CIS Newsletter

No. 247
April 2010

CIS Newsletter celebrates 22 years & still going strong!
Bringing news from Members to Members in over 154 countries in the CIS Network!

Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. 28 April 2010 World Day of Safety and Health
  3. Do you know where a listing of ILO Conventions, Recommendations, Codes of Practice and Manuals can be found? Here is the answer...
  4. News, Events from around the World - Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, UK, and USA to name a few!
  5. OSHE websites to explore
  6. Diary of Events

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

ILO 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 from the UK. 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 Readers

Hope your plans to promote the 28 April 2010 World Day of Safety and Health are progressing well.

Don't forget to continuously promote CIS and the Network!

The slogan for the World Day in 2010 is Securing the future: emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work

The CIS Newsletter this month contains a range of information received from many parts of the OSH World - for which many thanks, and I am delighted to include the FOCUS on Korea and the latest developments there.

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.

Keep up your 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

Thanks for the publications, emails and news - these are always gratefully received.

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
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

28 April 2010 - World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Events will be taking place worldwide - check out in your own country.

From the International Labour Office
2010 Theme: Emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international annual campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work.

The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2010 promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries.

You are invited to join the ILO and other organisations around the world in promoting this important day.

www.ilo.org/safework/events/safeday/lang--en/index.htm

The slogan for the ILO World Day in 2010 is: Emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work

Do you know?

Where to find ILO Conventions, Recommendations, Codes of Practice and Manuals?

Answer: There is a list of these ILO Publications available from a link on the SafeWork/CIS website

One of the key functions of the International Labour Organization from its inception has been the establishment of international standards on labour and social matters. These international labour standards take the form of Conventions and Recommendations see www.ilo.org/safework/normative/conventions/lang--en/index.htm. About 70 of them deal with occupational safety and health matters.

In addition to the ILO Conventions and Recommendations dealing with occupational safety and health matters, further guidance is provided in Codes of Practice and manuals see www.ilo.org/safework/normative/codes/lang--en/index.htm. These are used as reference material by those in charge of formulating detailed regulations or responsible for occupational safety and health.

In some cases other instruments such as resolutions have been introduced to address a certain problem.

New ILO study: International Labour Migration: A rights-based approach

Amid growing challenges due to the global economic crisis, a new ILO study highlights the need to adopt a "rights-based approach" to provide a "fair deal" for the world's 105 million migrant workers.

The new study, entitled "International Labour Migration: A rights-based approach" (Note 1), examines trends in international labour migration, its impacts on origin and destination countries, and conditions of work experienced by migrant workers. The study also explores how standards can be used in the formulation and implementation of migration policies and practices.

The study brings out the positive contributions made by migrant workers to both their countries of employment and origin. However, it also highlights the decent work and protection deficits they still experience today, including low wages, non-payment of wages, unsafe working environments, a virtual absence of social protection, denial of freedom of association and workers' rights, discrimination and xenophobia.

"International migration is primarily a labour market, employment and decent work issue, and less a security and asylum seeker-refugee issue", says Ibrahim Awad, chief of the ILO's International Migration Branch. "The challenge is to govern migration in such a way that it can serve as a force for growth and prosperity in both origin and destination countries, while protecting and benefitting migrant workers themselves."

"The current global financial and economic crisis highlights the role that the ILO should play in the international arena in looking at the integration of employment and financial policies," Mr. Awad said.

The ILO study also says:

The study concludes that national and international governance of labour migration should recognize that most migration is in search of decent work, and thus provide greater legal opportunities for labour mobility; that policies should be based on recognition of mutual benefits to both origin and destination countries; that protection of migrant rights is central to realizing development benefits of migration for all parties; that comprehensive approaches to irregular migration are needed including addressing its root causes.

The study also calls for bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between governments, social partners, and other stakeholders concerned with migration to improve the governance of the migration process, ensure protection of migrant workers, and secure development benefits of labour migration for all parties.

The study draws upon recent international debates on the issue of labour migration, as reflected in the 2004 ILO Resolution on a fair deal for migrant workers in the global economy, the related ILO plan of action for migrant workers, and the ILO's Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration adopted in 2006. The development of the ILO Multilateral Framework was a major step by the ILO in defining a rights-based approach to labour migration.

Note 1 - International labour migration: A rights-based approach, Geneva, International Labour Office, 2010, ISBN 978-92-2-119120-9.

Scholarships Available for Developing Country Students for new PhD in International Health

The new PhD program "International Health" will start in October 2010 at the Center for International Health, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (CIHLMU) in Munich, Germany.

