POOSH is a loose grouping of 13 health-related bodies which works towards common aims through joint initiatives and reciprocal support. It has been particularly active in promoting the last two years' European Week of Health and Safety at Work.

Advancing the science

There is a continuing need for the scientific strands of hygiene to thrive so that the contribution of the workplace to overall risk is better understood, and the technical basis of the profession is strong.

The Annals of Occupational Hygiene is BOHS's international peer-reviewed journal for disseminating hygiene science, and its annual conference is the pre-eminent hygiene conference which, by attracting an international audience, provides a forum for the exchange of scientific knowledge.

The Society's activities with ILO and WHO are mainly progressed either through or jointly with IOHA, examples being the development with ILO of the health and safety management guidelines and the control banding toolkit.

Who can join?

There is no minimum qualification to join: BOHS welcomes anyone with an interest in a healthier working environment, which explains its refreshingly diverse membership profile. There are eight grades of membership and four of these - Individual, Affiliate (for organisations or corporations), Retired and Student - are open to anyone within the relevant category.

The remaining four are Faculty grades and are restricted to members who have particular qualifications in occupational hygiene and related subjects. The different grades reflect various levels of knowledge, experience and contributions to the profession, from Licentiate to Member and Specialist Member up to the highest grade of Fellow.

"BOHS is a charity. Many eminent and hard-pressed people give their time and expertise to taking forward its aims", says Paul. "It is truly impressive, and has great impact. The Society well deserves its high standing worldwide, and through its actions supports the many benefits that flow from a healthy working life."

Presidential backgrounds

Paul Oldershaw joined the HSE in 1974 as an inspector specialising in occupational hygiene problems, and has since held many positions relating to health. He now heads HSE's Central Specialist Division. Paul has worked for many years in collaboration with WHO, ILO and within the European community. He is a Fellow of BOHS's Faculty of Occupational Hygiene, and also previously held the post of President of BOHS in 1992, the only person to have twice held this position in the Society's 50 year history. He is also a Past President of the IOHA and heads its Co-operation in Occupational Hygiene Programme.

Lynne Morgan is a Senior Advisor for BP's Exploration & Production Technology Group (EPTG). She joined BP International in 1966 in the Analytical Branch and has worked her way up through research and development, technician and hygienist roles to her current position, where she is involved in all the aspects of occupational health protection for BP EPTG worldwide. She has been an active member of BOHS for many years and like Paul is a Fellow of its Faculty of Occupational Hygiene. With a wealth of international training, publishing, editorial and advisory experience in the field of occupational hygiene, she is ideally placed to take the helm at BOHS.

For further information about BOHS | Tel: +44 (0)1332 298101 | Email: admin@bohs.org | www.bohs.org

About OSH-ROM (Occupational Safety and Health - Read Only Memory)

With OSH-ROM, Croner Health and Safety Publishing brings together a major collection of bibliographic databases pertaining to occupational health and safety, and environmental medicine, delivering over one and a half million records.

Due to the amount of data available, CD-ROM customers would receive 4 disks as part of the OSH-ROM collection.

The first OSH-ROM disk (labelled OSH-ROM Part A, for CD-ROM customers) includes the following databases:

CISDOC from the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

HSELINE from the Information Centre of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK.

MHIDAS from AEA Technology, on behalf of the HSE in the UK.

NIOSHTIC & NIOSHTIC-2 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Technical Information Center in the USA.

RILOSH Index from the Ryerson Polytechnic University Library in Canada.

The Medline OEM (occupational and environmental medicine) subset from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in the USA, is split over three separate disks due to its sheer size.

The first Medline OEM subset disk (labelled OSH-ROM Archive B1, for CD-ROM customers) has citations published in the earlier years from 1960 to 1991, while the second disk (labelled OSH-ROM Archive B2) has citations from the years 1992 to 2001. The third disk (labelled OSH-ROM Part B) has citations from 2002 up to the present day.

