News from around the World

News Archive

November 2005

New IOSH President Neil Budworth calls for greater public recognition

Gaining increased public recognition for the efforts of safety and health practitioners in helping to keep workplaces safe and sustainable is at the top of new IOSH President Neil Budworth's agenda. Neil, who took over the chain of office from predecessor Lawrence Waterman at the Institution's Annual Dinner on 16 November 2005, said: "We know our efforts significantly reduce the toll of accidents and work related ill health and improve business efficiency. That's why our role demands and deserves more formal recognition."

"And although individual chartered status, which came into effect today, is a step in the right direction, the onus still remains on business to recognise the importance of competent health and safety advice. Neil, speaking to an attentive audience at the Alton Towers Hotel, Staffordshire, said: "It's abundantly clear that incompetent advice leaves employees at risk and can mean organisations spend large sums of money for little additional protection."

"Work still remains for safety and health practitioners if the profession is to receive the recognition it deserves, though. Neil said he felt it was "imperative" that practitioners continued to develop their skills, especially in communication techniques: "The difference between a competent health and safety technician and a truly effective senior health and safety advisor is not their technical knowledge, but, in most cases, their ability to communicate."

Gaining the support and active backing of managers and business leaders is also key: "Strong leadership plays a vital role in developing high standards of health and safety. clear, unambiguous statements about the importance of safety, backed up by visible management commitment drive good health and safety."

Neil concluded that 2006 was going to be an important year for the safety and health profession, particularly in meeting the responsibilities that chartered status places on safety and health practitioners: "I'm the first president who is a chartered safety and health practitioner and I am the first president who can address chartered professionals. This illustrates how far we have come, but we still have a some way left to go."

Another area in which IOSH will be concentrating in 2006 is on young people at work - which is the European Commission's Agency in Bilbao 2006 theme https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/young-workers

Established in 1945 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 2003, IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals, representing over 28,000 members. Principally a UK-based body, it also has an increasing international profile, with members in more than 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. IOSH provides a centre of excellence for professional standards; promotes awareness of the importance of health, safety and sustainability; advances research and disseminates knowledge; encourages, facilitates and leads communication of information, good practice and expertise; and supports and develops the competence of members.

For more information please contact Paul Marston, IOSH media officer | Tel: +44 (0)116 257 3141 | email: paul.marston@iosh.co.uk
or: Anne Smart, IOSH media and marketing assistant | Tel: +44 (0) 116 257 3139 | email anne.smart@iosh.co.uk | www.iosh.co.uk

Over 6,000 IOSH members become Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners

Over 6,000 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) members have become the first Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners at the conclusion of the Institution's annual general meeting yesterday at Alton Towers.

Congratulations to all those worldwide IOSH Members from over 50 countries who may now use the letters CMIOSH and CFIOSH after their names. Every member of IOSH now has the choice of working towards Chartered status, and everyone who has received the title will continue to keep their skills up to date with CPD.

Chartered Status for health and safety practitioners will lead to better business decisions and safer workplaces, according to IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health).

To receive the new designation, practitioners will have to undertake Initial Professional Development (IPD) as well as enrol on mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD). An open book assessment and professional interview ensure that their skills and knowledge are fresh and kept up to date.

A recent IOSH/Macmillan Davies Hodes Survey found that 40 per cent of health and safety professionals believed CPD would help them do their jobs better. By requiring mandatory CPD, IOSH is ensuring that standards within the profession are raised to new heights. The survey also highlighted the growing number of safety and health professionals currently reporting directly to their board or governing body, now at 49 per cent.

Read more about Chartered status: www.iosh.co.uk/Membership/About-membership/Membership-categories.aspx

www.iosh.co.uk

European Noise at Work Summit concludes the 2005 'Stop that Noise' campaign on Monday 12 December 2005 in Bilbao, Spain

The first pan-European action aimed at reducing the risks of workplace noise. Health and safety practitioners, policy makers, social partners and academics from across Europe will convene in Bilbao to debate and give new impetus to tackle this significant workplace hazard.

The one-day summit is jointly organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union (EU) and it will cover both issues of workplace prevention as well as the implications of the new EU noise directive.

