CIS Newsletter

No. 243
December 2009

CIS Newsletter celebrates 21 years & still going strong!
Bringing news from Members to Members in over 154 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Some ideas to help in promoting the CIS Network... Don't Work Harder, Work Smarter!
  3. More news and reports on CIS Annual Meeting 2009
  4. Dr John Howard writes about the joint WHO Collaborating Centres and CIS Centres meeting in Geneva and the link to each other's newsletters.
  5. RSS Feeds
  6. News and Events from around the World - Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Macedonia, Russia, Scandinavia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK, USA and Zimbabwe to name a few!
  7. OSHE websites to explore
  8. Diary of Events

WHO Network of Collaborating Centre Connection (CCC) e-newsletter: www.cdc.gov/niosh/ccc

CIS Network Newsletters: www.sheilapantry.com/cis

The CIS Newsletter is a monthly newsletter for 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

Greetings to all Friends and Colleagues

This has been a fast moving year and suddenly here is the last CIS Newsletter of 2009! 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.

2009 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 and also on the CIS website). Also look at the results of recent Regional Meetings and other meetings such as the London September 2008 meeting see the Recommendations.

And especially reflect on the outcomes of the meeting held in Geneva to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of CIS. See the reports on www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/oshworld/news/cis_50th.htm

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.

Please do read Dr John Howard article about the joint WHO Collaborating Centres and CIS Centres meeting in Geneva and the link to each other's newsletters. See below...

2010...

Now we look forward to 2010 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. We must constantly make people aware of the strength of this network and work hard to constantly promote CIS!

We also look forward to seeing developments and news as the new edition of the Encyclopaedia unfolds.

Remember the World day of Health and Safety is being held on 28 April 2010 - now is the time to plan your activities - see details below.

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 the topic of 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 2010?... 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

PROMOTING CIS IN 2010

As suggested by Gabor Sandi ... reflect and promote what has been achieved in your country to improve the visibility of the CIS Network.

Then state what you and organisation intends to do in the future to:

See also further suggestions from Thomas Netter - the Chief of the ILO Media Department in the November 2009 and also the August 2009 CIS Newsletter.

Don't forget you can you use information in previous CIS Newsletters particularly the June 2009 Special edition that contains many articles on the promoting OSH information. Work smarter not harder - and use the ideas brought together by many experienced people. If you did not get a chance to read it, then take a few moments of your life to reflect what has been achieved over many years see www.sheilapantry.com/cis/cis200906.html

Together the CIS Network can achieve so much.

Make my day ... please send your news items to your Editor!

Remember... Publicity is the key ... tell them, tell them and tell them again...

News from CIS HQ

CIS 50th Anniversary ... more news

The 47th Annual Meeting of CIS National, Collaborating and Regional Centres was held at ILO Headquarters in Geneva on 22 and 23 October 2009. As usual, this was the occasion for the CIS Centres to share their experiences and their achievements. Many participants presented their annual reports, most of whom also made a presentation about the activities of their centres. The second day of the meeting was consecrated to working groups that discussed in depth specific issues concerning the future of CIS. The conclusions of these discussions will be added to the final report, which will be posted soon on our website.

This meeting was also the occasion to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of CIS. Various CIS promotional materials were included in a kit presenting various products bearing the CIS logo: mousepads, pens, leaflets and USB keys loaded with SafeWork and CIS major conventions. A short monograph on the history of CIS, written by Mr Gábor Sándi, the CIS Coordinator, was also distributed to the participants.

WHO and ILO CIS meeting in Geneva

Dr John Howard, Director of the US NIOSH writes in the NIOSH e-news November 2009 the following...

Occupational Safety and Health and International Happenings

NIOSH has a long and accomplished history as a leader in international partnerships to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. We take these responsibilities very seriously. We are proud to contribute our share to U.S. leadership in the global economy, and to use the knowledge that we gain, in turn, to support our domestic mission.

As part of our international outreach NIOSH works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). I would like to recognize two recent developments that illustrate the value and endurance of those partnerships.

I am privileged to serve as the Chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) Network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health and am happy to report that the Network's 8th meeting held October 18-23, drew 230 participants from Collaborating Centres around the world to WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Collaborating Centres, of which NIOSH is one, met in plenary and working groups to focus on ways forward in implementing the Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health (GPA).