As the first and second Medline OEM disks, covering the earlier years, will only be updated once a year when the NLM carry out a regenerate of their database, it is important to keep these disks and use them in conjunction with your other OSH-ROM disks as they are updated each quarter.

To take out a trial contact: Croners/Wolters Kluwer UK, 145 London Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6SR, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 20 8547 3333 | Fax: +44 (0) Fax: 020 8547 2637 | info@croner.co.uk | www.croner.co.uk

The European Commission is to ask representatives of workers and employers ("social partners") for their views on how to tackle gaps in existing legislation aimed at minimising exposure to substances that cause cancer and have other harmful effects.

An estimated 32 million people are exposed to such substances at levels that exceed what is considered as safe, and between 35,000 and 45,000 cancer deaths per year are due to exposures occurring in the workplace. One occupational death from cancer costs an average of €2.14 million and the cost of such deaths across the European Union is over €70 billion per year. The consultation document asks four main questions:

• Should the current directive on exposure to cancer-causing substances be extended to include substances which are detrimental to reproduction?

Toxic substances do not just cause cancers, they can be detrimental to reproduction and development, and negative effects can be detected at much lower levels.

• Should the number of substances covered by the Directive be increased?

The current Directive gives limit values upper levels of exposure to the substance - for three carcinogens. At national level, some Member States only have legislation relating to these three, while legislation in other Member States establishes limit values for a whole range of other substances. Therefore protection levels vary widely from one Member State to another.

• Are the levels of such substances set out in the existing Directive appropriate?

• Should measures be taken to make the procedures within the Directive simpler and more adaptable to scientific progress?

The procedure for updating the limit values in the Directive is quite cumbersome, entailing an amending Directive and then a period for incorporating the new levels into national law. There is therefore a time lag between technical and scientific progress and its implementation in the workplace. A system could be found to establish limit values which is less cumbersome and reacts more quickly to scientific review, if it is shown that the existing levels need to be revised.

Good Idea! Construction sites - keep out children!

Construction sites and children don't mix - that is the message of this year's IOSH Children's Poster Competition!

Following on from the success of 2003's competition, when hundreds of entries ere received, IOSH - Europe's leading organisation for health and safety professionals - has teamed up with nationally renowned quality housebuilder, Redrow, to ensure that young people get the message that building sites are not safe places to play, and that just being on them can endanger life.

Construction sites may seem like fun playgrounds, but over the last five years, six children have died and 524 have been injured in accidents on construction sites in the UK alone.

The competition, which is being run to coincide with the construction theme of this year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work, requires children between the ages of five and 15 to devise a poster highlighting and warning other children about the dangers that can lurk on a construction site at home, school or in their neighbourhood. The lucky winners will have the chance to attend a National Award Ceremony at Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham and to win up to £100 worth of prizes.

There are three age categories: the first is for five to seven year olds; the second for ages eight to 11 and the third for 12 to 15 year olds. Participants may use any media as long as the design is their original work and not larger than A4 in size.

Many topics exist for the young people to consider including in their design, but a few to get them started are ladders, scaffolding, machinery, holes and roofing. Check out the IOSH competition homepage at www.iosh.co.uk/competition for a fact sheet, pop-up warning signs, useful links and competition rules.

Rob Strange, chief executive of IOSH, said: "Our competition aims to make children more conscious of the dangers that lurk on construction sites and to make them realise that these are not safe places to play. Too many children every year are being injured, or even killed, as a result of accidents on building sites. We here at IOSH want to ensure that all workplaces are safe - children using places of work as playgrounds not only endangers themselves, but others too!"

Rob continued: "We are delighted that a nationally renowned company like Redrow is supporting our competition, and we hope that our combined efforts will help reduce the number of tragic injuries and deaths involving young people on building sites."