This major European conference brings together health and safety experts, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe to discuss the challenges and future strategies for a better control of noise at work.

Is noise at work an issue you have to address? Is your organisation prepared for the new EU directive on noise that comes into effect across Europe in February 2006?
Attendance at the conference is free of charge. Participants will have to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

The working languages of the summit will be DE, EN, ES, FR, IT.

Euskalduna Conference Centre, Bilbao, Spain
Date: Monday 12 December 2005

Participation

The number of participants is limited. Early registration is recommended. Participation is free of charge and includes a delegate's pack with full information on the summit and the 2005 European Week campaign. A buffet lunch for participants will be provided.

Working languages

The working languages of the summit will be DE, EN, ES, FR, IT.

Travel and hotel accommodation

Participants have to cover their travel and accommodation expenses.

For detailed enquiries please contact the summit secretariat: ERCISA, S.A. - S.A. - Summit Secretariat, Telesforo Aranzadi, 2 - 1º Dcha. 48008 Bilbao, Spain | Tel: +34 94 410 41 77 | Fax: +34 94 410 19 10 | Email: congresos@ercisa.com

Jorma Karppinen has been appointed by the European Commission as Director for the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU-agency

Jorma Karppinen, born 1948 in Finland, is currently Director of Business Development at Metso Automation Ltd in Helsinki, Finland, a global automation systems manufacturing company, where he previously held the posts of President of Energy Automation and then President of Process Automation Systems. With an academic background in engineering and technical physics, including a doctorate in technology in 1979, his career spans positions in scientific research, marketing and development, and senior management with Nokia Electronics, Afora Ltd and Fortum Engineering Ltd.

'This is a great opportunity for me to contribute to European competitiveness, job creation and quality of life, and to use my experience in international business and in different work cultures for the benefit of the European social model,' Jorma Karppinen said. 'Further strengthening of the Foundation's important work and role in improving living and working conditions in Europe will be an important goal. I am looking forward to work with the excellent team in its highly cross-cultural environment at the Foundation.'

Through his extensive experience in business development and management, Jorma Karppinen has developed a comprehensive understanding of the industrial changes facing Europe today. Jorma Karppinen has first-hand experience of implementing industrial restructuring projects, taking part in labour union negotiations, and participating in European works council meetings. Throughout his working life, Mr Karppinen has travelled widely and has developed a global view of the living and working conditions of many different countries.

Jorma Karppinen hopes to take up his new post as Director of the Foundation in December 2005.

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions is a tripartite EU body, whose role is to provide key actors in social policymaking with findings, knowledge and advice drawn from comparative research. The Foundation was established by Council Regulation EEC No. 1365/75 of 26 May 1975. The Foundation is located in Dublin, Ireland.

For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer | Tel: +353-1-204 3124 | Mobile: +353-876-593 507 | Email: mma@eurofound.eu.int

More news and information from the Foundation is available on: www.eurofound.europa.eu

To register for regular information from the Foundation www.eurofound.europa.eu/press/eurofoundnews/subscription.htm

Australasia 2006 iETRI World Conference on Global Disaster Management and Response

1 & 2 March 2006, Rydges Jamison Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Hosted by Global Crisis Center.Com (UK) Ltd., in association with NSW Fire Brigades.

Who Should Attend?

This Conference program is primarily designed to address the needs of all levels of Emergency Disaster Management and Response providing immense benefits to:

• fire and rescue emergency management personnel
• law enforcement personnel
• emergency medical personnel
• emergency planners and major event organisers
• utility managers
• emergency communications and IT personnel
• public works management
• public health personnel
• military officers
• managers within voluntary and governmental disaster response agencies
• political leaders

Conference Program - "Beyond the Horizon - Are We Really Prepared?"

This year's conference theme undertakes an intensive review of all aspects of disaster management and response, including many different paradigms for successfully managing the 21st century major or catastrophic incident induced by either "mother nature" or asymmetric terrorism.

