CIS Newsletter

No. 221
February 2008

CIS Newsletter celebrates 20 years & still going strong!
Bringing news to over 145 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial - start planning for the 50th Anniversary of CIS
  2. News from CIS HQ Geneva
  3. News from around the World - Belgium, Canada, Europe, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA
  4. OSHE websites
  5. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

The year is fast moving ahead as various countries plan new campaigns, conferences, training courses, guidance, advice and publications - as always health and safety people are busy people!

As we welcome new members into our CIS family of members, the year ahead is already looking very busy for CIS network - the ILO Congress and CIS Annual meeting in Korea... see below for details. Also the Regional Meeting to be held in September 2008 in Geneva: actual date yet to be announced!

As mentioned in the January 2008 edition of this Newsletter - a very important date is ahead of us - the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the formation of CIS! We need to plan for this important - please start to think about this major event and how news of CIS and its activities can be broadcasted around the World. We will not get such a chance for another 50 years!

Start and send your ideas into CIS HQ Geneva of what you would like to see done and will be doing in your own country for this Very Special Event in 2009 - which is less than 330 days away...

Ideas, news items are always welcomed 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. 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 now for over 6 years.

Some of you may 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 >>>>

Use the CIS Logo on your web site and publications!

Remember the motto of all publicity people ... tell them, tell them and tell them again... so take every opportunity to give publicity to "Health and Safety at work"...

Thriving in 2008... Keep promoting and telling the World at large that CIS and its network exists! And start preparations for 28 April 2008 - World Day for Safety and Health at Work! See below for the theme for 2008.

Remember that your News in the CIS Newsletter goes to over 145 countries and gets re-used in other magazines and websites. CIS Newsletters on the web are getting more and more used... With many thousands of hits per month......send your news to me and get even more publicity for your Information services!

Will you be Surviving in 2008?... perhaps you will if you make efforts in 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
www.fireinf.com

Please consider the environment before printing this Newsletter

Feel free to use this Newsletter on your own web site/pages/e-news

News from CIS HQ, Geneva

The following will be of interest:

  1. The dates and agenda for the next International Labour Conference are now known (97th Session of the ILC, 28 May - 13 June 2008, Geneva, Switzerland).
    Please see: www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_089955.pdf.
    No item relates directly to safety and health at work this year - get your social partners to rectify this omission!
  2. The World Day report for 28 April 2008 is being finalized. The theme and slogan this year are:
    Managing Risk in the Work Environment
    My Life, My Work, My Safe Work
    or in French
    Gestion du risque en milieu de travail
    Ma vie, mon travail, mon travail en sécurité
    Various products are also being prepared. More to come soon on this issue.
  3. On the CIS Centres Network front:
    A number of Centres have applied to become CIS Centres at the end of last year.
    National CIS Centres having applied or expressed interest include:
    Libya and Macedonia
    Collaboration Centres:
    Bahrain, Republika Srpska and Russia (St-Petersburg)
    Negotiations have also started concerning the recognition of the EU-OSHA in Bilbao as a CIS Regional Centre for Europe.
    Finally, in Morocco, the National CIS Centre will be transferred from the University of Rabat to the Ministry of Labour in that same city. We also wish Pr Mounassif (former CIS contact point) good luck for his new life and the many projects he will undertake.
  4. 2008 World Congress in Korea
    Finally and last but not least, KOSHA, the CIS National Centre in Korea is preparing the preliminary Programme for the 2008 World Congress (Seoul, Republic of Korea, 29 June - 2 July 2008). The CIS Centres Annual Meeting will take place on 29 July at COEX (Convention Centre in Seoul) from 9 am to 4 pm.

For information on the programme or for registration, please see: www.safety2008korea.org

If you are going to Korea - please let the CIS HQ staff know that you will be there.

Annick Virot, CIS Centres Coordinator, ILO Joint Coordinator for the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, 2008, Seoul, ILO-CIS, CH-1211 Genève 22 | Tel: 00 41 22 799 68 30 | virot@ilo.org | www.ilo.org/cis | www.safety2008korea.org

Make my Day... Please send some News - Your Editor

ILO Training Centre

The ILO's Training Centre in Turin (ITCILO) has issued its 2008 catalogue of standard courses, which can be consulted at www.itcilo.org/en/standard-courses-registration

The catalogue covers a wide range of topics related to the Decent Work agenda. Training is an integral part of ILO services for constituents. Technical cooperation projects also offer opportunities to upgrade skills through training. All ILO colleagues in field offices and technical units at headquarters can be instrumental in promoting the ITCILO courses among interested partners and institutions.

To obtain hard copies of the catalogue please contact info@itcilo.org

Le Centre international de formation de l'OIT (CIF-OIT), situé à Turin, a publié son catalogue 2008 de cours réguliers, lequel peut être consulté à l'adresse www.itcilo.org/en/standard-courses-registration

Le catalogue couvre un large éventail de sujets liés à l'agenda du travail décent. La formation fait partie intégrante des services offerts par l'OIT à ses mandants. Les projets de coopération technique offrent la possibilité de renforcer les compétences par la formation. Tous les collègues de l'OIT, qu'ils travaillent dans les bureaux de terrain ou dans les unités techniques du siège, peuvent promouvoir intensivement les cours du CIF-OIT auprès des partenaires et institutions intéressés.

