CIS Newsletter

No. 229
October 2008

CIS Newsletter celebrates 20 years & still going strong!
Bringing news to over 147 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. MUST READ: The Report of Meeting and training session of CIS Members in London, 10-11 September 2008
  3. News from the ILO and CIS
  4. News from around the World - Africa, Belgium, Canada, European Agency, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA
  5. OSHE websites to explore
  6. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

This 228th edition is a very special edition of the CIS Newsletter...

In all the years I have been bringing together the news from around the world I do not think there has been an edition that looks into the future of the CIS Network as much as you will find in this October 2008 Newsletter.

Those attending the London meeting made well thought out presentations and were excited with the ideas that are the outcome of this event. Please do read our Report - you have much to learn and gain from it.

See Recommendations for the future of the CIS: report from the group of CIS members' meeting

You can share the contents of the report with others - there is no copyright on the many activities that have been tried, tested and known to be successful. Many suggestion and ideas flow out of the report. Also see the presentations on the website www.sheilapantry.com/cis - again adapt and use to advantage in your Centre and country and do use when you are promoting OSH information worldwide. Encourage people to use OSH information - or be like many other organisations that are closing down their libraries and information centres!

You are warned!

As usual you can see there is a wealth of news in this edition of the CIS newsletter from around the world.

2009 is looming up fast - The most important date that is ahead of us - the celebration of the 50th Anniversary in 2009 of the formation of CIS! All those involved in CIS work should be starting to plan their campaigns - please start to think about this major event and how news of CIS and its activities can be broadcasted around the World. We will not get such a chance for another 50 years!!! Authoritative and Validated Health and Safety Information is essential to help achieve higher standards of health and safety in the workplaces of the world.

Make my day and send your news... It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world. Take advantage of free publicity! Remember you can see CIS Newsletter on the web site www.sheilapantry.com/cis where back issues are stored now for over 6 years.

Some of you may have changed your email number and addresses in recent months, please let CIS Headquarters know your new email/address and also let me know as well - otherwise you will not get the CIS Newsletter or other news.

Remember >>>> Use the CIS Logo on your web site and publications!

Remember ALSO the motto of all publicity people... tell them, tell them and tell them again... so take every opportunity to give publicity to "Health and Safety at work"...

Thriving in 2008... Keep promoting and telling the World at large that CIS and its network exists!

And will you be Surviving in 2009?... perhaps you will if you make efforts in promotion, publicity and telling the World that CIS and its network exists!

Each month I get news of information centres and libraries that are being closed down or having their budgets cut or staff numbers cut. I will not depress you with the details... Just keep on fighting for information and especially occupational safety and health information.

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

Please consider the environment before printing this Newsletter

Feel free to use this Newsletter on your own web site/pages/e-news

Important Latest News for CIS Members

Meeting and training course for CIS Members was held on Wednesday and Thursday, 10 and 11 September 2008 at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, Central London

The aim of the meeting was to enable CIS members to:

We discussed:

  1. What we should be doing to celebrate the CIS 50th anniversary in 2009 collectively and in our own countries
  2. We shared best promotion and publicity practices in each of our countries - lots of examples of successes
  3. We built on the ideas that we have discussed over the years and which are captured in the report I wrote that can be accessed on www.sheilapantry.com/cis/other/wp01.html
  4. We want to use the 50th anniversary of CIS to make people worldwide aware of the available validated and authoritative health and safety information centres, services, guidance and advice that CIS network members hold or have access to.

We also had an updating exchange of news from those attending the meeting.

During all our discussions we kept the following constantly in mind:

The Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, No. 187 and its accompanying Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 No. 197 which is based on the ILO's Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, will promote the development of a preventive safety and health culture through the elevation of occupational safety and health high on national agendas by launching national occupational safety and health programmes, as well as the promotion of safer and healthier working environments through preventive measures.

The Convention 187 mentions that a national system for occupational safety and health should include, where appropriate... b) an information and advisory service (Article 4, para 3b).

REPORTS FROM THE MEETING

Gabor Sandi represented the ILO at the Meeting and informed participants of the results of the CIS Centres meeting in Seoul, of other relevant activities at the World Congress (including the Declaration), and of plans for the future by CIS, including the celebrations foreseen for the 50th anniversary next year.

