CIS Newsletter

No. 197
February 2006


CIS Newsletter celebrates 18 years & still going strong!
Bringing news to over 140 countries in the CIS Network!


  1. Editorial
  2. News from Geneva - CIS 2006 meeting dates
  3. News items from CIS HQ
  4. ILO DG speech
  5. Press Release No.4 IPCS
  6. News from around the World - Canada, China, Europe, UK and USA
  7. FOCUS on Questioning Performance - the director's essential guide to OSH and the environment
  8. OSHE websites
  9. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

Good news time ... get out your diaries and enter the dates and location of this year's CIS Annual General Meeting -

Wednesday - Friday 13-15 September 2006
Geneva, Switzerland

...And now start to make your plans to be at this year's CIS Annual General Meeting. We should aim to move along in developing the FUTURE of the CIS Network. Your ideas are very much needed - and if for some reason you cannot attend the meeting - then write your ideas down and send them in for the discussions.

Already some ideas put forward last year are starting to take place.

Some of the results the Working Parties Papers that can be seen on the www.sheilapantry.com/cis. I urge you, however busy you are, to keep these Working Group Papers in focus. It is important that the CIS Network flourishes ! The Network's success is Your success.

So please make time to read the contents of this Newsletter. I know that everyone is very busy, short of time and finance of course - but hopefully you find the items in the CIS Newsletter are worth investing some time - if only to scan through the items and find out what is happening in this wider OSH world of ours.

Many thanks to you who have sent emails and news - these are always gratefully received and are used as soon as possible.

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.

Publicity... tell them, tell them and tell them again...

This month the Press Release No.4 is on the IPCS chemical cards. Send out the press release with your own contact details to organisations and individuals in your country and elsewhere to start and use this ever-increasing valuable source of information. Send out to all your contacts, journal editors, media, universities and, educators, trainers as well as businesses!

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.

The case of returning emails ... every month emails get returned to Sender. 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.

Are you travelling in SEPTEMBER 2006?
Could you please let CIS know email Gabor Sandi sandi@ilo.org Annick Virot virot@ilo.org and myself sp@sheilapantry.com with your ideas?

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. It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world. Take advantage of free publicity! Remember you can see CIS Newsletter on the web site www.sheilapantry.com/cis where back issues are stored.

Remember >>>>
Surviving in 2006... 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: +44 1909 771024
Fax: +44 1909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
www.oshworld.com
www.sheilapantry.com
www.shebuyersguide.com
www.oshupdate.com


News from Geneva

CIS Annual Meeting and Training Workshop 13-15 September 2006, Geneva, Switzerland

Please put these dates in your Diary now - the CIS Annual General meeting will be held in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday and Friday 14th and 15th September 2006.

The meeting is being preceded by "hands-on computer" Workshop on "What's New in the OSH Information World". Learn new sources and skills!

CIS HQ will shortly be sending out invitations so you can start and make the necessary arrangements in order to be to attend.

Remember that it will be the last AGM for Dr Jukka Takala who retires from the ILO towards the end of 2006.

Time also for networking!

The Workshop on Wednesday, 13 September 2006 will be a hands-on computer with links to some very important NEW occupational safety and health services that you should be useful in your own services. You will have time to explore these new services yourself.

Thursday and Friday 14 and 15 September 2006 will be the Annual General meeting. Remember that time is very precious at these meetings and the Network wants to look at the FUTURE activities and what we need to do to make the CIS Network more visible to the world. Many steps forward have been taken in the recent few months - we need to accelerate faster - what needs to be started and in what priority order.

For inspiration and to get you up-to-speed start looking at the ideas in the:


News items from CIS HQ

Virtual Bulletin

The new volume (2005-03) of the virtual Bulletin is now available on the CIS Website at:

Report of the CIS Centres Annual Meeting 2005

By now you should all have received an electronic or printed version of the report of the CIS Centres Annual Meeting that took place on September 18, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. If not or if you need additional copies, please contact CIS Secretariat at: CIS@ilo.org

Maritime Session of the International Labour Conference

The 94th (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 7 to 23 February 2006. This Maritime Session will examine, with a view to its adoption, a maritime labour Convention to replace almost all ILO maritime labour Conventions that have been adopted since 1920. The reports for this conference are accessible on the ILO website at the following address: www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/ilc/ilc94/index.htm

On the occasion of this Conference, the CIS has prepared a bibliography on safety and health at work in the maritime industries. The abstracts of all documents listed in the bibliography are also available for viewing on the CISDOC database at: www.ilo.org/dyn/cisdoc/index_html?p_lang=E

We hope to be able to make this bibliography available to all CIS Centres one way or another.