Pour obtenir des exemplaires papier du catalogue veuillez contacter info@itcilo.org

El Centro Internacional de Formación de la OIT (CIF-OIT) de Turín acaba de publicar su Catálogo de cursos regulares de 2008, el cual puede consultarse en www.itcilo.org/en/standard-courses-registration

Este catálogo abarca una amplia variedad de temas relacionados con el Programa de Trabajo Decente. La formación es una parte integral de los servicios que la OIT ofrece a sus mandantes. Los proyectos de cooperación técnica también ofrecen oportunidades de capacitación a través de la formación. Todos los colegas de la OIT, tanto en las oficinas exteriores como en los servicios técnicos de la Sede, pueden contribuir decisivamente en la promoción de los cursos del CIF-OIT entre los socios e instituciones interesados.

Para recibir copias impresas del catálogo pónganse en contacto con info@itcilo.org

News from around the World

News from Belgium

Cefic Opens New Call to Young Researchers through LRI Innovative Science Award

For the fifth year running, the Cefic LRI (Long-range Research Initiative) Innovative Science Award has been launched. The €100,000 prize, which aims to promote innovation in the field of toxicology, is being organised this year in partnership with EUROTOX (Federation of European Toxicologists & European Societies of Toxicology).

The LRI Award aims to attract toxicology researchers, particularly those early on in their careers, with research proposals on areas such as refinement, reduction and replacement of animal use in regulatory testing (3Rs), toxicogenomics and epigenetics, susceptible populations, exposure assessment and effects of mixtures. Research in these areas will contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment.

The Award alternates each year between toxicology and ecotoxicology. The 2007 Award on ecotoxicology was in partnership with the European Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and was awarded to thirty-year old Dr. Roman Ashauer from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology.

Young scientists have until 3 March, 2008 to apply. An expert jury will deliver the LRI Innovative Science Award in June 2008. For more information see www.cefic-lri.org. A new website will be launched in the coming weeks.

Annie Mutamba, Cefic Research & Innovation Spokesperson | Email: amu@cefic.be | Tel: +32 497 790 098

News from Canada

IRSST Canada - Loading Docks: Safety First - Tools to make safety management easier

Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST) in Canada has developed a simple and user-friendly software program to evaluate measures for restraining trucks on loading docks. This Doc-Quais computer-based tool allows you to evaluate the initial safety level of your company's loading docks for the three main risks (unscheduled departure, slippage, tipping), and then to evaluate the effectiveness of different measures (physical or procedural) for restraining trucks on docks. The software generates a report and a follow-up plan that enables you to save the information and to follow the modifications proposed for improving the safety of your docks. Doc-Quais is accompanied by a user's guide to make it easier to use, as well as a questionnaire. A simplified and written version of the software is available in the form of a technical fact sheet: www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/RF-530.pdf.

The Doc-Quais computer-based tool can be downloaded free of charge at the following address: www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-tool-doc-quais.html

The documents can be downloaded free:

News from Canada

CCOHS planning for Pandemic Key to Minimizing Impact

To help companies understand the risks and protect their staff and operations, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched two e-courses on pandemic influenza. Pandemic Awareness and Pandemic Planning offer practical, step-by-step information to help workplaces plan and prepare for the impact of such a crisis.

Pandemic Awareness is a free, 20-minute introductory course that describes what a pandemic is, how an influenza virus spreads, and the impact a pandemic may have on workplaces, families and communities. This e-course also outlines the importance of preparing for a pandemic. It describes what could happen, and what people should expect. Most importantly, the course describes how people and companies can proactively try to avert a crisis by staying as influenza-free as possible.

Pandemic Planning expands on information in the Awareness course by providing more details on how workplaces can plan for a pandemic, the employee absences it would cause, and why it's important to prepare. In addition, it explains how to take action on both an individual and organization level. The course outlines how having a business continuity plan will reduce the impact of a pandemic on both the employees and organization. The course also describes ways to slow the spread of influenza.

Course participants will learn tips on how to prepare for a flu pandemic at work, at home and in the community, and where to find further information. Everyone in the workplace including managers and supervisors can benefit from these e-courses.

As with all CCOHS e-courses, participants can contact CCOHS subject specialists to ask specific questions that may arise. There are quizzes throughout and a certificate of completion is issued upon passing the exam for the Pandemic Planning course. CCOHS courses are unique in that they are developed by experts in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.

Courses are available in English and French. Pricing and registration information is available on the CCOHS website: www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/pandemic_plan.

Contact: Eleanor Westwood, Manager of Communications, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety | Tel: + 1 905 572-2981, Ext. 4408 | Email: eleanorw@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

News from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work's European Risk Observatory

Many of Europe's migrant workers face poor safety and health conditions

In a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), the European Risk Observatory (ERO) provides an overview of the most important issues relating to the occupational safety and health (OSH) of migrant workers. Migration can bring career opportunities that can enhance workers' general well-being, but it can also involve a degree of deskilling and downward social mobility which can be associated with potential health and safety problems.

"Migrant workers are often over-represented in high-risk sectors and in the so-called 3D jobs - dirty, dangerous and demanding", says Jukka Takala, Director of EU-OSHA, of which ERO is an integral part.

"Their work is often characterised by uncertainty, poor working conditions and low wages. This is a serious concern all over Europe." The ERO literature survey provides an overview of migration in the EU and outlines the most significant OSH issues affecting migrant workers.

Labour market segregation

Existing evidence suggests a concentration of migrant workers in certain sectors and occupations: on the one hand, they work in high skill professions such as IT, on the other hand, many face poorer working conditions in sectors such as agriculture and horticulture, construction, health care, households, transport and the food sector.

The significant presence of migrant workers in these sectors may be explained not only by labour shortages but also by language and legal barriers along with more subtle forms of discrimination. And their presence is likely to be even higher as official statistics refer only to legal permanent migration and not temporary or undeclared workers, which may be particularly relevant in agriculture.

