CIS Newsletter

No. 168
September 2003

CIS Newsletter celebrates 15 years & still going strong! Bringing news to over 135 countries in the CIS Network

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. News from the ILO
  3. Canada
  4. France
  5. UK
  6. Australia
  7. USA
  8. News from around the world
  9. Ireland
  10. Singapore
  11. OSHE web sites
  12. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

Greetings to all of you working in the health and safety world......as you will see there is considerable amount of new information to share with you this month. I hope you enjoy the variety of news this month. Read about:

As usual, many thanks to all the contributors to this edition of your Newsletter - all news however small is most welcomed. If you are planning any publications, seminars or training courses then please send your details to me so that we can share your efforts with others. Don't forget to send me your latest news! And please share this newsletter with others.

Many of the ideas in the publications and also the events cold perhaps with some "localisation" be transferred to your own country.... don't re-invent the wheel.!

Over 100 individuals and organisations have let me know that wish to receive the Newsletter by email....if you wish to join just let me know and I will send it. CIS newsletters can be found on www.sheilapantry.com click onto CIS Newsletters!

Perhaps your own website will want to link to them?

EUROHSE2003 Don't forget the very important EurOhse2003 conference to be held in London UK, on 4 and 5 November 2003 - click onto www.eurohse2003.com for details. The conference looks Forward and the speakers from around the world will be addressing the future of health and safety. Book now and be in the vanguard!

Best wishes to you 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

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

News from the ILO

Health and Safety Culture Sustainable Development through Responsible Corporate Citizenship /CSR Düsseldorf, 27 - 29 October 2003: International Conference organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) The Concept of Global Compact and the linkages to Health and Safety

The Global Compact, a UN initiative aiming at making globalisation more stable through enterprise commitment is a new approach for sustainable development. Launched in 2000, it is based on nine major principles encompassing human rights, labour standards and environmental sustainability.

The ILO's Declaration on fundamental principles and rights is therein considered as a universal standard.

ILO's Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork) has organised this conference to further discuss the implementation of the labour protection aspects of a decent working environment in a globalised world.

Initiating, establishing and implementing a Health and Safety Culture at national level requires the active participation of all parties involved. Labour inspectors, supply chain managers and safety and health experts will need to create new synergies for implementing an effective labour protection system.

INCHEM from IPCS

CIS Headquarters would like to remind you that thousands of chemical safety documents are available for free at the International Programme on Chemical safety (IPCS) INCHEM service see www.inchem.org

News from Europe

Latest publications are

OSHmail no. 29 2003 : Electronic newsletter from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

This edition includes: Factsheet 41: Biological agents; Factsheet 40: Skin sensitisers information on EW 2003: European Week 2003. New web features cover: People with disabilities; Changing World of Work; Guide to the 6th Framework programme; Good Practice Forums; European Union News EU - List of EU funded research projects on occupational health and related issues under the 5th Framework Programme.

Electronic newsletter from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work OSHmail 29 - 2003

OSHmail is published every two weeks in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

http://osha.europa.eu/en/news/oshmail

Risk assessment for small fishing vessels

Fishing is one of the most dangerous of professions. The risk of an accident is 2.4 times greater in the fisheries sector than the average of all European Union industry sectors. Working in difficult environment, with long and irregular shifts can increase the range, likelihood, or severity of work-related illness and accidents suffered by workers.

The purpose of the Factsheet 38 from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is to assist those with health and safety duties reduce the risk to workers in this dangerous industry.

Contact: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via, 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain | Tel: +34 944 794 360 | Fax: +34 944 794 383 | http://osha.europa.eu

News from Canada

The Canadian Health Network

One of the latest pieces of information is "Oh, my aching backpack!" which details concerns about the weight of your children's backpacks as they stumble out the door on their way to school.

The Canadian Health Network is brought to you by Health Canada and major health organisations across Canada.

www.canadian-health-network.ca

Health Canada Online

Health Canada Online is the single point of entry into the Canadian Federal Department of Health where you can keep on top of breaking news including health advisories and warnings, learn about new developments in health research and disease, and visit the Healthy Living and Just for You sections for practical advice and tools to help improve your health.

www.hc-sc.gc.ca

IRSST 5 New Research Projects Summer/Autumn 2003

The following new research projects

099-228 Louis-Philippe Boulet and Marc Desmeules / Hôpital Laval
Induced sputum analysis in silicosis and asbestosis: correlation with pulmonary function

Asbestosis and silicosis are among the most common types of pneumoconioses and can be associated with a progressive deterioration of pulmonary function. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) technique is used to attempt to measure some potential markers of evolution in the disease. However, this technique is invasive and difficult to repeat. Scientists want to compare the analysis of BAL with that of secretions obtained by the induced sputum (IS) technique in order to check for the possible presence of certain predictive markers of changes in pulmonary function and their correlation with the severity of the pneumoconioses. Thirty workers with an asbestosis diagnosis, 30 others with a silicosis diagnosis, and 15 with no lung problems will take part in the study. The results should provide information on the contribution of these two techniques in determining the severity of and predisposition to a deterioration in pulmonary function following the development of asbestosis or silicosis. Ultimately, the researchers hope to have predictive techniques of pneumoconiosis for asbestos and silica workers.