For this 3-year program, a limited number of scholarships for outstanding applicants from developing countries are available. The application deadline is May, 9th 2010.

Please note that applicants have to bring their own research projects.

Applicant projects need to be described in the application.

For further information please visit: www.international-health.uni-muenchen.de/phd_program

The 2nd online "International Program in Occupational Health Practice" starts in September 2010

It is designed as a strong introduction to occupational safety and health (OSH) for company health professionals (doctors, nurses and others) worldwide who work in developing countries or remote locations and do not have a formal academic training in OSH. Participants can send their contributions back in English, Spanish, French and German. The program is 100% online and no travels are required.

This program is offered by the School of Public Health of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Great Lakes Centers for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health is a Collaborating Center in Occupational Health of the World Health Organization. Participants will receive a continuing education certificate for the completion of the program. www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/ce/IntPrgOHP.html

Course Offerings: www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/ce/IntPrg_content.html#foundations

For more information, contact Norbert Wagner MD PhD - Director, International Program in Occupational Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) NLWagner@uic.edu.

FOCUS on Korea

KOSHA takes a bold move to transform its organizational structure focusing on occupational accident prevention

A move to streamline departments in the Headquarters and create 'Accident Prevention Task Force'

In January 2010, KOSHA (President: Min-ki Noh) took a decisive action to transform its organizational structure. The key details of the action include: the creation of Accident Prevention Task Force for the Service Industry; streamlining of KOSHA headquarters' hierarchical structure; and the strengthening of personnel who work at organizations that conduct accident prevention activities.

The latest move to reorganize KOSHA will make it a flexible agency that well responds to industrial changes. Through the process, KOSHA aimed at meeting occupational accident reduction goals and enhancing efficiency in human resources utilization. One thirds of all industrial accidents involve workers in the service industry. Therefore, 'Accident Prevention Task Force for the Service Industry', established within KOSHA's headquarters, will set up accident prevention divisions in 20 leading organizations in order to support occupational accident prevention activities within the industry. At the same time, KOSHA plans to eliminate safety blind spots in the service industry by focusing on six fields, with the most frequent accident occurrences, including the wholesale and retail sales, Also, for the effective distribution of quality contents to training divisions in other organizations, KOSHA strengthened is contents distribution capability through the integration of Occupational Safety and Health Media Development Department and Training Support Team.

Furthermore, KOSHA streamlined the structure of its headquarters to raise the effectiveness of occupational accident prevention projects. In the past, there were separate offices and departments but now, there are only departments. Instead, task forces were newly established. Therefore, the organizational structure of KOSHA is currently composed of 9 departments and 4 teams. On the other hand, a task force conducts works that are focused on a certain task. This requires initiatives from the heads of task forces as they have to actively engage in important and difficult tasks. The latest reorganization of KOSHA sought to simplify its structure, in order to expedite decision-making process and facilitate communication. This will make KOSHA a more productive and flexible organization.

Some of the administrative personnel in KOSHA's headquarters, OSHRI and OSHTI were reduced and re-dispatched to organizations that conduct accident prevention activities in order to reinforce their related activities. In addition, new Management Support Teams were set up in Incheon, Dague and Daejeon areas to help on-site support.

With the latest organizational restructuring, KOSHA will raise the autonomy and responsibility in occupational accident prevention activities. At the same time, practical accident prevention projects, which focus on performance-based management, will be a turning point in reducing accident rate to fall below 0.7% in 2010.

'KOSHA Media AWARD'

'KOSHA Media AWARD' selects outstanding OSH contents

One of the three prizewinning works includes 'A Study on the Safety Models through Risk Assessment by Specialty Construction.'

KOSHA (President: Min-ki Noh) held '2009 KOSHA Media AWARD' to select the best occupational safety and health contents of the year. Best Media Award went to 'A study on the Safety Models through Risk Assessment by Specialty Construction,' which focused on specialty constructions with high risks of fall accidents

'KOSHA Media AWARD' was introduced for the first time this year to select and give awards to three best contents on occupational safety and health developed by KOSHA. 'KOSHA Media AWARD' aims to elevate the quality of occupational safety and health-related data.

OSHRI's 'A study on the Safety Models through Risk Assessment by Specialty Construction,' which was given the BEST Media Award, categorized detailed construction types in specialty constructions involving high risks of fall accidents into 133 work units, and provided an illustration or a risk assessment table for each unit. OSHRI's report is highly praised for its practicality in actual construction sites. 'Safety Mammamia' promotional video won GOOD Design Award for its dynamic portrayal of safety patrol activities conducted by the members of Citizen's Coalition for Safety and other large-scale safety accident cases.