One direct consequence of the labour market segregation is the over-qualification of many migrant workers due to their employment in low-skill occupations.

The impact of working conditions on migrants' health and safety

Labour market segmentation can have negative consequences in terms of lower wages, longer working hours, higher occupational instability, more physically demanding and monotonous work and more risks of accidents at work.

Migrant workers face additional health and safety risks due to their relatively short period of work in the host countries and their limited knowledge of the health and safety systems in place. They also report being subject to harassment more frequently than their native counterparts. Coupled with more unfavourable working conditions, higher rates of stress and burnout are one visible consequence.

Undeclared work

It is estimated that in the nine largest economies of the former EU15 between 4.4 and 5.5 million immigrants are working in the "informal economy", although precise data about undeclared employment is still not available. There are serious health concerns for undeclared workers as they often do not have access to occupational health care services and lack the legal protection mechanisms for employees in dangerous occupations. The few studies carried out on safety and health of undeclared workers suggest that they are under-reported in statistics and that they are likely to endure very poor working conditions.

An ongoing concern

Safety and health of migrant workers is an ongoing concern in the EU. Therefore, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work will continue to monitor the state of knowledge on the topic and promote the exchange of existing good practice information through its website.

Further reading

Download the 'Literature Study on Migrant Workers' free of charge Available in English: http://osha.europa.eu/migrantworkers/migrantworkers.pdf

Agency website on Migrant Workers

European Risk Observatory: http://osha.europa.eu/en/riskobservatory

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions:
Improving quality and productivity at work: Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work

  1. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.
  2. The European Risk Observatory was set up in 2005 as an integral part of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Demographic changes and developments in the organisation of work and production methods are generating new types of risks to workers' safety and health that demand new solutions. The Risk Observatory aims to identify new and emerging risks and to promote early preventive action. It describes trends and underlying factors and anticipates changes in the working environment and their likely consequences to health and safety.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0062en01.pdf

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Vía 33, E-48009 Bilbao - Spain | Tel: + 34 94 479 4360 | Fax: + 34 94 479 4383 | http://osha.europa.eu

Closing event of the Lighten the Load campaign

The closing event of the Lighten the Load campaign will be held on Tuesday 26th February 2008 at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain.

The Summit provides a unique opportunity to hear from professionals, practitioners and participants what has been achieved during the European campaign on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). After an opening plenary with Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, delegates will have a choice of three thematic workshops:

In the afternoon, keynote speeches and the presentation of the Good Practice Award Winners round up the programme.

Please read the detailed programme.

From the European Foundation - Women, men and work in the EU: the gender perspective

The working conditions of both women and men throughout the European Union (EU) are analysed in detail in a new Eurofound report Working conditions in the European Union: the gender perspective. The report explores gender in the context of occupational segregation, working conditions, working time and subjective well-being. It includes an analysis of job satisfaction, work-life balance and health outcomes and looks at possible policy orientations.

While men work longer paid hours, women's composite working time, including employment, commuting and unpaid work at home, tends to be longer than that of men. This is the case whether women are in full-time or part-time employment. Women often choose part-time work due to the pressures of juggling paid employment with unpaid work at home. Full-timers, especially men, enjoy greater autonomy at work, while women are more exposed to the risk of violence, bullying, unwelcome sexual attention and discrimination.

Published as the European Year on Equal Opportunities draws to a close, the report shows that three quarters of the EU workforce are managed by men. It found that among white-collar managers and professionals, women have less autonomy and are more likely to work shifts. Women are also more at risk of being paid low wages and of poverty. High poverty rates are particularly apparent for lone mothers and retired women.

However, women are only half as likely as men to be contacted concerning their work outside working hours. This applies for both full-timers and part-timers and across all occupational groups. And women in clerical jobs or lower skilled blue-collar occupations express satisfaction with the fit between their working hours and non-work life. This is also the case for professionals, both male and female. Women also tend to have more regular schedules and are less involved in evening, night or weekend working.

While women are less likely to have working-time autonomy, the most satisfied workers are those with some working-time autonomy and who work full-time but not more than 48 hours a week, even though they may work unsocial hours. Most women employed part-time do not want to change the number of hours they work. Nevertheless, one in three women would like longer hours in paid employment. Fears about job security affect clerical and blue-collar workers more than white-collar workers.

The report underlines the gender inequality in unpaid domestic workloads. It suggests men be encouraged to avail of parental leave and seek to adjust their working hours. It also suggests curbing long full-time working hours, thereby facilitating a more equitable pattern of paid and unpaid working time. Childcare and eldercare responsibilities also need to be addressed. The report notes that long hours make jobs incompatible with family and other commitments for both men and women.

The report Working conditions in the European Union: the gender perspective
European Foundation for Working and Living Conditions. 2007. ISBN 978 92 897 0814 2
Full text: www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef07108.htm

Contact: Måns Mårtensson, Euro Foundation, Dublin, Ireland | Tel: +353 1 204 3124 | Mobile: +353 876 593 507 | Email: Mans.Martensson@eurofound.europa.eu | www.eurofound.europa.eu

News from France

Eurogip Annual report for 2006

The 35 page report contents - in both English and French show the salient events in the activity of Eurogip in the year 2006. It also lists the activities under the following headings: Standardization; Information -Communication; Public Relations; Surveys, Projects and coordination of notified bodies and the revamping of the website www.eurogip.fr.