99-288 Michel Gérin / Université de Montréal
Study on solvent substitution with benzyl alcohol, propylene carbonate and ethyl lactate

In Québec, more than 150,000 workers are regularly exposed to organic solvents. Their flammability and toxicity as well as environmental protection are prompting companies to attempt to replace these products. It is in this context that new replacement products are appearing. This project attempts to produce a compendium of knowledge on three of these products: benzyl alcohol, propylene carbonate and ethyl lactate. These compendiums will take into account the occupational health and safety, environmental, and technical aspects necessary in evaluating their use as substitutes for traditional solvents. They will be intended mainly for industrial hygienists, industrial physicians, other occupational health and safety specialists, and companies that can refer to them to carry out an actual substitution project. Six monographs on an equal number of substitution products have already been produced by this team and published by the IRSST.

099-172 Thumb strength and mobility in workers with De Quervain's tenosynovitis: evaluation and impact on hand performance

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is one type of wrist tendinitis and involves inflammation of the tendon sheath of certain thumb muscles. Its symptoms, namely significant pain as well as a reduction in thumb and wrist strength and flexibility, interfere with common activities. This condition, often associated with repetitive work and with a high risk of chronicity, is becoming increasingly common, particularly in workers in the meat packing industry and manufacturing sectors. From 1995 to 1999, hand and wrist tendinitis cost the CSST more than $3 million, approximately one third of which was in medical care and rehabilitation. The researchers will evaluate the potential of two new devices for measuring loss of hand and wrist strength and mobility in individuals with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Once these instruments have been validated, they can be used to document the effectiveness of existing rehabilitation treatments, as well as to test new therapeutic approaches, and to evaluate other thumb and wrist conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

099-193 Estelle Morin / École des Hautes études commerciales. Meaning of work, mental health at work, and organizational commitment

Cases of work-related mental health problems are of increasing concern. Recognising the signs of stress in workplaces is of prime importance so that action can be taken in the organization before the situation deteriorates. Work that has meaning for an individual has energising effects on his health and promotes his commitment, while work that does not have or no longer has meaning drains his energy. In the framework of this project, a team will attempt to determine the factors related to the meaning of work (the usefulness of the work, ethics in work, the pleasure of accomplishment, self-reliance, recognition, and the quality of work relations) that have an impact on the psychological well-being of people and their commitment in the organization. The research will be carried out in two public organizations and two private companies using questionnaires administered to the employees and semi-structured interviews in sectors targeted by the investigation. Analysis of the responses should allow a general diagnosis and recommendations to be formulated, capable of favourably affecting the negative factors.

099-291 André L'Espérance
Noise reduction in day care centres by reducing the reverberation time: analyses and case studies

More than 16,000 employees in day care services and close to 85,000 children are exposed daily to often excessive noise levels that may exceed 90 decibels over short periods. In response to a request from the Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail du secteur affaires sociales (ASSTSAS) and the CSST, the company Soft dB inc. was given the mandate to determine the impact of reducing the reverberation time on noise reduction and to propose effective and economical solutions for it. After measuring the acoustical characteristics of the premises of some twenty day care centres, the company will propose solutions that will be implemented in some ten centres, which will subsequently be validated. The data collected and the results obtained will be used as a basis in producing a guide for early childhood centres and day care centres on how to reduce noise on their premises. This guide will be produced and distributed by ASSTSAS in collaboration with the CSST.

For further details contact:

INFO IRSST www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/en/InfoIrsst/Archives/InfoIRSST_v01n5.htm

See also other information such as Press releases and New publications on www.irsst.qc.ca

Jacques Millette, Communications Division, IRSST, 505, de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montréal, P. Québec, Canada H3A-3C2 | www.irsst.qc.ca | Email: Communications@irsst.qc.ca

News from France

France and Québec sign a co-operative occupational health and safety agreement

Concerned about ensuring the optimal development and wide dissemination of the scientific knowledge necessary for preventing industrial accidents and occupational diseases, the Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (INRS) and the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) have agreed a partnership framework agreement at Québec's Government House in Paris.

Signed by the INRS director general, Jean-Luc Marié, and by the IRSST president-CEO, Diane Gaudet, in the presence of Québec's delegate general in Paris, Clément Duhaime, this agreement will promote more extensive Franco-Québec exchanges in scientific research in occupational health and safety.

Sharing of resources

The framework agreement establishes the parameters for bilateral activities in research and expertise that will lead to the signing of specific partnership agreements. First, the INRS and IRSST are demonstrating the desire to pursue joint research work on tool, machine and industrial process safety.