The World Health Assembly, the forum governing the WHO, endorsed the Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health (2008-2017) in 2007. The plan is a follow up of the "WHO Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All", which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1996.

The main objectives of the GPA are to:

Global Workplan

WHO has developed a global workplan in collaboration with the WHO Network of Collaborating Centres, based on the objectives of the GPA for 2009-2012. The workplan organizes the activities of the Collaborating Centres into 14 priority areas.

Outcomes of the meeting include: a sharper focus on priorities to be achieved by 2012, gaps in current workplan projects, and communication strategies such as the Wikipedia site, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHO_collaborating_centres_in_occupational_health, and a Twitter group called "WHOWorkerHealth".

CIS

Another significant event in 2009 is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ILO International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (ILO-CIS).

CIS is the knowledge management arm of the ILO's Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork). CIS continuously monitors world literature on occupational safety and health with over 154 CIS Centres at the national or regional level. The Network of CIS Centres contributes to the exchange of information among persons responsible for the establishment and implementation of national policies and programs. I am privileged to serve as the Chair of the Steering Committee for the 5th Edition of the Encyclopedia of Safety and Health, one of the widely used products of the ILO Centre.

The ILO also collaborated with the WHO in several sessions at the October meeting in Switzerland. Workshops on capacity building, health workplaces, and occupational health of healthcare workers rounded out the successful meeting.

I invite you to learn more about NIOSH's international partnerships, and to consider ways in which you might join us.

For more information on the WHO Network of Collaborating Centres in Occupational Health go to www.who.int/occupational_health/network/en or for more information on the ILO-CIS go to www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis.

To subscribe to the Collaborating Centre Connection, the e-newsletter for the WHO group, please visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/ccc

CIS Newsletter Editor's Note re the CIS Newsletter and the WHO Collaborating Centres Newsletter

Since the joint CIS/WHO meeting in October 2009 I am delighted to inform you that Jane Hingston, Editor, WHO Network of Collaborating Centre Connection (CCC) e-newsletter and I have been in touch with each other and that links are being made between the CIS Newsletter and the WHO Network of Collaborating Centre Connection (CCC) e-newsletter.

Back issues: www.cdc.gov/niosh/ccc

And for the WHO Network Members please note that current and back issues of the CIS Newsletter can be found at www.sheilapantry.com/cis

RSS feed from CIS Newsletter Home page and details about RSS Feeds

Go to the CIS Newsletter home page and see the RSS Feed Button RSS Logo. It takes you to: www.sheilapantry.com/cis/rss.xml

Using web feeds (RSS)

Here are answers to some common questions about using feeds (RSS).

What does RSS stand for?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and is used to describe the technology used in creating feeds.

What is a Feed?

A RSS feed, also known as XML feed, syndicated content, or web feed, is frequently updated content published by a website. It is usually used for news and blog websites, but can also be used for distributing other types of digital content, including pictures, audio or video. Feeds can also be used to deliver audio content (usually in MP3 format) that you can listen to on your computer or MP3 player. This is referred to as podcasting.

How do you know if a website offers feeds?

When you first view a website, Internet Explorer will search for feeds. If feeds are available, the Feeds button will change colour.

How do you view a feed?

When you visit a webpage, the Feeds button will change colour, letting you know that feeds are available. Click the Feeds button, and then click the feed you want to see. To get content automatically, you should subscribe to a feed.

How does a feed differ from a website?

A feed can have the same content as a web page, but it's often formatted differently. When you subscribe, Internet Explorer automatically checks the website and downloads new content so you can see what is new since you last visited the feed.

How can you automatically get updated content?

You can receive content automatically by subscribing to a web feed. When you subscribe to a web feed, you set the interval at which Internet Explorer will check the website for updates. Once you've set an interval, Internet Explorer will automatically download the most up-to-date web feed list. Click Related Topics to learn how to subscribe to a web feed.

Does a feed subscription cost money?

No, it's usually free to subscribe to a feed.

How can you view your subscribed feeds?

How to view feeds on the Feeds tab in the Favorites Center. To view your feeds, click the Favorites Center button, and then click Feeds.

What formats do feeds come in?