Contact: Isabelle Leleu, EUROGIP, 55 rue de la Fédération, 75015 Paris, France | Tel: +33 (0) 1 40 56 30 40 | Fax: +33 (0) 1 40 56 36 66 |Email: eurogip@eurogip.fr | www.eurogip.fr

News from Germany

Healthy Skin Campaign: wrong creams can be harmful

Skin care is an area for which the motto "the more, the better" does not necessarily hold true. On the contrary: people with sensitive skin may do lasting damage to it by using certain skin creams excessively. The experts of the Healthy Skin Campaign run by the German health and accident insurance institutions draw attention to this fact.

The products, which frequently contain preservatives and odorants, may cause stubborn papules and reddening, primarily around the mouth but also over the rest of the face. This is particularly likely when a facial cream is used which is unsuitable for the skin type in question. A narrow area around the lips is generally unaffected. The skin swells somewhat, reddens and burns.

The sufferers: women in high-visibility professions

Perioral dermatitis is also known in Germany as the "stewardess's disease", since it primarily affects young women in high-visibility occupations. Sufferers are aged between 20 and 50 and have a well-groomed appearance. Female sales, trade fair or service personnel are affected, as well as stewardesses; the disease is in no way exclusive to a particular profession. Anyone who persistently treats their skin with different creams and cosmetic products when not at work is equally likely to be affected.

Causes and tips for treatment

"Perioral dermatitis probably occurs when the skin's normal microflora - 'domestic bacteria', one might say" - are disturbed, creating an environment in which pathogenic microorganisms are able to multiply," say Professor Nana Schürer and Professor Swen Malte John, dermatologists in Osnabrück. Inappropriate skin-care measures lead to an imbalance between the metabolism of the skin and that of the "domestic bacteria". The skin frequently regains its condition as soon as this equilibrium is restored, say the skin experts. Their recommendation is therefore: good advice on skin care is important!

Attention should also be paid to the pH values of cosmetics. The skin's surface has a pH of approximately 5 (slightly acidic); a care product with a corresponding value should therefore be selected. It is particularly important that as soon as the first signs of a skin reaction are observed, the cream is no longer used and is replaced by products with an optimized pH value and ideally free of any irritating substances.

If the skin disease has reached a more advanced stage, certain skin creams with an antimicrobial action (such as the active agents erythromycin or metronidazole) are suitable for treatment. "Cortisone" is however unsuitable for this purpose, says John. It results in the disease being suppressed briefly, only to return with a vengeance, since the active agent is unable to restore the disturbed equilibrium of the facial skin.

The Healthy Skin Campaign

The Healthy Skin Campaign is being run jointly by the German statutory health and accident insurance institutions. Altogether, some 120 health and accident insurance institutions are campaigning under the motto: "Your skin. The most important 2m2 in your life", with the aim of protecting the largest organ in the human body. The goal of the campaign is: "Healthy skin - fewer cases of skin disease."

For further information on the Healthy Skin Campaign, visit www.2m2-haut.de.

Jutta Sieger, Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV), Kommunikation, Mittelstraße 51, 10117 Berlin | Tel.: +49 30/288 763-766 | Fax: + 49 30/288 763-771 | Email: jutta.sieger@dguv.de

News from the ISO

New series of ISO standards assists stakeholders in recycling ships

ISO has launched the first document of a new series of management system standards for the recycling of ships. The new series, ISO 30000, Ship recycling management systems, will support environmental protection and increase the safety of workers.

Capt. Charles Piersall, Chair of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology says: "ISO 30000 has been developed to assist stakeholders - large and small - in the uniform implementation of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) requirements on ship recycling. The series of standards will increase transparency, facilitate trade, provide a clear reference for industry and constitute a valuable risk assessment tool. These ISO standards can be used by any organization and for ships of all types and sizes, everywhere, employed in international and domestic trades alike."

Press Release: www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1105

ISO/PAS 30000:2008 - www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=45670

TC 8 - Ships and marine technology: www.iso.org/iso/iso_technical_committee?commid=45776

ISO: www.iso.org

News from the International Standards Organisation (ISO)

New ISO standards to improve quality of water services to consumers

A suite of new ISO standards offer the international community practical tools to address the global challenge of effectively managing limited water resources in order to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation for the world's population.

ISO has just published three standards providing guidelines for service activities relating to drinking water supply systems and wastewater sewerage systems. These international standards are designed to help water authorities and their operators to achieve a level of quality that best meets the expectations of users and the principles of sustainable development.

Press Release: www.iso.org/iso/pressrelease.htm?refid=Ref1100

If you use this media release as the basis for an article on your website you are welcome to include a link to the ISO Web site www.iso.org

TC 224 - Service activities relating to drinking water supply systems and wastewater systems - Quality criteria of the service and performance indicators: www.iso.org/iso/iso_technical_committee?commid=299764

Make my Day... Please send some News - Your Editor

News from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Davos: Dangerous Complacency over Global Economy

Political and business leaders at this week's Davos World Economic Forum meeting are showing few signs of recognising their failure to tackle governance of the global economy, according to the international trade union delegation attending the gathering.

"Governments have got it badly wrong and are showing dangerous complacency even as the obvious cracks in the world economy are widening" said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The global union movement, in its www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/WEF_Statement_-_Labour_and_the_Shifting_Power_Equation_-_Rev_EN.pdf to the Davos meeting, has set out a series of urgently-needed measures to deal with the falling share of national income going to wages around the world, the need for proper regulation and transparency in financial markets, stimulating growth in key economies, tackling unemployment and poverty, and arresting the decline in social institutions and public services. The four pillars of decent work - employment, workers' rights, social protection and social dialogue - are necessary components of the remedy to the current crisis.

