CIS Newsletter

No. 227
August 2008

CIS Newsletter celebrates 20 years & still going strong!
Bringing news to over 147 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Last chance to attend Meeting and training session of CIS Members in London, 10-11 September 2008 all are welcome...
  3. News from the ILO and CIS
  4. News from around the World - Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, European Agency, Europe, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA
  5. OSHE websites to explore
  6. Diary of Events

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

You will read some news re the ILO Congress that took place in Seoul, Korea between 29 June and 2 July 2008. The Annual CIS Meeting also was held, see details below. Unfortunately the Reports are not yet ready for this edition, but will be available shortly and send out.

As usual you can see there is a wealth of news in this edition of the CIS newsletter from around the world.

This is the final call for The London meeting... a group of CIS members wish to meet up on 10-11 September 2008, in Central London, UK and are organising a Meeting of the CIS Members' Network. Everyone is very welcome. Latest news...

Gabor Sandi will represent the ILO at the Meeting of the CIS Members' Network on 10-11 September 2008. Gabor will inform participants of the results of the CIS Centres meeting in Seoul, of other relevant activities at the World Congress (including the Declaration), and of plans for the future by CIS, including the celebrations foreseen for the 50th anniversary next year.

A number of members have already indicated that they will be attending - please let me know as soon as possible if you intend to come this meeting.

The aim of this 2-day meeting that will include a training session on organizing campaigns, events and publicity for CIS Centres so that ideas can be shared and either used collectively or individually in each country. The main message for this 50th anniversary is raise the profile of Occupational safety and health information worldwide and especially the role of the CIS Centres. The programme will include an exchange of information from members.

See below for full details.

Everyone is invited - we each are paying our own travel, accommodation and meals as we always do. CIS network should benefit from this meeting enormously.

2009 is looming up fast - The most important date that is ahead of us - the celebration of the 50th Anniversary in 2009 of the formation of CIS! All those involved in CIS work should be starting to plan their campaigns - 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!!!!! Authoritative and Validated Health and Safety Information is essential to help achieve higher standards of health and safety in the workplaces of the world.

Make my day and send your news... 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 will you be Surviving in 2009?... perhaps you will if you make efforts in promotion, publicity and telling the World that CIS and its network exists! Each month I get news of information centres and libraries that are being closed down!

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

Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +44 1909 771024
Fax: +44 1909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
www.oshworld.com
www.sheilapantry.com
www.shebuyersguide.com
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

Six weeks to London meeting for CIS Members... will you be there?
Important Latest News for CIS Members

Meeting and training course for CIS Members will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, 10 and 11 September 2008 at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, Central London

The aim of the meeting is to enable CIS members to:

The Draft Agenda

The following draft agenda is a first stab of what we can/want do - but please do send in other topics...

Gabor Sandi will represent the ILO at the Meeting of the CIS Members' Network on 10-11 September 2008. Gabor will inform participants of the results of the CIS Centres meeting in Seoul, of other relevant activities at the World Congress (including the Declaration), and of plans for the future by CIS, including the celebrations foreseen for the 50th anniversary next year.

  1. What we should be doing to celebrate the CIS 50th anniversary in 2009 collectively and in our own countries
  2. Share best promotion and publicity practices in each of our countries - examples of successes
  3. Build on ideas that we have discussed over the years and which are captured in the report I wrote that can be accessed on www.sheilapantry.com/cis/other/wp01.html
  4. Use of the 50th anniversary of CIS to make people worldwide aware of the available validated and authoritative health and safety information centres, services, guidance and advice that CIS network members hold or have access to.
  5. Have an updating exchange of news from those attending
  6. Any other business topics

Everyone is invited - we each are paying our own travel, accommodation and meals as we always do when attending CIS Meetings.

CIS network MEMBERS should benefit from this meeting enormously.

Please note that you will NOT receive any official invitation from CIS HQ because this meeting is an informal meeting, organised by CIS members for CIS Members.

A number of members have already indicated that they wish to attend this meeting.

If you are attending this September 2008 meeting please send your name, organisation, address and all up-to-date contact details including email number to:

Sheila Pantry, OBE, BA, FCLIP
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +44 1909 771024
Fax: +44 1909 772829
Email: sp@sheilapantry.com

Hotel accommodation prices have been sorted and will be sent to all delegates. If you are going to this meeting then contact details are above.

