News from around the World
September 2005
Sheila Pantry, OBE
Much time is spent these days searching the Internet for validated and
authoritative information often resulting in out-of date sources. In this
fast moving world it is essential to have quick access to validated,
authoritative and constantly updated information collections. The ones
brought together and maintained by information specialists are one sure
way of getting good quality data.
As new research and new ways of working, with the attendant alterations
in products, services and technology developments means that no-one,
especially those responsible for fire, emergencies and preparedness in
workplaces of all kinds, should be without the latest information.
Information Searchers should also be aware that the myth abounding in
the world that everything is published on the Internet and is free is just
not true!
Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide, arguably the world's
premier collection of related validated, authoritative information aims to
help all those seeking such information. Emphasis is on all aspects of
fire, emergency and preparedness management principles, fire risk
assessment, practices and research.
One way to quickly gain access to legislation, guidance and advice that
is up-to-date and relevant is to take a 30-day free trial of Fire,
Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide that is focused, affordable and easy
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Published by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd., using the powerful
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connections to the outside world.
Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide is the premier collection of
validated, authoritative information and contains two major collections -
the Full Text Collection and the Bibliographic Collection.
The Full text Collection has 4 major databases containing
thousands of pages of easily searchable full text documents, which are
continually being added to, thus updating the existing wide-ranging source
of critical fire information. The collection contains all appropriate
European and UK legislation for fire and fire related industry. In
addition there is an extensive range of fire and fire related documents
from organisations such as:
- UK Government ODPM Fire and Rescue Directorate
- US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
- UK Health and Safety Executive
- Ireland Department of the Environment Fire Safety
- UK Fire Protection Association
- World Fire Statistics Bureau
- CTIF - The International Committee for the Prevention and Extinction
of Fire
The Bibliographic Collection has 7 databases which contain over
240,000 records to journal articles, guidance and advice, circulars,
reports, conference proceedings, research reports, statistics and codes of
practice from worldwide sources, all of which may be easily accessed. For
those organisations that do not subscribe to a range of journals/magazines
this is one way of ensuring that the latest news, developments and trends
are available. One of the databases - from the British Standards
Institution - contains references to over 3000 fire and fire related
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The publishers - Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd are committed to
maintaining and expanding Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide,
which is arguably the world's best collection of fire and fire related
information.
George Collins, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Institute of
Fire Prevention Officers says, "This collection of information is
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who need up-to-date consultation, guidance and advice"
Used by organisations and fire and rescue services in the UK and around
the world, Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide is set to
expand still further!
For full details of this product, please check out the list of contents
of Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide on www.sheilapantry.com
or why not take a FREE 30-DAY TRIAL OF Fire, Emergency and Preparedness
Worldwide now? Send your request for either an Internet or CD-ROM trial
now.
- A 30-day trial free of charge means that, in the case of CD-ROMs,
you will be sent the database you have requested for evaluation over a
period of 30 days. If you decide to keep the database, Sheila Pantry
Associates Ltd will invoice you.
- If you decide that you do not wish to purchase the database, simply
return it to Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd and there will be no charge.
- In the case of Internet trials, access will be timed out after 30
days.
Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick,
Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909
772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
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FIRE 2005, the UK 's number one fire conference and exhibition, is this
year focussing on crucial aspects of the protection of Britain's future.
We will be joined by experts from the fields of resilience, counter
terrorism, and natural disaster. In addition we will be examining some of
the most debated management issues within today's fire and rescue service,
such as equality, diversity, recruitment and retention.
Manchester 's G-MEX centre with all its excellent conference facilities
will play host to FIRE 2005. It is here you are invited to take part in
the many stimulating and lively conference sessions that serve to
highlight examples of good and innovative practice from across the fire
industry, with valuable lessons for public and private organisations
alike.
New this year is included a Water Safety Village , an Innovations
Centre and a Demonstration Area where manufacturers will give you the
opportunity to view their products and equipment close up and in action.
Workshops for 2005 will cover a range of highly topical issues
including arson task force, water rescue, procurement and Firelink. Each
of these workshops is designed to give you practical first hand guidelines
that can be easily taken away and implemented within your own
organisation.
The speaker line up for 2005 ranks among the best yet. We have invited
a number of prominent speakers both from within the industry and outside,
names such as Dr Carlos Urkia of the Spanish red Cross, Assistant
Commissioner Steve House of the Metropolitan Police and Mr S K Dogra,
Director of Fire and Rescue Services for Tamil Nadhu, India. The
Conference will close with the traditional exchange between the CFOA
President and the Fire Minister .
We will also be hosting our second highly coveted Fire Awards to be run
alongside the Gala Dinner at the prestigious Renaissance Hotel in
Manchester.
Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council welcomes the outcome of
the votes, yesterday, in the Industry Committee (ITRE) and the Internal
Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament
on the Commission's proposal on REACH (Registration, Evaluation
and Authorisation of Chemicals).
A broad majority made up by the three largest groups in the Parliament
(EPP, PES, ALDE) gave its support for the compromise packages. Cefic
appreciates the efforts of the major political groups to find a way
forward in a constructive manner, and considers that these efforts to seek
compromises are giving encouraging signals.