"Governments are faced with a stark choice - business as usual, with a roller-coaster economy where working people receive few of the benefits of upswings and bear most of the brunt of the bad times, or coherent and responsible global cooperation. Governments have to understand the need for proper financial regulation, and this time, they need to get it right", said John Evans, General Secretary of the OECD Trade Union Advisory Committee.

The union statement highlights inequality as a major factor in the current instability, with the share of national income going to wages decreasing continuously over recent decades in the vast majority of developing and industrial countries.

"The 'golden era' of globalization has made a lucky circle very rich indeed, but most people are missing out on the benefits. When workers get a fair share of the pie, economies work better because they have the purchasing power to simulate growth. The world desperately needs politicians to show the courage to make this happen", said Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union.

Another key message from the unions at Davos is the pressing need to invest in "green jobs", with the twin aims of tackling climate change and creating high quality employment. The ITUC is working with the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Labour Organisation on an ambitious agenda to achieve this.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. www.ituc-csi.org

News from Poland

OSH BHP database from Poland's CIS Centre

Barbara sends the following information about the new OSH BHP database that contains Polish OSH information. To use the database follow the instructions below:

  1. Go to: www.ciop.pl.
  2. Change into English
  3. Click: "Polish National CIS Centre" on the right
  4. You have the main page. On top in the group of website parts names you have " OSH-BHP- Polish OSH literature database"
  5. After click on it you have the short description of the database and at the bottom - the link: "Searching OSH-BHP database "
  6. After the click you are inside the searching of database in Polish
  7. Click in the English flag and you have the text on the screen in English.
  8. You are in the Main Catalogue and you can search.
  9. If you want to search in the OSH-BHP database, you must you must click in "Other databases".
  10. You will get 3 databases: Thesaurus, SPBHP (in Polish -Subject profile of bibliographic database, made as a research task, concern changes in safety and health protection issues, as a progress in computerization result. Documents subject concerns: new threats, new job solutions like telework, new possibilities concern safety in working environment, including increasing meaning of information), as well as OSH-BHP - description of Polish literature in English. So you must click on OSH-BHP database.
  11. You can search the database writing the searching words in Polish, English, French, German or Spanish, because we put into the computer the thesaurus in 4 languages (CIS Centre thesaurus) and in Polish (our thesaurus elaborated in Polish on the base of CIS Thesaurus). All the descriptors are connected with each other, so you can search in any language.

You may also like to try the ALEPH system on the CIOP library pages, which currently is in Polish only. All CIOP databases should be searchable through this link: www.ciop.pl/395.html

EUROSHNET: the 3rd European Conference on Standardization, Testing and Certification - Safer Products for Competitive Workplaces, Cracow, Poland, 11-12 September 2008

The New Approach, together with its 25 directives and over 2500 harmonized European Standards at the present time, is a major driving force for competitiveness and economic growth in the European Union. At the same time, the directives set out a high level of protection with regard to the health and safety of people in Europe.

More than 20 years after adoption of the New Approach, the European Commission has begun a revision of it, in order to improve the effectiveness of the Single Market and to promote simplification and enhance regulation. Amendments are related in particular to the obligations of market players, evaluation of the competence of notified bodies, safeguard clause procedures, conformity assessment procedures, conformity marking, and market surveillance issues.

In parallel with this development, the Machinery Directive, which governs a significant proportion of trade within the Single Market, has been revised and adapted to the needs of the market participants. The new directive will apply from 29 December 2009.

These changes all have far-reaching implications. They concern the market surveillance authorities in the Member States, accreditation bodies, conformity assessment bodies and testing laboratories, and also the manufacturers of products and the European standards organizations.

The conference is aimed at market participants and other stakeholders, in particular those involved in occupational health and safety (national authorities, accident insurance institutions, social partners, users of products, etc.). It will provide an opportunity to pool views and to review the experience gained to date with the New Approach. Based on this information, the possible impact of the new developments upon the safety and competitiveness of workplaces in the European Union is to be analysed. The key questions to be answered will be whether the new developments can help to overcome the remaining imperfections of the system, and whether they respond to the need for improvement identified by OSH experts in the fields of standardization, certification and related research.

In the first session of the conference, representatives of the European Commission will inform the participants on the latest developments in European legislation. Representatives of the parties concerned will discuss the impact of these developments on the Single Market from the point of view of occupational health and safety.

In the second part of the conference, practical examples will be given of the positive economic and social impact of OSH activities, and of how they contribute to the competitiveness of workplaces.

The third part will provide an opportunity to assess the current situation and to reflect on measures for making progress. The session will close with the presentation of discussions held within EUROSHNET on this issue. The results of these discussions have been laid down in the "Cracow EUROSHNET Memorandum", key aspects of which will be highlighted in a panel discussion.

EUROSHNET: www.ciop.pl/16650.html#2

Announcement: www.euroshnet.org/pdf/Cracow%20Conference-First%20Announcement.pdf

News from Russia

The All Russia Centre for Occupational Safety and Health restructures...

The Federal State Institution "The All Russia Centre for Occupational Safety and Health" under the Federal Agency for Public Health and Social Development (FSI "VCOT" Roszdrava) has recently been restructured into the Federal State Institution "The All Russia Scientific Research Institute for Occupational Safety and Labour Economics" under the Federal Agency for Public Health and Social Department. It has just reached the 40th anniversary of it foundation.

This red-letter day was marked at the 3rd International conference "Perfection of Occupational Management, Preservation of Life and Health of Employees in the process of labour activity" held on the 6 December 2007 within the framework of the 11th International Special exhibition "Labour Security and Occupational Safety 2007. This was held at the All Russia Exhibition Centre (VVC).

The CIS Network members send their congratulations to our friends and wish them every success in their future endeavours as they continue to promote good standards of health and safety in the workplace.