The most common formats are RSS and Atom. Feed formats are constantly being updated with new versions. Internet Explorer supports RSS 0.91, 1.0, and 2.0, and ATOM 0.3, 1.0. All web feed formats are based on XML (Extensible Markup Language), a text-based computer language used to describe and distribute structured data and documents.

How do you discover a feed?

Internet Explorer looks for feeds, also known as RSS feeds, on every webpage you visit. When it finds available feeds, the Feeds button, located on the Internet Explorer toolbar, will change from gray to orange.

To view available feeds

On the Internet Explorer toolbar, click the Feeds button. If multiple feeds are available, you'll see a list of available feeds. Select the feed you want to view. When you click the feed, you'll see a page displaying a list of items (topics and articles) you can read and subscribe to.

Can other programs display your subscribed feeds?

Yes, Internet Explorer provides the Common Feed List to other programs. This allows you to subscribe to feeds with Internet Explorer and read them in other programs, such as e-mail clients.

News from around the World

CIS - Fifty years of history, by Gabor Sandi

Short history of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Geneva, Switzerland
CIS - Health and Safety Information Centres network. CIS is the information processing arm of Safework.
The task of CIS is to collect new, reliable and significant information published worldwide dealing with occupational safety and health. CIS was founded 50 years ago in 1959. It started with 11 members and now has over 160 national, collaborating and regional centres worldwide. This short history summarises the developments and milestones over the years.

CIS - Fifty years of history, by Gabor Sandi
International Labour Organisation (ILO) Geneva, Switzerland, 2009, 16 pages
ISBN 978 92 2 1227670 (print) 9789221227687 web PDF
www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/about/mtg2009/cis_history.pdf

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2010: start to make your plans!

On 28 April 2010 the World Day for Safety and Health at Work will be held under the following theme:

"Securing the future: emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work"

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual event, held on 28th April of each year. It aims to raise awareness about how to make work safer and healthy and the need to raise the political profile of occupational safety and health.

The ILO encourages its tripartite partners to organize activities at the national and enterprise levels using these promotional materials. Ideally events should involve both management and workers and be reported to press and media.

Please also let the ILO know about your events by sending an Email to safeday@ilo.org.

Visit the World Day Web site for further information and to access the related products.

Latest news on the XIXth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work to be held in September 2011 in Turkey

The XIXth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work will be held in Istanbul from the 11th to the 15th of September 2011. The Congress will be organized by the Ministry of Labour of Turkey, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

The motto of the Congress is "Building a Culture of Prevention for a Healthy and Safe Future". It is a great opportunity for occupational safety and health professionals, employers, trade union representatives, people responsible in public administration, insurance and social security agencies, manufacturers and importers, as well as anyone with an interest in safety and health at work, to meet and share their knowledge on OSH issues.

On this occasion the International Film and Multimedia Festival will also be organized by the ISSA International Commission for Prevention. Juries of experts will select the best products and will award them accordingly.

You will find here all necessary information about the XIXth World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.

Money does matter!

It is important that all organisations are sufficiently funded to be able to carry out the tasks, aims and objectives that are set.

The good news is that the CIS budget for the next two years is now approved by the Governing Body.

You will wish to see what the tasks, future activities and services are... going to: www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_116006.pdf

Income and expenditure budget for the biennium 2010-11

Contents:

  1. Summary of the income and expenditure budget
  2. Activities and services of the CIS in 2010-11
  3. Detailed income budget for 2010-11
  4. Detailed expenditure budget for 2010-11

New Book - How to Give Your Users the LIS Services They Want by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths

In these turbulent times, with the challenges of a constantly changing job market, shifting information-seeking behaviour and a vast array of new resources continually being produced, library and information services (LIS) need to constantly keep one step, or more, ahead of their users.

The benefits of analysing user behaviour are self-evident: better strategic planning, cost benefits and better use of budgets, better marketing, satisfied customers, satisfied management, and a library or information unit that is central to the needs of your parent organization.

However, paradoxically, user needs, and levels of expectation, including those of remote users, are often not fully explored. This accessible text goes back to the basics and asks:

This book evaluates the impact on your organization. This book will help any library or information professional anywhere to take a fresh look at this important area and to tackle it in their organization, so as to ensure that their users will always obtain exactly what they want. Webmasters and knowledge managers will also find much to interest them.