Speakers

The Importance of Getting it Right - Managing the Disaster - Failure is not an Option
Greg Mullins, AFSM, ChFl, FIFireE,
Commissioner of the New South Wales Fire Brigades', Australia

Executive Command Logic (ECL) Management for Urban Collapse Devastation
Geoff Williams QFSM, ChFl, CIETecRI, MIFireE,
President of the International Emergency Technical Response Institute (iETRI), Scotland , UK and Director of International Operations- Global Crisis Reconnaissance Teams.

"Water, Water Everywhere!" - Preparing for Flood & Swift Water Rescue Operations
Randy Corbin BA, EFO, CFOD, AIETecRI
Vice President of TWL's FETN and LETN

Critical Dates

• Early Registration - Deadline 23 December 2005
• Early Sponsorship Registration - Deadline 3 January 2006
• Sponsorship Registration - Deadline 15 February 2006
• Accommodation Bookings - 10 February 2006

Conference Managers

GPO Box 128, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia | Ph: +61 2 9265 0700 | Fax: +61 2 9267 5443 | Email: IETRI2006@tourhosts.com.au

CIS* hosts IPCS Meeting to peer-review International Chemical Safety Cards ILO Headquarters, Geneva, 17-21 October 2005

Twenty eight international experts from 13 countries** plus representatives from the European Commission, the International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) met in Geneva from 17 to 21 October 2005 within the framework of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) (www.who.int/ipcs/en) to review some 100 International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs). The meeting was organized by the CIS and supported financially by the IPCS. It brought together chemical safety specialists, toxicologists, and environmental and emergency response professionals from national health and safety organizations and research institutes.

The IPCS, established in 1980, is a joint activity of three international organizations: the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The ICSC project is being developed in the context of the cooperation between the IPCS and the European Commission.

Using standard phrases, the ICSCs are an important element in national chemical safety systems and in international cooperation efforts in chemical safety. They provide information on the intrinsic hazards of specific chemicals together with first aid and fire-fighting measures and precautions for spillage, disposal, storage, packaging, labelling and transport. They contain essential safety and health information on chemicals for use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other workplaces. They may be used in training activities and are often the principal source of information in less developed areas or in small and medium size enterprises. They help to disseminate data on the hazards posed by chemicals to human health and the environment.

The Cards are prepared by the IPCS Participating Institutions (PIs) and go through several steps of consultation and editing. This meeting, held twice a year in the country of one of the PIs, represents the final step in the process when the Cards are peer reviewed. The Cards are translated into 15 languages (including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese as well as many European languages) and are available on various Internet sites including that of CIS (www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/index.htm).

The Cards have a place in the Global Programme of Action under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and they also link into a number of IPCS activities, in particular work on the precautionary statements to be used within the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The next ICSC peer-review meeting will be held at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) in Łódź, Poland, in April 2006.

* CIS: International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre.
** Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States of America.

For more information, contact the CIS, International Labour Office, Geneva (cis@ilo.org) or consult www.ilo.org/cis

Revamped RSI database aims to reduce repetitive strain injuries

A new database expanding and updating existing information on important Court judgments in repetitive strain injury (RSI) cases, will be of direct and immediate benefit to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who funded it, and to legal and health professionals working in the field RSI, trade unions, insurers and designers. The longer-term aim is reducing the number of sufferers from this debilitating industrial injury.

The work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) database has free access to users who register on www.humanetechnology.co.uk/registered/intro.php and provides details of judgments including the factors that Courts considered important in reaching their decisions, the degree of care exercised by employers and the amount of damages awarded to claimants.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI, also and more accurately known as upper limb disorder) is a term for musculoskeletal problems affecting the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or neck. These conditions are widespread across a range of industries and jobs, and can be caused by forceful or repetitive work, poor posture or other factors. Computer use and assembly work are frequently associated with ULDs but there are other tasks, which may have higher risks.

It is estimated that in 2004/05 nearly 375,000 people in Great Britain suffered from a musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Many working days are lost across a wide range of occupations.

John Price, HSE MSD Programme Manager said: "HSE is supporting this work as it can use this information to help write guidance, which can be interpreted correctly and consistently by employers, employees and the courts. This database is one of several tools that the HSE can use to help evaluate the effectiveness of regulations and guidance."

