CIS Newsletter

No. 185
February 2005

CIS Newsletter celebrates 17 years & still going strong! Bringing news to over 137 countries in the CIS Network

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. FOCUS - ILO World Congress
  3. News from Portugal, Israel, ILO Conference
  4. New Series: Hot Topics - Information on Disasters
  5. News from around the World - Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, European Agency, ILO, Korea, Romania, South Africa, Spain, UK, USA
  6. OSHE web sites
  7. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

The year moves on and more details are appearing on the ILO Congress website www.safety2005.org - full programme, speakers, travel and visa information etc. You are reminded that to gain entry into the USA you will need to get your visa applications in very early. The web site http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html give all the details including the waiting time.

ILO World Congress to be held on 18-22 September 2005 in Orlando, USA with the 2005 Annual CIS Meeting most probably Sunday 18 September 2005. CIS HQ are contacting the organizers to ascertain room /date availability.

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You should inform the CIS HQ as soon as possible if you intend going to the Annual Meeting in the USA.

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Some people have already mentioned that travel to the USA may not be possible and taking up the discussions at the 2004 Brussels CIS meeting where some people wanted to have Regional Meetings. I have had some feedback and there is strong support for a European Meeting. URGENTLY, if you are interested let the CIS HQ know and also send your replies to this Newsletter - so that they can be communicated in the forthcoming editions.

Many thanks to you have sent emails and news. As always these are always gratefully received and are used as soon as possible. You will see that many are preparing for the work this year in many ways.

If you are planning any publications, conferences, 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! It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world.

You know I welcome ideas for inclusion in the future editions of this Newsletter. Let me know if there are any areas you would wish to see covered in future.

URGENT
More of you will be getting the CIS Newsletter by email... I have checked against the published list that CIS HQ provided and where an email number exists will send the Newsletter to that address and cross you off the mailing list for the printed version. Remember you will get the news at least 3 weeks earlier than the printed version!

IF FOR ANY REASON YOU STILL NEED THE PRINTED VERSION PLEASE LET ME KNOW
MY CONTACT DETAILS ARE BELOW.

Remember you can see CIS Newsletter on the web site www.sheilapantry.com/cis where back issues are stored.

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

Remember >>>>
Surviving in 2005... By promotion, publicity and telling the World that CIS and its network exists!

All good wishes to you, your families and your colleagues.

Sheila Pantry, OBE

85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +441909 771024
Fax: +441909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
www.oshworld.com
www.sheilapantry.com
www.shebuyersguide.com

FOCUS: ILO World Congress

Travelling to the ILO Congress in Orlando Florida USA

Advice from the US Government web site...

Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. If you plan to apply for a non-immigrant visa to come to the United States, we know you'd like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa. See our "Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointment" information below.

It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy's Consular Section website, http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Consular Websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

You'll also want to know how long it will take for your non-immigrant visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a decision is made by a Consular Officer to issue the visa, and the visa is available for pick-up by you or the courier at the embassy. See the "Wait Times for a Non-immigrant Visa to be Processed" information, which does not include time required for special clearances and administrative processing. Some visa applications require additional special clearances or administrative processing, which requires some additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. Applicants are advised when they apply. When additional special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

News from Portugal

Graça Nunes writes...

I am writing to inform you that there have been some changes in the IDICT - Instituto para o Desenvolvimento e Inspecção das Condições do Trabalho (Institute for the Development and Inspection of Working Conditions).

This institute has been replaced by two new organizations: ISHST - Instituto para a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde no Trabalho (Institute for Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work) and IGT - Inspecção Geral do Trabalho (General Labour Inspection).

From the 1st of February I will be working at IGT - Inspecção Geral do Trabalho (General Labour Inspection).

I wouldn't want to leave without saying goodbye and thanking you all for your collaboration. It was a pleasure and a great honour to have been part of this important information network.

I would like to keep in touch for the future. My email will remain the same for the meantime, as we will still be sharing the same server for a while.

Once again, thank you all very much and I hope to keep hearing from you.

Best regards,

Graça Nunes graca.nunes@idict.gov.pt

________________________________________

Editor Sheila Pantry writes:

We are very sorry to hear that Graça is moving away from the CIS network. Many CIS Members have known Graça for a long time.

CIS is losing one of its great supporters and we thank Graça for all her contributions at the various workshops and meetings held in the many locations over the years and also her news items have always been greatly appreciated.

Things are always changing in all organisations and countries - so I am sure that all CIS colleagues join me in wishing Graça all the very best for her future work...good health, safety and happiness.

News from the ILO... International Labour Conference

In June 2003, the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the International Labour Organization in Geneva held a general discussion based on an integrated approach on "ILO standards-related activities in the area of occupational safety and health." The discussions that took place stressed the need to give higher priority to OSH at all levels.

The resulting Conclusions www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/ilc/ilc91/pdf/pr-22.pdf

(page 38-39) provide that a new instrument establishing a PROMOTIONAL FRAMEWORK in the area of OSH should be developed on a priority basis. An item has been placed on the agenda of the 2005 ILC and the development of this instrument will normally spread over two sessions of the ILC (2005-2006).

Why a new OSH instrument besides the two main OSH existing conventions (155 and 161)?

Substances and processes, as well as techniques, are constantly changing. It is thus necessary to have international standards that are sufficiently flexible to adapt to change and that provide for the periodic review of national policy as well as measures adopted at the national level in the light of current technical progress and advances in scientific knowledge.

What is expected from the June Conference is a PROMOTIONAL FRAMEWORK INSTRUMENT for OSH which will facilitate the establishment of mechanisms for a systematic and continual improvement of national OSH systems and programmes. It will also encourage the development of a safety culture with strong leadership and visible commitments to high OSH standards, generalized safety consciousness and an openness to build on lessons learned.

CIS Centres have a key role to play in the process of knowledge development, management and dissemination as well as in the promotion of a safety culture and of OSH in workplaces.

To get the full documents, please see the following links and click on the respective language:

www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/promoframe.htm

www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/integrap/survindex.htm

News from Israel: Who will watch out for workers' health?

Israel's funding-starved National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health has closed.

The institute's 35 researchers and experts provided vital services, including air monitoring for materials hazardous to workers' health and blood and urine tests for workers who are exposed to dangerous substances. '

This is the largest institute looking out for workers' health in Israel,' said Professor Dan Michaeli, head of the association that operated the institute. 'It conducted studies that no one else did or will do. It's the central data reservoir on occupational diseases, and the only institute academically recognised to train occupational doctors.'