Entries for the competition must be received by 1 September and entrants must obtain permission from their parent/guardian before entering. Each entry must include the following details on the reverse of the poster: Entrant's name, full home address, age, home phone number, where the entrant heard about the competition and, if entering through a school or youth club, the entrant's school/youth club name and, for schools, the teacher's name.

Please send entries to: Laurence Dufour, international affairs officer, IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1NN, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 116 257 3100 | Fax: +44 (0)116 257 3101 | www.iosh.co.uk

Useful idea for other countries to adopt!

New Zealand OH&S Five Year Plan

The Occupational Health & Safety Service of the New Zealand Department of Labour has released its Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Plan for 2004-2009

This plan sets a clear path for the future development and delivery of occupational health and safety services in New Zealand that are integrated with the range of services provided by the Department of Labour. In doing so not only will the Department contribute to the achievement of safer, healthier workplaces, but it will deliver services that lead to more inclusive, more productive and more innovative workplaces that will provide benefits to all New Zealanders.

Areas where OSH will focus on improving internal capacity and capability are:

www.osh.dol.govt.nz

10th Edition of US Report on Carcinogens now available

The US Department of Health and Human Services has published its biennial Report on Carcinogens, adding steroidal estrogens used in oestrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptives to its official list of "known" human carcinogens.

This and 15 other new listings bring the total of substances in the report, "known" or "reasonably anticipated" to pose a cancer risk, to 228. The tenth report newly lists the group of hormones known as steroidal estrogens as "known human carcinogens." A number of the individual steroidal estrogens were already listed as "reasonably anticipated carcinogens" in past editions, but this is the first report to so list all these hormones, as a group. As with all the other medications listed, the Report on Carcinogens does not address or attempt to balance potential benefits of use of these products.

Also newly listed as "known" causes of cancer in humans are broad spectrum ultraviolet radiation, whether generated by the sun or by artificial sources; wood dust created in cutting and shaping wood; nickel compounds and beryllium and its compounds commonly used in industry. Beryllium and beryllium compounds are not new to the list but were previously listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html

Passive smoking in the workplace seminar Dublin on 20 May 2004

The Senior Labour Inspectors Committee the European level organisation of those responsible for monitoring the implementation of health and safety legislation will hold a thematic day on the subject of passive smoking in the workplace in Dublin on 20 May 2004.

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/391

News from USA

NIOSH Alert for Young Workers Now Available in Spanish

The US NIOSH Alert Preventing Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses of Young Workers is now available in Spanish. The Alert identifies hazardous working areas and provides recommendations for youth to remain safe while working in those conditions. A downloadable copy of the Alert is available at www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2003-128sp.html

Health Hazard Evaluations: Issues Related to Occupational Exposure to Fire Fighters 1990 to 2001

This report summarizes 10 years of NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations related to fire fighters. The evaluations are classified into five areas: safety-related, diesel exhaust exposure, forest fire fighting, chemical fires and communicable diseases. The report, DHHS NIOSH Pub No (2004-115), is available in print by calling 1-800-35-NIOSH or by downloading at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-115.

A Summary of Health Hazard Evaluations: Issues Related to Occupational Exposure to Isocyanates 1989 to 2002

This report summarizes the 46 isocyanate-related Health Hazard Evaluations that NIOSH conducted over this 14 year period. The report provides background information on isocyanate exposure criteria, possible health effects, and NIOSH recommendations for reducing such exposures. The document, DHHS NIOSH Pub No (2004-116), is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-116.

Mining Fact Sheets

Copies of the following 2002 mining fact sheets are now available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/facts.htm or by calling 1-800-35-NIOSH.

Release of FBI Monograph on Workplace Violence

On March 1, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a monograph entitled Workplace Violence: Issues in Response. The monograph resulted from a June 2002 symposium hosted by the FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime entitled "Violence in the Workplace." Representatives from NIOSH, other law enforcement organizations, private industry, government, law, labor, professional organizations, victim services, academic, and mental health agencies joined the FBI to share their expertise on this important issue. A printable version of the monograph is available at www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/workplace-violence/workplace-violence/view.