The chemical industry acknowledges that the main elements of the
compromise packages are going to the right direction. Namely, the
risk-based approach is taken into account better than in the Commission's
proposal, and the role of the Central Agency has been strengthened. The
outcome also improves the possibilities for SMEs to fulfil the
requirements of REACH; this reflects the results of the multi-stakeholder
project called SPORT (Strategic Partnership on REACH Testing), which
revealed that the REACH process, as proposed by the Commission, is too
bureaucratic and burdensome - especially for the small and medium
enterprises (SMEs).
The compromises achieved in the two Committees could pave the way for a
more workable REACH. However, Cefic believes that the REACH proposal needs
to be further improved and refined; most importantly, being the
application of a risk-based approach throughout the process, notably in
the authorisation and restriction of chemicals.
Cefic is the European Chemical Industry Council. It represents 27,000
companies in Europe, employing about 2 million people and accounting for
about one third of the world chemicals production. Further information can
be found at www.cefic.org
Contact: Thomas Jostmann, CEFIC | Tel: +3226767452 | Email: tjo@cefic.be
or
Annemaria Ojanperä, CEFIC | Tel: +3226767378 | Email: aoj@cefic.be
This is the message of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work
2005 campaign, the sixth to be organised by the European Agency for Safety
and Health at Work. The campaign coincides with the run-up to the final
date for the introduction of the new European directive on noise at work,
which must be in place in the Member States by February 2006.
The need to 'stop that noise' is evident. Millions of Europe's workers
suffer from work-related hearing difficulties. Noise-induced hearing loss
is amongst the most commonly reported occupational diseases in the
European Union, and there are concerns other than hearing loss from noise
exposure.
Noise can also cause harm in other ways: it can interact with dangerous
substances to cause harm to the ear; it can increase the risk of accidents
by affecting communication. The range of jobs and workplaces where noise
can be a problem is much broader than is commonly thought. It includes
farms, building work, classrooms, drivers, clubs and bars, musicians and
call-centre staff, as well as factories and shipyards.
To support the 'Stop that noise' campaign, the Agency is making
available a wide range of material for all those trying to make Europe's
workplaces safer and healthier, whether worker, employer, researcher or
policy-maker. This information, in all the official languages of the EU,
is provided free of charge by the Agency via its website at http://osha.europa.eu.
This magazine is part of these resources. It gives a view across Europe
of some of the work being done to protect workers. There is a description
of the new directive, how it will be implemented, and new guidance that is
being provided to help reduce risks. There are articles covering noise in
schools, offices, and concert halls, and the work being done to ensure
that effective control measures exist in the field of acoustic design and
personal hearing protection.
It is hoped that these articles will provide an insight into some
current noise-control issues and an update on some interesting initiatives
and approaches that can be taken to tackle the problem.
To see more information on preparing for European Week for Safety
and Health at Work 24-28 October 2005 see http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu
Latest Agency publications
In preparation for the European week 2005 campaign the Agency has been
busy preparing the facts on noise at work with a series of Factsheets.
Read the publications:
To see the Magazine No. 8 on Noise: http://osha.europa.eu/publications/magazine/8
This eminently practical guide is written to help all those who need to
set up a library and information service within their organization,
irrespective of subject background or type of organization. It offers
support to people who have qualifications but no experience in setting up
such a service, and those who have had no training at all.
Both authors have had many years' experience of setting up information
services for a wide range of organizations in the UK and many other
countries.
It will help enormously those who have to set up an occupational safety
and health information service wherever you are in the world.
The book will hold your hand as you tackle the many tasks and
responsibilities needed to create a successful library and information
service - irrespective of size - and takes you step by step through the
processes involved, including:
- the reasons for setting up a library and information service
- first steps: the information audit
- meeting the information needs of specialists
- establishing the library: premises, design and technical
requirements
- staffing: recruitment and management
- managing budgets and finance
- networking and locating sources of information
- acquisition, organization and dissemination: print and electronic
- services to be provided by the library
- sources of support for the library inside and outside the
organization
- promotion of the library
- training staff and users.
The book is fully supported by appendices containing useful sample
documents, including an information centre brochure and a press release.
The authors also supply lists of basic reference books and periodicals;
sources and suppliers; key search engines; and a quick guide to library
basics such as filing, repairs, loans and reference services.
This is a vital guide for anyone, whether an information professional
or not, facing the challenge of setting up a library and information
service from scratch.
The authors
Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP manages an independent information services
consultancy and electronic publishing business, including websites. She
has had a long and varied career in information management in a range of
industry sectors, and also in government as Head of Information Services
for the UK Health and Safety Executive. She specializes in worldwide
occupational health and safety information and is an experienced trainer,
writer, editor and lecturer.
Peter Griffiths BA FCLIP MCLIP is Head of Information Services Unit at
the Home Office, where he is Head of Profession for librarians and
information scientists. His responsibilities extend not only to library
and information services in the Home Office but also to an internal
reference service, knowledge management, and information support to the
research community. He is an experienced trainer, writer and lecturer.