Gabor opened the meeting with his presentation entitled:

Let's talk about the future! What could CIS do if it had the resources and the authority? And what can CIS do the way things are?

Please do read his report - you have much to learn.

Other presentations (see list and links below) provided a wide range of ideas that can be included in any CIS Centre's future activities.

There was much to learn, observe, discuss and put forward in our Report entitled:

Recommendations for the future of the CIS: report from the group of CIS members' meeting

CIS Centres were sent a special EMAIL regarding this report just a few days after the 10 - 11 September 2008 meeting, so that everyone can be informed whether or not they came to this challenging and exciting meeting.

YOU ARE URGED TO READ THIS REPORT - NOT ONCE, BUT MANY TIMES AND USE IT AS TEMPLATE FOR ALL YOUR FUTURE ACTIVITIES.

IT WILL SAVE YOU HOURS, IF NOT DAYS OF WORK IN PLANNING - NOT ONLY FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR OWN CENTRE IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY BUT ALSO TO HELP IN THE STRENGTHENING, REVITALISING AND RE-INVIGORATING THE CIS NETWORK SO THAT OTHERS WORKING IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH KNOW OF THE WONDERFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

ANY COMMENTS ARE REALLY WELCOME - PLEASE SEND TO YOUR EDITOR

THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATIONS WERE ALSO MADE:

ANY COMMENTS ARE REALLY WELCOME - PLEASE SEND TO YOUR EDITOR

News from CIS HQ

Nanotechnology and occupational safety and health

There are many occupational safety and health effects and interactions with nanotechnology. Various occupational safety and health institutes and research centres are focusing their technical skills and hard work on responding to the vital queries that revolve around these repercussions.

Nanomaterials can mainly affect workers who are involved in their manufacturing or industrial use. Scientists are still studying how these nanoparticles can interact and affect the body system.

There is a call to invest in risk assessment at this stage and in an effort to keep up with this rising and active nanotechnology concern, CIS has prepared a bibliography containing references to a selection of items reflecting the theme. References contain full bibliographic descriptions, including abstracts and links giving access to the documents on the Internet when available. They are extracted from the CISDOC bibliographic database, a practical tool for seeking information of international interest on occupational safety and health.

When is enough work a day - enough?

The first of the five scopes of "decent working time" is healthy working time. The need for working time to be both healthy and safe is an established apprehension dating back to the very first ILO international labour standard, the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1919.

Habitual long working hours and "unsocial" working hours such as night work are not healthy for workers. They can cost enterprises considerable amounts of capital due to amplified accidents in the workplace. Furthermore, the long hours at work will inadvertently lead to increased levels of fatigue, stress, sleeping disorders, and harmful lifestyle behaviours such as irregular diet, and lack of exercise. Not to mention the long term effects such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and reproductive disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic infections, and mental illnesses which may result from all the extra time spent at the workplace. Appropriate national policies should be implemented in line with ILO's Conventions to protect workers against long hours of work. See also the CIS News items of June 2007

News from Africa

African Newsletter on Occupational Safety and Health August 2008

This is published by the Finish Institute of Occupational Health on a regular basis.

The Contents of the latest edition Volume 18, number 2, August 2008 includes the Editorial by Thebe Pule on WHO/AFRO.

Articles include:

There are other articles on ILO practical guidelines, the International Chemical Safety Cards and XVIII World Congress and Summit on Safety and Health at Work by Suvi Lehtinen, Finland. Finally there is details of the Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work on Occupational Health and Safety

The African Newsletter is published by Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland

Editor in Chief: Suvi Lehtinen
Editor: Marianne Joronen
Linguistic Editing: Sheryl S. Hinkkanen
Layout: Reija Jokinen, Kirjapaino Uusimaa, Studio

The Editorial Board is listed (as of January 2008) on the back page of the Newsletter. A list of contact persons in Africa is also on the back page.

The African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety homepage address is: www.ttl.fi/AfricanNewsletter

The next issue of the African Newsletter will come out at the end of December 2008. The theme of the issue 3/2008 is Women and work.

