CIS Newsletter

No. 231
December 2008

CIS Newsletter celebrates 20 years & still going strong!
Bringing news from Members to Members in over 154 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. News from around the World - Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, Spain - European Agency, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, UK and the USA
  3. OSHE websites to explore
  4. Diary of Events

The CIS Newsletter is a monthly newsletter for Members of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) International Occupational Health and Safety Information Centres and is edited by Sheila Pantry OBE. The CIS Newsletter is NOT an official publication of the ILO but a newsletter containing information from Members in CIS Centres and other sources and is intended to be shared by anyone who finds the data contained useful. Users are free to use and reuse the data in these newsletters.

Editorial

Dear CIS Colleagues

Welcome to the last CIS Newsletter of 2008 and may I extend Festive Greetings to everyone, wherever you are. In many parts of this World of ours there will be celebrations of Christmas. To everyone, may I send the warmest of good wishes to you, your colleagues and your families at this very special and happy time of the year. I hope you will enjoy the festivities.

Whilst this is usually a joyful season for families and friends we must also remember those families around the world where there will be that missing family member, who, because of incidents, accidents and workplace ill health problems will not be present.

2008 and all that...

We have had a very fast, active year for the CIS Network - it is important that we keep it flourishing, and not just communicate once a year at the CIS Annual Meeting and Workshops. So keep reminding yourselves that there is much yet to be achieved - look back at the CIS Annual Meetings (all reported in the CIS Newsletters). Also recent Regional Meetings and other meetings such as the London September 2008 meeting see the Recommendations. And especially reflect on the outcomes of the World Congress held in Korea this year as well as the CIS Annual Meeting 2008.

See also the reports listed on the CIS Newsletters' homepage www.sheilapantry.com/cis
... these may inspire Centres to organise various events, develop services and promote quality occupational health and safety information.

Look even further back at the Working Party Papers that were created in 2005 - see if there are any ideas that you can take up and run with in your country. Do some research - don't reinvent the wheel - life is too short!

Also remember that there are many people in the network who can help you achieve your goals... twinning with other countries has been a long-time arrangements, but perhaps in recent times and unused facility to get help from people and CIS Centres who have already achieve many goals.

Now we look forward to 2009 with all its challenges and opportunities ahead for us to help improve the knowledge of all workers through disseminating validated and authoritative information, which at all times, should be timely and presented in usable formats.

Most of all we look forward to celebrating the CIS Centres' 50th Anniversary - details to be announced.

We also look forward to seeing developments and news as the new edition of the Encyclopaedia unfolds under the chairmanship of Dr John Howard.

Remember the World day of Health and Safety is being held on 28 April 2009 - now is the time to plan your activities.

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

If you are planning any publications, conferences, seminars or training courses, then please send your details to me so that we can share your efforts with others. Don't forget to send me your latest news! It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world.

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

Remember that CIS Newsletters electronic archive going back nearly 7 years is available on www.sheilapantry.com/cis

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

If you are planning any publications, conferences, seminars or training courses, then please send your details to me so that we can share your efforts with others. It is amazing how much the CIS Newsletter content gets re-used around the world. Take advantage of free publicity!

Remember that your News in the CIS Newsletter goes to over 154 countries and gets re-used in other magazines and websites. CIS Newsletters on the web are getting more and more used... With many, many hundreds of hits per month......Publicity means... tell them (would be customers as well as existing customers of your Information services), tell them and tell them again...

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!

Use the CIS Logo on your web site and publications!

All good wishes to you, your families and your colleagues at this special time of the Year

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

News from the ILO

Re-Election of Juan Somavia as ILO Director General

The ITUC has welcomed the re-election on 18 November 2008 of International Labour Organisation Director General Juan Somavia for a further term, at the meeting of the ILO's Governing Body in Geneva.

"The ITUC and the Workers' Group of the ILO supported Mr Somavia in his re-election, and we congratulate him on today's important outcome. The ILO has an essential role to play in promoting the Decent Work agenda, most especially at this most difficult time when the global economy is in crisis and jobs and living standards are under such serious threat", said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The ILO, as the UN specialised agency dealing with the world of work, is a tripartite body bringing together representatives of governments, employers and trade unions. At its annual conference this year, it adopted a landmark Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation, which in the ILO's words represents a "new strategy to sustain open economies and open societies based on social justice, full and productive employment, sustainable enterprises and social cohesion".