The location of the meeting is central London and easy access from all airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stanstead and the new St. Pancras International Train Station. See www.imperialhotels.co.uk. Details of travel to the Imperial Hotel will be forward to delegates.

News from the ILO CIS HQ

VIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work opens in Seoul: ILO report highlights need for safer workplaces

The International Labour Office has released a new report "Beyond deaths and injuries: The ILO's role in promoting safe and healthy jobs", at the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. The Congress, which takes place through 2 July, is the largest global event on occupational safety and health, gathering some 4,000 representatives from more than 100 countries.

The big news item is of course the XVIII World Congress in Seoul, at which most of SafeWork staff have participated. On the Sunday before the Meeting there was the momentous World Summit on Safety and Health, attended by 50 top-level decision makers in OSH, from governments, and employers' and workers' organizations.

You can find the information on the background of the Congress, as well as on the ILO Report released for the Congress, on this page: www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/I-News/lang--en/WCMS_095916/index.htm

A link to the full-text version of the Report (Beyond deaths and injuries: The ILO's role in promoting safe and healthy jobs (www.ilo.org/global/What_we_do/Publications/lang--en/docName--WCMS_094524/index.htm) can be found here: www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_094524.pdf

The Summit resulted in a Declaration, which is described here: www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/Press_releases/lang--en/WCMS_095906/index.htm

The full text of the Summit, endorsed by all participants, can be found here: www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/statement/wcms_095910.pdf Note that all the signatories are listed at the end of the document.

Note also that an agreement was signed by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Professional Organizations of Senegal and the ILO, with a view to establish a CIS National Centre in Senegal.

News from CIS HQ

CIS ANNUAL MEETING 2008

The CIS Annual meeting was a very short one, held on the Sunday before the Congress started, was of course well attended, with more than 50 participants but sadly many of the usual attendees from active CIS Centres were missing, especially from Europe.

This year, out of over 150 CIS Centres, the provisional list of participants listed 18 CIS Centres/Collaborating Centres/Regional Centres names - of which 7 of these centres, each sent two participants. In addition there were 6 observers including 3 participants from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and 22 ILO and CIS staff members.

The Annual report of the meeting from CIS Headquarters is not yet finalized but will be sent out shortly and will be published in September 2008 CIS Newsletter and also on the CIS website as well as on the CIS Newsletter web site.

An announcement will be made shortly about the 2009 CIS Meeting which is the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the formation of the CIS Network.

CONCERN

There has been growing concern from CIS members over the years that the one-day CIS Meetings linked with Congress means that, unless other meetings, such as regional meetings are arranged there is a two year gap every third year. This means that CIS Centres have to make real efforts to keep up their own contacts to exchange ideas and have appropriate training courses.

Perhaps this is the time to have a formal discussion on this practice? Any comments?

This is one of the reasons why a number of people are meeting in London on 10-11 September 2008 (see details in this Newsletter) to exchange information and put forward ideas for the promotion and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the CIS Network in our own countries and globally.

CIS welcomes new Centres

The International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) is pleased to announce that the organizations mentioned hereafter are now part of the international network of institutions dedicated to the collection and dissemination of information in the field of safety and health at work.

The establishment of new CIS Centres is part of the ILO's Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health (IV: Knowledge development, management and dissemination), adopted by the International Labour Conference (ILC) in 2003. The work of CIS Centres is also included, under the heading "Information and advisory services on occupational safety and health", in the national system for occupational safety and health whose establishment and maintenance are required according to ILO Convention No. 187 concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health and associated Recommendation No. 197.

Collaborating Centres which joined CIS in 2008:

National Centres which joined CIS in 2008:

CIS hopes to welcome Egypt*, Morocco* and Senegal in the near future.

We invite you to visit the corresponding Web sites by clicking on the above links for additional information on activities and services of these new Centres.

Access to the alphabetic list of CIS Centres

* Please note that a National Centre and/or a Collaborating Centre already exists in these countries.