Make my Day... Please send some News - Your Editor

News from Belgium

ETUI - Production and Reproduction. Stealing the health of future generations, by Marie-Anne Mengeot and Laurent Vogel

This booklet sets out to help improve awareness of work-related reproductive hazards. They are a vast and complex mix of varied kinds running from chemicals, through ionizing radiation, vibration, heat, biological agents to stress and more. They also have a wide variety of effects, including male and female infertility, miscarriages, birth defects, impaired child development and others. And they receive scant attention. There is probably no other sphere of health and safety at work in which the available information is so piecemeal and lacking.

The booklet reviews and gives a broad-brush picture of the available knowledge for a general readership. It forms part of the general work of our Institute to develop a critical trade union approach to health and safety at work. This particular publication deals in most detail with chemicals, but also provides relevant information on other reproductive risks.

More information: http://hesa.etui-rehs.org/uk/publications/pub44.htm

Denis Grégoire: dgregoire@etui.org

Produire et reproduire. Quand le travail menace les générations futures
Marie-Anne Mengeot et Laurent Vogel

Cette publication a pour objectif de contribuer à une meilleure prise de conscience des risques reproductifs au travail. Ceux-ci constituent un ensemble vaste et complexe. Ils sont diversifiés en ce qui concerne leur nature: produits chimiques, rayonnements ionisants, vibrations, chaleur, agents biologiques, stress, etc. Ils sont également diversifiés quant à leurs effets: infertilité masculine ou féminine, fausses couches, malformations congénitales, atteintes à la santé au cours du développement des enfants, etc. Ces risques sont très largement ignorés. Il n'existe vraisemblablement aucun autre domaine de la santé au travail dans lequel les informations disponibles soient si fragmentaires et insuffisantes.

La brochure passe en revue les connaissances disponibles avec la volonté de les présenter de manière concise pour un large public. Elle s'inscrit dans le travail général de notre institut, destiné à développer une perspective syndicale et critique dans le domaine de la santé au travail. Cette publication est consacrée principalement aux agents chimiques bien que d'autres risques reproductifs soient également abordés de façon plus concise.

Plus d'informations: http://hesa.etui-rehs.org/fr/publications/pub44.htm

Denis Grégoire: dgregoire@etui.org

News from Canada

Webinar Offers Journey to a Healthier Workplace

CCOHS offers free webinar as part of Healthy Workplace Month

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will be offering a free webinar as part of Canada's Healthy Workplace Month. Canadians are invited to gather in their meeting rooms and join in the Journey to a Healthier Workplace.

Karen Jackson of Trillium Health Centre will share how a healthy workplace initiative has become part of everyday life at Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga. Allan Smofsky, Chair of the Canadian Healthy Workplace Council, will present strategies and steps that can be taken to help create healthy workplace cultures.

The one hour presentation will be webcast live Tuesday, October 21 at 1:00 PM EDT.

Canada's Healthy Workplace Month runs from September 29 to October 26. It is a time in which workplaces and employees are encouraged to work together to create healthier workplaces and build a culture of trust and respect in which people are happy and healthy.

Visit www.healthyworkplacemonth.ca to learn more about and sign up for the workplace challenge, and participate in a fun, friendly competition against others across Canada.

The CCOHS website has more information about the webinar and how to sign up: www.ccohs.ca/products/webinars/journey_healthy_workplace.html

For further information, contact: Eleanor Westwood, Manager of Communications, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety | Tel: (905) 572-2981, Ext. 4408 | Email: eleanorw@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs-cchst.ca

--------------------

Le webinaire vous engage sur le chemin vers un milieu de travail plus sain

Le CCHST offre un webinaire gratuit dans le cadre du Mois national de la santé au travail

Le Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail (CCHST) offrira un webinaire gratuit dans le cadre du Mois national de la santé au travail. Nous invitons les Canadiens à se rassembler dans leurs salles de réunion pour participer au webinaire Journey to a Healthier Workplace.

Karen Jackson du Trillium Health Centre expliquera comment ce qui a débuté comme une simple initiative de santé au travail fait désormais partie de la vie quotidienne au Trillium Health Centre de Mississauga. Allan Smofsky, président du Conseil canadien pour un milieu de travail sain, présentera, quant à lui, les stratégies et les mesures qu'on peut adopter pour créer une culture de la santé au travail.