ILO Director General says "The world is facing an "unprecedented global jobs crisis of mammoth proportions"

The world is facing an "unprecedented global jobs crisis of mammoth proportions", the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a statement issued for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) that took place in Davos Switzerland at the end of January 2006

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia [AUDIO] hailed the decision of the WEF to place on its 2006 agenda an item on creating future jobs, and urged the world's top business and government leaders attending the Forum to consider urgent steps for tackling a worsening global jobs situation.

In his statement, Mr. Somavia warned that the global jobs crisis was a growing concern in terms of its impact on markets and incomes, and a threat to the credibility of democracies around the world. He noted that putting job creation, global employment, new skill development and labour mobility on the WEF agenda marked a major step forward in raising awareness among world leaders of the urgency of this issue.

"This crisis isn't going unnoticed on the streets of rich and poor countries alike", Mr. Somavia said. "Increasingly, political leaders are hearing the voices of people demanding a fair chance at decent jobs and new opportunities to find and keep work. Yet far too often, those opportunities just aren't there."

Mr. Somavia said this "opportunity gap" took a heavy toll on the lives of women and men and their families, not only because it meant that millions of people might not have enough or even any income, but also because having decent work affects people's dignity, their sense of self worth and the stability of their families.

"Decent work is at the heart of the economic and social concerns of all people", Mr. Somavia said.

The ILO Director-General said the global jobs crisis was illustrated by a number of factors:

"One might ask whether the recent global economic growth is sufficient to offset the jobs crisis", said Somavia. "But the straight answer is no. Despite robust economic growth of 4.3 per cent in 2005, the global economy is failing to deliver new jobs for those entering the job markets. We will need to create some 40 million jobs each year over the next decade just to keep up with the growing numbers of workers who are seeking work."

The ILO leader proposed five concrete steps to address this crisis. They include:

Shifting economic and social policies to put decent work at the centre of national and international development efforts and creating a new balance between economic and social policies that stresses macroeconomic stability, adaptability and security.

Second, promoting employment-rich, sustainable economic growth as a means of global as well as local economic development to create lasting, decent jobs.

Third, creating the right policy and regulatory environment to encourage competitiveness and enterprise development in every country and promote entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity and highlighting the role of small enterprise in job creation.

Fourth, expanding training, lifelong learning, education and other means of enhancing human capacities, with a particular focus on young people. "If we can reduce the youth unemployment rate by just half, we will add at least US$ 2.2 trillion to the global economy", Mr. Somavia said.

Finally, promoting better international governance to integrate the efforts of governments, business, trade unions and other stakeholders in civil society with the purpose of reducing poverty and creating jobs.

"The global jobs crisis is one of the biggest security risks we face today", Mr. Somavia said. "If we choose to continue along the present path, the world risks becoming more fragmented, protectionist and confrontational. A continued lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investments and under-consumption lead to an erosion of the basic social contract underlying democratic societies: that all must share in progress. Many people interpret the lack of decent work opportunities as the absence of an ethical compass in policy-making. It is time to revisit the commitments made by the global community to promote social inclusion and jobs as the basis of poverty reduction, and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work. This is the foundation of decent work. It is time to come together and deliver on those commitments. Tackling the global jobs crisis will require nothing less."

www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inf/pr/2006/2.htm


Press Release No. 4 February 2006

All CIS Centres may wish to use this Press Release for dissemination in their own country - to inspectorates, universities and colleges, associations and to companies who might be using chemicals in their work.

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) summarize essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places.

ICSCs are not legally binding documents, but consist of a series of standard phrases, mainly summarizing health and safety information collected, verified and peer reviewed by internationally recognized experts, taking into account advice from manufacturers and Poison Control Centres.

The ICSCs are available on the World Wide Web in many languages:

International English version (1491 ICSCs as of April 2005)
Translations include Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Italian

US national English versions
Translations include Korean, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese. (Translations exist on paper in other languages; a directory of these is under construction.)