Getting the health and safety message across: Europe's premier online information source for occupational safety and health information can now be accessed in any one of 20 languages

As Europe gears up for enlargement on 1 May 2004, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has added nine languages to the interface of its corporate website http://osha.europa.eu.

One of the Agency's main roles is to organise the flow of information on occupational safety and health (OSH) throughout the EU, enabling workers, employers and authorities to have access to state-of-the-art knowledge, especially examples of 'good practice' solutions to the main safety and health problems.

As well as producing a wide variety of publications, from research reports to practical factsheets, the Agency has established a network of more than 30 partners (focal points) in Europe and worldwide which over past two years has grown to include all acceding countries.

This network is linked electronically via the Agency's family of websites, providing the world's most comprehensive source of OSH information (http://osha.europa.eu).

'Raising the standards of safety and health at work is a key element of Europe's unique Social Model,' says Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the Agency. 'The accession countries have already transposed the EU's comprehensive safety and health directives into national legislation. The main challenge now is to ensure that these legal standards are converted into real improvements in working conditions. The Agency is looking forward to support this process through our multilingual online information system and other initiatives in co-operation with our partners in the accession countries to develop safe, healthy and productive workplaces across an enlarged Europe.'

Amongst the information activities of the Agency and its focal points in 2004 are:

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain | e-mail: information@osha.eu.int | fax: (34) 94 479 43 83 | http://osha.europa.eu

Women and Health and Safety at Work

Safety and health risks of women at work tend to be underestimated and neglected

Women make up 42% of the employed population in the EU. Men and women are not the same and the jobs they do, their working conditions and how they are treated by society are not the same. These factors can affect the hazards they face at work and the approach that needs to be taken to assess and control them. Factors to take into account include:

It is therefore important to recognise these differences and take a "gender sensitive" approach to health and safety at work. The Agency has produced a number of documents intended to help users take a gender sensitive approach to identifying and preventing risks, contribute to the debate about how a gender sensitive approach can best be taken and also contribute to the sharing of research information on gender and occupational safety.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work say that safety and health risks of women at work tend to be underestimated and neglected in a recently released report the Agency examines gender differences in workplace injury and illnesses and implications for prevention and finds that the traditional prevention approach can underestimate work-related risks to women.

The report Gender issues in safety and health - A review examines gender differences in workplace injury and illness, gaps in knowledge and the implications for improving risk prevention. It shows how the design of work, its organisation and equipment are often based on the model of the 'average' man, although the principle of matching work to workers is enshrined in EU legislation.

In general it can be said that women suffer more from work related stress, infectious diseases, upper limb disorders, skin diseases as well asthma and allergies, while men suffer more from accidents, back pain and hearing loss.

Recommendations from the report include the promotion and facilitation of a gender-sensitive approach in research, policy and prevention practices to help ensure effective prevention and avoid gender bias in occupational safety and health (OSH).

Commenting at the launch of the report, Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said 'Improving the quality of women's work is a fundamental part of achieving the European Union's goal to significantly increase the participation of women in employment. This report shows how important it is to consider gender in risk prevention and include occupational health and safety in gender equality activities in order to improve the prevention of work related risks for both men and women.'

The Director of the Agency, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, commented 'Our study documents that the traditional gender-neutral approach to prevention can result in underestimation and even negligence of the real risks especially to the health of women. Risk assessment and prevention need to be more gender sensitive and in general take into consideration the ever increasing diversity of the European workforce.'

Coinciding with the release of the report, the Agency has also launched a web feature on gender and occupational safety and health, providing links to a wide variety of resources from sources worldwide.

Gender issues in safety and health at work - a review
Detailed report, available in English http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/209/en/index.htm

In addition to the report, the Agency has produced two factsheets that are available in the 11 EU languages and are downloadable from the website at: http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets

The gender website can be accessed at http://osha.europa.eu/en/priority_groups/gender

Contact: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain | Email: information@osha.eu.int | Fax: +34 94 479 43 83.