News from Canada

News from IRSST - Institut de recherché Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

IRSST 2007 Activity Report - The IRSST, Research in the present tense

Using different examples, this report shows the results and outcomes obtained during the year. It sets out indicators selected to assess the organization's production and provides accurate and reliable data on the results obtained. www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/RA07-ang.pdf

IRSST - ASTHMA IN THE WORKPLACE
Information and prevention: 7 summary fact sheets

It is important to understand the health risks associated with different training and work environments in order to adopt behaviours oriented towards the prevention of occupational asthma and rhinitis. The IRSST has just published a fact sheet presenting these two respiratory diseases in a general way as well as six other fact sheets that present the risk factors more specifically, and propose means of protection adapted to six occupational environments.

To find out more: Generic fact sheet, Prevention fact sheets: Baking and pastry arts, Carpentry and joinery, Dental hygiene, Plastering, Plumbing and heating, Animal health

Contact details: Communications Division, IRSST | Tel: + 1 (514) 288-1551 | fax: + 1 (514) 288-0998 | mautom@irsst.qc.ca

LATEST ISSUE - INFO IRSST
(Electronic newsletter from the Institut de recherché Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail)

www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/en/InfoIrsst/Archives/InfoIRSST_v06n04.htm

Pleasant reading !

Jacques Millette, Communications Director, IRSST, 505, De Maisonneuve blvd. West, Montréal (Québec), Canada H3A 3C2 | www.irsst.qc.ca | communications@irsst.qc.ca

News from Canada

9th International Work Congress: Conference in Canada 9 - 11 November 2009: advance notice

On the behalf of our conference co-host, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, we are pleased to announce the 9th International Work Congress meeting will be held in Toronto, November 9-11, 2009. WorkCongress is a unique international forum, gathering policy-makers, professionals, business leaders, labour leaders and scientific experts to discuss emerging challenges in the prevention of work-related injury and illness, the clinical management and rehabilitation of injured and disabled workers and the performance of compensation and work disability insurance systems.

The world of work is changing rapidly. Delegates attending WorkCongress9 will share perspectives on emerging challenges in worker health protection and innovative strategies to reduce the causes of occupational injury and disease. The WorkCongress9 program will also focus on innovative case management services, workplace practices and clinical treatment programs that promise to return disabled workers to productive work. The conference program will continue the tradition of previous congresses, examining the performance of disability compensation systems around the world.

We look forward to your participation as a delegate, speaker, exhibitor or sponsor of WorkCongress9, November 9-11, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. Conference registration will open in early 2009.

Please visit www.workcongress2009.com to view the first conference announcement.

Visit www.workcongress2009.com/WorkCongress9BrocFINAL.pdf to download the announcement.

The 9th International WorkCongress is hosted by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board in association with the Institute for Work & Health.

News from the Czech Republic

Czech Risk Management Association Joins FERMA

The Association of Insurance and Risk Management Experts of the Czech Republic (ASPAR CR) has been accepted as a member of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA). This brings to a total of 16 the number of countries represented in FERMA with four of them from Central and Eastern Europe.

The President of FERMA, Marie-Gemma Dequae, commented: "We welcome this new and already very active risk management association from one of the larger countries in Eastern Europe. ASPAR CR builds bridges for all of us having activities in and with Czech Republic.

Certainly we look forward to the next FERMA Forum in October 2009 that will be hosted by this young association."

Prague based ASPAR CR is the result of informal meetings of insurance and risk professionals in the Czech Republic starting in 1999. It was registered on 12 April 2007. The association currently has 19 members.

The chairman is Jana Bicanova. She explains that some of the goals of the association are to:

ASPAR CR has organised several seminars, meetings and workshops. Between now and the end of 2008, it will hold a two more seminars, one on third party liability insurance and one on D&O insurance, and a general meeting. In October 2009, it will host the biennial FERMA Forum in Prague.

FERMA seminar - 2008 benchmarking survey results
30 September - 1 October 2008 at Sodehotel-La-Woluwe in Brussels

At this one and a half day seminar, FERMA in cooperation with Axa Corporate Solutions and Ernst & Young, will release the findings of the 2008 benchmarking survey of the status of risk management in Europe. In addition, there will be an update on European affairs, including the DG Competition survey on business practices in insurance, Solvency II and the Environmental Liability Directive.
FERMA will send a formal invitation to attend with a registration and hotel booking form in the next few weeks.

Jana Bicanova | FERMA Avenue Louis Gribaumont, 1, B - 1150 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM | Tel: + 32-2-761.94.32 | Fax: + 32-2-771.87.20 | Email: info@ferma.eu | www.ferma.eu

News from Europe

The European Process Safety Centre (EPSC) is to hold a two day conference on Learning from Accidents on the 9/10 October 2008 in Antwerp.