The international English ICSCs are also part of the SafeWork Bookshelf collection.

The ICSCs project is an undertaking of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). The project is being developed in the context of the cooperation between the IPCS and the Commission of the European Communities.

The IPCS is a joint activity of three cooperating International Organizations: namely the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The main objective of the IPCS is to carry out and disseminate evaluations of the hazards posed by chemicals to human health and the environment.

For further information see www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/intro.htm

This link takes you to the language versions of your choice!


News from Canada

E-Course Covers the Basics of Personal Protective Equipment

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed an e-course that provides a practical introduction to the most common types of Personal Protective Equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, are devices, garments or equipment worn to help minimize exposure to specific hazards as part of a complete hazard control strategy. Besides face shields, safety glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes, PPE also includes goggles, protective gloves, high visibility clothing, earplugs, and respirators. PPE helps protect employees from serious injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, noise, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

Personal Protective Equipment: The Basics covers the selection, fit, and use of PPE and other related issues including legal responsibilities, the importance of a PPE program, and the limitations of such equipment as hazard control.

The course is helpful to workers, supervisors and managers and health and safety committee members of worksites where PPE is part of the hazard control strategy. This includes industrial settings and construction sites.

E-learning courses from CCOHS are unique in that they provide the learner with course content that is:

Learners have access to a CCOHS instructor to ask questions that may not be answered by the course. Complete with quizzes and an exam, the course takes about 60 minutes to complete. The learner is issued a certificate of completion once they pass the exam.

Registration and pricing information is available on the CCOHS website: www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/pp_equipment


New E-Course From CCOHS helps to Prevent Falls from Slips and Trips

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a new e-course, Preventing Falls from Slips and Trips. The course offers guidance on how to prevent injuries in the workplace that are caused by slips, trips or falls from the same level. Falls of this nature are common in the workplace and can result in serious injuries and disabilities.

The course provides workers, managers, supervisors and health and safety committees with practical information including tips and examples to help them to understand the causes of falls, and how to take preventive measures.

E-learning courses from CCOHS are unique in that they provide the learner with course content that is:

Learners can ask a CCOHS instructor specific questions that may not have been answered by the course. Preventing Falls From Slips and Trips, complete with quizzes and an exam takes about 45-50 minutes to complete. After the learner passes the exam they are issued a certificate of completion.

The course can be purchased for one user or, if four or more people are to be trained, a multi-user license can save money. Special introductory pricing is available until March 25, 2006.

Delivery Options

This course is delivered as an on-line e-Learning course. All you need is a computer, access to the Internet - and you are ready to go! This e-Learning course lets you learn at your own pace and in your own environment at your own convenience.

Pricing

*Special Introductory Pricing - Save 25%
Valid until March 25, 2006
The French version of the course, Prévention des chutes par glissade et par trébuchement will be released later this winter.

Registration and pricing information is available on the CCOHS website: www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/preventing_falls

Contact: Eleanor Irwin, Manager - Marketing, Sales and Communications, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) | 905/572-2981, Ext. 4408 | mailto:eleanori@ccohs.ca


FOCUS

Questioning performance - the director's essential guide to health, safety and the environment, by David Eves and John Gummer

The UK Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has just published Questioning performance - the director's essential guide to health, safety and the environment written by David Eves and by Right Hon John Gummer MP.

It gives directors all they need to know to discharge their responsibilities properly, and enables them to ask the right questions of their safety teams and understand the answers. There is no other book like this one - this definitive new title gives directors all they need to know about health, safety and the environment. As an individual, as well as their company, directors are legally responsible for managing risks properly and can be held personally liable for the consequences of failure.

Questioning performance will help senior people to gain assurance and discharge their responsibilities properly by enabling them to ask the right questions, understand the answers and see that they and their board take the best decisions about managing health, safety and environmental risks. This book builds a bridge between directors and expert professionals - employed in-house or as consultants - and enables directors to develop effective and productive discussions with health, safety and environment practitioners, managers, trade union officials, safety reps and enforcers. An online update service will be available for this title.