EUROHSE2004 and FSE2004: Two conferences not to be missed... book now

Following the two successful conferences held in 2003, you should make sure that you are able to attend these two important conferences organised by Angel Business Communications - the publisher of EurOhs: European Occupational Health and Safety Magazine and newsletter and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd. Latest news and updates on a wide range of topics, given by speakers from authoritative organisations and chaired by knowledgeable and experienced people. Delegates from a wide range of countries benefit from the exceptional networking opportunities. Make sure that these are the conferences you attend in 2004!

9 November 2004 - Food Safety in Europe 2004
Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London
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.fse2004.com

10 - 11 November 2004 - EurOhse2004
Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London
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

Passport to Safety

The lead trade body for the UK independent engineering inspection industry, the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed), has launched its much anticipated Health & Safety Passport Scheme and featured contributions from both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and RoSPA.

The scheme has been designed to provide an 'access all workplaces' safety passport for Engineer Surveyors employed by SAFed member companies. Whilst a number of Health & Safety Passport schemes already exist, there has been a distinct lack of reciprocity between the various scheme providers. This has created problems for workplace duty holders and engineer surveyors alike, with the potential for the latter needing to hold a number of different safety passports to carry out their inspection activities.

Richard Morgan is SAFed's Technical Director and one of the chief architects of the scheme. He commented. "Workplace duty holders can have full confidence that any Engineer Surveyor holding a SAFed Health & Safety Passport has the appropriate health and safety knowledge to undertake their designated duties in a demonstrably safe manner. Holders of a SAFed Health & Safety Passport should therefore not be required to possess any other industry safety passports to gain access to their clients' diverse workplaces."

Before being awarded a SAFed Health & Safety Passport, Engineer Surveyors undergo an extensive and individualised training programme. This training is aimed at providing Engineer Surveyors with a high level of Health & Safety awareness applicable to both their clients' industries and also the range of inspection activities which they are authorised to undertake. To ensure that consistently high standards are maintained, all SAFed member companies operating the Scheme will undergo an annual compliance assessment by RoSPA's Training and Consultancy Services Department.

Following a review of the Scheme by the HSE, their Head of Hazards and Technical Policy Division, Dr Bill Gillan commented. "HSE views Health and Safety Passport schemes as being an important way of improving Health & Safety. They really can make a difference. We applaud initiatives such as the SAFed Scheme that is designed to both improve and also demonstrate the appropriate health and safety awareness of SAFed member company Engineer Surveyors. The HSE also encourages agreement and mutual recognition between the providers of the many schemes in operation, so as to avoid the needless duplication of effort."

Through SAFed, any individual or organisation involved with setting standards for safety in the workplace can get access to relevant advice, guidance, information and experience. SAFed provides help and support to policy makers within business, the safety industry or at government or inter-government levels.

The Safety Assessment Federation Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, Butlers Wharf, London SE1 2NY, UK | Tel: +44 (0)20 7403 0987 | Fax: +44 (0)20 7403 0137 | Email: info@safed.co.uk | www.safed.co.uk

Register for EurOhs Magazine and Newsletter free of charge

You can register to receive both EurOhs: European Occupational Health and Safety Magazine published 8 times per year and also the EurOhs weekly electronic newsletter. Both are free of charge to those working in occupational health, safety, environment and fire Sectors.

For your free subscription click onto www.eurohs.eu.com/eurohs-magazine/mailshot.htm

Angel Business Communications Ltd, 34 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, Warks CV8 1HE, United Kingdom | www.angelbc.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 1926 512424 | Fax: +44 (0) 1926 512948 | Mobile: 07973 158294

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A Head for Heights?

Guidance for working at height in the construction industry video entitled A Head for Heights is a must for everyone working in the construction industry including site managers, workers and safety representatives.