Occupational safety and health experts warned that closing the institute will expose thousands of workers to risks that can cause diseases and disability in 10 or 20 years' time. Dr Asher Pardo, head of the institute's occupational hygiene department, said the staff used to conduct 30,000 monitoring studies every year in hundreds of workplaces. 'We were the law's watchdogs. It's painful that they didn't realise how important this is,' he said.

www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/530490.html

HOT TOPIC: Information Resources on Disasters

With regard to the recent tsunami in South Asia, the following is a list of resources related to occupational safety and health issues. Information on other ILO's concerns associated with disaster response and reconstruction are also included.

www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/oshworld/news/tsunami.htm

News from around the world

Meeting on Labour Inspection in Forestry

A Tripartite Meeting of Experts to Develop Guidelines for Labour Inspection in Forestry took place in ILO headquarters from 24 to 28 January 2005.

The Meeting, composed of 15 experts, considered and reviewed the publication Draft guidelines for labour inspection in forestry

The Guidelines raise some of the main issues and general principles of labour standards and their inspection in the forestry sector. They are aimed at three main users: (a) labour inspectors/certifiers; (b) forest managers; and (c) training and educational organizations responsible for training both forest management staff and inspectors.

The Guidelines are based on the ILO Conventions and Recommendations and make use of the existing interpretations of these, in particular the ILO Code of practice on safety and health in forestry work, Social criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, and Approaches to labour inspection in forestry.

Following the meeting of experts, it is planned that the Guidelines will be widely disseminated by the ILO, and social dialogue activities encouraged and facilitated to put them into practice around the world.

For further information you may visit the ILO Sectoral Activities pages.

www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/oshworld/news/ilo-mt-1.htm

EurOhse2005 conference: creating a winning OSH culture - time to book your place

Angel Business Publications and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd are delighted to announce that EurOhse2005 conference will be held on 30 November 2005 - 1 December 2005 at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, UK. The programme will be published very shortly. Speakers are being confirmed.

Some of the Topics include:

www.angelbc.co.uk

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work: The business case of safe and healthy work

New Agency report identifies 10 occupational safety and health criteria that underpin 'corporate social responsibility'. Another study finds strong links between the quality of work and productivity.

An analysis of a cross-section of Europe's leading proponents of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has highlighted the key ingredients of an effective CSR strategy, including 10 occupational safety and health (OSH) issues that need to be taken into account.

The research, which is published by the Bilbao-based European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, is based on a study of European businesses, ranging from multinationals such as Volkswagen to small- to medium-sized enterprises, such as the UK computer training company, Happy Computers. Entitled Corporate social Responsibility and Safety and Health at Work, the 126-page report not only pinpoints the 10 key OSH ingredients needed for CSR but also provides analysis of 11 businesses' CSR activities, as well as an overview of initiatives to promote CSR at a global, European and national level.

Some of the 10 OSH criteria for CSR success include:

As the report notes, the commercial impact of a well-structured CSR strategy, including OSH, can be significant. At Happy Computers, for example, the company has not only managed to grow in a declining market but also achieved an annual staff turnover of just 8%, half the industry average.

The Agency has also published a working paper that explores the relationship between OSH and a company's productivity. Entitled Quality of the Working Environment and Productivity, the findings of the study indicate that there is a strong relationship: the higher the OSH standards, the higher the productivity. And vice versa. In some cases, a good safety record can even be used to predict future profitability.

According to the study, factors that enable higher OSH standards to translate into increased productivity include: close cooperation between the company's management team and its employees; giving staff greater autonomy and more challenging tasks; and introducing more ergonomic working methods and equipment.

"Both reports - on corporate social responsibility and productivity - underline the importance of treating improvements in occupational safety and health as an investment in competitiveness, not as a cost," says Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, the Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. "They clearly show, that such improvements can make a significant contribution to a company's financial health, as well as to the personal health and safety of its employees: it's a win-win situation for everyone."

The report, Corporate social responsibility and safety and health at work can be downloaded free of charge from http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/210/en/index.htm. A summary factsheet in the 20 EW languages is also available at http://osha.europa.eu/publications/factsheets. Printed copies of the publications can be ordered from the Publications Office of the European Communities (http://publications.europa.eu) and its sales agents.

The report Quality of the working environment and productivity (working paper) can be downloaded free of charge from http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/211/en/index.htm

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao - Spain | Tel: + 34 94 479 4360 | Fax: + 34 94 479 4383 | Email: information@osha.eu.int

http://osha.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/050121_CSR

News from Germany: Brochure BG Research of the HVBG

This brochure presents the activities of the three Institutes (BIA, BGAG und BGFA) operated und funded by the Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften (HVBG, Federation of institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention), and the ways in which extra-mural research is funded. The wide range of disciplines and the strict orientation towards the needs of the BGs ensure that the research subjects are addressed in an interdisciplinary und practical fashion.

The brochure can be ordered in German and in English by Email: Heinrich.Giesler@hvbg.de or www.dguv.de/content/research/brochure

If you have further questions, please contact: | Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitsschutz (BGIA), Central division, Ina Neitzner | Phone: +49 2241 231-2721 | Fax: +49 2241 231-2234 | Email: ina.neitzner@hvbg.de

Chromium VI in cement: new COSHH regulations in the UK

New restrictions on the amount of chromium VI in cement came into force on 17 January 2005.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (COSHH 2004) will prohibit the supply or use of cement which has a chromium VI concentration of more than 2 parts per million. As well as cement itself, the restriction will apply to a wide range of products that contain cement such as mortars, grouts, tile adhesives etc.

This legislation is being introduced to help prevent allergic contact dermatitis, a potentially serious condition that can lead to permanent disability, which can occur when wet cement containing chromium VI comes into contact with the skin. While construction workers such as bricklayers, tile layers, and workers laying concrete floors are likely to be at most risk, this condition can occur in members of the public who use cement or products containing cement without taking proper precautions.

From 17 January 2005 manufacturers will have to add a reducing agent to their products to bring chromium concentrations down to permitted levels (2 parts per million). In addition, they must provide information on safe shelf life, as the reducing agent is only effective for a limited period.

Although virtually all uses of cement are covered by this ban, cement and cement products produced and used in controlled and closed systems are exempt from this restriction.

Manufacturers and suppliers will be taking urgent steps to comply with the new law as soon as practicable, in order to eliminate the risks from allergic contact dermatitis. However, it may take time for all "undosed" products to work their way through the supply chain. In any event, even

cement that is properly dosed with reducing agent will continue to have the potential to cause ill health due to its irritant effects and highly alkaline nature. Users are therefore being reminded how important it is to continue to avoid all skin contact with cement and cement products, using the correct PPE at all times.