"We look forward to continuing to work with Juan Somavia during his forthcoming mandate to make decent work a reality for all working people, and to deal with the enormous challenges facing the world community", said Ryder.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.

News from the ILO/CIS

The International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) is pleased to welcome three new institutions to its Centres Network.

Collaborating Centres which joined CIS in October 2008:

National Centre which joined CIS in September 2008:

Access to the alphabetic list of CIS Centres

* Please note that a National Centre already exists in this country.

Report* of the 46th Annual Meeting of the CIS Centres held in Seoul on 29 June 2008

Members will have received the Report of the 46th Meeting 2008.
The list of participants (Annexe I) and Annexes* II and II are also available.
Presentations by CIS and Centres will shortly be placed on our Web site.

From: Françoise Riette
CIS Centres Secretariat
ciscentres@ilo.org

*Report, Annexes II and III exist also in French.

Also mentioned ... According to the RWC Web site, the two winners of the RWCA 2008 are:

Please see for further information: www.campbellaward.org

News from the WHO

The global burden of disease: 2004 update

This new publication from the World Health Organization (WHO) gives a consistent and comparative description of the burden of diseases and injuries, and risk factors that cause them, is an important input to health decision-making and planning processes. Information that is available on mortality and health in populations in all regions of the world is fragmentary and sometimes inconsistent.

Thus, a framework for integrating, validating, analysing and disseminating such information is needed to assess the comparative importance of diseases and injuries in causing premature death, loss of health and disability in different populations.

Covers: Cost of illness, world health statistics and mortality trends.

The global burden of disease: 2004 update

World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 ISBN 978 92 4 156371 0

The first Global Burden of Disease (GBD): www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf

New publications from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The following publications have recently been issued:

Occupational skin diseases and dermal exposure in the European Union (EU-25): policy and practice overview
2008; 107 pp; OPOCE Catalog Number: TE7007049ENC ISBN 9789291911615
Series European Risk Observatory Report No. 6
Skin diseases are the second most common work-related health problem in Europe. They represent more than 7% of all occupational illnesses and are one of the most important emerging risks related to the exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors. The fact that there is no scientific method to measure the level of the body's exposures to risks via dermal contact and their physiological consequences, increases the importance of recognising risk factors and developing methods of assessing the level of exposure and controlling it. This report presents an overview of dermal exposures and occupational skin diseases. It also presents the principal policies relating to the recognition and recording of skin diseases, as well as the recognition, assessment and control of dermal exposure to chemical, biological and physical risk factors in the Member States of the European Union.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/TE7007049ENC_skin_diseases/view

E-FACT 45 - Checklist for preventing bad working postures
2008; 10 pp
Series European Agency for Safety and Health at Work E-Facts
A good posture is one that is comfortable and in which the joints are naturally aligned - the neutral body posture. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system, and therefore reduces the risk of workers developing MSDs. This checklist includes questions on working postures of the back and neck, arms and hands, legs during sitting and standing tasks. It also gives examples of the type of action at a technical, organisational and individual level that can be put in place to prevent or reduce the risks caused by awkward postures.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/e-facts/efact45/view

E-FACTS 44 - Checklist for the prevention of manual handling risks
2008; 13 pp
Series European Agency for Safety and Health at Work E-Facts
Manual handling of loads (MHL) includes lifting, holding, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying and moving a load. It is one of the major causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This checklist is aimed at helping to carry out a risk assessment and it includes questions related to all aspects of manual handling and offers examples of preventive measures that can help to improve handling and therefore reduce risks.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/e-facts/efact44/view

E-FACT 43 - Checklist for preventing WRULDS
2008
Series European Agency for Safety and Health at Work E-Facts
Work-related neck and upper limb disorders (WRULDs) are impairments of bodily structures such as to a tendon, nerve, muscle, joint, bursa or the localised blood circulation system. Principally, they are caused by the performance of work and by the effects of the immediate environment where that work is carried out. This checklist helps to identify the particular factors that can contribute to workers developing WRULDs. Furthermore, it gives examples about the practical steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce the risks of workers sustaining WRULDs.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/e-facts/efact43/view

E-FACT 42 - Checklist for prevention of lower limb disorders
2008
Series European Agency for Safety and Health at Work E-Facts
Work-related lower limb disorders (LLDs) are impairments of bodily structures such as a tendon, muscle, nerve, joint and bursa caused or aggravated primarily by the performance of work and by the effects of the immediate environment where the work is carried out. They can affect the lower extremities, mainly hip, knee and feet. This checklist concerns hazards for injury or development of disorders to the lower limb and is targeted at people engaged in workplace hazard identification. In addition, this checklist offers examples of preventive measures that can help to reduce LLDs risks.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/e-facts/efact42/view

News from Australia

Australia's First report on harmonised safety laws released

The Panel conducting the Australian National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws has completed its first report in accordance with the terms of reference timetable of 31 October 2008. The second and final report is due to be completed by 30 January 2009.