David Eves, former deputy director general and HM chief inspector in the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said: "Directors are responsible for the big picture, and have to ensure that their company will survive and prosper in a harsh, competitive world. They may reach the boardroom with little or no experience of managing risks to health and safety. If they think this is best left to experts while they concentrate on the company's financial success, they do so at their peril." You will be able to master Questioning performance within a few hours, and then use it as a handy reference tool. It contains straight forward explanations of what needs to be done to comply with the law, with clear examples of good practice. The authors speak from experience: David Eves was deputy director of the HSE from 1989 to 2002. He has worked in health and safety for 40 years. John Gummer was Secretary of State for the Environment, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Minister for Health and Safety at Work during the 1990s.

Why directors and senior managers need this book:

Contents Preview

Part 1 - Management matters

Part 2 - Hazards and controls A to Z

Part 3 - Headline facts and figures

Increasingly, company directors are seen to be responsible for the health, safety and environmental record of their businesses," Right Hon John Gummer MP said. "Customers, shareholders and the wider public know that the profitability and reputation of a company is put at risk when directors do not measure up to these growing expectations."

Eves continued, "Directors who take their responsibilities seriously will want to ensure that their workforce, the general public, their own professional standing and the reputation of their company and brand, are properly protected. We hope that Questioning performance will help them."

Questioning performance - the director's essential guide to health, safety and the environment by David Eves and Rt Hon John Gummer. ISBN 0 901357 37 5. £35.
For more details on this title or to order a copy visit www.iosh.co.uk/books

For further information contact Anne Smart, IOSH media and marketing assistant | +44 (0)116 2573100 | email: anne.smart@iosh.co.uk


Catalogue of Success In Targeting Messages

The new Scriptographic Publications' catalogue documents one of the companies busiest periods in its 23 year history. New title launches and the constant revision of established booklets has kept its range of 200 health, safety and personnel development booklets in step with legislative initiatives and the communications and training needs of the health and safety professional. The full range can now be viewed on paper or website.

The catalogue lists the entire range of 200 booklets and posters, including examples of personalised publications for organisations like DuPont, British Airways and a flip-flop Welsh/English version of the Freedom of Information Act guide, produced for Conwyn Council. The catalogue coincides with the launch of new titles which advise on good health for men and women, intended for those concerned with occupational health.

Scriptographic booklets have found their way into the pockets and induction packs of more than a million employees across the UK in the last eighteen months, from Kent County Council workers to the staff of AMCO Amalgamated Construction. Buyers have included Police Forces, NHS Foundation Trusts, County Councils, Education Authorities and manufacturing and construction companies of all types and sizes.

The 16 page booklets convey simple messages in a format that can be read and absorbed in minutes. They are used to target specific issues ranging from manual handling to forklift truck safety and are issued to staff as part of ongoing in-house training, induction sessions or corporate welfare initiatives.

Samples of Scriptographic booklets are available by calling 0800 028 5670 or emailing sales@scriptographic.co.uk.

Michael Whitcroft, Scriptographic Publications Ltd, Charwell House, Wilsom Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2PP, UK | Tel: 08701 609 220 | Email: michaelwhitcroft@scriptographic.co.uk


Watch your step in construction: ideas for others to follow

Over 1,000 construction workers fracture a bone or dislocate a bone every year in the UK, with thousands more across the world.

This February 2006, as part of an initiative to reduce the number of slips and trips on construction sites, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors will be carrying out a nationwide 'Watch Your Step' inspection programme.

The construction industry reports in excess of 3,000 slip or trip incidents every year, the true figure could be higher.

Most, slip and trip incidents, are caused by corridors and stairways being obstructed with tools, materials and waste. Trip hazards may also be caused by footpaths which are not properly levelled, or cables trailing across pedestrian routes.

During a similar inspection initiative in October 2005, HSE inspectors took enforcement action at around 11% of sites they visited in respect of good order issues.

During February's site visits, inspectors will expect to find sites where:

Site managers should discuss good order issues with their workers, encouraging them to report slip or trip hazards. Managers should also have in place systems ensuring that everyone on site complies with the arrangements for the removal of waste.

To support the initiative, organisations such as UCATT, TGWU, NASC, NCF and CECA will be distributing free good order 'toolbox talk' packs to their members. The packs contain a 5 minute DVD "Watch your step, a toolbox talk for construction", a supporting Good Order On Site booklet and a Good Order poster.

A limited supply of the packs are also available free from HSE Books, Tel: +44 (0)1787 881165, or can be downloaded from www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/falls.htm

Visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/falls.htm for full details of the Watch Your Step in the Construction Industry initiative.