The authors

Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP manages an independent information services consultancy and electronic publishing business, including websites. She has had a long and varied career in information management in a range of industry sectors, and also in government as Head of Information Services for the Health and Safety Executive. She specializes in worldwide occupational health and safety information and is an experienced trainer, writer, editor, lecturer and conference organiser.

Peter Griffiths is an independent information specialist with particular interest in library and information services, knowledge management and wider aspects of information management in the public sector. He was previously Head of Information at the Home Office, a role that included being head of profession for librarians, information scientists and latterly records managers across the Home Office group. He is an experienced trainer, writer and speaker. Peter is currently 2009 President of CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

All titles available a 20% discount to Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals members.
Remember to quote your Membership Number if claiming the discount.
Facet Publishing, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE, UK www.facetpublishing.co.uk

Available from: Bookpoint Ltd, Mail Order Dept, 39 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4TD, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1235 400400 | Fax: +44 (0) 1235 832068 / 861038 | Email: orders@bookpoint.co.uk

Further information - email: sp@sheilapantry.com

News from Arlac

The report of last year's activities and future plans of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC), Harare, Zimbabwe can be found on www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/about/mtg2009/africa_reg.pdf

This report was presented at the CIS Annual meeting by Mary Muchengeti, the Information Officer African Regional Labour Administration Centre.

Contact details: African Regional Labour Administration Centre | Emails: arlac@arlac.co.zw | mmuchengeti@arlac.co.zw | www.arlac.co.zw

News from Australia ... request for help

Sick Building Syndrome

My name is Janis Jansz. I am the Director of an ILO CIS Centre in Australia. If you can help with any stories about sick building syndrome I would like it if you can email your story to me. My email address is j.jansz@curtin.edu.au My office phone number is +61 8 9266 3006. Mobile phone number +61 (0)404 917 063 if you want to talk to me.

I have been given 2 months to write 3 chapters in a book titled "Sick Building Syndrome in Libraries and other Public Buildings".

In these chapters I would like to have practical input from Safety Professionals who tell their story about sick building syndrome experiences. I will also research information on sick building syndrome that is reported in published literature. If you have any information about sick building syndrome that I can use in any of the 3 chapters I would appreciate it if you could email me this information.

An example of a real workplace story about sick building syndrome is as follows. "As an Agency Registered Nurse I went to work a shift at a nursing home in a Perth suburb because there were registered nurses on sick leave due to having respiratory infections. One of the first things that I noticed in the nurses' hand over room was that there was water damage on the ceiling and the walls. In the water damaged areas there was mould growing. The staff told me that when it rained the roof leaked and water came through the ceiling and ran down the walls. All of the windows in this nursing home were made so that they stayed shut to keep the building at a comfortable air conditioned temperature for the residents. As well as staff frequently becoming ill some of the residents had respiratory and other infections. I completed a hazard report on the mould, but did not return to work at this nursing home to find out if any steps were taken to eliminate this biological hazard.

Stachybotrys Trichothecenes Mould

This picture comes from Google Images. It is of the Stachybotrys Trichothecenes Mould that grows on cellulose rich material, particularly if there is a moist environment and causes health complaints including eye, nose and/or throat irritation, headaches, dry cough, dry itchy skin, difficulty in concentrating, dizziness, nausea, fatigue & sensitivity to odours. This looks like the mould that was on the nursing home ceiling and walls."

From my research so far I have found causes of sick building syndrome to include building factors (such as ventilation, cleaning, maintenance, work station layout, open plan offices with more than 10 work stations, large areas of soft furnishing and open shelves, new furniture, carpets, painted surfaces, air conditioning, lighting, particularly if there is glare or flicker), environmental factors (such as high temperature or excessive temperature variation, very low or high humidity, noise) and pollutants (such as tobacco smoke, ozone, volatile organic compounds, dust particles, chemicals or fibres in the atmosphere, microbiological or fungal contaminants), work related factors (such as variety and interest in particular jobs, people's ability to control particular aspects of their work or work environment) and personal factors (such as multiple chemical sensitivity and job satisfaction).

Your stories may identify these and other causes of sick building syndrome.

News from Bangladesh

Alarming survey results on work-related fatalities and accidents in Bangladesh

Based on a recent survey conducted by the CIS Collaborating Centre in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE), it is estimated that there were 1,273 worker fatalities, and 1,617 critically injured workers in Bangladesh during the first nine months of 2009.