A copy of the first report was released with the communiqué following the WRMC meeting and is also available at http://nationalohsreview.gov.au

Any enquiries about the review can be made to the National OHS Review Secretariat by email: enquiries@nationalohsreview.gov.au or by phoning 1300 131 798

The Panel's first report (DOC 1.6MB | PDF 2.1MB) was completed by 31 October 2008 in accordance with the review's terms of reference.

News from Canada

The Enormous Challenge of the Infinitesimally Small: The Health Effects of Nanoparticles

The IRSST would like to announce the publication of its second literature review on the health risks of nanoparticles (NP). The review reveals the scope of current research in the field and points out that the toxic effects of NP on humans and animals are only partially understood.

Nonetheless, it has been clearly established that certain insoluble nanoparticles can pass through the various protective barriers of living organisms, be distributed throughout the body and accumulate in certain organs and cells. Toxic effects have already been documented at the pulmonary, cardiac, reproductive, renal, cutaneous and cellular levels.

While the literature review published in 2006 concluded that the toxicity was linked to the surface of the nanoparticles rather than their mass, we now know that numerous other factors can influence the toxicity of these products, including their size, number, shape, crystalline structure, tendency to aggregate, surface reactivity, chemical composition and solubility. Of course, any assessment of the risks to health must also take into account exposure routes, the duration and the concentration of particles. It must also consider individual susceptibility and the interaction of particles with the biological constituents of NP and their biological history.

Although major trends are becoming apparent, revealing numerous toxic effects associated with NP, what emerges is that each product might have its own toxicity. Claude Ostiguy, the chemist heading up the literature review, believes that "the documented toxic effects on animals, as well as the physicochemical characteristics of NP, now justify taking all necessary steps to limit exposure and protect the health of individuals potentially exposed to them".

The IRSST will soon be publishing a guide to good practices for handling nanoparticles safely.

For more details or to download the report: www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/R-589.pdf

News from Czech Republic

The Czech Republic ratifies ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention

The Czech Republic ratified the ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) on 13 October 2008. The Convention will become effective on 20 February 2009, bringing to 62 the number of Conventions ratified by the Czech Republic.

The Convention and its accompanying Recommendation are based on the ILO's Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, which promotes the development of a preventative safety and health culture through raising OSH higher in national agendas by launching national occupational safety and health programmes, as well as the promotion of safer and healthier working environments through preventative measures.

Access the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).

Access the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006 (No. 197).

The Czech Republic had already ratified in 1993 the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155).

See the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155).

See also the accompanying Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981 (No. 164)

News from Germany

Explosion Protection in Elevators: Manufacturer's and User's Tasks
Guideline VDI 2263 Part 8: Dust fires and dust explosions; Hazards - Assessment - Protective measures; Fire and explosion protection in elevators

Where elevators transport combustible dust-like or dusty bulk materials between different levels, potentially explosive atmospheres may be created depending on the design of the elevator and the type of bulk material conveyed. Unlike the European body of rules and regulations, the guideline VDI 2263 Part 8 published by the VDI Coordinating Centre for Environmental Technologies takes into account both the manufacturer's and the user's explosion-protection tasks.

The European Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres only addresses the manufacturers of elevators. The Directive 1999/92/EC on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres, on the other hand, addresses the users of installations, equipment and protective systems operated in potentially explosive atmospheres.

In practice, however, manufacturers and users will often have to apply both directives at the same time. For instance, when a manufacturer puts products into circulation in the geographical scope of EU Directive 94/9/EC and installs them at the user's. Users, too, can be concerned by this directive if they manufacture equipment intended for use in their own elevator system. The new VDI guideline "Dust fires and dust explosions; Hazards - Assessment - Protective measures; Fire and explosion protection in elevators" gives guidance here.