The database will benefit all those with an interest in work-related RSI, including employers, trade unions, occupational health professionals, lawyers, expert witnesses in medicine and ergonomics, insurers, and people with RSI. This project is part of HSE's ongoing programme of biomedical research and supports the HSE Musculoskeletal Disorders Programme, which aims to reduce the incidence of work-related illness involving musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce the number of working days lost.

The earlier work to establish the database was also funded by HSE and carried out by Loughborough University. Full details of the findings can be found in HSE's research report RR010 'How the Courts are interpreting HSE guidance and health and safety regulations: An exploratory study of Court Judgements in personal injury claims for WRULDs'.

For general information about preventing RSI, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders, visit www.hse.gov.uk/msd

For detailed advice on how to prevent RSI and help sufferers back to work, see guidance booklet 'Upper limb disorders in the workplace' (HSG60, ISBN 0-7176-1978-8. This is available from HSE Books, price £9.50).

Copies of HSE publications are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1787-881165 | Fax: +44 (0)1787-313995.

The publication is NOT available on HSE website.

Nanotechnology first on the agenda at BOHS 'Occupational Hygiene 2006' Annual Conference to be held from 25 - 27 April 2006, at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle-upon-Tyne

BOHS is delighted to announce that its 2006 Annual Conference will be opened by Dr Andrew Maynard delivering the keynote Warner Lecture, "Nanotechnology: the next big thing, or much ado about nothing?" Dr Maynard is the Chief Science Advisor for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies which is located at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the US. The Project was created in partnership with the Pew Charitable Trusts. Its aim is to help businesses, governments, and the public anticipate and manage nanotechnology's possible health and environmental implications.

Previously with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Dr Maynard was highly influential in developing its ground-breaking nanotechnology research programme on the health effects and control of occupational ultrafine and nanotechnology-related aerosol exposure. Originally trained as a physicist at Birmingham University, and after completing a Ph.D. in ultrafine aerosol analysis at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge University, Dr Maynard joined the HSE's aerosols research group before moving to the US. His expertise spans all aspects of aerosol characterisation, from occupational aerosol sampler design to state-of-the-art nanoparticle analysis, as reflected in over 40 peer-reviewed publications.

In addition to the Warner Lecture, Professor Jon Ayres will be giving a talk on the possible health effects from exposure to ultrafine particles and there will be further presentations over the course of the Conference, including risk assessment of inhaled particles using a physiologically-based mechanistic model and the measurement of nanoparticles.

Occupational Hygiene 2006 is the pre-eminent conference in this field in Europe, bringing together leading UK, European and international researchers, practitioners and regulators. A three-day programme includes sessions on all the major themes and emerging issues in occupational health and hygiene, as well as a wide choice of topical workshops.

The professionally cosmopolitan environment of the Conference provides excellent scope to meet fellow hygienists and peers from related professions throughout all sectors of industry, and the associated exhibition, running alongside, presents a range of suppliers of services and equipment.

The preliminary programme will be available on the BOHS website, www.bohs.org by the end of November, when the on-line booking facility will also open.

Want to be a better OSH campaigner?

Are you doing a great job out there campaigning for safer workplaces, but would like to have new skills so you can do the job that bit better? A new charity, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, has opened nominations for its inaugural awards scheme, offering training fellowships to emerging campaigners.

It says it is keen to hear from union safety campaigners, who could apply under the 'health and social care' category. The six award winners will receive a 10-day training package, including: One-to-one mentoring - the chance to learn from an experienced campaigner; the opportunity to shadow people in positions of influence, for example senior figures from politics, the civil service, journalism, research and academia, voluntary sector management, marketing and fundraising; and skills development training.

Sheila McKechnie, who described herself as 'a fully paid up member of the awkward squad', cut her campaigning teeth nationally as health and safety officer of the union ASTMS, later MSF and then Amicus. She went on to become director of Shelter and the Consumers' Association.