Confident about the expertise that they have each developed, the INRS and IRSST expect to come to an initial partnership agreement on forklift safety. In France as in Québec, forklifts are the subject of several studies because of the many injuries suffered by operators during rollovers or accidents that are increasing the occupational accident toll.

Ms. Gaudet and Mr. Marié said that they are convinced that the sharing of human and financial resources will allow the two institutes to maximise the development of scientific knowledge on a pertinent and priority issue, by avoiding duplications and particularly by promoting a regrouping of the expertise available on both sides.

The two organizations are already exploring the possibility of signing a second specific agreement on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, a research field whose importance continues to grow. Ms. Gaudet and Mr. Marié wanted to state that both ethically and in scientific evaluation, all joint projects will be presented and approved on the basis of the rigorous evaluation mechanisms in effect at the INRS and IRSST. Other avenues of cooperation that can be anticipated include the organization of thematic meetings, participation in the organization of international colloquia or conferences, the production of publications, or even the preparation of training courses on subjects of common interest.

Annual meeting

The French and Québec institutes agree to organise an annual meeting or videoconference to discuss the orientations and management of scientific research carried out as a result of this framework agreement. While assessing the advancement of their respective research activities, the INRS and IRSST will also be able to evaluate opportunities for new partnership projects or research possibilities with other institutes. Questions such as the promotion of research results, the development of common strategies, or even the exchange of researchers or the organization of practical placements for students may also be discussed. Ms. Gaudet and Mr. Marié said that they were delighted by this first "milestone" whose results can only further the development of knowledge in the best interest of French and Québec workers and employers.

Source : INRS Service de presse (33) (0)1 40 44 30 90 | IRSST Communications Division (514) 288-1551 .

News from the UK

Amendment of the UK Asbestos Prohibition Regulations

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has announced an amendment to the Asbestos (Prohibition) Regulations 1992, which affects the importation of products containing asbestos and which came into force 15 August 2003.

The amendment modifies the existing ban on importing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), so that only those where the asbestos has been intentionally added are prohibited from being imported. Minerals for which specific concerns have been expressed over asbestos impurities include olivine, vermiculite, talc, dolomite, hermatite, iron ore, basalt, marble, chrome ore, magnetite and wollastonite. This brings the importation ban into line with the existing prohibition on supply and use of ACMs, and will ensure that the UK meets obligations under European single market regulations.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which can be found in a wide variety of bedrock, usually only in tiny quantities. Before this amendment the importation ban applied to anything containing asbestos, including those minerals and aggregates that include a small amount as a naturally occurring impurity. This meant that the importation of many minerals from areas where tiny amounts of asbestos are found in the bedrock was technically illegal, irrespective of the level, or the risk, involved.

Another unintended affect of the existing legislation was that the UK was in breach of the European Union's single market rules. This was because the ban on the supply and use of such products in the UK only applied where asbestos had been intentionally added, whereas the same products imported into the UK were banned even when the asbestos was only present as an impurity.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is using this opportunity to highlight the duties on companies that supply or use products containing minerals that could be affected. The advice will emphasise that even quite small amounts of asbestos in a material may give rise to a real risk from asbestos fibres, if it is subjected to a high-energy process like sand or grit blasting, which could cause fibres to be released. For companies supplying or using any of these minerals, HSE is issuing the following advice:-

Suppliers

Many producers and importers of mineral products already carry out comprehensive testing to prevent materials containing significant quantities of asbestos getting into the supply chain. HSE is now asking all mineral suppliers to re-evaluate their regular sampling regimes to ensure that any asbestos is detected and quantified. Where asbestos is found the material should not be sold unless the amount is trivially small. Even in those cases suppliers must inform their customers that trace quantities of asbestos may occasionally be found in their products. This will allow the "high-energy" users to take appropriate precautions or consider alternative materials.

Users

Any users of these materials are also advised to contact their suppliers to confirm that testing is being done to determine whether the material contains any asbestos and what the test results are. If asbestos is present they should look again to see if their control measures to protect the health of their employees are adequate. In the case of high-energy users, e.g. abrasive blasting, HSE advises that this review should include air monitoring to measure the concentration of any fibres which may have been liberated by their processes. In some cases users may wish to consider switching to alternative materials or processes.

The Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 are available from The Stationery Office, PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN | Tel: 0870 600 5522 | Fax: 0870 600 5533 | Email: book.orders@tso.co.uk | online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

A baker's dozen: new guidance for the bakery industry

A baker's dozen: Thirteen essentials for health and safety in bakeries' from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides practical and legal guidance for management and supervisory staff in bakeries as well as those with health and safety interests in bakeries.

The HSE has identified certain priority topics requiring special attention as they lead to the highest rates of injury and ill health in bakery workers: -

  1. Manual handling/musculoskeletal disorders
  2. Slips and trips
  3. Occupational asthma
  4. Workplace transport
  5. Falls from height
  6. Noise

In addition to these topics the 106 page A4 book also contains useful guidance on other hazards found in bakeries, such as bakery machinery, confined spaces, fire and explosion, electrical safety and risks in cleaning.