Contact: Evgeny N Reshetnikov, Head, Department for NIC Activity and Foreign Relations, 4th Parkovaya St., 29, 195 943 Moscow, Russia | Tel: +31 7 495 164 93 64 | Fax: +31 7 495 164 99 94 | Email: vcot@mail.ru

News from the UK

Top tools help make safety easier

Need health and safety information fast? Then why not make use of IOSH's (the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's) free tools.

IOSH has produced some free online tools that are available to help businesses carry out their health and safety obligations successfully and easily.

Safestartup has been produced specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises. It's a simple, easy-to-use guide on basic health, safety and environmental information. The site, which is led by Alex, a friendly robot, covers registering a business, health and safety policies, welfare, insurance, reporting accidents and risk assessment, and it now contains information on hazards and basic control measures for 60 different types of businesses and occupations. Visit www.safestartup.org to find out more.

IOSH has also produced a risk management toolkit which is specifically designed to help small firms tackle risks in their workplaces in a user-friendly way. The toolkit makes use of a series of work cards, checklists, info cards and workbooks and provides a step-by-step approach to help you create your own safety management system. Visit www.iosh.co.uk/riskmanagementtoolkit to download your copy.

The occupational health toolkit can also help guide your firm on where to find expert advice on some of the biggest causes workplace absence: stress and musculoskeletal disorders. Visit www.ohtoolkit.co.uk for more details.

Richard Jones, IOSH's director of technical affairs, says: "By making use of our tools, businesses can get themselves on the right track towards complying with health and safety law.

"241 people died in the UK's workplaces last year and over 140,000 suffered injury. A further 2.2 million people suffer ill-health they believe was caused or made worse by work. Not taking health and safety seriously puts you and your staff at serious risk of harm. So don't take the chance - use our free tools to help you make your workplace a safe place to be."

IOSH is Europe's largest body for health and safety professionals. It has over 31,000 members worldwide, including more than 11,500 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. IOSH is formally recognised by the ILO as an international non-governmental organisation.

Paul Marston, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Leicester, UK | Tel: +44 (0)116 257 3141| Email: paul.marston@iosh.co.uk | www.iosh.co.uk

News from the USA

United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

New report: Research Report on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines (December 2007)

www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/mineract/pdfs/Report_on_Refuge_Alternatives_Research_12-07.pdf

Interested in Construction Safety and Health?

NIOSH announces the inaugural issue of the "National Occupational Research Agenda Construction Sector E-Newsletter." This newsletter will cover news and activities of the Construction Sector Council and other new research and events of interest to our construction stakeholders. You can view the inaugural issue at www.cdc.gov/niosh/news/nora/construction/NORAconstNewsV1N1.html.

Sign-up for future issues via the Web page, www.cdc.gov/niosh/news/nora/construction.

NIOSH New Hearing Loss Prevention Publications

Inquiring Ears Want to Know: A Fact Sheet about Your Hearing Test (2008-102) www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2573.htm.

They're Your Ears: Protect Them (2007-175) - www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-175.

Have you Heard? Hearing Loss Caused by Farm Noise is Preventable (2007-176) - www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-176.

Don't forget to sign up to receive NIOSH's very useful monthly newsletter go to: www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews.

Was Anyone Almost Hurt on Your Worksite Today? asks Scott Schneider

Have you ever been walking and a truck pulls out right in front of you? A few steps quicker and you might have been hit. Have you lost your balance at heights and caught yourself or been saved by a safety harness or guardrail? Has something fallen from a crane overhead and nearly hit you? A close call could easily have been a serious injury or a fatality. Close calls are accidents waiting to happen.

Each year, almost 240,000 construction workers lose work time due to injuries on the job. For each person injured, probably four or more are almost injured. We call these "near misses" or "close calls." In total, approximately one million close calls occur each year. A 2003 study of almost 700 construction Laborers in the northwest found that 56 percent had zero to one, 29 percent had two to five and 14 percent had six or more close calls during the previous year.

Like real safety incidents, close calls are caused by a variety of production pressures and safety hazards. Everyone may be rushing to get the job done and not paying close attention to where they are going or their work. Close calls can also be caused by unsafe conditions that have been ignored (e.g., guard rails left unfinished or trip hazards not corrected) when workers feel they do not have the time or the responsibility to correct them. Whatever the cause, an assessment of why a close call occurred is the best way to take necessary action so that the next similar incident is not a serious injury accident.

What should be done to prevent close calls?

Most companies do accident investigations, but these only focus on the tip of the iceberg. Yet, any close call could have been an accident if conditions had been slightly different. In fact, real injury incidents are just a tiny portion of the total incidents that might have caused a serious injury. Realizing this fact, some companies do close call investigations as well. Then, they can get a true picture of the major hazards on their site and where corrective actions are needed.

The first step is a company and union commitment to reporting close calls. Company safety personnel or a joint health and safety committee should establish and publicize a reporting procedure. Each reported incident, then, should be investigated the same as incidents that actually cause injuries or illness. Based on the investigation and its assessment, corrective action should be implemented.

Safety is no accident. A safe worksite requires paying attention to close calls. They reveal the major problems and result in effective prevention. Close call analysis is the best way to uncover potential problems and make changes before injury occurs.

For further articles see the January 2008 issue of LIFELINES ONLINE (Vol. IV, No. 8) is available at the LHSFNA website. These are the headlines:

To view the stories and access the website go to www.lhsfna.org.

Also, please note that back issues of LIFELINES ONLINE - as well as our print magazine, LIFELINES - are posted for online viewing. The LIFELINES ONLINE archive and LIFELINES archive are fully searchable, so you can find the articles that relate to your topic of interest.