On 3 October 2005, HSE launched a national campaign raising awareness of the cost of slips and trips in the workplace. Further information on the campaign can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/watchyourstep

HSE's Better Business campaign is a national initiative that focuses on raising awareness about the financial and personal costs and causes of workplace incidents. It also shows the real bottom-line benefits of managing health and safety effectively. For further information and to read about the business benefits of better health, go to: www.hse.gov.uk/betterbusiness.


News from The European Foundation for the improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Foundation's work programme 2006: Accent on job creation, mobility, better working conditions and work-life balance in 2006

Access to good quality jobs for all workers is a central policy concern in the European Union. The Foundation's 2006 work programme will focus on this priority issue, while also dealing with the related issues of employment creation and retention, mobility of workers and their families, working time arrangements and work-life balance. Key tasks for 2006 include contribution to the 2006 European Year of Workers' Mobility, and presenting findings from the fourth European Working Conditions Survey, and the Company Survey on Working Time and Work-life Balance. Finally, in November 2006, the Foundation will host the third Foundation Forum, entitled 'Competitive Europe, Social Europe - partners or rivals?'.

'The Foundation is in a strong position to contribute to the improvement of living and working conditions for all Europeans,' affirms Jorma Karppinen, Director of the Foundation, the Dublin-based EU agency. 'We have identified themes for our 2006 work programme that increasingly affect our lives in the competitive global environment. The results of our work will feed into the debate and provide policymakers with information that could ultimately lead to an enhanced quality of life for all European citizens.'

The Foundation will continue to provide data through its monitoring instruments and surveys, which have proved very effective in building a picture of life in the 25 Member States, as well as in Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey. Initial findings will be presented from the 2005 European Working Conditions Survey, with further analyses being carried out on selected topics. Findings from the Company Survey on Working Time will be released in the first quarter of the year. At the same time, preparations for the second European Quality of Life Survey will get underway. In addition to weekly news releases from the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) website, EIRO will feature an industrial relations profile of each Member State. The Industrial Relations Annual Report will present a comparison between current developments in Europe and its major competing economies. The European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) will publish its first annual report on restructuring in Europe.

Information from the monitoring activities will be supplemented by in-depth studies of 'what works'. An in-depth study of temporary agency work from the point of view of industrial relations will be published at the beginning of the year. The Foundation will then unveil a major study and database on Employment initiatives for the Ageing workforce. Other studies will look at employment opportunities in childcare, the 'attractive workplace' as a way for companies to contribute to the Lisbon strategy, and strengthening the capacity for social dialogue in the new Member States.

The Foundation will use a number of thematic campaigns - on mobility, work-life balance and quality of work - to diffuse its message in 2006. The newly launched twice-yearly magazine, Foundation Focus, will devote the two issues for 2006 to the ageing workforce and equal opportunities. A new policy-oriented publication, Foundation Findings, will be launched in the spring. As 2005 saw a huge increase - by one third - in the number of web user sessions to the Eurofound website, the planned integration of the Foundation's separate web activities in 2006 under one common 'Eurofound' banner should make the site even more user-friendly.

The programme of work can be downloaded from www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0539.htm

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

NOTE: This press release is available in 21 EU languages on www.eurofound.europa.eu/press/releases/2006/060118.htm


European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

More challenges for occupational safety and health in the future, EU experts warn

Current trends in society and work organisation are creating new risks and putting new demands on occupational safety and health research. The future is not all rosy according to EU occupational safety and health experts. An overview of what we are in for has just been published by the European Agency for Safety and Heath at Work in a working paper for the European Commission entitled Priorities for occupational safety and health research in the EU-25.

'The nature and organisation of work are changing, becoming more client- and knowledge-driven' explains Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. 'Europe's workforce has also been changing; it is ageing, less male-dominated, more precarious and more difficult to monitor, as it has spread out into small companies. As a consequence, health issues have become more complex and we need to find new ways to approach occupational safety and health research and prevention'.

For instance, workers' difficulty in achieving a balance between working and non-working time has been a growing concern. The problem is compounded by the increasing proportion of households with 'dual careers' and dependent older relatives. It is also affected by what has been termed 'atypical work': temporary agency work, part-time work or jobs with 'unsocial hours'. All this can easily contribute to work-related stress and also act as a barrier to the recruitment or retention of certain groups into the workforce.