Cette présentation d'une heure sera diffusée en direct sur le Web le mardi 21 octobre à 13 h, HAE.

Le Mois national de la santé au travail se déroule du 29 septembre au 26 octobre. C'est une période au cours de laquelle les employeurs et les employés sont encouragés à collaborer pour améliorer la santé au travail et bâtir une culture fondée sur la confiance et le respect, où les employés sont heureux et en santé.

Visitez le site www.moissanteautravail.ca pour en apprendre davantage sur le défi de créer un milieu de travail sain et pour vous y inscrire. Vous pourrez alors participer à une compétition amusante et amicale avec d'autres concurrents partout au Canada.

Le site Web du CCHST comporte des renseignements supplémentaires sur le webinaire et sur la procédure d'inscription: www.cchst.ca/products/webinars/journey_healthy_workplace.html

Renseignements: Eleanor Westwood, Gestionnaire - Communications, CCHST +1 905 572-2981, poste 4408 | mailto:eleanorw@ccohs.ca | Consultez www.ccohs-cchst.gc.ca

News from France

Occupational diseases: Musculoskeletal and psychological disorders in France

The French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS)) and the occupational medical inspection service of the Ministry of Labour, published in August 2008 a study entitled Work-related disease surveillance by an occupational physician's network, France.

According to this study, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are, in France, among the most frequently reported occupational diseases, ahead of mental suffering and hearing disorders.

The InVS, in collaboration with the occupational medical inspection service of the Ministry of Labour, relies on existing regulations to implement a surveillance programme of work related diseases (WRDs) reported by a network of occupational physicians in charge of medical surveillance of all salaried employees. In 2007, seven regions participated in this programme. In 2006, four regions participated in the programme and results are presented in the Bulletin épidémiologique hebdomadaire (BEH) No. 32, published on 26 August 2008 (in French).

Here is an abstract in English.

For musculoskeletal disorders, postural constraints (handling heavy loads, vibrations due to machinery, etc.) are the main causes for men, particularly in the construction, metallurgy and agriculture sectors. As regards to women, it appears that work rhythm and computer terminal work are the main sources of these pathologies.

Psychological problems, including depression and sleep disorders, are more present in finance and trade. They are linked to problems of management, stress, working hours, violence and harassment.

The study examines the incidence of diseases considered by occupational physicians as attributable to work, and estimates the extent of under-reporting of diseases that could be recognized as compensable.

For more information on MSDs, see the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. It includes:

The ILO CISDOC bibliographic database contains references to numerous books, training manuals, articles, etc. on various OHS-related subjects including MSDs.

News from Germany

Skin diseases account for almost all occupational diseases among trainees
Healthy Skin Campaign: over 90% of young people suffering occupational disease have a skin disease

Skin diseases are, by a wide margin, the most common form of confirmed occupational disease among trainees and young employees aged between 15 and 25. With almost 2,400 cases each year, skin diseases account for over 90% of all occupational diseases in this age group. In the context of their Healthy Skin Campaign, the statutory health and accident insurance institutions therefore recommend that skin protection products be used routinely, and that a doctor be consulted immediately should skin problems arise. Besides young employees in the health services, workers in the hairdressing trade, the catering trades and food-related occupations, in cleaning occupations and in metal companies particularly suffer from occupational skin diseases.

Around a quarter of all confirmed cases of occupational skin disease are suffered by people aged between 15 and 25. Eczema on the hands accounts for the majority of these cases. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin which frequently weeps, forms blisters, and may be very painful owing to fissuring of the skin. It is caused in most cases by wet work, i.e. in particular, work involving repeated contact with water and cleaning agents. If eczema is not treated promptly, it may become chronic and even force those affected to abandon their occupations. "This can however be prevented if the skin disease is detected in good time," says Dr. Kristine Breuer, head physician at the dermatological centre of the BG accident clinic in Hamburg and an unsalaried lecturer. "The reason is that skin diseases generally develop over a longer period. The first symptoms are dry, rough skin, redness and itching. "If these symptoms are observed, a dermatologist should be consulted and his or her attention drawn to the possible occupational origin of the condition."

The view of the German statutory accident insurance system is confirmed by the success of this strategy: in 2006, the institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention and the public-sector accident insurers were able to help 2,259 people aged under 25 to remain in their occupations despite having been diagnosed with a skin disease. Only 115 had to learn a new vocation.