Sheila McKechnie Foundation website: www.smk.org.uk

For further information, contact the foundation | Email: info@sheilamckechnie.org.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7770 7822

The Sheila McKechnie Awards: your key to unique campaign support

The Sheila McKechnie Awards offer training fellowships to emerging campaigners through identifying people with outstanding vision and potential. We believe we can help individuals to achieve greater impact by awarding a 10-day package of bespoke training and advice, which includes:

• One-to-one mentoring from an experienced campaigner
• The chance to shadow senior figures from politics, the civil service, journalism, research and academia, voluntary sector management, and fundraising and marketing
• Skills training days
• The chance to share experience and expertise with your peers

To find out more and see if you are eligible to apply check out the Sheila McKechnie Foundation website: www.smk.org.uk.

Just how up-to-date are you with your OSH information?

Keeping up-to-date in worldwide occupational health, safety, hygiene, road safety, water safety, environment trends and the latest information can be time consuming. Do budget constraints not allow you to buy all the latest journals, newsletters and documents that contain the latest information? Can't afford the time to search for the latest information, legislation and standards? No staff to search for this information? And no time yourself to spend hours searching for information?

Then this newly launched, very affordable Internet based service OSH UPDATE, from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd is the answer for you. Powered by Head Software International's Headfast/Discovery Internet publishing software, OSH UPDATE containing over 535,000 references is now available and is updated monthly see www.oshupdate.com.

OSH UPDATE just grows and grows each month.

OSH UPDATE records has links to the full text where possible - this is all done for you!

It currently contains ten bibliographic databases from worldwide authoritative sources:

• UK legislation database - links all the references dated from 1987 direct to the full text - i.e. majority of content of this database
• UK Health and Safety Executive HSELINE - we have added over 1700 full text links to HSE's own documents
• UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
• Publications from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work we have made all the references link direct to full text
• NIOSHTICS US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), strong on full text links - to their own documents and also to some journals
• Canada Ryerson University RILOSH
• CISDOC the International Labour Office CIS Health and Safety Centre database has many full text links especially to ILO documents and in the last couple of years
• ILO Recommendations, Protocols and Conventions has all links to the full text
• European Union legislation has links to full text for the majority of the references
• OSH standards specifications including those from the British Standards Institution.

OSH UPDATE will expand - we are continuing to make agreements with other well-known information producers around the world and these databases will also be included. As well as the latest information, many reference sources go back 80 or more years and so a valuable tool for researchers, trainers and practitioners.

This new aggregation of databases contains thousands of relevant references with abstracts or keywords and will keep you and your colleagues alerted to hot topics such as the health risks of nanotechnology, corporate killing and corporate social responsibility, bio-terrorism, management of road risks, preparedness and business continuity and risk assessment.

The title price for a single user via the Internet is GBP250.00 / Euros 360.00 / US$ 450.00 per year - less than 68 pence / 1 Euro / 1.2 dollars per day

The price* (see below for further details) reflects our aim to bring health and safety guidance, Advice, research, journal articles, papers, standards to the attention of health and safety practitioners and managers, researchers, trade union safety representatives, occupational physicians, information specialists in industry, colleges and universities, government staff, inspectors, university and college safety directors, university and college lecturers and those in training - at a cost that is affordable and a service that is time efficient.

A user in Finland says "OSH UPDATE it is excellent and easy to use".

A Hong Kong multi user group says "it is what we need to keep us up-to-date".

A busy UK consultant says "it is very useful, and saves me a lot of time from having to search many sources elsewhere".

An Information Officer from the UK says "that there is always some information in OSH UPDATE helping to answer the most difficult of enquiries".

Why not take a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL of OSH UPDATE and see for yourself.

If you are interested in taking up this service on trial please email/fax with your details, or contact us to ask further questions.

Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP, 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 | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com
Electronic Products: Environment and Waste Plus | Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide | OSH Ireland | OSH UPDATE

*Subscription for one year of OSH UPDATE

• Single user GBP250.00 / Euros 360.00 / US$ 450.00 per year
• 2 - 4 simultaneous users GBP375.00 / Euros 540.00 / US$ 675.00 per year
• 5 - 8 simultaneous users GBP500.00 / Euros 720.00 / US$ 900.00 per year
• 9 - 12 simultaneous users GBP750.00 / Euros 1080.00 / US$ 1350.00 per year
• 13 - 16 simultaneous users GBP1000.00 / Euros 1440.00 / US$ 1800.00 per year
• if more simultaneous users are required then please ask price