HSE has worked closely with industry, including the British Cement Association (BCA), the British Adhesives and Sealants Association (BASA) and other company representatives on the new Regulations. Recently, HSE and BCA set up a Task Force representing a broad range of stakeholders to develop agreed approaches to the new chromium VI restrictions, and also on the other hazards of cement.

Bill Macdonald, HSE's spokesman on skin disease reduction said: "By the simple step of reducing the levels of chromium VI in cement and cement products, these Regulations should make allergic contact dermatitis, caused by skin contact with wet cement, a thing of the past. But the fact remains that wet cement can still cause serious burns if it comes into contact with the skin. So, whilst this change is good news, it doesn't mean that cement is now "safe". Our message to users is: treat this material with respect if you value your skin".

Further information on COSHH can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm and information on skin is at www.hse.gov.uk/skin/index.htm

Statistics on dermatitis and other skin disorders is at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/dermatitis

Copies of 'The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004', S.I. 2004/3386, ISBN 0110514076, price £3.00 are available from HMSO; see www.hmso.gov.uk

US NIOSH and ASSE Renew Partnership

On December 17, 2004, NIOSH and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) signed an agreement extending their formal partnership to improve workplace safety and health in the U.S. NIOSH and ASSE pledge continued collaboration to provide outreach, communication and professional development opportunities, and to facilitate the transfer and use of effective workplace injury prevention measures. The original agreement established a one-year formal partnership. The new agreement extends the partnership for an additional three years, demonstrating that NIOSH and ASSE have been pleased with the results of their collaboration.

For example, as a result of the initial agreement signed on October 23, 2003, ASSE members participated in the NIOSH Steps to a HealtherUS Workforce Symposium held earlier this year, and ASSE has appointed a NIOSH representative to serve on the ASSE Foundation Research Subcommittee that reviews and recommends research proposals for funding by the Foundation. More information on the agreement can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-12-17-04.html

NIOSH Researches the Human Cough

NIOSH researchers are developing an innovative cough recording machine. They are conducting tests to determine whether the computerized device will detect work related lung disorders by recognizing differences in human coughs.

When someone coughs into the machine, the sound pressure wave and airflow patterns are recorded. Based on these measurements, several cough parameters are calculated and the difference between parameters of normal subjects and subjects with lung disorders are used to train a computerized system called a neural network classifier. The trained classifier can then be used to distinguish between newly tested normal subjects and subjects with lung disease. The system is currently scheduled to be evaluated as a new method for detecting lung disease in the workplace. For further information on this ongoing research, contact Jeremy Day, NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division, at JDay2@cdc.gov.

BOHS 'Occupational Hygiene 2005' Conference 19th to 21st April at the Manchester Conference Centre

Occupational Hygiene 2005 - the pre-eminent conference in this field in Europe, organised by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) - brings 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.

Professor James Vincent, of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, will open the Conference with the keynote Warner Lecture; Dick Heederik from the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University and the winner of the prestigious Bedford Prize (which is awarded bi-annually for the most outstanding paper in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene) will present an update of his winning paper on OELs for high molecular weight sensitizers. Another highlight will be a session hosted by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF) on its recently launched occupational asthma guidelines.

The 2005 Conference coincides with the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) at the University of Manchester. The COEH is the oldest academic occupational health department in the UK, and as part of its celebrations has organised a special exhibition, "Hazard! Health in the workplace over 200 years", at the People's History Museum. BOHS is helping to support it through funding and input, and the Conference programme includes an opportunity to go along.

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 full programme and registration form is available on the BOHS website, www.bohs.org, or by telephoning BOHS on 01332 298101. An early-bird reduction in fee applies for those who book before Friday 4th March 2005, and all non-BOHS members paying the full conference fee will be granted complimentary Society membership until 31st December 2005.

Contact: Anthea Page, Communications Officer, BOHS, Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LT, UK | Email: anthea@bohs.org | Tel: +44 (0) 1332 298101.

HSE announce new tool for SMEs to assess their health and safety performance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched a new web-based tool to assist SMEs track and assess how well they are managing their own health and safety performance supported by the DTI's Small Business Service.

The Health and Safety Performance Indicator (The Indicator) can be accessed at www.hspi.info-exchange.com

The Indicator was developed to help SMEs regularly assess their health and safety performance. E.g., from one year to the next. It is also intended to help companies tell their insurers how well they are managing health and safety so they can more accurately calculate insurance premiums based on individual performance.

Development of the 'Indicator' involved HSE working closely with key stakeholders including the Department for Work and Pensions, the Small Business Service, the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurance Brokers Association and the Federation of Small Businesses.

The development of the 'Indicator' arose in part from the Government's review of Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance in 2003. In the report of the review Government called on HSE to develop a tool, for SMEs in particular, which would enable insurers to determine levels of insurance premiums that better reflected how well those employers were managing risks

to health and safety and show HSE's continued commitment in helping businesses to improve their health and safety performance.

Speaking at the time of the launch of the 'indicator' Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair said,

"The Indicator is intended to be a tool to aid health and safety - showing how well businesses are performing. People don't have to use it. But we hope it will prove useful and that is what will drive it forward - in doing so, guiding people to give health and safety proper consideration. And thereby aligning with the Commission's strategy to get risks properly managed and giving rise to a culture of risk prevention that is to the benefit of all, including SMEs.

The HSC have made clear their belief that insurance premia need to better reflect how effectively employers are managing risks to health and safety. Good performers should not have to bear the burden created by poor performers. We believe that the 'indicator' has the potential to assist this goal."

Peter Staddon, Head of Technical Services at the British Insurance Brokers Association has said:

"BIBA is encouraged to see the hard work of the HSE coming to a head for the SME sector. The index should serve as a good platform for individual SMEs to be judged on their own merits."

Jonathan Hollow, Portal Editor for www.businesslink.gov.uk said: "We are pleased to have been involved with HSE and DWP in the development of this key Health and Safety tool for SMEs. The tool addresses issues that can cost businesses dearly if they fail to address them, and we believe it will be of great value to small businesses in improving their Health and Safety, benchmarking their performance against other small businesses and eventually helping to reduce their insurance premiums."