As well as providing practical solutions to health and safety problems, such as examples of local exhaust ventilation equipment suitable for controlling dust at bakery processes, the guidance also covers the relevant legal requirements and standards that apply; for example, it lists the harmonised European standards that apply to different bakery machines and summarises the main requirements.

Finally, the book gives advice on arrangements for accidents and emergencies, covering accident/ill health reporting requirements under the Reporting of Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, First Aid and Emergency procedures.

Richard Morgan from HSE's Agriculture and Food Sector said "This guidance will assist the bakery industry in managing health and safety priorities. It draws together into one book a lot of useful information from previous HSE publications and from practical industry experience. The book has been written in liaison with the Health and Safety in Bakeries Liaison Committee, which is a tripartite HSE/industry/ and trade union committee that identifies priorities and produces guidance for the bakery industry."

Copies of 'A baker's dozen: Thirteen Essentials for health and safety in bakeries', HSG 233, ISBN 0 7176 2616 4, price £13.50 can be ordered online at www.hsebooks.co.uk and are also available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1787-881165 | Fax: +44 (0)1787-313995.

Meet MAC: new ways to help protect workers' backs

The Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC) to help managers identify high risk manual handling jobs has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive. Details on the website www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac. Employers, safety reps, health professionals and members of the public should find this site useful as it provides up to date information on health and safety relating to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) - the general name for conditions such as back pain and RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

Over a million people a year suffer from a MSD caused or made worse by work and in 2001/2002 it is estimated that about 37% of over three day injuries reported were due to manual handling. The MAC is designed to help make easy and accurate assessments of three different types of operation: lifting, carrying and team handling. For each task it helps you go through the risk factors and record a risk rating - green, amber, red or purple - on a score sheet. The rating indicates which jobs are more likely to put workers health at a greater risk.

Graham Reeves, part of BP's Health and Safety team, was one of the first to try out the MAC. "We were pleased to help develop and use this new tool based on HSE's current guidance. I found that the MAC was not only quick and effective but also helped me to decide the level of risk associated with each factor.

"The MAC allows you to 'score' an assessment which means you can rank individual assessments, decide which are the greatest risks and take action on these first."

Richard Wheatcroft Senior Environmental Health Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: "The MAC has proved to be an invaluable tool in assessing manual handling activities. The exercise has really consolidated officers' competence in assessing manual handling activities. The MAC's success lies in its straight-forward approach."

Malcolm Darvill, Head of Ergonomics policy at HSE said: "On the website you can test out your own practical risk assessment ability by scoring some real manual handling tasks and then comparing your scores with an ergonomics expert. The website also offers users practical tips to reduce risks of MSD injury."

The website also contains case studies, main guidance relating to MSD, links to other useful sites, research on MSD and answers questions on issues such as risk assessment, display screen equipment use and manual handling. The information on the site will be updated regularly.

The MAC forms part of HSC's Priority Programme on MSDs. The Priority Programme aims to reduce the incidence of work-related illness involving musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce the number of working days lost due to these disorders. HSC/E aims to achieve the targets in the Programme by communicating effectively with all stakeholders (such as employers, employees and their safety representatives, and health professionals) to encourage ownership of the plan and its outputs, keeping them informed, and giving them opportunities to contribute, revising the strategy as necessary.

The MAC was originally designed for HSE and Local Authority inspectors. However, employers, safety representatives, safety officers and others, may find it useful. HSE undertook reliability and usability studies to ensure that it was suitable for public use. The MAC does not provide a full 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment and must be used in conjunction with the assessment procedure laid out in the guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: guidance on regulations (L23) ISBN 0 7176 2415 3 £8 from HSE Books www.hsebooks.co.uk. A revised version of the guidance will be available in spring 2004.

News from Australia

NOHSC declares the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition

The National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] is now available on the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's (NOHSC) website.

At its meeting in April 2003, NOHSC declared under the NOHSC Act, the National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] (MSDS Code). The MSDS Code forms part of the Hazardous Substances Framework, which has been identified by NOHSC as one of the seven priority areas covered by national standards.

The objective of the MSDS Code is to provide guidance on the preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets. An MSDS is a document that describes the chemical and physical properties of a material and provides advice on its safe handling and use.

The revision of the MSDS Code addressed various technical elements and facilitates Australia remaining consistent with international approaches to hazard communication. However, the major focus of the revised MSDS Code is to incorporate the information provisions of the National Standard for the Storage and Handling of Workplace Dangerous Goods [NOHSC:1015(2001)].

As required under the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985, public comment was sought on a proposal to review the MSDS Code. The review of the public consultation exercise showed that the revision of the MSDS Code should align with international developments in hazard communication.

In declaring the MSDS Code, NOHSC decided that it should not come into effect under Commonwealth, State and Territory regulations until 24 April 2006. This will minimise the impact on industry and allow time for the Commonwealth, States and Territories to amend their regulations.

