Editorial
Promoting Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)...
The International Labour Conference June 2005 discusses a Framework
June 2005
Sheila Pantry OBE
The Promotional framework for occupational safety and health
report is the 4th item on the agenda of the
International Labour Office (ILO) Meeting 31 May - 16 June 2005. I urge
you to read it as a matter of urgency so that you had an overview of what
is happening. Even if you are not attending at least you will be aware of
the current discussions.
At its 91st Session (2003), the International Labour Conference held a
general discussion based on an integrated approach on "ILO
standards-related activities in the area of occupational safety and
health." (1) The resulting "Conclusions concerning ILO
standards-related activities in the area of occupational safety and health
- A global strategy" (Conclusions) (2) provide that a new instrument
establishing a promotional framework in the area of occupational safety
and health (OSH) should be developed on a priority basis. As a follow-up
thereto, the Governing Body decided in November 2003 to place this item on
the agenda of the 93rd Session (2005) of the International Labour
Conference.
One of the paragraphs on page 9 jumped out for me... the highlights
in red are mine (Your Editor)
Para 20. One of the key issues addressed, and about which there was a
particularly clear consensus, was the NEED for an
increased general awareness of the importance of OSH. There was also a
high level of political commitment for effective implementation of
national OSH systems.
Efforts to tackle OSH problems, whether at national or international
levels, are often dispersed and fragmented and as a result do not have the
level of coherence necessary to have effective impact. It was thus agreed
that there was a need to give higher priority to OSH at international,
national and enterprise levels and to engage all social partners in
initiating and sustaining mechanisms for a continued improvement of
national OSH systems.
This covers many areas including: inspection systems and ensuring
compliance, information and training, collection and analysis of data on
the national OSH situation, research and links with worker injury
insurance schemes and institutions.
There are many countries - in Europe and across the World where
workplace health and safety is very far down the political agenda. Yet at
the same time we are seeing increasing numbers fatalities and long-term
health.
Use your voice to make sure that you have a safe and healthy workplace.
The complete document is available in all the ILO official languages
(English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian)
www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/promoframe.htm
Your OSHWorld Portal
We hope that you find the information in OSHWORLD useful in your daily
work. Globally there are continually new titles, news items, new products
so remember to look at the News to find the latest
information from a number of sources.
Use OSHWORLD as your portal to many hundreds of validated and
authoritative web sites which you can find in the Country
and Subject links we offer. New subject topics
are constantly brought together on web sites, e.g. drugs and alcohol abuse
in the workplace.
This month's FOCUS article is on The
International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)
call for the need for a preventative safety culture worldwide.
Faced with a rising toll of occupational related death, injury and
sickness, the International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health
Organization (WHO) call for the need for a preventative safety culture
worldwide.
What's more, a new assessment of workplace accidents and illness
indicates that the risk of occupational disease has become by far the most
prevalent danger faced by people at their jobs - accounting for 1.7
million annual work related deaths and outpacing fatal accidents by four to one.
Remember to look at the Products and Services on this web site and see
what is new and updated, such as Environment and Waste Plus which
has attracted users not only from the UK but around the world. It is a
unique combination of full text and bibliographic databases concerning all
aspects of integrated pollution and prevention control.
Training and conferences... for your 2005 Diary
Look at the latest additions to the Diary of
Events and you will see plans have been made already worldwide up to
2006 to have training courses, symposiums and conferences in many places
in the world on a wide range of subjects. So do not wait until it is too
late to get into these important events, including EurOhse 2005
Conference: Creating a winning OSH culture see www.eurohse2005.com
for full details.
Remember that even if you cannot attend these many events, speakers and
organisers are often willing to share their knowledge. Look at the details
- where possible, we add in the web sites of these events so you can
request further information. And do let me know if you are organising any
OSHE events so that I can add them to the Diary.
Most information services have a reference shelf where you can quickly
check the reference sources - so OSHWORLD brings you a collection of Reference
sources and also how to Search the Internet.
Click onto the various Bookshops
to order any new document as they are being published. Many of these
Bookshops have a constant stream of new titles available.
Please send any suggestions or comments about OSHWORLD - your portal to
validated and authoritative information. Remember also to look at our
other really useful sites - www.sheilapantry.com
and why not make a free entry in www.shebuyersguide.com
Have a zero accident and incident-free year in 2005 in your workplace!
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