As always, we look forward to your feedback and comments on our website and LIFELINES ONLINE.

Steve Clark, Communications Manager, Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America, 905 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Meeting the Global Challenge of AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria: The US Department of Health and Human Services( HHS) commitment to Global Health

Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH, Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently gave a presentation to the Chairman and Members of the Senate Committee on the role of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the implementation of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. She covered a number of the Department's recent accomplishments under the Emergency Plan, as well as provide some considerations for the future. Staff at HHS are proud to be one of the main implementing agencies of the Emergency Plan, under the leadership of Ambassador Mark Dybul, M.D.

HHS has a long history in global health, and appreciate the Committee's bipartisan support for HHS international work. The Department, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), played a leadership role in the eradication of smallpox, and is currently working to eradicate polio and guinea worm, and eliminate measles. Over the years, the scope of HHS' global efforts has expanded to strengthen the capacity of other countries to conduct critical public-health activities. Today, HHS have made global health a central part of our mission, and continues to be on the frontlines of international disease eradication, health promotion and, increasingly in the 21st century, global health preparedness - focused on protecting the United States and the world from emerging, and re-emerging, worldwide threats.

To read more www.cdc.gov/washington/testimony/2007/t20071211.htm

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OSHE web sites to explore...

Also look in www.oshworld.com/links.html for hundreds of links to authoritative and validated web sites... constantly updated.

SPAIN

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work: OSH management   SPAIN
http://osha.europa.eu/topics/business/performance
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work occupational health and safety (OSH) management advice. Whether your enterprise is a small or a large company, implementing an efficient OSH management can enhance your productivity. Managing risk is a key element of OSH. If you prevent and control risks effectively many of the business benefits will follow. See the range of advice and guidance.

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work: European Risk Observatory   SPAIN
http://osha.europa.eu/en/riskobservatory
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work European Risk Observatory web site. As society evolves under the influence of new technology and of shifting economic and social conditions, so workplaces, work practices and production processes are constantly changing. These new work situations bring with them new risks and challenges for workers and employers which in turn demand political, administrative and technical approaches that ensure high levels of safety and health at work. This section provides up to date information on new and emerging occupational risks and their prevention, as well as giving a long term perspective through the expert forecasts and bringing together links to other useful sources of information. Topics include nanotechnology, absenteeism, hearing loss, noise exposure, pace of work and working time.

UK

British Glass - Manufacturer's Confederation   UK
www.glasscharter.co.uk
British Glass - Manufacturer's Confederation web site. The GLASS Charter Initiative provides Health and Safety guidance and information for the whole of the UK Glass Industry - from Manufacturers' to Window Fitters; providing a central point through which issues can be raised in the regular Safety Committees. The site provides information and guidance through a wide range of publications including regular newsletters, industry-specific legislation updates and codes of practice.

Health and Safety Executive: Leadership   UK
www.hse.gov.uk/leadership
Health and Safety Executive' HSE guidance applies to organisations of all sizes. It contains a range of resources to help leaders find the best ways for their organisations and to lead and promote health and safety; and help meet the organisation's legal obligations. The Health and Safety Executive has further advice and resources on leadership for small business and major hazard industries. The guidance is for all directors, governors, trustees, officers and their equivalents in the private, public and third sectors.

Sheffield Occupational Health and Safety Association SOHSA   UK
www.sohsa.org.uk
Sheffield Occupational Health and Safety Association (SOHSA) UK mission is to protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled. They look after health and safety in nuclear installations and mines, factories, farms, hospitals and schools, offshore gas and oil installations, the safety of the gas grid and the movement of dangerous goods and substances, railway safety, and many other aspects of the protection both of workers and the public. The Sheffield Occupational Health & Safety Association, established in 1922, are committed to helping businesses, and individuals involved in health and safety, to achieve a level of knowledge and awareness, which will enable them to improve their health and safety performance.

USA

American Industrial Hygiene Association: Laboratory Health and Safety Committee   USA
www.aiha.org/insideaiha/volunteergroups/labHandScommittee
American Industrial Hygiene Association: Laboratory Health and Safety Committee web site gives a range of very useful information covering: laboratory safety incidents that can be sorted by topics, key instruction concepts and also date added. There is an extensive list of technical and environmental topics. Also included are resources and links.

Diary of Events

If you have a seminar, conference or exhibition that you would like to promote - please send details to your Editor. Also look in www.oshworld.com/diary.html

11-13 February 2008 - Environmental Nuisances: Noise, Light, Odour and Fugitive Dust

External link: www.awma.org/events/view_event.html?typeid=1&id=80
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sponsor: Air & Waste Management Association
Contact: Kristen Maser, Air & Waste Management Association, One Gateway Center, 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa 15222 | Phone: (412) 904-6030 | Fax: (412) 232-3450 | Email: kmaser@awma.org

13-15 May 2008 - British Occupational Hygiene Society's 2008 Annual Conference

The British Occupational Hygiene Society's (BOHS) Annual Conference - Occupational Hygiene 2008 - takes place this year in Bristol, UK from 13th to 15th May 2008.

Highlights include the Conference-opening Warner Lecture by Paul Schulte, Director of the Education and Information Division of US NIOSH (USA CIS National Centre), which will be focusing on obesity in relation to occupational health and safety.

Keynote lectures, leading into themed sessions, will also be given by Professor Lesley Rushton, of Imperial College, London, on the elimination of the occupational cancer burden in Britain, and Professor Anthony Seaton, himself a past Warner Lecturer, entitled 'Air: the past, the present and the future'.