A universal skin-protection agent does not exist

Skin diseases can generally be avoided by suitable preventive measures. "The best protection is of course to avoid contact with the hazardous substance causing the condition," says Dr. Kristine Breuer. "Since this is not always possible, however, employees are urgently advised to observe the skin-care plan." This plan indicates which products are required for protection, cleaning and care of the skin at the workplace concerned. The skin-care agent is provided free of charge by the employer. Different skin products are employed, depending upon the hazardous substances with which the employee comes into contact at his or her workplace. "A universal skin-protection agent does not exist," says the expert from the Healthy Skin Campaign. Gloves also provide effective protection against skin diseases. Caution should be taken, however, since gloves are not always advantageous. Users of moisture-proof gloves frequently face a build-up of moisture inside the glove. The skin swells; germs and pathogens are able to penetrate it. "A remedy in this case is to apply additional skin-protection agent or to wear a cotton glove under the moisture-proof glove," says Dr. Breuer.

The Healthy Skin Campaign

The Healthy Skin Campaign is being run jointly by the German statutory health and accident insurance institutions. Altogether, some 100 health and accident insurance institutions are campaigning under the motto: "Your skin. The most important 2m² in your life", with the aim of protecting the largest organ in the human body. The goal of the campaign is: "Healthy skin - fewer cases of skin disease."

For further information on the Healthy Skin Campaign, visit www.2m2-haut.de

Gregor Doepke, DGUV Communications | Tel: +49 30 288763-760 | Fax: +49 30 288763-771 | Email: presse@dguv.de

News from Ireland

European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS)

Every five years, the Foundation conducts a survey to study working conditions in Europe. The survey has been carried out four times: in 1990/91, 1995/96, 2000 (extended to cover the 10 new member states, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey in 2001/02) and 2005 (31 countries). The full descriptive report of the EWCS 2005 is available.

The newly available survey mapping tool enables users to select findings they wish to view from the fourth EWCS and select the display - for instance, by country or gender and in tabular, bar chart or map format.

Fieldwork for the Foundation's most recent instance of the European Working Conditions Survey was carried out in all EU25 countries (plus Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Croatia, Norway and Switzerland) during autumn 2005.

The surveys provide an overview of the state of working conditions throughout Europe, and indicate the extent and type of changes affecting the workforce and the quality of work. The recurring nature of the survey gives a picture of trends in working conditions throughout Europe. Previous datasets have been used by third parties (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) for further research.

The survey questionnaire has expanded from twenty questions in the first edition to nearly one hundred questions and sub-questions in 2005. Topics covered in the survey include working time, work organisation, pay, work-related health risks and health outcomes, and access to training.

The European surveys on working conditions use the random walk procedure, a method of selecting a random sample in door to door surveys. The respondents (employees and self-employed people) were interviewed face-to-face in their own homes outside normal working hours.

www.eurofound.europa.eu/surveys/smt/ewcs/results.htm

News from Europe

Equality and diversity in jobs and services: City policies for migrants in Europe, by Sarah Spencer

European cities are faced with the ongoing challenge of integrating people from very different backgrounds. Access to jobs is recognised as a key dimension of this process, as is the provision of services that migrants can access fully and effectively, without discrimination.

This report, published jointly with the Council of Europe, looks at equality and diversity policies in relation to employment and service provision for migrants in city administrations. It documents a range of positive initiatives taken to remove barriers to employment, such as targeted advertising of jobs in migrants' languages, advanced language classes, translation of information about services provided, and training of staff to provide assistance in job applications.

24 September 2008; 141 pages; Series ef0871

www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0871.htm

European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2008: Healthy Workplaces campaign starting October 2008

The change to a two-year cycle gives the European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) an opportunity to develop a longer-term approach to its campaigning activities under a single umbrella activity - the Healthy Workplace: Good for you - Good for business and the theme will be Risk Assessment during 2008-2009.

Risk assessment is key to reducing accidents and workplace illness and the start of the risk management process. It enables employers to understand the action that they need to take to improve workplace health and safety, as well as productivity.