The industrial sector showing the largest number of fatalities was the garment sector, followed by transportation and construction. Principal causes of accidents and injuries ranged were falls from height, electric shock, explosions and travelling to and from workplaces.

Some of the key shortcomings which led to this situation in Bangladesh were low levels of enforcement of legislation, weak labour inspection, lack of awareness, sensitization and training among workers, and absence of OSH committees.

For more information, please check the Foundation's web site, or contact them directly at oshe@agni.com or oshe@citech.net.

News from Canada

Quebec Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST) new report: Polyurethane foam spraying - Good practices guide

A new good practices guide was developed jointly by the Institut de recherché Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) and the Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail du secteur de la construction (ASP Construction). Its intended use is to make people aware of the hazards, risks and risk factors associated with the application of thermal insulation as well as means of controlling them. The composition and uses of polyurethane foam represent three types of hazards during spraying, namely chemical and ergonomic hazards, as well as those related to safety.

Maura Tomi
Information Officer - IRSST

News from Canada

National Forum Explores Leadership in Creating Healthy Workplaces

Subject experts, workers, employers, and government representatives will gather March 8 and 9, 2010 in the National Capital Region to share their collective knowledge and experience around the role of leadership in creating healthy, safe workplaces. This national event, Forum III: Leading Workplace Change hosted by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will provide an opportunity for participants to explore and better understand how leadership in the workplace - at any level - can impact the health and safety needs of workers.

The Program

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour will provide the opening address. Program sessions will focus on the topics of leadership and how it can impact workplace violence prevention, participatory ergonomics, and multi-generational teams.

The Forum III program features:

As a preview of the Forum program, CCOHS posted podcasts recorded by two of featured speakers: Leading Your Team to a Healthier Workplace [MP3] with Jim Clemmer, and Bridging the Generations at Work [MP3] featuring Giselle Kovary.

"The unique nature of this Forum - with the tripartite representation from across the country - provides a platform for a full breadth of current workplace health and safety knowledge to be shared," says Len Hong, PCEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. "Canadians can freely express their insights and perspectives on significant emerging issues, and stimulate creative solutions to inspire workplace change and help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses."

Participants registering on or before December 15, 2009 will save $100 off the full conference price. CCOHS is also offering special rates for groups and students.

More information about the program and registration including, early registration, group and student discounts is available at www.ccohs.ca/events/forumiii.

Contacts:

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

Jennifer Miconi-Howse, Communications Officer, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) | Tel: + 1 905 5722981, Ext. 4121 | Email: jenmh@ccohs.ca | www.ccohs.ca

News from France

INRS: Channel on Dailymotion and Youtube

In order to improve the distribution of its information products, INRS put online several of its audiovisual products on two different video sharing websites: Youtube and Dailymotion. By using these new communication means, the French institute aims to sensitize people to the prevention of occupational risks and to encourage them to consult the INRS website, as well as to improve the distribution of its information products to non-specialists.

At the present time, there are about 30 short videoclips online. Thanks to the play list it is also possible to watch videoclips by theme (prevention, stress, cancer, etc.). Youtube and Dailymotion are interactive and give the opportunity to Internet users to comment, recommend, share and also add videoclips to their own blogs or websites.

News from Macedonia

On 21.10.2009 in the hotel "Aleksandar Palas" in Skopje, the final conference within the project "Implementation and enforcement of EU occupational safety and health standards in the garment industry" was held.

Welcoming speech was delivered by Mr. Uno Abrahamsen, representative of the Norwegian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Mr. Dragan Tillev, State Advisor in SEA and Mr. Milan Petkovski, President of Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association.

In the conference, as well as the presentation of the project's activities (financed by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Secretariat for European Affairs of the Government of Republic of Macedonia), representatives of the stakeholders and the factories (as the final beneficiaries of the project's activities), addressed the audience.

At the same time, the flag, through which the employees of the textile factories involved in the project expressed their gratitude to the Norwegian people for helping them to improve their work conditions was presented.

MOSHA

On 13.11.2009 in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska - Bosnia and Hercegovina, a meeting between representatives of the Inspectorate of Republika Srpska (Igor Milunovik - Deputy General Director, Radmila Puzik - Chief Republic Inspector for safety at work and Goran Vranik Chief of Planning, IT and Information Department) and representatives of the Macedonian occupational safety and health association (Milan Petkovski - President and Ljupco Kocovski - ILO/CIS coordinator) was held.