The guideline VDI 2263 part 8 substitutes the draft edition of December 2007. It is released as bilingual German-English version and will be available from the publishing house Beuth Verlag, Berlin, phone +49 (0) 30 2601-2759, E-mail: foreignsales@beuth.de) at the price of €69,60 from December 2008. For online orders, go to www.vdi.de or www.beuth.de.

VDI is the Association of German Engineers is a financially independent and politically unaffiliated, non-profit organization of 135,000 engineers and natural scientists. More than 13,000 of these members work for the VDI in an honorary capacity. Established in 1856, the VDI is today the largest engineering association in Western Europe. In Germany, it is recognized as the representative of engineers both within the profession and in the public arena.

Hinweis an die Redaktion: Ihr Ansprechpartner für die VDI-Fachpressearbeit: Marita Heiken, VDI-Koordinierungsstelle Umwelttechnik, Peter-Müller-Str. 1, 40468 Düsseldorf | Telefon: +49 (0) 211 62 14-4 15 | Telefax: +49 (0) 211 62 14-1 24 | E-Mail: heiken@vdi.de

Missing OSH-ROM? Why not take OSH UPDATE? Don't make decisions without quality OSH information

You may have had access to OSH-ROM for many years and will now know that it is ceasing publication. OSH-ROM was created by Sheila Pantry OBE who subsequently, in 2004 produced OSH UPDATE.

OSH UPDATE - produced by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd now has 19 databases (latest one just added) containing validated and authoritative worldwide information on all aspects of health and safety at work.

OSH UPDATE - arguably one of the best collections of full text and bibliographic health and safety information, is continuously updated as new data is published. It has user-friendly powerful software and the lowest priced collection of occupational safety and health (OSH) information.

During 2007, 24,152 new bibliographic records containing 3,387 links to full text and 1,811 full text documents containing 42,724 pages were added. Additions in 2008 have already exceeded this number.

www.oshupdate.com

Why not take a FREE NO OBLIGATION TRIAL FOR 15 DAY OF OSH UPDATE now?
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Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | Webs sites www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com | www.fireinf.com

News from Tunisia

SST latest edition

The October 2008 edition of the Institute de Sante et de Securite au Travail (ISST) review Sante-Securite-Travail - SST - contains a 26 page Dossier - Les Products chimiques: risques et measures de prevention that is very well illustrated and also contains a list of useful websites that contains material safety datasheet information.

ISST is also the CIS National Centre in Tunisia.

Contact: ISST, 5 Bd Mustapha Khaznader, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia | Tel: +216 71 561 636 | Fax: + 216 71 571 902 | Email: Analy.isst@Email.ati.tn

News from the UK

HAVS - diagnosing finger systolic blood pressure

Individuals with the vascular component of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) experience whiteness or blanching of the fingers in cold conditions, which is accompanied by numbness and then tingling or pain when the fingers warm-up.

In the absence of a gold-standard diagnosis based upon pathology it is currently necessary to rely on self-reporting of key symptoms. The accuracy of the diagnosis depends upon an individual's recall of their current symptoms and when they first commenced. Consequently there is a need for a suitable diagnostic test to help confirm the diagnosis.

Read the latest research report from the UK Health and Safety Laboratories

Read RR665 - HAVS - Diagnosing finger systolic blood pressure research report

News from the USA

The NIOSH Nanotechnology Research News Notes, October 2, 2008, highlights recent accomplishments by NIOSH in its strategic research and partnerships addressing the health and safety implications and applications of nanotechnology. These recent accomplishments include two peer-reviewed scientific papers in key research areas, two international partnership activities, and a professional award presentation. More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-10-02-08.html.

NIOSH to Host International Conference on Road Safety at Work, 15-16 February 2009

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and partners will hold the International Conference on Road Safety at Work on February 16-18, 2009, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Conference co-sponsors include the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, International Labour Organization, U.S. Department of State, and National Safety Council.

NIOSH is the Federal agency in the U.S. that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. NIOSH is working with partners on strategic research and outreach to reduce the toll of road traffic injuries at work, which are a leading cause of workplace death, injury, and disability in countries around the world. In the U.S., road traffic injuries account for over 35 percent of all occupational fatalities.

Worldwide, road traffic accident deaths from all causes are projected to increase from 1.2 million in 2002 to 2.1 million in 2030, primarily due to increased motor vehicle fatalities associated with economic growth in low- and middle-income countries. If effective interventions are not implemented, the World Health Organization estimates that by the year 2030, road traffic injuries from all causes will become the eighth leading cause of mortality worldwide.