HSE is also currently developing a Corporate Health and Safety Performance Indicator (CHaSPI) for use by large organisations. Similar to the 'indicator', the aim of CHaSPI is to assist large organisations measure how effectively they are managing risks to health and safety and to put that information in a form that can inform key external stakeholders including investors, insurers, trade unions and their members and the public. Also like the 'indicator', CHaSPI is being developed as an electronic tool and will be accessible via the web from May 2005.

www.hspi.info-exchange.com

WHO occupational health website

The World Health Organisation has launched a new occupational health website. An online newsletter, GOHNET - Global Occupational Health Network - can be downloaded at the site. WHO addresses occupational health through a programme in WHO headquarters, the six WHO regional offices and WHO country offices, with the support of a network of 70 collaborating centres.

WHO says it is implementing a global strategy to: Provide evidence for policy, legislation and support to decision makers, including work carried out to estimate the magnitude of the burden of occupational diseases and injuries; provide infrastructure support and development through capacity building, information dissemination and networking; and support protection and promotion of workers' health.

WHO says it also assists countries to develop or upgrade their national occupational health profiles and action plans and to create the capacity to implement the plans.

www.who.int/occupational_health/en

WHO occupational health Web site in three languages

The WHO Web site dealing with occupational health exists now in English, French and Spanish.

WHO addresses occupational health through a programme in WHO headquarters, the six WHO regional offices and WHO country offices, with the support of a network of 70 Collaborating Centers.

WHO is implementing a global strategy to:

WHO also assists countries to develop or upgrade their national occupational health profiles and action plans and to create the capacity to implement the plans.

Between 2001-2004 WHO developed and implemented a workplan in collaboration with the WHO Network of Collaborating Centres. The workplan organizes the Collaborating Centers into 15 Task Forces that carry out projects in priority areas, supporting the implementation of the global strategy.

www.who.int/occupational_health/en

GOHNET (Global Occupational Health Network) newsletter

Call for contributions to the GOHNET newsletter

Deadline for manuscripts: 15 June 2005

Deadline for manuscripts: 15 November 2005

How to contribute

How should I go about writing my article?

Articles should be written as for an intelligent, educated but non-specialist audience, as the majority of readers will not necessarily be familiar with the topic of any individual article. Articles need to be written in clear, non-technical language, and aim to engage the interest of the membership at large.

Sexist, racist and other discriminatory or devaluing language should be avoided. Articles can be of any length from 800 up to a maximum of 2000 words (excluding references), double spaced, with complete references and a precise wordcount (excluding references). Relevant high- quality scanned image materials is also welcome.

How do I submit my work?

Send your article as an attachment to kortummargote@who.int or post one copy to: Evelyn Kortum, Editor of GOHNET, World Health Organization, C/o SDE/PHE/OEH, office L.125, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

New NIOSH publications

NIOSH Publication No. 2004-152:
Divers Beware: Training Dives Present Serious Hazards to Fire Fighters
Fire fighters who participate in dive training risk lung damage, illness, or drowning. NIOSH investigated fatalities that have occurred during these training exercises and developed recommendations to decrease these risks. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2004-152

NIOSH Publication No. 2005-102:
Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Fire Fighters during Live-Fire Training in Acquired Structures
Fire fighters are subjected to many hazards when participating in live-fire training. Training facilities with approved burn buildings should be used for live-fire training whenever possible. However, when acquired structures are used for live-fire training, NIOSH strongly recommends that fire departments follow the national consensus guidelines in NFPA 1403, standard on live-fire training evolutions [NFPA 2002a] to reduce the risk of injury and death. These guidelines are summarized in the recommendations www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2005-102

NIOSH Publication No. 2005-101:
Preventing Injuries When Working With Ride-On Roller/Compactors
Workers who operate or work around roller/compactors are at risk of injury from a machine rollover or being struck by the machine or its components. NIOSH recommends that injuries and deaths be prevented through wider use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts on roller/compactors
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2005-101

News from Canada

CCOHS Marketing & Communications Officer Lynda Brown writes:

3-4 March 2005 - CCOHS Forum 2005: New Strategies for Recognizing and Preventing Occupational Disease
Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport 655 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON CA M9W1J3
Contact: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), 135 Hunter Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 1M5 | Phone 905-572-2981 ext 4472 | Fax 905-572-2206 | email: lyndab@ccohs.ca | Email: forum@ccohs.ca | http://forum05.ccohs.ca

News from Germany

Ultrafine aerosols at the workplace - a new report of the BG-Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitsschutz, BGIA)

Ultrafine Aerosols at workplaces and their health effects on humans are the topics of a new report edited by the BG-Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BGIA) in Germany. It is now available from the Internet at www.dguv.de/ifa/en/pub/rep/rep04/biar0703 (or www.dguv.de, webcode 1053199).

The report focuses on the toxicology of ultrafine particles, on epidemiologic studies related to this subject, the physics of these particles and appropriate measurement methods, the occurrence of ultrafine particles at industrial workplaces, and considerations for exposure limit values. Results of a workshop bringing together experts from Germany, Finland, Austria, Switzerland and the US held in August 2002 are presented here in an updated version considering current findings.

Ultrafine particles, also well-known as nanoparticles, are a new and promising area of technological research, development and applications. When compared to the materials they are generated of, the optical, electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties of nanoparticles are different, which is made use of in nanotechnology. Ultrafine particles are also present in daily life and at conventional workplaces. Studies in animals especially have given rise to indications for inflammatory reactions of the lungs and lung tumours being possibly induced by nanoparticles. Presently, there are only hypotheses existing on the effect mechanisms, but no proven evidence yet.

If you have further questions, contact: Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitsschutz (BGIA), Central division, Ina Neitzner | Tel: +49 2241 231-2721 | Fax: +49 2241 231-2234 | Email: ina.neitzner@hvbg.de

More News from Germany

Just published: Brochure BG Research of the HVBG

This brochure presents the activities of the three Institutes (BIA, BGAG und BGFA) operated und funded by the Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften (HVBG, Federation of institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention), and the ways in which extra-mural research is funded. The wide range of disciplines and the strict orientation towards the needs of the BGs ensure that the research subjects are addressed in an interdisciplinary und practical fashion.

The brochure can be ordered in German and in English by Heinrich.Giesler@hvbg.de, www.dguv.de/content/research/brochure

If you have further questions, please contact: Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitsschutz (BGIA), Central division, Ina Neitzner | Tel: +49 2241 231-2721 | Fax: +49 2241 231-2234 | Email: ina.neitzner@hvbg.de

HVBG-Newsletter service: www.dguv.de/inhalt/presse/newsletter

UK HSE launches free farm safety software

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released a free interactive software package to help farmers carry out a risk assessment of their farms and to raise the level of health and safety awareness in the industry.