The hosts, as well as sharing information referring to the work of the inspectorate, presented the Inspection Management System, a project that has been created during the last three-four years and which is still on a trial period. Its official start is expected in January 2010.

At the same time there was a discussion about the possibility for cooperation, direct or indirect with organizations and associations from the area of occupational safety.

The framework for this visit was the regional cooperation of the ILO/CIS information centres.

www.mzzpr.org.mk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=514:international-collaboration-inspectorate-of-republika-srpska&catid=94:ilo-news-projects-events

Ljupco Kocovski, ILO/CIS center coordinator, Macedonian Occupational Safety and Health Association, 29 Noemvri 50, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia | Tel/fax: ++ 389 (0)2 2774 868 | cell: ++389 (0)75 432 051 | www.mzzpr.org.mk

News from the UK

The safe isolation of plant and equipment

This extensive guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive in 2006 will serve as a reminder for the on/offshore oil or gas industry, chemical manufacturing and associated pipeline operations enables duty holders to develop, review and enhance isolation standards and procedures. Also generally applicable to any industry undertaking process isolations and to mobile offshore drilling units where relevant. Examining principles and legal considerations, it advises how to isolate plant and equipment safely and how to reduce the risk of releasing hazardous substances during intrusive activities like maintenance and sampling. Includes a methodology for selecting 'baseline' standards and outlines preventive and risk reduction measures. In scoping the pertinent issues, it considers broad matters (e.g. work control systems or documentation) and specifics like draining or venting. With many detailed diagrams and easy-glance reference tables. Contents: Foreword; Introduction; Management of isolations; Safe systems of work for isolation activities; Key stages of process isolation; Isolation situations requiring specific considerations; Appendices; References and further reading; Glossary; Index.

The safe isolation of plant and equipment, by the UK Health and Safety Executive 2006
57 pages. ISBN 9780717661718. Series G253
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg253.pdf

News from the UK

Essentials of health and safety at work

Documenting what the law requires and provides reference for employers as they put it into practice. Initial emphasis is on tackling the basics and identifying, assessing and controlling general hazards. Essentials is supplemented by more specific studies: slips and trips, fire, work at height, building work, machinery, plant and equipment maintenance, gas and oil-fired equipment, pressurized plant and equipment, transport, lifting and handling, noise, vibration, electricity, radiations and harmful, flammable or explosive substances. With new sections on subjects such as stress, rehabilitation and sickness absence.

This will be a very useful resource for all countries that can be adapted to the local scene! Don't reinvent the wheel!

Essentials of health and safety at work by the UK Health and Safety Executive 2006
4th ed., 2006, 95 pages. ISBN 9780717661794. Language English
Document Type TRAINING MANUALS, SAFETY GUIDES. Series G253
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/essentials.pdf

News from the UK

Health and Safety Executive announces New Tower Crane Regulations

Detailed recommendations for a statutory-based tower crane register have been agreed today (25 November) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Board following a three-month public consultation. These details will now be put to Ministers for approval. HSE received 100 responses; from trades unions, construction contractors and other stakeholders.

The new Regulations, developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are intended to come into force in April 2010 and cover conventional tower cranes on construction sites.

The register is in response to increasing public concern about tower crane safety. Eight people have been killed in incidents involving tower cranes since 2000, including one member of the public.

The new proposed regulations, which are designed to be easy to follow:

Details that would have to be notified to HSE are:

All details notified to HSE would be contained in a register that will be open to public scrutiny. Registrations would be subject to an administration fee of £20.

Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Construction said:

"There have been a number of high profile and tragic failures of tower cranes in recent years and there is widespread interest in finding ways to improve safety. The public consultation has helped us to develop a proportionate response to an established risk.

"We have learnt a great deal from recent incidents and are working together with hirers, suppliers, manufacturers and stakeholders to ensure that anything we have learnt is acted upon."

Around 1800 conventional tower cranes are thought to be operated in Britain, with around 1300 in use at any one time.

Following Ministerial approval, HSE plans to send out information to all duty-holders over the next few months.