The overriding objective is to explore the generic lessons which can be extracted from seemingly non related major incidents and whether these can be put to use in preventing future episodes.

Speakers include representatives from the Dutch Safety Board, Chemical Safety Board in the US, Swedish Centre for Learning from Accidents as well as Bayer, BP, DSM and Total Petrochemicals.

EPSC Award winner Andrew Hopkins will also deliver a presentation

Plan now to attend the EPSC Learning from Accidents conference 9/10 October 2008 in Antwerp.

For more information see www.epsc.org/data/files/Learning%20from%20Accidents/Programme.pdf

News from Germany

Health at work

Guideline VDI 2057 Part 1 describes the exposure-related load and strain on the human being arising from the effect of mechanical whole-body vibration and also presents methods of measuring, weighting and evaluating it. The guideline includes appendices with instructions and examples of application.

The aim of VDI 2057 Part 2 is to present the current state of knowledge and also the universally valid basic principles applying to the evaluation of vibration exposure to hand-transmitted vibration as partof an assessment of risk in the workplace.

Guidelines can reduce and control the risks from hand-arm and whole-body vibration. (Source: VDI); Download at www.vdi.de

Guideline VDI 2057 Part 3 contains special measurement and evaluation guidelines for human exposure to vibrations in buildings. In buildings no vibrations normally occur whose intensity alone would result in a health risk. Building vibrations can in individual cases have a negative impact on perception and work performance. Reference values - should not be exceeded if at all possible - are provided for new installations as a function of work requirements.

The guidelines which are released in German and English language are published by the VDI Association of Engineer.

The are sold exclusively through the publishing house Beuth Verlag GmbH (10772 Berlin/Germany, Phone: +49 30 2601-2759, E-mail: foreignsales@beuth.de, www.beuth.de).

VDI Technical Press Office: Karin Schäfer, VDI Society for Development, Design and Marketing, Graf-Recke-Str. 84, D-40239 Duesseldorf | Tel: +49 (0) 211 62 14-218 | Fax: +49 (0) 211 62 14-1 71 | Email: kemper@vdi.de

VDI is the Association of German Engineers is a financially independent and politically unaffiliated, non-profit organization of 132,000 engineers and natural scientists. Established in 1856, the VDI is today the largest engineering association in Western Europe. The VDI Society of Development, Design und Marketing is the largest division of the VDI Association of Engineers with its approximately 20,000 affiliated personal VDI members.

More News from Germany

Retaining employees' capacity for work following sickness: The 4th International Forum on Disability Management will be held in Berlin from 22 to 24 September 2008

How can businesses retain employees' capacity for work following sickness and disablement? Experts from throughout the world will address this question at the 4th International Forum on Disability Management (IFDM), which is to be held at the Berlin Congress Centre from 22 to 24 September 2008. The IFDM will be hosted by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), together with the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Over 120 speakers from almost every corner of the globe will be presenting the latest findings on how employees can be returned to vocational life following sickness. Besides generic topics, the programme covers numerous talks on subjects such as issues specific to older employees, psychosocial disorders, and cancer. Other topics are particular requirements in production, the service sector, and the public sector.

The 2008 IFDM is aimed particularly at delegates from employers' and employees' groups, experts from companies and state institutions, researchers, providers of prevention and rehabilitation services, insurance institutions, disability managers, legal experts, business managers, medical doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers. To register for the congress, visit the website at www.ifdm2008.de. The conference fee is €550 for registration by 31 July, €690 thereafter. One-day visitors' cards can be purchased for €230.

The DGUV

The DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) is the association of accident insurance institutions. Its members insure over 70 million people against the consequences of occupational, school and commuting accidents and occupational diseases. As accident insurance bodies, they possess comprehensive expertise in occupational safety and health, and in medical and vocational rehabilitation.

Stefan Boltz, DGUV Press department | Tel: +49 30 288763-768 | Fax: +49 30 288763-771 | Email: presse@dguv.de

More News from Germany

Latest KANBrief

The latest edition of KANBRIEF no.2/08 is on "Safety of agricultural machinery"

In the past, opinions frequently differed concerning the safety requirements applicable to agricultural machinery. On the one hand, calls have been made for the essential requirements contained in Annex I of the Machinery Directive to be applied directly. On the other, it has been pointed out that these provisions should be applied only on the basis of a risk assessment in consideration of the particular conditions prevailing in the agricultural sector, and with reference to the state of the art.