The software is aimed at all farmers and farm managers who are responsible for health and safety. It provides a step-by-step route into learning about what farmers need to do to protect their health and safety and that of their employees.

Roger Nourish from HSE's Agriculture and Food Sector said:

"HSE has produced this self-assessment software to help improve the health and safety record of an industry that has one of the worst fatal accident levels. In the ten-year period from 1994/95 to 2003/04, 489 people were killed as a result of agricultural work activities and several thousand more were injured or became ill.

"This software simplifies the process of risk assessment and is intended to help farmers apply good health and safety practices. We hope farmers will find it a useful tool to help improve awareness of health and safety and so reduce the risk of costly accidents on their farms."

Features of the self-assessment software include:

The software can be obtained on CD-ROM from HSE Books, or downloaded from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/assessment. The website provides further details of the software as well as information on how to get the best use from the package, step-by-step instructions to use it and a forum where users can share good practice and obtain support. The website provides further details of the software as well as information on how to get the best use from the package, step-by-step instructions to use it and a forum where users can share good practice and obtain support.

The software will also be accessible via DEFRA's Whole Farm Appraisal, an electronic communication link between farmers and Government that will reduce form filling and red tape. The DEFRA package is currently under development and will be introduced from September 2005.

The CD-ROM version of the software also contains the full suite of HSE 's free agricultural leaflets and associated guidance. 106,000 copies of the CD-ROM were included as an insert in the New Year edition of Farmers Weekly.

The software is designed for off-line use but has a facility to allow the farmer to electronically submit their completed assessment to HSE. The submit facility is entirely optional; experience from the pilot showed that a considerable number of farmers downloaded and used the software but most were reluctant to submit the assessment. HSE does not wish to deter farmers from using the software and has therefore made submission optional. If a farmer does choose to make a submission it will be assessed by HSE staff and may be discussed by phone or at a future visit.

Copies of the CD-ROM can be obtained from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: +44 (0)1787 881165

News from Spain

Report on the visit o The National School of Occupational Medicine of The National Health and Safety Agency of The Korean Republic

On the 14th December 2004 this School received the visit of four members of the Korea Occupational Health and Safety Agency compose of the following names and positions.

Mr. Jong-Kyu, Kwon
Manager for International Cooperation
Mr. Dong-Jou, Yang
Director General Affairs Department
Mr. Byung-Jin, Kim
Deputy Director Planning and Budget Division
Mr. Gue-Keun, Lee
Legislative Council National Assembly

The visit has been regarded as a follow-up of the contacts made by the CIS Coordinator in Spain Mrs. Helena J. Goy and had been arranged by the Head of the KOSHA Agency Mr.Jong-Kyu, Lee in order to foster the exchange of experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, as well as learning the regulations to be applied in this field in Spain.

The meeting held between 10:00 and 12:30 was attended by the Headmaster of the School Dr.Juan José Álvarez Sáenz, his Deputy Dr. Jerónimo Maqueda Blasco, Head of Studies Dra. Begoña Rodríguez Ortiz de Salazar and the CIS Coordinator Mrs.Helena J. Goy. After a brief visit to our Library, highlights of the visit were:

The meeting concluded with the commitment from both parties to keep a steady contact in order to exchange all kind of information that may be of interest for both sides.

News from Romania via CIS HQ

Annick Virot from the CIS was invited by the European Trade Union Federation of Textiles, Clothing and Leather to participate in a seminar in Bucharest, Romania from 2-4 December 2004 on "Information, Consultation and Participation: Enforcing Health and Safety in Subsidiaries/Subcontractors/Providers in New Member States of Multinational Companies that have a European Works Council" organized with the financial support of the European Commission.

Ms Virot was asked to make two presentations, one on ILO standards in the field of OSH and the other on occupational and environmental risks in the textiles, clothing and leather industry. If you are interested in receiving the PowerPoint presentations and/or the bibliography on the textile industry prepared by CIS on this occasion, please send a mail to: virot@ilo.org

Other presentations included Musculoskeletal disorders in the industry, the Eurosafe project on Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), see http://siu.no/isoc, mental stress and the European Works Council as per Directive 94/45/EC.

Annick Virot took advantage of her presence in Bucharest to visit the CIS National Centre. She was welcomed by Maria Purchera and was able to tour the National Institute and the CIS centre, including the library. This visit gave CIS the opportunity to strengthen its links with the national Centre and to make the CIS known to the trade unionists from the 5 countries attending the meeting (Romania, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Malta and France). Many thanks to the Romanian Centre for its very warm welcome!

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Useful ILO web links

The International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) www.ilo.org/cis maintains databases on OSH and serves as the hub for the information global network of the CIS Centres.

This Information Network www.ilo.org/safework/info/cis is the product of the ongoing co-operation of the CIS and its 137 Centres all over the world. The goal of this Network is to help its members and others find information from the participating countries on subjects related to OSH.

CISDOC www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/cisdoc.htm is the fruit of 30 years of screening the OSH literature of the world for interesting and useful books, articles and audiovisual materials. It guides users to over 62,000 publications, and 2,000 more references are added every year.

The ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety (English Edition) is a comprehensive coverage of the various fields encompassing OSH. Its 1,000 articles and copious illustrations are available on paper, CD-ROM and WEB - on subscription with the CIS ILO bibliographic database www.ilocis.org and for free with over 1,400 International Chemical Safety Cards www.ilo.org/safework/info/databases/lang--en/WCMS_113329/index.htm

The InFocus Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork) www.ilo.org/safework develops standards and technical manuals, most of which are available for download, on issues related to OSH and provides technical assistance to member States in these areas.

The Sectoral Activities Programme (SECTOR) www.ilo.org/sector facilitates the exchange of information between the ILO's constituents on labour and social developments concerning particular economic sectors. Continuing attention is given to 22 groups of sectors, such as agriculture, construction or the textile industry www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/sector/sectors/textile.htm

The Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV) www.ilo.org/actrav focuses on developing activities to strengthen workers' organizations at the international, regional and national levels.

ILOLEX www.ilo.org/ilolex is a trilingual database containing ILO Conventions and Recommendations, ratification information, comments of the Committee of Experts, etc., and numerous related documents.

La sécurité et la santé au travail (SST) Liens WEB utiles du BIT

Le Centre international d'informations de sécurité et de santé au travail (CIS) www.ilo.org/cis gère des bases de données sur la SST. Il est au carrefour d'un réseau mondial d'information des Centres CIS.