The register is part of a package of measures which involves HSE and the construction industry continuing to work together to address issues around tower cranes: creating a competency requirements framework for crane erectors and dismantlers; undertaking more research into the effect of wind loading on cranes; consideration of the adequacy of crane design standards; greater research to improve understanding of crane accidents at an international level; greater promotion of the industry safe crane campaign to improve public confidence in crane safety.

The new registration site is scheduled to be launched on 6th April.

The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require tower cranes to be thoroughly examined by a competent person before first use and on a periodic basis (6 or 12 months depending if they are used to lift persons) or in accordance with a written scheme of examination.

There are two main types of tower cranes, known as conventional (or 'assisted-erected') and 'self erectors'. Conventional cranes are transported in pieces and assembled on site. Self-erecting tower cranes are complete units that are brought to site and then unfolded.

News from the USA

Occupational Safety and Health Has Never Looked So Good

NIOSH recently unveiled a new look for its home page. It has the same comprehensive menu of occupational safety and health information but is reorganized to be more user friendly. Check it out at www.cdc.gov/niosh

One New Health Hazard Evaluation Report Now Available
HHE Program evaluated hospital employees' exposure to an enzymatic cleaner and a sterilant used to clean and sterilize endoscopes. Investigators found that air samples did not contain detectable concentrations of acetic acid; concentrations of peracetic acid were thought to be low but could not be measured. Investigators recommended increased ventilation in the sterilization room and use of appropriate PPE to prevent eye, face, hand, arm, and body contact with concentrated peracetic acid and contaminated equipment.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2006-0298-3090.pdf

NIOSH Announces Fall Prevention Conference Spring 2010
On 19-20 May 2010, NIOSH will host the International Conference on Fall Prevention and Protection in Morgantown, West Virginia. Email mDSR-PAA@cdc.gov or go to www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/ICFPP/2010 for more information

Can't afford journal subscriptions? Budgets tight? There is no excuse for not having access to the latest occupational health and safety information from worldwide sources including CISDOC! OSH UPDATE is here to help!

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News from the ITUC

Stop Violence Against Women Day: Governments to Take Decisive Action to End Violence Against Women

On the occasion of the UN International Day on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the ITUC and affiliates in a range of countries are organizing activities to say "no to violence against women and girls" and to mobilize against the impunity of that violence around the world. These activities are taking place in the context of the UN Secretary-General's campaign 'UNiTE to End Violence against Women' and the Global Unions Campaign 'Decent Work, Decent Life for Women'.

"Violence against women at work is a serious problem, just as it is in society generally. Trade unions are campaigning on both fronts, to get rid of it in the workplace and in the community," said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder, "Inequality and pervasive discrimination against women and girls are at the core of the problem, providing an environment where violence is tolerated or even encouraged."

One-third of women are subjected to violent attack at some point in their lives, with the majority of cases involving rape or attempted rape. Women aged 15 - 44 are more at risk of death and disability through domestic violence than through cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, and each year some two million girls between aged five and 15 are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation.

Women in many different economic sectors also experience violence in their working life, including domestic work, manufacturing sweatshops, agriculture and the hospitality industry, while sexual harassment remains a serious problem across the spectrum of employment and in every part of the world.

The First ITUC World Women's Conference (19-21 October 2009) adopted a resolution on "Violence against women" which aims to further intensify trade union action. The Conference launched an appeal to the international community, and in particular to the governments of the countries concerned, to take decisive action to bring an end to the violence perpetrated against women, based on their status as women or as trade unionists, especially in armed conflicts and in situations where violence against women - including rape - is used systematically as a weapon of war. To see the Women's Conference webpage: www.ituc-csi.org/+-1st-world-women-s-conference,235-+.html

The ITUC is also working with Global Union Federations in their respective industrial sector, including the campaign by Union Network International "Stop the violence against women: Break the circle!". www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/iportal.nsf/pages/homeEn

To see the special ITUC webpage on violence against women: www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-joins-global-action-to-stop.html

OSHE web sites to explore...

We look at websites in different parts of the world that are offering quality information. This month we look at a variety of websites from Russia to Slovenia.

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

If we do not have your web site please send it to me sp@sheilapantry.com

Russia

Centre for Occupational and Industrial Safety and Social Partnership for St Peterburg and Leningrad Region
www.safework.ru
Centre for Occupational and Industrial Safety and Social Partnership for St Peterburg and Leningrad Region contains news, information resources, training opportunities and other information in both English and Russian. Also includes dedicated site to the Centre's work as the International Labour Office Health and Safety Information Collaboration Centre in Russia.