Other important themes within the three day conference programme will include REACH and nanotechnology. A series of interactive workshops will run over all three days, as will a poster display presenting scientific work. The associated exhibition of suppliers of services and equipment runs alongside.

This conference brings together leading UK, European and international researchers, practitioners and regulators, with a programme which aims to cover all the major themes and emerging issues in occupational health and hygiene. The professionally cosmopolitan environment of the Conference provides excellent scope to meet fellow hygienists and peers from related professions from all sectors of industry. The Conference Dinner, is the social highlight, on the Wednesday night.

The Conference can be booked on-line, via the BOHS website, www.bohs.org, where the programme is also available. An early-bird reduction in fee applies for those who book before Friday 11th April 2008 and all non-BOHS members paying the full conference fee will be granted complimentary Society membership until 31st December 2008.

Contact: Anthea Page, Communications Manager, BOHS, 5/6 Melbourne Court, Millennium Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8LZ., UK | Email: anthea@bohs.org | Tel: +44 (0) 1332 250701

9-13 June 2008 - Radiation Safety Officer Training for Laboratory Professionals (Reference Code: RSO08-CAL14)

External link: www.hsph.harvard.edu/ccpe/programs/RSO.shtml
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, MA 02215
Sponsor: Harvard University
Contact: Administrator, CCPE- Harvard University, Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02215 | Tel: +1 617 384-8692 | Fax: +1 617 384-8689 | Email: contedu@hsph.harvard.edu

15-17 June 2008 - Canada - Quebec: Occupational Health and Safety Research in Action: Method, Results and Applications
Call for symposium proposals and abstracts

This bilingual conference, "Occupational Health and Safety Research in Action: Method, Results and Applications", jointly organised by the Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health (CARWH) and the Réseau de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (RRSSTQ), will take place in Montreal at the École de Technologie Supérieure June 15-17 2008.

The organisers invite you to submit abstracts and/or symposium or workshop proposals before Jan. 28, 2008.

For more information please consult the following conference webpage or the attached document: www.etsmtl.ca or the Conference Coordinator at: carwh-rrsstq@etsmtl.ca

Susan Stock MD MSc FRCPC, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 190 rue Crémazie est, Montréal (Québec) H2P 1E2, Canada | Téléphone: 514-864-1600 ext. 3206 | Secrétaire (Stéphanie Larose): ext. 3250 | Télécopieur: 514-864-7646 | Courriel: susan.stock@inspq.qc.ca

19-20 June 2008 - IWP Conference 2008: Work, well-being, and performance: New perspectives for the modern workplace, Sheffield, UK

External link: http://iwpconference.group.shef.ac.uk
Safety and Health at Work: A Societal Responsibility
Sheffield, England
Sponsor: University of Sheffield, Institute of Work Psychology
Contact: Sharon K. Parker, Institute of Work Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN | Tel: +44 114 222 3283 | Fax: +44 114 272 7206 | Email: s.parker@sheffield.ac.uk

1-4 September 2008 - Third ICOH International Conference on Psychosocial Factors at Work - From Knowledge to action

Hotel LOEWS Le Concorde Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Topics:

Abstract submission deadline: January 31, 2008
Information: www.icoh-wops2008.com
Conference organized by: Prof Renée Bourbonnais and Prof Michel Vézina from Laval University and Québec Public Health Institute
Supported by: International Commission on Occupational Health, Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors, Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec

11-12 September 2008 - EUROSHNET: the 3rd European Conference on Standardization, Testing and Certification - Safer Products for Competitive Workplaces, Cracow, Poland

EUROSHNET: www.ciop.pl/16650.html#2

Announcement: www.euroshnet.org/pdf/Cracow%20Conference-First%20Announcement.pdf

15 September - 15 October 2008 - Fifth International Cyberspace Conference on Ergonomics (CybErg'08) Local Knowledge, Global Applications

We are pleased to inform you that the Fifth International Cyberspace Conference on Ergonomics (CybErg'08) will be held between 15 September and 15 October 2008. CybErg'08 is the fifth conference in its series, and covers issues on the all aspects of ergonomics, and highlights the latest development and current technologies in those areas. The theme of this upcoming CybErg'08 is 'Local knowledge, Global Applications' aims to deliberate and discuss ergonomic issues such as those applied in developing economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

However, one of the deterrents to greater participation from countries with developing economies has been the high international travel costs. As CybErg'08 is an online conference, it is easy to see how an international conference based on the World Wide Web can drastically reduce travel-related costs. In addition, with greater participation from the under-represented communities, it is anticipated that issues normally not discussed at major conferences would be covered. In addition, participation and response received from the industries and organisations since the first CybErg in 1996 have been very encouraging.

Last but not least, given the conference is on-going for a month, there is ample opportunity to discuss issues which may not normally get air-time given the limited amount of period available to conduct a lengthy discussion. With 'bulletin boards' available, participants will have an opportunity to discuss with the authors and other attendees with similar interests.

Thus, we would like to invite you to submit an extended abstract to CybErg'08 (deadline 29 Feb 2008). Please note that awards for best paper and most active discussion groups, will be also be presented at this conference.

For more information, please visit www.cyberg2008.org.

Should you have any queries, please contact Ms. D'oria Islamiah (CybErg'08 Secretary) | Email: secretariat@cyberg2008.org

Chairman Fifth International Cyberspace Conference On Ergonomics 2008 (CybErg '08), Alvin W. Yeo (Assoc Professor Dr.), Deputy Dean (Postgraduate and Research), Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak MALAYSIA | Email: alvin AT fit.unimas.my | Email: awy AT acm.org | Tel: + 6082-583 765/583784 | Fax: + 6082-583 764

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