Notification of the declaration appears in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette of 23rd July 2003 and the Commonwealth Chemical Gazette of 5th August 2003. From the 23rd of July 2003, the 2nd Edition of the MSDS Code will be available on the NOHSC web site at: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Pages/Publication.aspx

The 2nd Edition of the MSDS Code is available on the NOHSC web site.

For more information contact Michael Mulrine, Senior Communication Officer, NOHSC | (02) 6279 1037 | email: michael.mulrine@nohsc.gov.au

News from the USA

OSHA issues eTool on baggage handling ergonomics

Airline employees, including ticket agents and ramp agents, handle passenger baggage at several points throughout the baggage handling process. The body postures, repetitions, and forces required to lift, lower, push, pull, or carry passenger baggage can create potentially serious ergonomic hazards for the agents.

This eTool* produced by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes many of the common hazards associated with the baggage handling process as well as providing possible solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the operations.

For full details and graphics contact www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/baggagehandling/index.html

News from Canada

One out of every 10 Canadian adults had a repetitive strain injury (RSI)

This is serious enough to limit their normal activities in 2000/01, according to a new study published in Health reports, which shows that RSIs are affecting a growing number of adults.

An estimated 2.3 million people aged 20 or older reported having had an RSI at some point in the 12 months prior to their participation in the Canadian Community Health Survey, for which data collection began in September 2000.

This marked an increase in the prevalence of RSIs during the late 1990s. In 1996/97, 8% of adults reported the problem, according to the National Population Health Survey. The proportion hit 10% in 2000/01. Work-related activities were most often the cause.

Repetitive strain injury is an umbrella term for a group of disorders usually caused by repetitive movements that affect the muscles, tendons and nerves. Unlike other injuries, which occur at a single point in time, RSIs develop over an extended period.

In 2000/01, men and women were almost equally likely to report an RSI, although since 1996/97, the percentage of women sustaining such injuries rose faster than the percentage of men. For women, the increase was from 7.9% to 10.3%, compared with an increase from 8.2% to 9.9% for men.

Injury characteristics vary between men and women

Most repetitive strain injuries affected the upper body. About 25% were in the neck or shoulder. Another 23% occurred in the wrist or hand, followed by the back (19%) and then the elbow or lower arm (16%). The remaining 17% involved a lower extremity or unspecified body part.

To see the summary in Statistics Canada web site www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/030812/d030812b.htm

The full article, "Repetitive strain injuries," appears in the August 2003 issue of Health reports, Vol. 14, no. 4 (82-003-XIE, $15/$44; 82-003-XPE, $20/$58), now available. For more information about this article, contact Michael Tjepkema (416-952-4620; michael.tjepkema@statcan.ca), Health Statistics Division.

News from the UK

Second HSE Blitz on falls from height in construction

UK HSE Inspectors will be out in force visiting construction sites across Great Britain during September, checking on falls from height risks. This follows a similar blitz held in June and is part of the second phase of 'Don't Fall For It', a Europe-wide campaign aimed at reducing falls from height in construction.

In 2002/03, 33 construction workers died and many thousands more suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injury and the second most common cause of major injury to employees.

In announcing this second blitz Kevin Myers, Chief Inspector for Construction said that inspectors would be looking to see an improvement in how the industry is managing work done at height, compare to the results of first blitz held in June. He said:

"Falling from height is the biggest killer in this industry. During the blitz in June, HSE Inspectors saw many examples of people using innovative and safe forms of access methods and equipment. However we still had to serve enforcement notices at one third of the 1446 construction sites visited. Clearly, the message of how to reduce falls from height is not yet understood by everybody working in this industry. Given that most fall from height accidents are preventable, there is no excuse for not ensuring that all work being carried out at height is done safely. This second national blitz should act as a reminder of how important it is to further improve the management of fall from height risks on construction sites if we are to continue to reduce fatal and major injuries."

As part of the 'Don't Fall For It' campaign, HSE Books has released a new video, A head for heights, which is aimed at the construction industry and can be used to explain to everybody on site the risks of working at height and how they can be safely managed.

During the construction blitz, inspectors will be focusing on making sure that where work at height is taking place or planned a proper assessment of the risks has been carried out and the hierarchy of controls have been considered. For instance, inspectors will be looking to see that:

In addition, inspectors will look to ensure that only competent contractors are used for work at height and that all jobs have been properly planned and thought through.

The national construction falls from height blitz will be taking place over two weeks from Monday 8 September 2003. In London, the blitz is being extended across other industries with HSE inspectors looking at fall from height risks at workplaces including industrial estates, airports, hospitals, schools, window cleaning operations and factories as well as construction.

'Don't Fall For It' is a European Union campaign on falls from height in construction. The European Commission's Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee (SLIC) has agreed to undertake this campaign on falls from height risks in the construction industry in 2003. All member states will be participating in the campaign.