Reducing work-related accidents and illness through better risk assessment is the focus of the new 2008 Europe-wide information campaign, developed by the European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) and addressing high risk sectors and small and medium-sized enterprises especially.

So are you taking up the challenge by Jukka Takala - Director of EU-OSHA, who invites everyone to participate in the campaign activities that will take place over the coming two years.

Run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the campaign involves employers, workers, workers' safety representatives, practitioners, preventive services, policy makers and other stakeholders in improving health and safety at workplace level.

You can find out more about the campaign and the multilingual information packs, factsheets and information sheets with handy tips to help you organise and manage activities and other useful resources by going to http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/hw2008.

News from Italy

ISPESL, the technical and scientific research Institute and Italy's CIS Centre has produced a very attractive brochure describing their range of activities that include:

The brochure also describes the many collaboration and cooperation activities, not only in Europe but Worldwide.

The brochure, in English, is clear and well presented and is a wonderful example for any CIS Centre to follow.

Available from: ISPESL, Via Alessandria, 220/E, 00198 Rome, Italy | Tel: +39 06 442801 | www.ispesl.it

News from Russia

Roman Litvyakov - Email: litvyakov@ilo.org writes...

I also inform you that we have a new CIS Centre in Saint Petersburg that was established in 2007.

It has just opened a new WEB site where ILO materials in Russian Language, as well as details of information activities will be published.

See www.kalinkom.ru

The Centre has some information in English (very little for the moment), but this will be expanded.

News from the UK

New picture warnings will provide shocking reminder of health impacts of smoking

The UK Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) welcomes the introduction of new stark picture warnings on tobacco products which will start appearing on cigarette packs from early October 2008.

Deborah Arnott, Director of the health campaigning charity, ASH said:

"The stark images in the picture warnings on tobacco products are a call to action to smokers to quit, and the evidence is that they work.

The evidence also shows that picture warnings work better on plain packs, so we are urging the Government to also implement legislation to require the removal of pack branding to maximise the impact of the these images."

One obvious disadvantage of the current EU law is that the picture warnings will only be printed on the reverse side of cigarette packs, and thus will be less visible than if they were on the front.

ASH believes that there is also a strong case to be made for significantly increasing the area devoted to health warnings, as is the case in Australia and New Zealand.

Tobacco manufacturers have one year in which to ensure that all cigarettes carry pictorial warnings - i.e. the last date for compliance with the law is 30 September 2009

The 14 new warnings can be viewed at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Tobacco/Picturewarningsontobaccoproductspressimages/index.htm

Amanda Sandford, Research Manager, ASH, First Floor, 144-145 Shoreditch High Street, LONDON E1 6JE | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7739 5902 | Fax: +44 (0) 20 7729 4732 | www.ash.org.uk

Make my Day... Please send some News - Your Editor

News from the USA

Two US NIOSH documents are now available in Spanish

"Protecting Poultry Workers from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)" DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2008-128 www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2008-128_sp/default.html. The English version is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2008-128.

"Workplace Solution - Water Spray Control of Hazardous Dust When Breaking Concrete with a Jackhammer" DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2008-127 www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2008-127_sp/default.html. The English version is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2008-127

News on Management Systems

ILO Guidelines on OSH Management Systems (ILO-OSH 2001)

ILO-OSH 2001 provides a unique international model, compatible with other management system standards and guides. It is not legally binding and not intended to replace national laws, regulations and accepted standards. It reflects ILO values such as tripartism and relevant international standards including the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161). Its application does not require certification, but it does not exclude certification as a means of recognition of good practice if this is the wish of the country implementing the Guidelines.

The ILO Guidelines encourage the integration of OSH-MS with other management system and state that OSH should be an integral part of business management. While integration is desirable, flexible arrangements are required depending on the size and type of operation. Ensuring good OSH performance is more important than formality of integration. As well as this, ILO-OSH 2001 emphasises that OSH should be a line management responsibility at the organization,

The guidelines provide guidance for implementation on two levels - national (Chapter 2) and organizational (Chapter 3).

A. National occupational safety and health management system framework

At the national level, they provide for the establishment of a national framework for occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems, preferably supported by national laws and regulations. Action at national level includes the nomination of (a) competent institution(s) for OSH-MS, the formulation of a coherent national policy and the establishment of a framework for an effective national application of ILO-OSH 2001, either by means of its direct implementation in organizations or its adaptation to national conditions and practice (by national guidelines) and specific needs of organizations in accordance with their size and nature of activities (by tailored guidelines).