Produced by the UK Health and Safety Executive, the video offers practical advice on how to avoid high-risk situations, the correct use of equipment, risk assessment and risk management.

Contact: HSE Books P O Box 1999, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: +44 (0) 1787 8811765 | Fax: +44 (0) 1787 313995 | www.hsebooks.co.uk

New Canadian Health and Safety Guide helps workplaces prepare for Emergencies

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has just released a new Emergency Response Planning Guide. The 150-page pocket-sized handbook provides information for developing and implementing a workplace emergency preparedness and response program.

This comprehensive resource addresses the concerns of everyone in the workplace, offering guidance on risk assessments, identifying potential emergencies, developing emergency policies and programs, and conducting emergency drills.

The events of recent years such as 9/11, the Anthrax scare and the SARS outbreak, brought the issue of emergency preparedness to the forefront. Many businesses are now moving quickly to learn more about preparing for these and other possible emergencies, to minimize their potentially devastating effects.

An emergency response plan addresses how to deal with unforeseen situations such as fires, chemical spills, explosions, floods, injury and other crisis situations. It lets employers and employees know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency situation to ensure everyone's safety and minimize property damage.

The guide outlines ways of developing and implementing an emergency plan tailored to a specific workplace with detailed procedures on exactly how to:

The Emergency Response Planning Guide is the latest addition to the compact, easy-to-follow CCOHS Pocket Guide series.

The cost of the Emergency Response Planning Guide, and all Pocket Guides is $10 plus shipping and handling. Prices for publications shipped outside Canada are in US funds. To order, please contact CCOHS Client Services by Email: clientservices@ccohs.ca or visit the CCOHS website: www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/emergency.html

Chemicals and Public Health in Australia

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia has released a new document on the assessment of toxicity. The widespread use of chemicals and their presence in food and in the environment is of concern to many people who believe that exposure to these chemicals may be associated with health problems. This brochure explains in general terms, firstly, how public health is protected through the study of the toxicity of chemicals and their potential to cause adverse effects on humans; and secondly, how this information is used in the development of exposure standards to ensure that there is little if any health risk as a result of the use of most chemicals. The focus of this brochure is on agricultural and veterinary chemicals, but for more detailed information, and for information on assessment of other types of chemicals, the reader is referred to the relevant authorities listed at the end of the brochure.

The topics covered include:

www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/chemtox.htm

Update from KOREA

This year marks the launch of a full-fledged safety culture

The Ministry of Government Administration & Home Affairs to develop a mascot for safety culture campaign and launch national events

The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs in Korea has set this year as the inaugural year of a full-fledged safety culture. In connection with this, the Ministry will introduce a symbol and mascot for the safety culture campaign, through which safety awareness will be promoted in publicity activities.

The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs on January 27 held the 8th Private-Government Safety Management Council at the central government office. Discussions included accident management plans for this year, means of promoting national safety awareness, and utilizing the safety culture campaign symbol and mascot. Special efforts are planned to improve the emergency exit location and utilization and other forms of cooperation between the private sector and the government for the public's safety.

Participants at this meeting included Officer Kwon, Head of the Headquarters of Civil Defense & Disaster Management, professors from Seoul National University of Technology, researchers at KOSHA, professors from Yongin and Hansung Universities and the President of the Children's Safety Management Association.

At this meeting, the Ministry of Government Administration & Home Affairs introduced the symbol, mascot, logo, and emblem of the safety culture campaign developed by the Ministry last year. The Ministry revealed its policy for promoting national safety consciousness through events using these items.

'We will set this year as the inaugural year of full-fledged safety culture and launch safety culture campaigns," said Officer Kwon. "All of us gathered here today to seek private sector-government cooperation should make efforts to achieve these goals."

Safety Culture Campaign Symbol and Mascot

Safety Culture Campaign Symbol Safety Culture Campaign Mascot

The symbol and the mascot symbolizing the safety culture campaign will be used in various safety events held by the government and private organizations.