Ce réseau d'information www.ilo.org/safework/info/cis est le résultat d'une collaboration continue entre le CIS et ses 137 Centres dans le monde entier. Son but est de permettre à la communauté de préventeurs de trouver de l'information sur des sujets en rapport avec la SST.

CISDOC www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/cisdoc.htm est une base de connaissances assemblée depuis trente ans. Elle référence la littérature pertinente sur la SST : livres, journaux, articles et matériels audiovisuels. Elle contient quelque enregistrements et est enrichie tous les ans de 2 000 nouveaux signalements.

L'Encyclopédie de sécurité et de santé au travail (édition française) du BIT présente des données exhaustives sur les principaux domaines liés à la SST. Cet ouvrage, contenant 1 000 articles et de nombreuses illustrations, est disponible en format imprimé et sur le web - moyennant un abonnement avec la base de données bibliographiques www.ilocis.org ou gratuitement en accédant aux fichiers PDF www.ilo.org/public/french/protection/safework/cis/products/encyclo/pdf/index.htm

Le Programme focal sur la sécurité et la santé au travail et sur l'environnement (SafeWork) www.ilo.org/safework prépare des normes et des manuels techniques sur la SST, dont la plupart peuvent être téléchargés, et fournit une assistance technique aux Etats membres dans ce domaine.

Le Programme des activités sectorielles (SECTEUR) www.ilo.org/sector facilite l'échange d'information, entre les mandats, sur le développement social et la mise en valeur des ressources humaines dans certains secteurs économiques. Vingt-deux groupes de secteurs font l'objet d'une attention particulière dont la construction, l'agriculture ou le textile www.ilo.org/public/french/dialogue/sector/sectors/textile.htm

Le Bureau des activités pour les travailleurs (ACTRAV) www.ilo.org/actrav développe des actions visant le renforcement des organisations de travailleurs aux niveaux international, régional et national.

ILOLEX www.ilo.org/ilolex est une base de données trilingue contenant les textes des conventions et recommandations de l'OIT, les listes des ratifications, les commentaires de la Commission d'experts, etc. et d'autres documents.

Elektronisches Fachwörterbuch für den Arbeitsschutz Englisch/Deutsch (English/German Dictionary for Occupational Health and Safety on CD-ROM)

Universum Verlag, a leading publishing company for publications related to health and safety at work has released its new Software for specialists.

The English/German Dictionary with over 100.000 technical terms and phrases to help to avoid accidents and risks that occur within internationally operating companies.

The terms and phrases are specific to:

The software is focused on the needs of architects, health and safety specialists and other experts in this field. The CD-Rom is windows based; the whole dictionary can be used on stand alone PCs as well as on the intranet.

Fachwörterbuch für den Arbeitsschutz Englisch/Deutsch

ISBN 3-89869-073-3, € 199,00

Universum Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Postfach 57 20, 65175 Wiesbaden | Telefon: 0611/90 30-501 | Order Fax 0611/90 30-277 | www.universum.de/fwb

Free trial: www.universum.de/enw | Email: vertrieb@universum.de

News from Bulgaria: Merger of Institutes

Boryana Barbukova writes...

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to inform you that the National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition (National Center CIS for Bulgaria since 1963) and the National Center of Public Health were united by Decree of the Council of Ministers of Republic of Bulgaria. The new National Center of Public Health Protection is established to the Bulgarian Ministry of Health, acting since January 1, 2005. The fields of work and activities of both Centers are preserved within the new institution, headed by its Director - Prof. Dr. Lyubomir Ivanov, MD, DSc.

With respect to this you are kindly requested to make the following changes in the address of Bulgarian Center CIS:

Bulgaria, Ministry of Health National Centre of Public Health Protection, CIS National Centre, 15, Iv.Ev.Geshov boul., 1431 Sofia | Tel: (+359 2) 9549390 and 5812838 | Fax: (+359 2) 9549390 | Email: cisbg@nchmen.government.bg

I hope that our successful and fruitful contacts and the work on our common tasks will continue in the future.

Yours sincerely Boryana Barbukova, Responsible for CIS activities, National Center of Public Health Protection (Center CIS), Sofia, Bulgaria | Email: b.barbukova@nchmen.government.bg

News from Korea

The Korean Safety and Health Agency follow Japan in joining the Agency's network

The Korean Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) have recently signed to become the latest member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work's online information network. KOSHA will join forces with some of the biggest names in workplace safety and health information and their EU/Korean website is expected to go online in spring 2005.

For a brief history of their Agency, statistics and accident facts take a look at the following presentation

Rehabilitation is key to helping employees suffering from mental health problems return to work

Helping to rehabilitate employees who are off sick with stress and other mental health problems is a significant and growing challenge for employers. In response the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has produced new guidance to help employers support employees suffering from such conditions and help them return to work in a managed and co-ordinated manner.

Research by the CIPD shows that more than half of employers reported an increase in stress-related absence last year and highlighted the significant impact of mental ill health issues on long-term absence levels.

The length of time an individual is off work sick has been shown to have a strong relationship to the likelihood of returning to work. Studies show:

The guide Recovery, rehabilitation and retention offers practical guidance on how organisations can support, rehabilitate and retain employees who are suffering from stress and other mental health problems.

It emphasises that there needs to be a case management approach to rehabilitation to ensure that there is someone, whether it is a line manager, or a representative from occupational health or human resources, responsible for ensuring that an individual's return to work is managed consistently.

Ben Willmott, CIPD Employee Relations Adviser, says, "Employers must do more than simply request and file a sick note if they are to cut absence. Managers should engage with their staff to get to the route of the problem and help staff to get back into the workplace - engaging with staff will help both organisations and employees.

"Employers need to have a clear rehabilitation policy in place, this will help to ensure staff are aware of available assistance and managers are clear about the role they play in the process. Line managers play an essential part in the rehabilitation process and it is important they are trained so they are aware of how they can help members of staff who have been off work sick for long periods integrate back into the organisation.

"It is essential for a member of the organisation, whether it is a line manager, a member of the HR team or occupational health, to take on the role of case manager in the rehabilitation process to ensure that it is managed correctly and consistently."

The guide makes practical suggestions on what employers should include in their policy and the procedures they should follow in order to create an effective programme. It covers the following areas:

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has more than 120,000 members and is the leading professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people.

The guide will be available on the CIPD website from www.cipd.co.uk/guides

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, CIPD House, Camp Road, London SW19 4UX.