The report also mentions the necessity to conduct more research into preventing psychological violence at work, i.e. all types of harassment or mobbing. The European Commission has recently highlighted the importance of the topics addressed in this section of the report by publishing a call for research proposals to investigate 'work-related stress including physical and psychological violence such as harassment, bullying, and mobbing'.

But the future risks are by no means limited to the psychosocial issues only. Other concerns include musculoskeletal disorders and risks caused by dangerous substances. The rapid growth of nanotechnology, for instance, has led to the exposure of workers to nanoparticles, while exposure assessment and measurement methods are still very much at an experimental stage.

The complete report can be downloaded free of charge from the publications section Agency's website at http://osha.europa.eu

The above news in available in: Ceština, Dansk, Deutsch, Eesti, Ellinika, English, Español, Français, Italiano, Latviešu, Lietuviu, Magyar, Nederlands, Polski, Português, Slovencina, Slovenšcina, Suomi, Svenska

The English version of the paper can be downloaded directly from: http://osha.europa.eu/publications/reports/6805648

More information about the Commission's call for proposals on stress and violence at work is available at: http://osha.europa.eu/news/local_news/news_article.2006-01-09.9535909630

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


IOSH recognised as a non-governmental organisation

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is celebrating being officially recognised as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

IOSH has become the first safety body in Europe to be officially recognised as an NGO less than two months after the Leicestershire-based Institution celebrated designating its first Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners.

Receiving NGO status will enable IOSH members to input independently into policies that affect health and safety standards across the world for the first time and means that the Institution can now actively contribute to the work of the ILO.

The ILO, a United Nations Agency, is responsible for developing global health and safety strategy that is implemented by most countries. Granting IOSH NGO status means that the Institution is now able to sit with the ILO, and other worldwide bodies, in consultations on new policy.

Rob Strange, chief executive of IOSH, said: "Receiving NGO status is a wonderful start to 2006 for the Institution. Being recognised by the ILO is fantastic recognition of the role that IOSH does and hopes to play on the world stage.

"Recognition as an NGO means that IOSH members are seen as 'fit and proper persons', which will have an impact on the respect we gain from other agencies, like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others throughout Europe.

"This is the culmination of three year's of hard work that will help IOSH to achieve its aim of becoming the leading voice on health and safety internationally. By doing this, we hope to create a world that realises that good, sensible health and safety helps create a safe, profitable and sustainable economy for all."

IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals. We have over 28,000 members worldwide, including more than 8,000 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners. The Institution was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance on health and safety issues.

The ILO is a United Nations specialised agency which seeks to promote social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights. It was founded in 1919 and became a specialised agency of the UN in 1946.

IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1NN, UK | Tel: +44 (0)116 257 3100 | Fax: +44 (0)116 257 3101 | www.iosh.co.uk

For more information on health and safety for small businesses visit www.safestartup.org


New FPA Design Guide

For some time the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has been working on a major revision of the LPC Design Guide 2000. As a result, the first core document Protection of Openings and Service Penetrations from Fire is now published.

The FPA Design Guide is now being expanded into a series of publications that (a) have been developed from predecessor documents and (b) also cover new ground. The Design Guide informs architects and designers about the business risk management issues that relate to the fire protection of buildings. These issues supplement in very important ways the life safety requirements contained in the principal legislative controls. It will give designers a more complete view about designing fire-safe buildings.

The new core document provides stand-alone guidance for designers to help them with designing passive fire protection of openings and service penetrations.

There will shortly be a set of related data sheets available the FPA website www.thefpa.co.uk whilst a second core document on compartmentation is now in preparation.

The Fire Protection Association, London Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0RH | Tel: +44 (0)1608 812 500 | Fax: +44 (0)1608 812 501 | Email: fpa@thefpa.co.uk


Risk Management: Are You Ready for a Change?

Publication of the results of the third European risk management benchmarking survey and launch of the innovative European risk management education programme, PRORIM, will take place at the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) in Brussels on 11 October 2006.

The seminar is a biennial event that alternates with the FERMA Forum. It is a high level event between risk managers only. Participation is free for risk manager members of FERMA, so as to draw interest from all member associations.