A head for heights video ISBN 0 7176 2217 7, priced £25 + VAT can be purchased from HSE Books at PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881 165 | Fax: +44 (0)1787 313 995 | www.hsebooks.co.uk

News from the USA

US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

The latest edition of NIOSH's Enews contains a range of news items. www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews. For a Printer Friendly version www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/pdfs/enewsv1n5.pdf

NIOSH has also issued an easy-to-read fact sheet on respirator use and selection as part of emergency preparedness at home. Available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators

Other information includes

New Study Finds Emergency Responders Feel Inadequately Protected Against Terrorism

Labor Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Since September 11, 2001, this mission has encompassed an added dimension, that of countering the catastrophic threat of terrorist attacks in the occupational setting. NIOSH works closely with diverse outside partners to advance that mission, making the workplace more secure against the threat of terrorism.

Drawing from its technical expertise in meeting traditional occupational safety and health challenges, NIOSH has advanced new methods, techniques, and resources to bolster preparedness for emergency responders, employees, and businesses:

An additional online database, currently under development, will provide guidance on controlling chemical, physical, radiological, and biological hazards.

Information on Heat Stress and Electrical Safety

While many businesses and employees were affected by the power outages that occurred on August 14 in the Northeast and Midwest, the situation was particularly dangerous for the men and women working in the hottest part of the year without air conditioning. Additionally, during the power recovery, electrical repair workers and others faced potential risks as electricity returned to power lines and to heavy machines with moving parts.

As New York and other areas recovered from the massive outage, NIOSH posted useful information on these two topics on our home page. Information on heat stress can be found on the Heat Stress Topic Page www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress

For more information on electrical safety, visit the topic page www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumaelec.html

Hearing Device Protector Compendium Now Available Online

The new NIOSH Hearing Protector Device Compendium is now available for online use. Based solely upon data submitted by manufacturers, the updated compendium offers several new features. The new online database is searchable by product type, manufacturer, and Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).

Also, for each protector type search, the database is searchable by product features, such as helmet-mounted earmuff, custom-molded earplug, or foam earplug. Additionally, if the user enters a noise exposure level, the database will calculate the attenuation needed to provide a protected level between 75 and 85 decibels (dBA) using the NIOSH derating factors and a list of hearing protectors will be generated. There is a special page of information for hunters and shooters. The tutorials on how hearing protectors are tested for rating, how the ratings are calculated, and how to use the ratings have also been updated. There are links to each manufacturer's web site. The database is downloadable as an Adobe .PDF file.

The website will constantly be updated as manufacturers provide data about new products so that users have access to the latest products.

The compendium website is www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/hpcomp.html

A recent NIOSH-funded study by the RAND Science and Technology Policy

NIOSH finds that emergency responders feel inadequately protected against the dangers of chemical, biological and radiological terrorist attacks. This groundbreaking study is based on interviews with 190 first responders from 83 organizations across the United States. Collectively, the emergency responders interviewed agreed that measures can be taken to reduce these risks, including:

NIOSH is helping to disseminate the report to inform stakeholders and to guide its own program for research on personal protective equipment and other protective measures. To view the full report, go to www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/guidancedocs/rand.html

Mining Fact Sheets

One-page mining fact sheets covering a variety of topics of general interest relating to mining operations, workers, fatalities, nonfatal lost-time injuries, and occupational illness. Nine fact sheets are currently available www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/facts.htm

Metalworking Fluids topic page

A new NIOSH website Topic Page provides a concentrated resource on metalworking fluids (MWFs) and a convenient portal to additional information. MWFs are used to reduce heat and friction and to improve product quality in industrial machining and grinding operations. Some 1.2 million workers are potentially exposed to MWFs resulting in a variety of health effects. For more information on this topic, including information on NIOSH recommended exposure limits and NIOSH published documents on MWFs, visit the topic page www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/metalworking

NIOSH Enewsletter is published monthly via email by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to inform members of the public health community as well as interested members of the general public of Institute related news, new publications, and updates on existing programs and initiatives.

NIOSH eNews www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews

News from Ireland

New EIRO comparative report: New technology and the respect for private at the workplace

The use of new information and communication technologies (ICT) at the workplace has increased rapidly in recent years, highlighting the need to address issues of workers' privacy and employers' need to control and monitor the use of ICT at European level.

The latest comparative report from the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) examines one specific issue raised by the growth of ICT at work, the relationship between internet/e-mail use at work and respect for workers' privacy. It highlights the need for clear regulation at European level by mapping and comparing the differences in existing European and national law on workplace privacy, and it offers the views of the social partners.

While the European Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and national data protection legislation clearly spell out the privacy rights of the individual, the rules and regulations governing privacy at the workplace is based on a confusing web of guidelines and individual agreements at company level, often compromising either the individual worker's or the employers' rights.

The dangers of conflicting interests on either side of the employment relationship have grown sharply over the last few years, given the increased use of ICT at the workplace and at all stages in enterprises' activities. To what extent may a worker use ICT equipment for private reasons given that a general, absolute ban on any use of the internet for other than professional reasons does not appear realistic in an information/communication society?