The National Policy for OSH-MS should be formulated by competent institution(s) in consultation with employers' and workers' organizations, and should consider:

See: www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cops/english/download/e000013.pdf

For further information on ILO-OSH 2001, please contact: SafeWork, ILO, 4, route des Morillons CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland | Tel: +41-22-799-6715 | Fax: +41-22-799-6878 | Email: safework@ilo.org | www.ilo.org/safework

Maritime Labour Convention: Setting sail for a decent future

When the ILO adopted the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 in February 2006, Director-General Juan Somavia called it "making labour history" for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers.

Two years on, the MLC has been ratified by three key flag states representing nearly 20 per cent of the world's gross tonnage with many more ratifications and industry agreements already under way. A five-year ILO action plan designed to achieve entry into force by 2011 is moving forward this month with two key tripartite experts' meetings to adopt guidelines for flag State inspections and port State control officers.

The ILO reports from the "City of London", where the MLC is already being put to the test.

www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Feature_stories/lang--en/WCMS_098209/index.htm

OSHE web sites to explore...

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

We look at websites in different parts of the world that are offering quality information.

Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional   RBSO   BRAZIL
www.fundacentro.gov.br/rbso
RBSO, (Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional) a bi-annual journal, ISSN: 0303-7657 publishes scientifically relevant articles in the field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Priority is given to original unpublished contributions. With multidisciplinary approach, the journal covers many OHS aspects within the various segments of economy in the formal and informal labor world such as the relationship between work and health; conceptual aspects and analyses of occupational injuries; hazard analyses, risk management, and OHS management systems; epidemiology, etiology of occupational illnesses; exposure to chemicals and toxicology; relationship between workers' health and environment; behavior at work and its physiological, psychological and social dimensions; mental health and work; muscle-skeletal problems, psychological disorders and their relationship to organizational aspects and to the restructuring of production; OHS professions and professional practice; health services organization and occupational safety at public and private companies; labor regulation and laws, workplace inspection; social, organizational and political aspects of occupational health and safety, among others. The journal also aims at increasing technical-scientific debate among researchers, teachers, legislators and OHS professionals. To reach this aim it seeks to aggregate in each of its issues updated and diversified contents, bringing up, whenever it is convenient, contributions on specific themes.

Association pour la sante et la securite du travail secteur affaires sociales   ASSTSAS   CANADA
www.asstsas.qc.ca
Association pour la sante et la securite du travail secteur affaires sociales ASSTSAS list services, publications and conferences.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety   CCOHS   CANADA
www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides useful information about CCOHS and its' services and products. Has Frequently Asked Questions and subject listings on a range of topics. Lists other related health and safety sites on the web as well as information on Internet tools and searchers. This site also provides links to the ILO/CIS home page and the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work.

Canadian Dermatology Association   CANADA
www.dermatology.ca
Canadian Dermatology Association website gives details on facts about sun exposure and preventing skin cancer. Also available in French.

Christie Communications   CANADA
www.christie.ab.ca/safelist
Christie Communications presents a very wide range of occupational safety and health services, information, training and products, with extensive range of links.

Institute for Research in Construction   IRC   CANADA
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/programs/irc/fr.html
Institute for Research in Construction Fire Risk Management research is assisting Canada's construction industry and concentrates on four areas: Active Fire Protection; Fire-Resistant Construction; Residential & Commercial Buildings; Industrial Buildings.

IRSST Institut de recherche Robert-Sauve en santé et en securite du travail - Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute   CANADA
www.irsst.qc.ca/en
Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST) scientific activities are concentrated in seven research fields: accidents, chemical substances and biological agents, musculoskeletal disorders, noise and vibration, protective equipment, occupational rehabilitation, safety of industrial tools, machines and processes. More than 1 000 research reports are available for free download. The Institute is located in Montreal (QC), Canada. For more information about IRSST subscribe at l'Info IRSST and you will receive a monthly newsletter with the latest information.

Justice Institute of British Colombia   CANADA
www.jibc.bc.ca/fire
Justice Institute of British Colombia training in action for safer communities including fire training.