The theme chosen for the seminar, after discussion with members, is 'change'. Four sub-topics identified are:

Further highlights

Two further highlights of the seminar will be publication of the third European risk management benchmarking survey and the launch of PRORIM, FERMA's risk management training programme for small and medium sized businesses.

For the survey, Europe's 1,000 largest companies are being asked a series of questions on the status of risk management in their organisations. Organised by consultants Ernst & Young and AXA Corporate Solutions in co-operation with FERMA, the survey aims to establish the status of risk management in Europe, see how it has changed since the previous surveys in 2002 and 2004, and reinforce the visibility on risk management activities in Europe.

PRORIM is an on-line risk management training programme for business people and other professionals who have little or no experience in systematic risk management. Financially supported by the European Commission, it is a collaborative project between FERMA, national risk management associations of France (AMRAE), Germany (DVS), Italy (ANRA) and the United Kingdom (AIRMIC), and two educational bodies, the UK based Institute of Risk Management (IRM) and the University of Verona, Italy.

The national risk management associations of 12 countries form the Federation of European Risk Management Associations - FERMA. It represents over 5000 individual members and a wide range of business sectors from manufacturing to financial services, charities and health organisations as well as local government organisations. Member associations are from the following countries: Belgium (BELRIM), Denmark (DARIM), France (AMRAE), Germany (Bfv & DVS), Italy (ANRA), Netherlands (NARIM), Portugal (APOGERIS), Russia (RussRisk), Spain (AGERS), Sweden (SWERMA), Switzerland (SIRM) and United Kingdom (AIRMIC).

www.ferma-asso.org


OSHE websites to explore

The following may be of interest to OSHE information seekers, if you have a favourite website please let me know... Also look at www.oshworld.com - see the links under country and also under subject.

China

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention CHINA
www.chinacdc.cn/n272562

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention gives details of statistics, research and information concerning diseases and Avian influenza.

Europe

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work SPAIN
http://osha.europa.eu/search?SearchableText=avian+influenza

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has gathered together a listing of information sources on avian influenza. Constantly changing.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/avian_influenza

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website provides information about human infections due to avian influenza (zoonotic transmission) and the pandemic potential as well as risk assessment of the public health risks from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Influenza is considered to be one of the most acute threats to the population of Europe, as it is to the rest of the World. It is being taken very seriously by ECDC. Each year seasonal influenza, which comes every winter, is responsible for many preventable deaths in all European countries. There were three pandemics of human influenza in the 20th century which between them killed many millions of Europeans. The past five years have seen the emergence of a highly pathogenic avian influenza in Asia and Europe where the virus has shown the ability to infect and kill people. There are links to major centres and their information sources.

European Commission DG Health and Consumer Affairs, Animal Health and Welfare
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/avian/index_en.htm

European Commission DG Health and Consumer Affairs, Animal Health and Welfare Website - information on avian flu: causative agent, clinical symptoms, transmission & spread, vaccination, threats to human health, legislation on control measures, notification and animal health situation. The situation in Asia is followed closely by the Commission and Member States. To see how best to increase vigilance against the disease spreading to the EU two Commission working groups were organised in August and September where the issue was discussed together with EU veterinary, virology and ornithology experts. The conclusions of those meetings you will find links to on this Website. The Commission has agreed to provide an initial € 883.700 in co-funding for the avian influenza surveillance plans of the 25 Member States for the period July 2005 to January 2006. Details can be found on this website.

European Commission DG Health and Consumer Affairs, Animal Health and Welfare
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/influhome/avian_influenza_en.htm

European Commission DG Public Health page on avian flu. Various resources, information on current situation, infections in humans, procedure for communication on avian influenza events between Member States and the Centre for Disease Control. Provides links to the most recent Commission communications about avian influenza.

European Influenza Surveillance Network (EISN)
www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/surveillance/EISN

European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISN) helps reduce the burden of disease associated with influenza in Europe by collecting and exchanging timely information on influenza activity, contributing to the annual determination of the influenza vaccine content, providing relevant information about influenza to health professionals and the general public and contributing to European influenza pandemic preparedness activities. All 25 European Union Member States and Norway, Romania and Switzerland are represented in EISN. EISN presents in the weekly surveillance reports clinical and virological data concerning influenza activity in 25 of these 28 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). This surveillance scheme includes roughly 13,000 sentinel physicians and covers a total population of 464 million inhabitants. EISN also operates the Community Network of Reference Laboratories for Human Influenza. This network includes 38 reference laboratories in the 28 European countries represented in EISN, i.e. the above mentioned countries and Cyprus, Finland and Greece.