The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs announced that it had manufactured the symbol and the mascot to effectively launch a practical movement this year relating to the establishing of a safety culture.

Designed in the shape of a ring made by fingers, the newly designated symbol represents affirmativeness and OK. By combining the eye meaning "Let's be cautious" and the smiling face, it expresses the intention of all for a safe community.

The Ministry explains that the mascot designed in the shape of a simplified eyesight and the smell meaning "Always be vigilant." Based on this, the mascot is distinctive compared with other mascots through the changing of the free curves and the cubic style so visual communication is soft and smooth.

Panic disorder to be included in the occupational diseases for subway engineers

The number of persons who attempt to commit suicide by suddenly jumping into the path of an oncoming train has increased recently. For this reason, the subway engineers have been suffering from the 'fear of suicide'. As these symptoms have been judged as an occupational disease, it is required to properly diagnose the mental status of engineers and provide appropriate treatment.

According to the Seoul City government and the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation, Mr. G, a train engineer of the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation applied for recognition as an occupation disease on grounds of panic disorder. Since his application was approved, many other engineers complaining about the panic disorder are expected to apply for recognition as an occupational disease on the same grounds.

Mr. G, whose application for an occupational disease was approved, said that his blood pressure had suddenly risen during subway operation, that he felt nauseous, and had a strong impulse to jump from the train. He was examined by a doctor who reported a diagnosis of panic disorder. Since there are many engineers complaining of the same symptoms, closer diagnosis of typical cases should be made in the future.

A labor union official said in connection with this that the 2 engineers who had committed suicide last August had been examined by psychiatrists. The official said he would apply for approval on classifying panic disorder as an occupational disease believing that their deaths had been caused by panic disorder.

According to the 'Health of Railroad Workers' prepared last year by the Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health and Inje University, 45.2% of the surveyed persons showed mental symptoms of chronic fatigue, headache, melancholy, uneasiness, and the loss of intention, and 48.2% experienced sleep disorders. The contention that more thorough medical examination should be conducted and appropriate measures taken is very convincing.

www.kosha.or.kr (Click on English)

OSHFE web sites to explore

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
www.oecd.org/document/21/0,2340,en_2649_34365_1862357_1_1_1_1,00.html
This Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) website focuses on Environmental Health and Safety issues. The website includes a News and a Publications section, information on the OECD Chemicals Programme, Chemical Accidents Programme, Pesticides, Lead in Gasoline, a Biotechnology regulatory section, etc.

SWEDEN

Swedish Council for Social Research and the Swedish Council for Work Life Research
www.fas.forskning.se
The Council was established in 2001 through a merger of the Swedish Council for Social Research and the Swedish Council for Work Life Research. Its objectives are to promote the accumulation of knowledge in matters relating to working life and the understanding of social conditions and processes through: promotion and support of basic and applied research; identification of important research needs; dialogue, dissemination of information and transfer of knowledge; promotion of cooperation between researchers both nationally and internationally, particularly in EU programmes.

SWITZERLAND

World Health Organization WHO: Ionising Radiation
www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/en
World Health Organization WHO includes information about the WHO Ionizing Radiation Programme and a range of information resources about ionizing radiation, environmental radiation, radiation accidents and emergencies and ongoing research.

USA

HC Information Resources Inc
www.hcinfo.com/index.htm
HC Information Resources, USA provides publications, consulting services, seminars, and training related to Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) collection
www.epa.gov
Environmental Protection Agency explains how Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are still being used, the regulations to control its use and new developments in the study of PCBs. Also available are numerous online publications and a Frequently-Asked Questions section to help consumers understand and handle potential risks.

News and Commentary on Workplace Health and Safety
http://spewingforth.blogspot.com
News and Commentary compiled Jordan Barab and covers a wide range of topics from worldwide sources.