Read the full comparative report on www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2003/07/study/TN0307101S.html

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 policy making 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 European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) is an online web service by the Foundation which monitors industrial relations in all EU Member States, Norway and currently four candidate countries (Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia). More information about the Foundation is available on www.eurofound.europa.eu/about

Further information regarding information from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions - contact Mr. Måns Mårtensson, press officer | tel: +353-1-204 3124 | mobile: +353-876-593 507 | Email: press.officer@eurofound.eu.int

News from Singapore

THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT (AMENDMENT OF SECOND SCHEDULE) ORDER 2003

The Ministry of Manpower has amended the Second Schedule of the Workmen's Compensation Act to include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as one of the compensable occupational diseases. Under this amendment, workmen's compensation is payable to employees engaged in manual labour (regardless of monthly earnings) or engaged in non-manual labour and earning $1600 or less per month who have contracted SARS in the course of employment in the following occupations:-

  1. Workers in the healthcare sector involved in the medical treatment or nursing of person(s) suffering from SARS, as well as in service ancillary to such treatment or nursing;
  2. Workers in any sector involved in identification, detection, tracing, isolation, detention, supervision or surveillance of person(s) suffering from SARS;
  3. Workers engaged in research on SARS, or in service ancillary to such research; or
  4. Workers involved in laboratory, post-mortem, or funeral services work, where there is contact with human bodies or other materials which is a source of SARS infection, or in an occupation ancillary to such employment.

The amendment, namely the Workmen's Compensation Act (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order 2003, will come into effect on 19 May 2003.

Any SARS-infected employee covered by the Workmen's Compensation Act whose occupation is not specified in the Amendment Order may also be eligible for workmen's compensation if it is shown that the infection was due to a specific injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment. Such claims will be considered on a case by case basis.

News from the UK

Northumbria University School of Law LLM European Union Law By Distance Learning

This course offers a flexible dynamic approach to study a range of EU Law subjects. It is particularly valuable for anyone involved or interested in the activities of the European Union.

Core and Optional Subjects

Flexible Study with Support

Distance Learning Programme supported by an optional study week at the School of Law and (subject to demand) in Brussels. Students receive detailed study packs, guidance and access to electronic legal databases. Diploma in 18 months or 2 years for the LLM starting in September of each year

For further information Contact: School of Law | +44 (0)191 243 7320 | http://law.northumbria.ac.uk

Fire Service Back New Training Programme for the Hotel Industry

CACFOA, The Chief & Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association have Endorsed 'Fire Safety 1st', a new fire safety training programme aimed at improving safety standards in establishments providing accommodation for tourists and business travellers.

The new programme is the result of a partnership between the North West Tourist Board, Cheshire Fire Service, disability access specialists Access Unlimited and Access-Ability and media production company TVA. For the first time ever the needs of disabled guests have been integrated into a broader programme of fire safety training. The training package includes a 25 minute video which covers Fire Prevention, Action in an Emergency and How to Identify and Use Fire Fighting Equipment.

The unique aspect of the training is its validation and certification process. After viewing the video trainees complete a multiple choice questionnaire. Questionnaires returned to TVA for validation entitle trainees to written feedback on their performance and if they achieve the required standard, a certificate of course completion endorsed by CACFOA. Establishments that use Fire Safety 1st in their staff training also receive a certificate.

More than 40 delegates from the tourism industry, fire service and organisations representing the disabled attended the launch at Oulton Park in Cheshire. TVA Director Alan Davies said: "It was a challenge to ensure that the needs of all parties involved in this initiative were integrated into the programme, but we believe that this has been achieved successfully and that it will have a major impact on the knowledge of those working in this sector of the Hospitality Industry. We are delighted that CACFOA have endorsed the programme and in doing so created a certification scheme that will be recognised nationwide".

The complete training package cost £98.00 + VAT. More information can be found at www.tva.co.uk/firesafety

Contact: Alan Davies | Tel: +44 (0)1423 531727 or 07831 117314 | Fax: + 44 (0)1423 567727 | Email: mail@tva.co.uk

OSHE web sites to explore.........

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work: Healthcare sector    SPAIN
http://osha.europa.eu/en/sector/healthcare
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work guide to occupational health and safety advice for those working in the Healthcare sector. Covers all the main risks facing health care workers from musculoskeletal problems, chemicals, gases etc to accidents at work.

United Nations Environment Programme: Chemicals    SWITZERLAND
www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/iguide/coverpg.html
United Nations Environment Programme Internet Guide finding information on chemicals.

Going Public on Performance    UK
www.gopop.org.uk
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) new report Going Public on Performance that looks at the websites of Britain's top 350 companies and found that only 129 included health and safety information (excluding data in website annual reports). Of those, 123 reported on policies and principles, 77 on performance data and 64 on their health and safety targets. Only 13 of these sites was the information judged "very easy to find".