The International Conference on Road Safety at Work will provide a forum for business, labor, policy makers, and the research community to discuss strategies to prevent road traffic crashes in the workplace. This is the first international conference dedicated to this important occupational safety issue. Conference sessions will address topics such as crash analysis and benchmarking, strategies to protect drivers in emerging markets, labor perspectives on occupational road safety, corporate social responsibility, and the role of technology in monitoring driver performance and efficacy. A discussion paper on best practices in occupational road safety will be available before the conference.

For information about the conference including registration and hotel information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/ or contact Jane Hingston at JHingston@cdc.gov. More information about NIOSH research on preventing motor-vehicle-related occupational injuries and deaths can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle.

Online Ordering Available for NIOSH Publications

Did you know that you can now order NIOSH publications on line at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/niosh.aspx? You can order up to 18 different titles at once, including CDs and videos. Order limits have been placed for each document and are listed next to the publication number. If you need additional information or are requesting copies of a NIOSH publication which exceeds the order limit, please contact Sherri Diana at sdiana@cdc.gov or by phone at + 1 513-533-8471

NIOSH team visit Peru and present a technical course

A five-member NIOSH interdivisional team visited Peru's National Institute of Health (INS) in Lima, Peru, 15-19 September 2008, to present a technical course, "Determination of Silica and Heavy Metals in Work Environments" in collaboration with the National Center for Occupational Health and Protection of the Environment for Health (CENSOPAS).

The NIOSH team provided occupational health training in silica and heavy metals with an emphasis in laboratory analyses, sampling, quality assurance programs, control banding, and evaluation of interventions.

All attendees were trained in each area since the participating countries frequently have only one person to assess health hazards, perform site visits, analyze samples, and report results. Nearly 40 professionals were trained at CENSOPAS, including attendees from Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Colombia.

The Peruvian representative from the Pan American Health Organization also attended the training program. A site visit was performed at Cementos Lima, one of the largest cement producers in the world. Course evaluations completed by the participants indicated that the course was well received. The NIOSH team included Kevin Ashley, Catherine Beaucham, Rosa Key-Schwartz, Faye Rice, and Aaron Sussell.

Lecture by Dr John Howard

Nanotechnology: The newest slice of global economic daily life

Dr John Howard MD, JD, MPH, LLM, former Director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the USA and chair of the Steering Committee of the 5th edition of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety gave a lecture on 27 November 2008 at the ILO on the emerging area of nanotechnology.

He discussed both the industrial applications of nanotechnology and the societal implications of this new technology from an occupational perspective. Dr Howard also discussed how the health of nanotechnology workers can be protected and provided an overview of the development of national and international standards in the area of nanotechnology.

This lecture provided an excellent opportunity to bring together colleagues from the ILO.

See a list of Dr Howard publications and presentations on the theme.

CIS has prepared a bibliography containing references to a selection of items reflecting the theme. References are extracted from CISDOC bibliographic database, a practical tool for seeking information on occupational safety and health at the international level.

News from the USA

The November issue of LIFELINES ONLINE (Vol. V, No. 6) is available at the LHSFNA website. These are the headlines:

To view the stories and access our website, click 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.

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

News from the UK

New book: The Design, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems: A Guide to BS 5839-1 (Third Edition)
Colin S Todd

The essential guide to BS 5839-1 is now in its third edition. The universal 'bible' written by a leading expert, for those involved in the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and use of fire detection and alarm systems particularly in the UK. Also a useful reference for consulting engineers and students following fire engineering courses

This book gives guidance on the recently-amended BS 5839-1:2002 Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. BS 5839-1 is part of the suite of codes and standards bearing the generic heading 'Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings' and represents the universal reference for those involved in the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and use of fire detection and alarm systems in the United Kingdom.

Compliance with the Code is commonly required by building control authorities, fire and rescue authorities and others who may enforce provisions for fire safety in certain occupancies; property insurers who may require automatic fire detection systems to comply with the recommendations of the Code and consulting engineers who commonly demand compliance with the code, often as part of the electrical specification for a building.

Sample pages are available to download at www.bsigroup.com/bip2109

The book can be purchased from www.bsigroup.com/bip2109

About the author: Colin S Todd is a leading specialist in fire detection and fire alarm systems and has been a significant player in the development of this important code of practice. As the author of the initial draft and a member of the BSI technical committee responsible for the code, he is able to give an insight to the recommendations of BS 5839-1, enabling a deeper understanding than can be obtained from reading the code of practice in isolation.