In the light of this situation, KAN commissioned a study into the safety of agricultural machinery. The purpose of the study was to describe the situation regarding the standardization of agricultural machinery, and to analyse the extent to which European and international standards adequately support the requirements of the Machinery Directive. The responsible standards committees have now been informed of the principal results of the study. A list of priorities has been agreed with the agricultural engineering standards group, which holds responsibility for this area in Germany. In accordance with this list, the standards studied are to be reviewed with the co-operation of the OSH groups. KAN will monitor and support this process closely.

Norbert Breutmann
Chairman of KAN
Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA)

KANBRIEF also includes a number of web services and events.

KANBRIEF is published quarterly contact: DR. Ing Joachim Lambert, Alte Heerstr.111. D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany | Tel: +49 (0) 2241 231 3463 | Fax: +49 (0) 2241 231 3464 | Email: info@kan.de | www.kan.de

EUROSHNET holds third European Conference

For the third time, EUROSHNET is holding a European conference on standardization, testing and certification in the field of occupational safety and health. Following the conferences in Dresden (2001) and Paris (2005), this year's conference will be held on 11/12 September 2008 in Cracow (Poland).

Decision-makers and staff from OSH institutions and delegates from employers' associations, trade unions, industry, the trade sector and commerce are invited to participate.

Under the heading "Safer products for competitive workplaces", new developments in European legislation will be presented, together with their impact upon the standardization, manufacture, testing and certification of products. The conference will analyse the relevance of safe products for competitive workplaces.

The conference programme and further information can be found at www.ciop.pl

EUROSHNET2008

On the afternoon of 10 September 2008, the participants registered with EUROSHNET (www.euroshnet.org) will meet for the second time to pool their experience.

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

News from Italy

ARPAT - Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale della Toscana - latest news

ARPAT latest newsletter contains:

NOTIZIE ISTITUZIONALI

119 - I risultati di una indagine sulla soddisfazione dei clienti ARPAT
Una indagine condotta dalla Fondazione Sistema toscano, che ha interessato pubbliche amministrazioni, aziende provate, associazioni che utilizzano i servizi svolti dall'Agenzia per la protezione ambientale della Toscana.

118 - Il monitoraggio acustico dell'Aeroporto "Amerigo Vespucci" nel 2007

117 - Sul portale SIRA disponibile la banca dati degli impianti di gestione dei rifiuti

116 - Il rendiconto delle attività ARPAT nel 2007

115 - Reach prende il via

Gentile lettore/lettrice,

Questa newsletter sulle tematiche ambientali, viene inviata regolarmente a chi lo richiede ed occasionalmente ad altri destinatari potenzialmente interessati.

I numeri di Arpatnews pubblicati a partire dal 2003 sono disponibili su www.arpat.toscana.it/news

E' possibile personalizzare le modalità di invio (periodicità, temi, file o link) di Arpatnewswww.arpat.toscana.it/news/news_richiesta.html

La ringrazio molto per l'attenzione e la collaborazione.

La diffusione di Arpatnews e/o la segnalazione di altre persone interessate è gradita.

dott. Marco Talluri, ARPAT - Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale della Toscana, Dipartimento di Firenze, dirigente U.O. "Comunicazione e Informazione", direttore responsabile "Arpatnews", Via Ponte alle Mosse, 211, 50144 FIRENZE | ITALY | Tel. 055 3206285 | Fax. 055 3206218 | Email m.talluri@arpat.toscana.it | www.arpat.toscana.it/news

News from the UK

Buncefield Investigation Board publishes 8th report: Recommendations on land use planning around major hazard sites

Health and Safety Inspectors and information colleagues will be very interested in this report.

This is the third of the Board's reports to make recommendations for future action to ensure the effective management and regulation of major accident risk at Control of major accident hazards (COMAH) sites.

Without doubt the subject matter - land use planning and societal risk - has proved the most difficult and technically challenging that the Board has addressed.