Department of Trade and Industry: Work Life Balance    UK
www.dti.gov.uk/work-lifebalance
Department of Trade and Industry's guide to work-life balance campaign. Contains details of what is work-life balance what it is, case studies and Frequently Asked Questions

Trade Union Congress: Safety Representatives    UK
www.unionreps.org.uk
Trade Union Congress (TUC) Safety Representatives web site contains bulletin boards, newsletters, directory, events to help safety representatives.

Trade Union Congress: Work Life Balance    UK
www.tuc.org.uk/changingtimes
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) Changing Times is for companies interested in improving the work-life balance for their employees. The site has step-by-step process for implementing more flexible working policies.

National Radiological Protection Board: Radiation    UK
www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/understand/at_a_glance
National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) website on understanding radiation - what it is, doses from discharges, medical radiation, lasers and more.

Diary of Events

25 September 2003 - Emergency Response- why you need to be prepared Seminar
Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3ED, UK
Contact: Chemical Hazards Communication Society (CHCS), PO V Box 222, Lymington, Hampshire, UK | Fax: +0 7000 790 338

6-10 October 2003 - International Symposium of the ISSA International Section on Education and Training in the Field of Prevention of Accidents
Quebec City, Canada
Contact: ISSA, General Secretariat, 4 route des Morillons, Case postale 1, 1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland | Tel: +41 22 799 66 17 | Fax: +41 22 799 85 09 | Email: issa@ilo.org | www.issa.int

14-15 October 2003 - Workshops on the cause, impact and prevention of occupational asthma
Regents College Conference Centre, Regent's Park, London, UK
Contact: British Occupational Hygiene Society, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1332 298101 | Email: admin@bohs.org | www.bohs.org

14-15 October 2003 - SHE Solutions 2003
Harrogate International Centre, Yorkshire, UK
Contact: SHE Solutions 2003, c/o Expo-Systems, Park House, Greenhill Crescent, Watford, Herts WD18 8EX, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1923 690 632 | Fax: +44 (0) 1923 690 680 | www.she-solutions.co.uk

20-21 October 2003 - Balancing Occupational Health, Safety and Environment: Today's Skilled Practitioner: Australian College of Occupational Health Nurses Annual Conference 2003
Mary Aikenhead Conference Centre, Cnr Victoria Pde and Nicholson St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Contact: ACOHN, Administrator, PO Box 1205, Tullamarine VIC 3043, Australia | Tel: +61 3 9335 2577 | Fax: +61 3 9335 3454 | Email: admin@acohn.com.au | www.acohn.com.au

11-12 November 2003 - Managing Fatigue and Shiftwork in Mining Conference - Towards a risk-based approach
Hunter Valley Gardens, NSW, Australia
Contact: Australia Journal of Mining | Tel: +61 2 9080 4307 |Fax: +61 2 9290 3844 | Email: registration@informa.com.au | www.theajmonline.com

13-14 November 2003 - National Rehabilitation Conference - Leading the way in Injury Management Balancing Occupational Health, Safety and Environment
Parliament House, Canberra, Australia.
Contact: Comcare | Tel: +61 2 6292 9002 | Fax: +61 3 6292 9000 | Email: confco@austarmetro.com.au | www.comcare.gov.au

6-10 December 2003 - Improving occupational hygiene in SMALL business: 21st Annual Conference of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists
Hotel Hilton, Adelaide, South Australia.
Contact: AIOH Conference Committee | Tel: +61 8 8303 495 | Fax: +61 8 8303 495 | Email: aioh2003@aioh.org.au

7-11 December 2003 - Healthy Buildings 2003
Organized by the National University of Singapore, Singapore
Contact: Integrated Meetings Specialist Pte Ltd, 1122A Serangoon Road, Singapore 328206, Singapore | Tel: +65 62955 790 | Fax: +65 62955 792 | Email: secretariat@hb2003.org

2004

2-4 March 2004 - IMHX 2004 - The International Materials Handling Exhibition
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK
Contact: Turret RAI plc, Armstrong House, 38 Market Square, Uxbridge, Middx. UB8 1TG, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1895 454545

11-16 July 2004 - ICTX - 10th International Congress of Toxicology
Tampere, Finland
Organized by the Finnish Society of Toxicology and the International Union of Toxicology.
Contact: Congreszon, Itälahdenkatu 22 A, 00210 Helsinki, Finland | Tel: +358 9 58409 350 | Fax: +358 9 58409 555 | Email: ictx2004@congreszon.fi | www.ictx.org

2005

18-23 September 2005 - XVIIth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work
Orlando, Florida, USA
Contact: 2005 World Congress Customer Relations Department, National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL 60143-3201, USA | Tel: 1 202 293 2270 ext 465 | Email: careyl@nsc.org | www.safety2005.org

EUROHSE2003

Don't forget the very important EurOhse2003 conference to be held in London UK, on 4 and 5 November 2003 - click onto www.eurohse2003.com for details. The conference looks Forward and the speakers from around the world will be addressing the future of health and safety. Book now and be in the vanguard!