News from the European Agency - Promoting health and safety in European small and medium-sized enterprises

A new Agency report, Promoting health and safety in European small and medium-sized enterprises: SME Funding Scheme 2002-2003, describes how a relatively small European funding scheme has helped over fifty projects to improve health and safety in SMEs.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are key drivers in the European economy, but their safety and health performance often falls short of that of their larger counterparts. It is clear that many SMEs do not have the knowledge or the resources to manage their own health and safety problems. They need help with practical training and in gaining a better understanding of the issues, so that they assume higher priority than they generally do now.

Health and safety issues in Europe's small businesses were the focus of the second SME Funding Scheme (2002-2003) run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, which has just published its report on 51 completed projects: 40 national and 11 transnational (involving cross-border cooperation between partners), with full contact details for anyone interested in finding out more.

The overall aim was to reduce the number of accidents at work and to reduce the incidence of occupational ill health. Topics covered included chemical hazards, stress-related illness, prevention in high-risk sectors such as agriculture and construction, and the promotion of a preventive culture.

For example, a project in Luxembourg developed a method of analysing the risks to which people working in crèches are exposed: notably lower back pain from bending and lifting. In cooperation with crèche staff, the project team identified problem areas, developed a guide to good practices and provided training for staff.

In Denmark, a hospital department of occupational medicine set out to reduce knee problems by showing how floor layers could cut down the time spent putting undue strain on the knees. They trained instructors to use new tools that allowed much of the work to be carried out standing up. These instructors could then train operational floor layers on a region-by-region basis.

A recent independent evaluation of the funding schemes, carried out by the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services (CSES), showed that the great majority of these initiatives would not have gone ahead without Agency funding, so the scheme fills a significant gap.

The CSES concluded that this was a well-run programme, achieving considerable added value, having beneficial impacts for some 700,000 SMEs across Europe and wider 'demonstration' effects by highlighting good practices that could be replicated more widely.

Noting that accident levels for small firms can reach up to 130% above the overall EU average Stephen Hughes, MEP, said in his introduction to the SME report: "The Agency's schemes have shown EU policy-makers, such as the European Parliament, that current safety and health legislation, if complemented by good implementation practices, can lead to improved health and safety standards also in small firms across the EU."

The Agency's Director Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, commenting on the report's publication, said: "We are delighted that the Agency's scheme has already been able to promote higher safety and health standards in some 700 000 SMEs. Our hope now is that many more SMEs will also benefit. Many of the cases covered in the report could be adapted and used by companies across Europe, so it is well-worth taking a look and seeing how the good practice developed by these project holders could be transferred to your own company!"

The report is available in English now and can be downloaded from the Agency website at http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/107/en/index.htm.

BCA Member Companies preparing for new Chromium (VI)[1] Directive

New European legislation controlling chromium (VI) levels in cement and cement-containing preparations comes into effect in the UK on 17 January 2005. One of the most important consequences for the Portland cement industry and its customers is the introduction of a limited storage period (shelf life) for treated cements. Delivery documents and cement bags will, where necessary, carry a despatch/packaging date and shelf life as required by the legislation.

Many cements and cement-based products naturally contain soluble chromium (VI) trace metal as 'chromate'. The Chromium (VI) Directive is designed to minimise chromate related allergic dermatitis arising from the unprotected use of cement. Chromium (VI) is only active in wet cement, and once hardened, concrete and mortars become and remain safe to touch, even in wet conditions.

Under the new Directive, BCA Member Companies will ensure that their cements have levels of soluble chromium (VI) when water is added that are no more than two parts per million by mass of the dry cement. This means that small amounts of reducing agents will be added where necessary to control the quantity of soluble chromium (VI). As reducing agents are only active for a limited period, it will be necessary to declare a shelf life of 61 days for treated cement during which the very low level of chromium (VI) is maintained.

Mike Gilbert, Chief Executive of the British Cement Association (BCA) said: "Cements produced by BCA Member Companies already have lower chromium contents than many of their European counterparts. Safety is one of the industry's core values and BCA's members have voluntarily been displaying a health warning on bags for years, stating that cement contains chromium (VI). We also advocate that people always wear protective boots, gloves and eye protection whenever they work with wet cement or concrete."

Not everyone is susceptible to allergic dermatitis. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), only 5% to 10% of construction workers might be sensitive. But both the HSE and industry leaders stress that despite these new measures, the correct personal protective equipment should always be worn when handling cement to protect against dermatitis and cement burns.

The industry is acting responsibly and is involved in widespread consultation with the HSE and customers. More than £10 million has already been invested in preparation for the new legislation to ensure that BCA Member Companies can comply with the regulations in full.

A HSE Communications Task Force has advised that suppliers, such as distributors, merchants and retailers, are not expected to dispose of all stock manufactured before 17 January 2005, but that good stock control and rotation will be necessary to ensure that untreated cement is moved off the market as soon as practicable.

Detailed information sheets on the directive and its implications are available on the British Cement Association's website, http://cement.mineralproducts.org. Q&A on Chromium (VI) - Link to Q&A

Contact: Martin Casey, Director, External Affairs at the British Cement Association | Tel: +44 (0)1276 608708 | Mobile 07866 388250 | Email: mcasey@bca.org.uk.

________________________________________

[1] (VI) = Six

Australia NSW: New noise code of practice

NSW has brought into place an amended code of practice for noise management in the workplace. It amends the 1997 code. Code of practice: Noise management and protection of hearing at work (2004) reflects few changes, except that references to the old NSW OHS Act have been replaced with references to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. Some generic information on workplace consultation has also been added to the "General information" section of the code.

www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids - New Australian Standard

AS 1940 Released

A new revised edition of this standard was released on 1 December 2004. In an article by Dawn Lindsay, a Standards Australia project manager, it was indicated that this standard affects many areas such as fuels, solvents, ingredients for plastics, and combustible liquids such as cooking oils, lubricants, paints and insecticides.

There are many major revisions, including as to maximum capacities for storage, minor storage requirements, package, storage and handling areas (ventilation). Particularly relevant to OHS are new requirements for operational and personal safety. For example, operational and personal safety aspects like placarding and the provision of MSDS and tank inspections.

Source: SAI Global - www.sai-global.com/NEWSROOM/TGS/2004-11/FLAMMABLE/FLAMMABLE.HTM

The new standard also deals with emergency management, fire protection requirements. The standard can be purchased from Standards Australia on 1300 65 46 46 or go to www.standards.com.au and search under 1940.