It is also the longest of the three reports (104 pages) because the Board have made a particular effort to help make their conclusions and recommendations intelligible beyond the narrow community of practitioners.

www.buncefieldinvestigation.gov.uk/reports

____________________________

The European campaign for Safety and Health at Work for 2008-09 will focus on risk assessment

If your organisation is interested in campaigning for better standards in the workplaces in your country you will be interested in the following...

To get involved get your campaign pack from the following web site www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/euroweek/resources.htm

____________________________

Young people at work

Young people, especially those new to the workplace, will encounter unfamiliar risks from the jobs they will be doing and from the working environment. Employers what do you need to know?

Find out more on young people and the law

____________________________

VDUs: Frequently asked questions update

Information on visual display unit and display screen equipment. This page provides answers to HSE Infoline's commonly asked questions about VDU's - Display Screen Equipment (DSE). If you have a question that is not listed below or need further information then why not ask an expert.

www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/vdubreaks.htm

__________________________

Shattered Lives Campaign

Wanting some more information ... Check out the Health and Safety Executive restyled campaign home page.

Covers video case studies, resources and tools to help prevent accidents in the workplace.

If your organisation is interested in campaigning for better standards in the workplaces in your country you will be interested in the following...

www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm

____________________________

Local Exhaust Ventilation

HSG 258: Controlling airborne contaminants at work is the Guidance written for the suppliers of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) goods and services.

Available from www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg258.htm

____________________________

Some light bedtime reading...

Hand arm vibration (HAV) - free advice for employees

Download a free HAV pocket card that contains notes on good practice for your employees.

Available from HSE in 21 languages. Logon to: www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/indg296.htm

Looking for a visual presentation on the control of risks from HAVS

In a busy world it can take quite a bit of time to put together a decent presentation for your staff, colleagues and customers. Why not take advantage of an 'off the shelf' production courtesy of HSE:

www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/roadshow/bmb2.pdf

(Please note that slide 3 will need to be deleted follwing download as it dependent upon links to HSE computers)

Back Pain? Have you considered the possibility of Whole Body Vibration (WBV)?

Access HSE's free advisory leaflet on the WBV aspects of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005:

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg242.pdf

Anti-vibration gloves - a note of caution and campaign material

From The UK Health and Safety Executive's experience anti-vibration gloves are not particularly effective at reducing the frequency-weighted vibration associated with risk of HAVS and they can increase the vibration at some frequencies.

More information is available from HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/campaign/fabrication/warmclothing.htm

____________________________

Noise at work

Music and entertainment industry representatives have launched a website providing guidance on noise at work legislation.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published the website which includes practical examples to help the industry control the risks from noise at work: www.soundadvice.info

News from the USA

Doris Sweet - Editor of RTECS - Register of Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

Vivian Morgan ex Information Services at the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for many years writes:

'Thought you would like to know that Doris Sweet (RTECS Editor, NIOSH ) passed away, fairly suddenly, after a heart attack and stroke.'

Your Editor writes: Many CIS Members who knew Doris will be really, really sorry to hear this news and those of us who have used RTECS over the years have appreciated her fine work, especially as Editor. I have a really soft spot for Doris and admiration for her work. I remember what good fun she was - especially at an OSH conference in Majorca some years ago.

News from the USA NIOSH

Two recent scientific articles in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) were co-authored by NIOSH scientists.

NIOSH Science blog recent postings

Two NIOSH documents are now available in Spanish

Two new NIOSH Topic Pages are now available:

Health Hazard Evaluation: Evaluation of Potential Musculoskeletal Hazard

The HHE Program responded to a union request at a poultry processing plant concerning potential musculoskeletal hazards resulting from job tasks in the deli division. The NIOSH HHE investigators observed frank hanging and frank removing tasks and interviewed workers about their work and medical histories. It was found that workers used awkward postures and performed heavy lifting, which increased their risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Investigators found that workers reported musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in their back and shoulders when hanging and removing franks. HHE Program investigators recommended that managers provide workers with taller platforms in both the raw and cooked production areas to reduce awkward postures; that managers rotate workers from lifting to non-lifting jobs to limit lifting tasks to less than two hours per rotation; that employees take specific measures to minimize horizontal research distance while working; and that employees take the time to work safely and lift properly.

www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0098-3061.pdf

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

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.

We look at websites in different parts of the world that are offering quality information.