Safety Equipment Institute
www.seinet.org
Safety Equipment Institute provides information about this non-profit, third party certification organization that certifies safety and protective equipment used by workers for protection against potential workplace hazards. List of certified products available online. SEI is accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health website provided about the various Institutes and their work . Wealth information resources, including: health information, scientific resources, grants and funding, news and events. A-Z index of NIH health resources, clinical trials, health hotlines, MEDLINEplus, drug information

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Flight Crew Research Programme
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flightcrew
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH links to NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations and abstracts related to the Flight Crew Research Program. The program studies the health effects of exposures in the aircraft cabin environment on flight personnel.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH - Spirometry training course
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH offers information to those interested in learning about the NIOSH approved spirometry training course A new NIOSH topic page provides information on the course content and certification, U.S. and Mexican locations where courses are offered, and how to become a course faculty member or sponsor.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Worker Notification
www.cdc.gov/niosh/pgms/worknotify
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH provides information about NIOSH's worker notification program and access to findings from studies under the program. "Worker notification" is a term used to describe the transmission of the overall research results of epidemiologic studies to the workers in those studies. The notification materials are indexed by work group and work exposure.

Diary of Events

The events listed may serve also to inspire similar ones to be organised in your country.

October 2004 is Health and safety month for Europe - with 25 Member States organizing their own special events.........

16-18 July 2004 - Hazards 2004: Resisting the Brutalisation of Work. 15th National Hazards Conference
UMIST, Sackville Street, Manchester, UK
Contact: Hazards 2004, c/o Great Manchester Hazards Centre, 23 New Mount Street, Manchester M4 4DE | Tel: +44 (0)161 953 4037 | Email: mail@gmhazards.org.uk

27-29 July 2004 - RCON 2004: International Risk Control Conference 2004 ISO Annual Conference
Total Disaster Management for Business Continuity and Service Delivery
Caesars Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa
Contact: Debby Parsonson or Karin Beukes, IRCAZA, IR South Africa | Tel: +27 11 285 4268 | Email: dparsonson@ircaza.com | www.ircaza.com

22-25 August 2004 - HFE2004 Conference- Ergonomics for a Biz-e World
First joint Conference of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA) and the Pan Pacific Council on Occupational Ergonomics (PPCOE)
Cairns International Hotel, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Contact: Rachael Glover, Conference Organiser, Creeda Business Centre, 281 Goyder St, Narrabundah, ACT 2601 Australia | Tel: +61 2 6295 5959 | Fax: +61 2 6295 5946 | Email: conference@ergonomics.org.au

12-13 October 2004 - 5th National safety and Health at Work Exhibition
RDS, Dublin, Ireland
Contact: Key Events Ltd, 24 Terenure Road East, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland | Tel: + 353 1 4901790 | Fax + 353 1 4901792 | Email: info@keyevents.ie | www.events.ie

19-21 November 2004 - Global Asbestos Congress 2004
Japan
Contact: GAC 2004 Commmittee, 5th Floor, Z Bldg, 7-10-1 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0071, Japan | Tel: +81 3 3636 3882 | Fax: +81 3 3636 3881 | Email: gac2004@ac.wakwak.com | http://park3.wakwak.com

25-27 January 2005 - International Conference on Occupational Health Services 2005
Marina Congress Center, Helsinki, Finland
Contact: Ms. Taina Pääkkönen, OHS2005 Secretariat, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN 00250 Helsinki, Finland | Tel: +358 9 4747 2910 | Fax: +358 9 2413 804 | Email: tania.paakkonen@ttl.fi

6-11 February 2005 - Safety Research Second Week - Safety Promotion
Hotel Kasnäs, Kasnäs, Finland
Contact: Pirjo Turtiainen, NIVA, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 9 4747 2349 | Fax: +358 9 4747 2497 | Email: pirjo.turtiainen@ttl.fi | www.niva.org

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...

28 April 2004

World Day for Safety and Health at Work

What did your country do ... send some news to your Editor