UK

Health and Safety Executive: Avian Influenza
www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/diseases/avianflu.htm

The UK Health and Safety Executive web pages on Working with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus gives advice, guidance, questions and answers. Details of infections such as influenza, SARS, Legionella. Anthrax, Zoonoses, Enteric pathogens and BSE. Has links to other sources

Health and Safety Executive: Heat Stress UK
www.hse.gov.uk/temperature

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advice on working in hot environments, including working during periods of hot weather.

Health and Safety Executive: Workers UK
www.hse.gov.uk/workers

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website for workers. Covers a wide range of information - rights and responsibilities, safety representatives, workers involvement and consultation advice, guidance, questions and answers, Workers Safety Adviser Challenge Fund, news and events.

USA

South Dakota Health Department USA
www.legionellarm.com/guidelines/guidelines.htm
USA South Dakota Health Department guidelines for control of legionella in ornamental fountains.


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Send Your news to your Editor: sp@sheilapantry.com


Don't forget

13-15 September 2006 - CIS Annual Meeting 2006 and Training Workshop, Geneva


Diary of Events

If you have details of any conferences, seminars, training courses and events then please send to your Editor. You can also check and please use any of the data in www.oshworld.com/diary.html

CIS Annual Meeting and Training Workshop 13- 15 September 2006, Geneva, Switzerland

Please put these dates in your Diary now - the CIS Annual General meeting will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from Wednesday - Friday 13th, 14th and 15th September 2006.

Please start and make the necessary arrangements in order to be to attend.

The Workshop on Wednesday, 13 September 2006 will be a hands-on computer with links to some very important NEW occupational safety and health services that you should be useful in your own services. You will have time to explore these new services yourself.

Thursday and Friday 14 and 15 September 2006 will be the Annual General meeting. Remember that time is very precious at these meetings and the Network wants to look at the FUTURE activities and what we need to do to make the CIS Network more visible to the world. Many steps forward have been taken in the recent few months - we need to accelerate faster - what needs to be started and in what priority order.

For inspiration and to get you up-to-speed start looking at the ideas in the:

22 March 2006 - NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) Public Stakeholders' Meeting
Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Detailed information will be provided in a federal register notice that will be posted in the near future.

23 May 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass Training of Business Continuity Management Teams
Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

24 May 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass Training teams in emergency planning
Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

25 May 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass Active Monitoring
Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

6-7 June 2006 - 2nd Annual Obesity Europe Conference
Le Chatelain All Suite Hotel, Brussels
Contact: Dan Craft, Epsilon Events Ltd, 12 Coopers Yard, Curran Road, Cardiff Bay CF10 5NB, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 2920 642 701 | Fax: +44 (0) 2920 642 742 | Email: conferences@epsilonevents.com | www.epsilonevents.com

14 June 2006 - Absence Management: stress, sick-notes and practical solutions
CBI Conference Centre, London, UK
Contact: Symposium Events Ltd, 212a Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7403 3990 | Email: celfilali@symposium-events.co.uk | www.symposium-events.co.uk

6 July 2006 - Corporate Manslaughter
CBI Conference Centre, London, UK
Contact: Symposium Events Ltd, 212a Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7403 3990 | Email: celfilali@symposium-events.co.uk | www.symposium-events.co.uk

13 July 2006 - Work-life balance
CBI Conference Centre, London, UK
Contact: Symposium Events Ltd, 212a Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7403 3990 | Email: celfilali@symposium-events.co.uk | www.symposium-events.co.uk

13-15 September 2006 - CIS Annual Meeting 2006 and Training Workshop, Geneva

7 November 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass Management of Road Risk
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

8 November 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass Implementing a Drugs and Drinks Policy
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

9 November 2006 - EurOhse2006 Masterclass on Working at Heights
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK
Contact: Angel Business Communications Ltd/Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Coventry, UK | Tel: +44(0)1926 512424 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk


Make my day ...

Send Your news to your Editor: sp@sheilapantry.com