AUSTRIA

Arbeitsinspektion   AUSTRIA
www.arbeitsinspektion.gv.at
Austria's Labour Inspectorate site - the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, Sektion Arbeitsrecht und Arbeitsinspektion, in Vienna, Austria gives details of the work of the Inspectorate, legislation and links.

Austrian Workers' Compensation Board   AUVA   AUSTRIA
www.auva.or.at
Austrian Workers' Compensation Board AUVA is also the International Labour Office Health and Safety National Centre for Austria.

International Atomic Energy Agency   IAEA   AUSTRIA
www.iaea.or.at
International Atomic Energy Agency excellent site with links to worldwide sources and databases; United Nations related links; official classification of the UN system and also international organisations.

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) Foundation   BANGLADESH
www.oshebd.org
Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) Foundation established in December 2003 as a specialized OSH centre at national level by workers initiative. The mission of the OSHE Foundation is to assist the workers organizations in different industrial sector defend their rights on safety and health issue, contribute towards sustainable environmental development, increase safety awareness among workers and promote safety culture and put into practice at work places. The goal is to deliver effective support and services to workers on OSH issues through the participation oriented safety improvement approach. National OSH Resource Centre in labour market, the OSHE Foundation is continuously developing itself to serve as a specialized key resource center on OSH issues in labour market and society.

BELGIUM

Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in Europe   BELGIUM
www.acfse.org
The Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in Europe (ACFSE) was founded in 1998 by a former fire chief in the Greater Manchester Fire Brigade, Robert Graham MBE. The mission of ACFSE is to introduce high, mandatory fire safety standards against accidental external ignition for consumer products with dangerous fire load. ACFSE also brings together parties that are dedicated to the goal of preventing accidents, injury and death resulting from domestic fires. Its aim is to educate consumers as to the potential hazards of fire in the home, and highlight practical steps that can be taken to minimise such fire risk, Raise awareness of fire safety in consumer products among manufacturers and decision makers, advocate effective fire prevention levels for consumer products such as upholstered furniture and television sets, advocate effective standards of fire safety in consumer services such as transportation, travel and accommodation and to maintain an overview of the causes and effects of domestic fires, and promote the development of detailed and compatible fire statistics across Europe.

ANPI - Belgium National Fire and Intrusion Protection Association   BELGIUM
www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/InFire/anpi/anpi.html
ANPI - Belgium National Fire and Intrusion Protection Association gives brief details of the Information and Documentation Section, Publications and Seminars, Training, Control Activities and Laboratories

Belgian Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social   BELGIUM
www.employment.belgium.be
The English Metaguide leads you through the Belgium Federal Public Service (FPS) Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue and its competencies. It contains the structure of the FPS. The module "Publications" contains a description of the publications and where to order them directly. Certain publications can be downloaded. This module is available in Dutch and French. Most of the publications are in those two languages. The module "Statistics" contains the main statistics drawn up and published by the FPS. The module "Regulations" contains co-ordinated laws, decrees.

Cefic Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI)   BELGIUM
www.cefic-lri.org
Cefic Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) LRI's mission is to identify and fill gaps in the understanding of the hazards posed by chemicals and to improve the methods available for assessing the associated risks

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)   BELGIUM
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 Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals   BELGIUM
www.ecetoc.org
European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals was established in 1978 as a scientific non-commercial association by 50 top companies with interests in the manufacturer and use of chemicals. ECETOC acts as an independent, peer-reviewed technical resource to all concerned with identification of research needs and provision of scientific rational for the assessment of the health effects and environment impact. Partner to organisations such as the World Health Organisation - WHO, the International Programme on Chemical Safety-IPCS, and the European Commission. ECETOC works closely with its partners to establish a scientific foundation for the development of legislation in chemicals.

European Chemical Industry Council CEFIC   BELGIUM
www.cefic.be
European Chemical Industry Council covers activities, long-range research, useful links, products, press information, diary of events, health, safety and environment information.

European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC): Chemistry   BELGIUM
www.chemistryandyou.org
European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) launches new website on wonders of chemistry - a new educational resource to raise interest in chemistry among young people on the occasion of the European Science and Technology Week 2003. This website shows the overwhelming benefits chemistry brings to our daily lives. The website has been specially tailored to be attractive to young people, while meeting secondary school needs. It is being promoted among some 30,000 schools across Europe.