Contents: Introduction; History of fire alarm installation codes; The format and layout of the code; Scope of BS 5839-1:2002; Contents of the code; Defining the terms; Selecting a suitable fire alarm system; The fire alarm contract and definition of responsibilities; The interface between the fire alarm system and other systems; The components of the system; Design of fire alarm circuits; Detection zones and alarm zones; Communication with the fire and rescue service; Audible, visual and tactile fire alarm signals; Staged fire alarms; Manual call points; Which type of detector? Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance: Spacing and siting of automatic fire detectors; Control and indicating equipment; Networked systems; Power supplies; Cables and wiring; Radio-linked systems; Electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility; False alarms and their limitation; Installation work; Inspection and testing; Commissioning; Documentation; Certification; Acceptance by the user or purchaser; Verification; Routine testing; Servicing; Repair and non-routine attention; User responsibilities.

About BSI Group

BSI British Standards is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world's first national standards body, the Group has over 2,250 staff operating in over 100 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group's key offerings are:

For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com

EVENT

FERMA Risk Management Forum 2009 Global Village: The Future of Risk Management

An ideal environment to meet and share experiences with other European risk professionals

Following the success of the FERMA Risk Management Forum'07 in Geneva with almost 1300 delegates, Prague will be hosting Forum 2009.

Prague, Czech Republic, 4 - 7 October 2009 is a date that must go into your diary.

Today's business climate and recent turbulence affecting global financial markets show clearly that risk management is more than ever a number one priority in most organisations. Risk Management is still developing and moving forward.

FERMA's Risk Management Forum 2009 in Prague will address the increasingly complex issues risk managers are facing to establish effective management of risk.

Take a look at the flyer using the following link (Leaflet FERMA 2009), for information on the key topics of the workshops covered under the overall theme of the Forum:

Franck Baron, Sirm Board Member, Chairman of the FERMA Risk Management Forum 2009, Avenue Louis Gribaumont, 1 / B.4 - 1150 Brussels, Belgium | Tel: +32 2 761 94 32 | Fax: +32 2 771 87 20 | Email: info@ferma.eu | www.ferma.eu

EVENT

In 2009, from 3 to 6 November, at A+A Dusseldorf, Ergonoma Journal organizes for the second time in 2009 a village totally dedicated to ergonomics.

About a hundred manufacturers and distributors will come and present a large choice of specialised products, materials, furniture and services, all topics relative to ergonomics and working station layout within offices, workshops, companies and institutions.

Ergonomics Village at A+A Dusseldorf 2009, dedicated to workplace ergonomics and wellness at work, with exceptional conditions to value your participation.

To exhibit, contact: AMT Europe Ergonoma, BP 00011 28800, Bonneval France | Tel: +332.37.44.04.60 | Fax: +332.37.44.04.50 | patrick@ergonoma.com

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.

EGYPT

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH
www.niosh.gov.eg
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lists major activities, including scientific and applied research, training, advisory field services and Information Centre. The Information Centre is part of the International Labour Office CIS Network of Health and Safety Information Centres.

ESTONIA

Estonian Working Environment
Estonian Working Environment Guide to contacts, information sources, publications, legislation and other information. Member of the Baltic Sea Network on Occupational Health and Safety.

FINLAND

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health FIOH
www.ttl.fi
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health very informative site which links to other worldwide sites. Contains links to a number of electronic journals produced by FIOH as follows:

African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety full text
www.ttl.fi/AfricanNewsletter
African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety Produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Gives details of the OSH activities in the English speaking African countries. ISSN 1239-4386.

Asian Pacific Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety full text
www.ttl.fi/Asian-PacificNewsletter
Asian Pacific Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Gives details of the OSH activities in the Asia Pacific countries. ISSN 1237-0843.

Barents Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety full text
www.ttl.fi/BarentsNewsletter
Barents Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Gives details of the OSH activities in the Barents countries.

European Chemical Agency
http://ec.europa.eu/echa/home_en.html
European Chemical Agency (ECHA), located in Helsinki, Finland will manage the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction (REACH) processes for chemical substances to ensure consistency across the European Union. These REACH processes are designed to provide additional information on chemicals, to ensure their safe use, and to ensure competitiveness of the European industry. Site provides technical guidance, frequently asked questions (FAQs), software tools and contact details for a network of help desks.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health full text
www.sjweh.fi
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Gives details of the OSH activities in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark.