This standard should be considered for implementation by all organisations for which it is applicable, noting that, as a generalisation, this revised standard sets higher standards that could lead to improved workplace safety. Any organisation with OHS issues arising from the topics covered by this revised standard should seek advice about implementing it. Even if your applicable State OHS regulations have not yet adopted this revised standard yet, if there was a workplace accident and a prosecutor established that compliance with this available standard was not implemented and as a result there was an OHS breach, you would most likely be liable.

People around the work are taking a trial of the brand new OSH UPDATE Internet-based service

Want to keep up-to-date in worldwide occupational health, safety, hygiene, road safety, water safety, environment trends and the latest information? Do budget constraints not allow you to buy all the 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 a new, 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 is now available and updated monthly.

It contains a number of bibliographic databases from worldwide authoritative sources such as the UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the UK Health and Safety Executive, US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Canada Ryerson University, the International Labour Office CIS Health and Safety Centre, European Union legislation and other legislation sources and OSH standards specifications including those from the British Standards Institution.

OSH UPDATE records has links to the full text where possible.

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.

This new aggregation of databases will contain 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, bioterrorism, management of road risks, preparedness and business continuity.

The title price for a single user via the Internet will be GBP250.00 / US$ 450.00 per year - less than 68 pence / 1.2 dollars per day.

The price 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.

*Headfast/Discovery is being used for important bibliographic and full text information services on the Internet by other publishers including CERAM Research, Ellis Publications, Inspec, Nielsen BookData, Oxmill Publishing and TWI.

If you are interested in taking up this service on trial please complete the OSH UPDATE Interest Form, or contact us to ask further questions

Email: sp@sheilapantry.com

OSHE web sites to explore

Communications Workers Union   UK
www.cwu.org/default.asp?step=4&pid=178
Noise is probably the most widespread and underestimated of industrial hazards. As many as 3 million workers are at some risk of suffering permanent noise induced hearing loss. Although people associate noise at work with some of the more traditional heavy industries, CWU members are increasingly being exposed to noise related injuries. The growth of call centre work in the UK means that an estimated 2% of the working population are now employed in call centres. The website gives information on the hazards of acoustic shock and other forms of noise interference have brought suffering to some of these members.

Call Centre Management Association  UK
www.acousticsafety.org
The Call Centre Management Association brings together guidance and advice from a wide range of industry experts, government bodies, workers' rights and call centre organisations. The website offers easy access to information and links to other similar organisations. Also give downloadable examples of the noise that constitutes acoustic shock.

Fit builder   UK
www.fitbuilder.com
Constructing Better Health, the UK Leicestershire based occupational health support pilot for the construction sector website gives advice for workers, employers, designers, clients. It has a number of health topic pages a, resources and frequently asked questions FAQs.

Health and Safety Executive: Nanotechology   UK
www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr274.htm
Nanoparticles are the end products of a wide variety of physical, chemical and biological processes, some of which are new and radically different, others of which are quite commonplace. Nanoparticles: an occupational hygiene review RR274 from the UK Health and Safety Laboratories reviews processes for the deliberate development and manufacture of nanoparticles products and has considered sources and routes of exposure, levels of exposure, numbers exposed, knowledge gaps and future trends.It also states that current knowledge is insufficient for risk assessment purposes. There is little evidence to suggest that worker exposure arising from the production of nanoparticles has been adequatety assessed.

International Committee for Regulatory Authority Research and Development   UK
www.icard.org
The UK Health and Safety Executive website to provide information on offshore petroleum safety and environment research programme sponsored by members of the International Committee for Regulatory Authority Research and Development (ICARD). The website offers easy access to information about safety and environment research projects in member countries, including links to key contacts, research programmes and publications.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Mixed Exposure Research agenda   USA
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-106
The USA National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH Mixed Exposure Research Agenda website offers information about the NIOSH Research, analysis of research needs and priorities. It included references for further reading.

DIARY OF EVENTS

3-4 March 2005 - CCOHS Forum 2005: New Strategies for Recognizing and Preventing Occupational Disease
Doubletree International Plaza Hotel Toronto Airport 655 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON CA M9W1J3, Canada
Contact: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 135 Hunter St E Hamilton, ON CA L8N 1M5 | Tel: +1 905 572 2981 | Email: forum@ccohs.ca | http://forum05.ccohs.ca

11-14 April 2005 - 19th Fire Science and Fire Investigation Course
School of Engineering and Electronics, Fire Safety Group, University of Edinburgh, UK
Contact: Office of Lifelong Learning, The University of Edinburgh, 11 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, UK | Tel: +44 (0)131 651 1180 | Email: cpd@ed.ac.uk | www.lifelong.ed.ac.uk

19-21 April 2005 - BOHS Occupational Hygiene 2005 Conference
Manchester Conference Centre, Manchester, UK
Contact: Anthea Page, Communications Officer, BOHS, Suite 2, Georgian House, Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LT, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1332 298101 | Email: anthea@bohs.org. | www.bohs.org

28 April 2005 - ILO World Day of Health and Safety at Work
World Wide events
Contact: International Labour Office, Geneva, Switzerland | www.ilo.org

17-19 May 2005 - Raising Standards, embedding excellence: RoSPA Occupational Safety and Health at Work Congress 2005
Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Birmingham, UK
Contact: RoSPA Events | Email: events@rospa.com | www.rospa.com/events

17-19 May 2005 - Safety and Health Expo
National Exhibition Centre, Halls 9 and 10 Birmingham, UK
Contact: RoSPA Events | Email: events@rospa.com | www.rospa.com/events

8 June 2005 - IOSH Ireland Branch Conference
Dublin, Ireland
Contact: Eamon Murtagh, IOSH Branch Secretary, Dublin, Ireland | Tel: +353 87 980 5794 | Email: eamon.murtagh@dublinairport.com

2006

30 January - 1 February 2006 - Fire India 2006 Exhibition and Conference
Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, India
Contact: Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), 719 Jaina Towers, 1 Janak Puri, New Delhi 110 058, India | Tel: + 11 2550 2025 | Fax: +11 2550 2024 Email: ifeispbd@del3vsnl.net.in | www.ifeindia.org

19-22 June 2006 - Ninth World Congress of the International Federation of Environmental Health
Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Contact: www.ehoa.ie

17-18 October 2006 - The National Safety and Health at Work Exhibition
Main Hall, RDS, Dublin, Ireland
Contact: Key Events, Dublin, Ireland | Email: killian@keyevents.ie