Russia Working Environment St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies
www.balticseaosh.net/country_page.php?country=ru&id=47
Details of the St. Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, background information. Member of the Baltic Sea Network on Occupational Health and Safety.

Scandinavia

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

Singapore

National Skin Centre
www.nsc.gov.sg
Details of the work of the Singapore National Skin Centre in occupational skin diseases.

Singapore Occupational Safety & Health Division, Ministry of Manpower
www.mom.gov.sg
Singapore Occupational Safety & Health Division, Ministry of Manpower's website has been given a new look along with several improvements, including improved layout, better navigation, clear and concise content and a better search function.

Slovakia

Slovakia National Labour Inspectorate (NLI)
www.safework.gov.sk
Slovakia National Labour Inspectorate (NLI) system main tasks in the field of labour inspection include - national and regional tasks of inspection activities, prevention activities, investigation of injuries etc., law agenda, planning, analysis, information system of NLI, control and economic activities.

Slovenia

Slovenia Labour Inspectorate
www.id.gov.si
Slovenia Labour Inspectorate oversees implementation of laws, other regulations, collective agreements and general documents regulating employment, wages and other receipts from employment, the employment of workers at home and abroad, cooperation of workers in management, strikes and occupational safety, unless otherwise provided by regulations. The Labour Inspectorate also oversees implementation of those regulations. The Chief Inspector heads and represents the Inspectorate, organises and coordinates the work of inspectors, and within the confines of his authorisation is answerable for the legality, quality and effectiveness of the Inspectorate's work. Inspectors operate within the framework of inspection procedures organised for the individual administrative field. Employment oversight is provided by employment inspections, while occupational safety and health oversight is provided by occupational safety and health inspections. The fundamental laws in the area of oversight are the Employment Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which redefine the rules for relations between workers and employers.

Make my day ... please send your news items to your Editor!

Diary of Events

These events may inspire you and your organisation to offer similar type 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 that is constantly being updated.

10 December 2009 - 5th Annual Health and Safety Conference: Health and Safety Agenda for 2010
London, UK
Programme organised and chaired by Sheila Pantry OBE
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
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

January 2010

27-28 January 2010 - Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture: 2010 ASHCA-NIOSH Conference
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America and US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Contact: www.ashca.com | Questions regarding abstracts can be directed to ashca@mcrf.mfldclin.edu
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

February 2010

10-12 February 2010 - International Conference Towards Better Work and Well-being
Helsinki, Finland
Contact: Conference Secretariat, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 30 474 2910 | Email: betterwork@ttl.fi | www.ttl.fi/en/international/conferences/towards_better_work

25 February 2009 - Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
ERA Technology, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA, UK
Contact: Katie Taylor, Events Organiser, ERA Technology Cobham Technical Services, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7SA, UK | Tel: +44 (0)1372 367 439 | Fax: +44 (0)1372 367 009 | Email: Katie.Taylor@cobham.com or events@era.co.uk | http://shop.era.co.uk

25-28 February 2010 - IXth ASSE-MEC Professional Development Conference & Exhibition: Global look into Safety, Health and Environment
Bahrain
Contact: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) | Email: info@asse-mec.org | www.asse-mec.org

March 2010

March 2010 - NIVA Course: The evidence-based approach for OSH professionals
Kuopio, Finland
Contact: www.niva.org

2-5 March 2010 - The First International Health, Safety & Environment Exhibition
Kish Island, Kish Free Zone, Persian Gulf
Contact: Tel: +98 21 88658216-8 | www.hseinternationalexpo.com
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

8-9 March 2010 - Forum III: Leading the Change
Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Canada
Contact: CCOHS | Tel: + 1 800 668 4284 | www.ccohs.ca/events/forumIII

14-17 March 2010 - Fourth International Conference on Safety and Environment in the Process Industry (CISAP4)
Palazzo degli Affari, Piazza Adua 1, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Contact: www.aidic.it/CISAP4
Readers may also like to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

29 March - 2 April 2010 - Annual Safe Patient Handling & Movement Conference
Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA
Contact: University of South Florida | www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html