European Commission   BELGIUM
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/atex/index_en.htm
European Commission Directives on Equipment for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres. Directive 94/9/EC and Directive 1999/92/EC, plus considerations by the ATEX Standing Committee.

European Commission   BELGIUM
www.nanoforum.org
This European Union sponsored Thematic Network will provide a comprehensive source of information on all areas of Nanotechnology to the business, the scientific and social communities. The main vehicle for the thematic network will be this dedicated website. Nanoforum will encompass partners from different disciplines, bring together existing national and regional networks, share best practice on dissemination national, EU-wide and Venture Capital funding to boost SME creation, provide a means for the EU to interface with networks, stimulate Nanotechnology initiatives in European underdeveloped countries, stimulate young scientists, publicises good research and form a network of knowledge and expertise. Nanoforum aims to provide a linking framework for all nanotechnology activity within the European Community. It will serve as a central location from which to gain access to and information about research programmes, technological developments, funding opportunities and future activities in nanotechnology within the community.

European Commission   BELGIUM
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/documents/harmonised-standards-legislation/list-references/personal-protective-equipment/index_en.htm
European Commission list of Personal protective equipment.

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

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

You may also be inspired to organise something similar in your country

October 2008

21-23 October 2008 - NOIRS 2008: National Occupational Injury Research Symposium 2008
Sheraton Station Square Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Sponsor: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Co-Sponsors: National Safety Council and Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
Contact: www.cdc.gov/niosh/noirs/2008
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

22-24 October 2008 - 3rd Annual Conference on Industrial Safety / Andean Congress on Safety and Health at Work
Lima, Peru
Contact: MCE Consultores Asociados and the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) | Tel: +51 1 483 2134 | Email: mceinformesperu@mceconsultoresasociados.com | www.mceconsultoresasociados.com/tersafety/tersegindus.htm

27-31 October 2008 - 5th International Congress on Woman, Work and Health: Towards decent and healthy jobs for women
Organised by Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (UAZ), the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), the civil association Iniciativa Ciudadana y Desarrollo Social (INCIDE Social A.C.), El Colegio de Sonora, the Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. and Zanzana, Conocimiento y Expresión A.C. and sponsored by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Zacatecas City. Mexico
Contact: Email: contactowwh08@zanzana-ac.or | www.zanzana-ac.org/vcongresswwh.php

28-31 October 2008 - China Fire 2008: The Twelfth International Fire Protection Equipment Technology Conference and Exposition
Beijing, China
Contact: China Fire Protection Association | Tel: +86 10 8778 9262 | Fax: +86 10 8778 9785 | Email: chinafireexpo@126.com
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

November 2008

4-7 November 2008 - 21st Expo Protection, the Risk Management International Exhibition
Paris-Nord Villepinte, France
Contact: Patrick Le Martin, AMT Europe Ergonoma, BP 00011, 28800 Bonneval, France | Tel: +33 3744 0460 | Fax: +332.3744 04 50 | Email: patrick@ergonoma.com | www.ergonoma.com

4-7 November 2008 - 22nd EXPOPROTECTION tradeshow
Paris, France
Contact: www.ergonoma.com
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

11-12 November 2008 - Office health and safety
Strand Palace Hotel, London, UK
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 7th Floor, Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK | Tel: 0845 082 1170 | Fax: 0845 120 9612 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk | www.cronertraining.co.uk
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

12-14 November 2008 - 8th Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology
Valencia, Spain
Contact: www.ea-ohp.org

13 November 2008 - Energise your health and safety training
Strand Palace Hotel, London, UK
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 7th Floor, Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK | Tel: 0845 082 1170 | Fax: 0845 120 9612 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk | www.cronertraining.co.uk
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

December 2008

3 December 2008 - Health and Safety Agenda 2009: 4th Annual Health and Safety Conference
London
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 7th Floor, Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK | Tel: 0845 082 1170 | Fax: 0845 120 9612 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk | www.hawksmereltd.co.uk/hsconference
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

7-10 March 2009 FDIC Middle East Conference and Exhibition
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Contact: www.fdicmiddleeast.com
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

22-27 March 2009 - 29th International Congress on Occupational Health: A Basic Right at Work - An Asset to Society
Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) 2009 Congress, PO Box 16179, Lyttelton 0140, South Africa | Tel: +27 (0)12-667-5160 | Fax: +27 (0)11-507-5085 | Email: admin@icoh2009.co.za
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html