Setting Up a Library and Information Service from Scratch
by Sheila Pantry OBE and Peter Griffiths
Facet Publishing www.facetpublishing.co.uk
ISBN 1 85604 558 7
£29.95
For other books published by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths see www.sheilapantry.com/books
Also on Amazon see www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1856045587
The intensification of work - doing more work in less time - has
affected an increasing number of workers in the European Union (EU) Member
States over the past 15 years, the Foundation's last European Working
Conditions Survey revealed in 2001. Next week, the fieldwork for the
fourth working conditions survey covering workers in 31 European countries
will start. The survey provides an overview of the state of working
conditions in Europe, highlighting trends and identifying major issues and
changes in the workplace.
'If Europe is to reach the labour market participation levels for men
and women set out in the Lisbon criteria, we need more good quality jobs,'
says Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU agency
providing knowledge and information about socio-economic progress. 'The
European Working Conditions Surveys is a unique tool that allows Europe's
decision makers to monitor and make policies for betters working
conditions. In its fourth edition, the survey has been expanded to also
cover issues related to modern forms of work organisation,
gender-sensitive issues and how people perceive their quality of work'
Starting on 19 September 2005, more than 23,000 face-to-face interviews
will be carried out with workers in the former EU15 countries, the ten new
EU Member States, the four accession and candidate countries (Bulgaria,
Romania, Croatia and Turkey), plus Norway and Switzerland. The
questionnaire covers all aspects of working conditions, including physical
environment, workplace design, working hours, work organisation and social
relationships in the workplace.
The last working conditions survey for the former EU15 countries
revealed that more than four out of every ten workers in the United
Kingdom were very satisfied with their job, including higher than average
job control and autonomy. However, one quarter of UK workers reported
working to very tight deadlines, and working hours in the UK were high
compared to other countries.
First results from the new European Working Condition Survey will be
published in 2006.
Consult the Foundation's expertise in the area of quality of work on www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/surveys
For further information, contact: Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer |
Tel +353-1-204 3124 | Mobile: +353-876-593 507 | Email: mma@eurofound.eu.int
or: John Hurley, Information Liaison Officer | Tel +353-1204 3209 | Email:
joh@eurofound.eu.int
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - IOSH is Europe's
leading body for health and safety professionals, represents 28,000
members in over 50 countries.
An independent, not-for-profit organisation, the Institution regulates
and steers the profession, maintaining standards and providing impartial,
authoritative guidance on health and safety issues has revamped its
website.
www.iosh.co.uk
The number of new jobs created through restructuring activities in
Europe is almost equal to the number of jobs lost during the second
quarter of 2005, according to the latest European Restructuring Monitor
Quarterly.
In the period April to June 2005, the figure for total job
announcements in the EU almost doubled in comparison to the first quarter
of the year, the ERM quarterly reports. During this period, some 213
restructuring cases resulted in 120,000 new jobs, mainly created in the
manufacturing and wholesale and retail industry.
New job creations almost balanced out the 142,000 job losses announced
during the same period. Among the 27 countries covered by the ERM, Romania
reported the highest number of job losses (35 job losses per 10,000
workers), followed by Hungary (17), Finland and Sweden (10 each), and the
United Kingdom (9).
'This new data from the European Restructuring Monitor confirms that
company restructuring does not necessarily always have to be bad news,'
says Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU agency
providing information about socio-economic progress in the European Union.
'We are recording an increasing number of cases where companies announce
expansion and the creation of additional jobs.'
The lion's share of these new job announcements were found in the new
EU Member States, creating new jobs mainly in the manufacturing, wholesale
and retail/repairs sectors. Poland has attracted some 24,500 new jobs,
Romania 20,600 and the Czech Republic 10,000 during the period. In all the
27 countries covered by the ERM, the highest number of restructuring
activities were recorded in Poland (70 cases), the United Kingdom (64),
Germany (63) and Romania (59),
The latest issue of the ERM quarterly examines two cases of business
expansion in more depth: BMWs decision to open a new factory in high-cost
Germany and Tesco's expansion in Poland. Restructuring in Spain is covered
in the country focus. This issue's sector focus explores the situation in
retail.
The report can be downloaded from: www.eurofound.europa.eu/emcc/erm
For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer | Tel
+353-1-204 3124 | Mobile +353-876-593 507 | email mma@eurofound.eu.int
The new online information portal is operated by the European Agency
for Safety and Health at Work and is based on the most advanced Internet
technology. The new website can be found at http://osha.europa.eu,
offering you the following services:
- You may search for information by risk types, sectors or groups
- When looking for more specialised terminology the on-line thesaurus
in 20 languages will come in handy as it groups terms by subject and
lists all the records containing the selected keyword
- You can customise the site to your own requirements in terms of OSH-topics,
languages and countries
- The Agency's "good practice section" will provide you with
cases that you may readily implement in your organisation
- You can easily navigate the national sites maintained by the
Agency's representations across Europe or any of its international
partners sites. Download any of the Agency's publications from popular
factsheets to specialised magazines from our on-line library.
- You can learn more about noise prevention by having a look at the
Agency's new noise at work web feature developed to support this
year's European Week campaign. More information at http://osha.europa.eu
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