WHO Collaborating Centres Network Newsletter full text
www.cdc.gov/niosh/ccc
WHO Collaborating Centres Network Newsletter produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Gives details of the OSH activities in countries in the World Health Organisation network.

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health: CAREX
www.ttl.fi/en/chemical_safety/carex
International information system on occupational exposure to carcinogens, contains information on numbers exposed by occupations, definitions, descriptions, bibliographic references in 15 European countries. Produced by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Institute of Occupational Safety Engineering, Tampere University of Technology
http://turva.me.tut.fi/english
Lists activities, publications, research and many links to other sites.

Nordic Institute for Advanced Training NIVA
www.niva.org
NIVA is located at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and offers courses and seminars each year in the Nordic and Baltic countries, in English language. The courses cover a broad spectra of working life from advanced toxicological methods to work organisation solutions.

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.

20-23 December 2008 - Fire, Safety and Security Exhibition Middle East and Africa
Cairo International Convention Center
Contact: www.mefsec-middleeast.com
Readers may also like to take a free trial of FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

2009

28-30 January 2009 - Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario Conference (HRPAO) 2009 Annual Conference
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1902, Toronto ON M4W 3E2, Canada | Tel: + 1 416-923-2324 or 1-800-387-1311 | Fax: +1 416-923-7264 | Email: info@hrpao.org

28-30 January 2009 - International strategy conference "Building a bridge between international and national strategies on health and safety at work"
BG-Academy Dresden, Germany
Contact: Anja Koehler, Conference Secretariat, Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV), Germany | Fax: +49 351 457-201612 or +49 351 457-1325 | Email: anja.koehler@dguv.de | www.dguv.de

9-10 February 2009 - Health and Safety Training for Managers and Supervisors
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Irene Brelsforth, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS), 135 Hunter Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1M5, Canada | Tel: + 1 905 572 2981 x4467 | Fax: +1 905 572 2206 | Email: ireneb@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

11 February 2009 - Best of the Best: Annual conference 2009
National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham UK
Contact: Fleet Safety Forum | Tel: +44 (0) 1484 559909 | Email: fleetsafetyforum@brake.org.uk | www.brake.org.uk

23-25 February 2009 - RoSPA 74th Road Safety Congress 2009: Road Safety: What Have We Learnt?
Hilton Metropole Hotel, Blackpool, UK
Contact: Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK | Tel: +44 (0)121 248 2120 | Email: events@rospa.com | www.rospa.com/roadsafety

2-3 March 2009 - The National Safety Council's 2009 Texas Safety Conference and Expo (TSCE)
The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Contact: Ms Hilda Koskiewicz, Conference Planner, National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake Drive, Itasca, IL 60143, United States | Tel: + 1 630 775 2037 | Fax: +1 +630 285 0798 | Email: koskiewh@nsc.org | www.nsctexexpo.com

7-10 March 2009 FDIC Middle East Conference and Exhibition
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Contact: www.fdicmiddleeast.com

9 March 2009 - Health and Safety Training for Managers and Supervisors in the Canadian Federal Jurisdiction
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Contact: Irene Brelsforth, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS), 135 Hunter Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1M5, Canada | Tel: + 1 905 572 2981 x4467 | Fax: +1 905 572 2206 | Email: ireneb@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

10-12 March 2009 - The Cleaning Show 2009
National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK
Contact: BCCE Ltd | www.cleaningshow.co.uk

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

25-27 March 2009 - Safety Services Nova Scotia 27th Annual Health and Safety Conference
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Contact: Safety Services Nova Scotia (SSNS), 110 Chain Lake Drive, Unit 3F, Vantage Point 3, Halifax, NS B3S 1A9, Canada | Tel: +1 902 454 9621 | Fax: +1 902 454 6027 | Email: kennedy@safetyservicesns.ca | www.safetyservicesns.ca

26-28 March 2009 - Risk Management Seminar for Health and Safety 2009
Organized by The Union of Risks Management for Preventive Medicine (URMPM)
Japan
Contact: Union of Risks Management for Preventive Medicine (URMPM Head Office), 4-7-12-102 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan | Tel: + 81 3 3817 7010 | Fax: +81 3 3817 6770 | Email: secr-office@umin.net | www.urmpm.org

For more events see www.oshworld.com/diary.html

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