Public Health Agency of Canada   CANADA
www.publichealth.gc.ca
Canada's Public Health Agency is a valuable and unique source for information on healthy living, disease and injury prevention.

Transport Canada: Driving and use of cell phones   CANADA
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/SafeDrivers-distractions-index-52.htm
Transport Canada government web site giving advice and guidance on the use of cell phones whilst driving. There is a Question and Answers section.

Transport Canada: Road safety   CANADA
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/SafeDrivers-distractions-index-52.htm
Transport Canada government web site giving advice and guidance on the use of cell phones whilst driving. There is a Question and Answers section.

Wireless Information Resource Centre   CANADA
www.wirc.org
Wireless Information Resource Centre provides up-to-date authoritative information about research on the health effects of wireless technology and is based at the University of Ottawa, Canada McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment.

Workplace Safety and Health Division, Manitoba   CANADA
www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/index.html
Workplace Safety and Health Division, Manitoba list all the various publications including agriculture topics, Bulletins and links to other links to other Canadian occupational safety and health web sites.

Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile   CHILE
www.ispch.cl
Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile offers a range of services, including the Information Services that is also the International Labour Office Health and Safety Information (CIS) Centre.

Make my Day... Please send some News - Your Editor

Diary of Events

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17-20 November 2008 - 4th China International Forum on Work Safety and 4th International Occupational Safety & Health Exhibition
Co-hosted by the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS), China, and International Labour Organization (ILO): Safe Development Concerns People's Well-being
Contact: Coordinators: Ms Zhou Weiqi / Miss Wang Jing, National Centre for International Exchange & Cooperation in Work Safety, 21 Hepingli Beijie, Beijing 10073, China | Tel: +(86-10) 6422 9939 6446 3382 | Fax: +86 10 6446 3003 | Email: cws@chinasafety.gov.cn | safetyforum@yahoo.com.cn | www.ncics.org.cn

3 December 2008 - 4th Annual Health and Safety Conference: Health and Safety Agenda for 2009
Programme organised and conference chaired by Sheila Pantry OBE
London
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 7th Floor, Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK | Tel: 0845 082 1170 | Fax: 0845 120 9612 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk | www.hawksmereltd.co.uk/hsconference

28-30 January 2009 - Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario Conference (HRPAO) 2009 Annual Conference
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1902, Toronto ON M4W 3E2, Canada | Tel: + 1 416-923-2324 or 1-800-387-1311 | Fax: +1 416-923-7264 | Email: info@hrpao.org

9-10 February 2009 - Health and Safety Training for Managers and Supervisors
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Irene Brelsforth, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS), 135 Hunter Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1M5, Canada | Tel: + 1 905 572 2981 x4467 | Fax: +1 905 572 2206 | Email: ireneb@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

23-25 February 2009 - RoSPA 74th Road Safety Congress 2009: Road Safety: What Have We Learnt?
Hilton Metropole Hotel, Blackpool, UK
Contact: Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK | Tel: +44 (0)121 248 2120 | Email: events@rospa.com | www.rospa.com/roadsafety
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

7-10 March 2009 FDIC Middle East Conference and Exhibition
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Contact: www.fdicmiddleeast.com

9 March 2009 - Health and Safety Training for Managers and Supervisors in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Irene Brelsforth, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS), 135 Hunter Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1M5, Canada | Tel: + 1 905 572 2981 x4467 | Fax: +1 905 572 2206 | Email: ireneb@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

22-27 March 2009 - 29th International Congress on Occupational Health: A Basic Right at Work - An Asset to Society
Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) 2009 Congress, PO Box 16179, Lyttelton 0140, South Africa | Tel: +27 (0)12-667-5160 | Fax: +27 (0)11-507-5085 | Email: admin@icoh2009.co.za

25-27 March 2009 - Safety Services Nova Scotia 27th Annual Health and Safety Conference
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Contact: Safety Services Nova Scotia (SSNS), 110 Chain Lake Drive, Unit 3F, Vantage Point 3, Halifax, NS B3S 1A9, Canada | Tel: +1 902 454 9621 | Fax: +1 902 454 6027 | Email: kennedy@safetyservicesns.ca | www.safetyservicesns.ca

Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html