A book titled 'Happiness Going Together' received GOOD Creater Award for the interesting interviews and stories on exemplary occupational accident prevention activities in industrial sites. The book was well-received and was easily understood by both the managers and employees at worksites

The three award-winning contents will be available to the public through KOSHA's homepage and its Media blog. Also the contents will be used for occupational accident prevention activities, as well as to raise safety awareness. A total of 33 contents were submitted for the evaluation process to win 'KOSHA Media Award' from Nov. 11, 2009 to Dec. 10, 2009.

LEE, Kyung-won, Manager, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, International Cooperation Department, 34-4, Gusan-dong, Bupyeong-gu, INCHEON, Republic of Korea | Tel: +82-32-510-0746 | Fax: +82-32-502-7199 | Mob: +82-10-9377-5272 | priestrun@naver.com | overseas@kosha.net

News from around the World...

News from Spain from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The next EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaign: Forthcoming launch of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign on Safe Maintenance

It will focus on the importance of safe maintenance in European workplaces, and draw attention to the risks when it is not carried out properly. It will be officially launched on 28 April 2010... World Day for Safety and Health and support a wide range of activities at both the European and national level

See Campaign Guide: http://osha.europa.eu/en/teaser/Files/maintenance_campaign_guide_en.pdf

News from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

Safety and Health for Hotels and the Catering Industry

The hotel, restaurant and catering (HORECA) sector employs nearly 8 million workers in Europe and is growing fast. Working in this sector can be potentially hazardous but it is possible to manage the risks and prevent accidents and ill health.

The hotel, restaurant and catering (HORECA) sector is one of the fastest growing in Europe. In 2004 more than 7.8 million people were employed (Eurostat, 2005) and the sector generated more than € 338 billion turnover (Eurofound, 2005). It consists mainly of restaurants and bars, which account for three quarters of the jobs. Other employers in the sector include camping sites, youth hostels and canteens. The overwhelming majority of businesses are small, employing less than 10 people. Women make up a little over half of the workforce. (Eurofound 2005: 'Hotels and catering - policies, issues and the future')

Jobs tend to be temporary, with irregular hours, low pay and few career prospects. There is a high proportion of young people working in the sector.

Characteristics of the HORECA sector which can have a negative impact on occupational safety and health (OSH) are:

Learn how to prevent risks in HORECA see http://osha.europa.eu/en/sector/horeca

News from Germany

The latest edition of KANBRIEF no. 4/09 presents New KAN studies

KAN - Kommission Arbeitsschutz und Normung's latest edition of KANBrief No. 4/09 has recently been published. KAN endeavours to exert influence upon standardization activity at the earliest possible opportunity. For this purpose, it commissions studies and expert reports in the run-up to standardisation activity proper that provides guidance during subsequent technical work.

This latest issue of KANBrief contains amongst other items information on

KANBRIEF is available on the web www.kan.de

KANBRIEF is published quarterly.

Contact: Werner Sterk, Alte Heerstr. 111. D-53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany | Tel: +49 (0) 2241 231 3463 | Fax: +49 (0) 2241 231 3464 | Email: info@kan.de | www.kan.de

News from Tunisia

SST latest edition

The January 2010 edition of the Institute de Sante et de Securite au Travail (ISST) review Sante-Securite-Travail - SST - contains a 19 page Dossier - La manutention mecanique: Risques et Prevention. Also other articles are included.

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 | www.isst.nat.tn

News from the UK

From Beating the Drum to Conducting the Orchestra

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Chair Judith Hackitt's speech from the Institution of Safety and Health IOSH 10, 24 March 2010... discusses the role and competence of OSH professionals.

For full speech see: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/speeches/transcripts/hackitt240310.htm

News from the UK

Societal Risk and the consideration of technical and policy issues

This is a summary of the UK Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) consideration of these issues and how they will be taken into societal risk assessment. HSE are developing a model for the estimation of societal risk from major accident hazard installations.

A public consultation exercise on broad proposals for the use of Societal Risk to address risks from Major Hazards around Top Tier COMAH sites (CD 212) was undertaken in 2007. Arising from the consultation, and other contributions, a list of 23 areas of technical and policy matters was compiled for further consideration. In order to address these matters HSE formed a special "task and finish" Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to advise, challenge and support the development of societal risk methodology, criteria and delivery mechanism suitable for use in land use planning. These issues were developed within HSE and during TAG meetings in 2008 and 2009 as part of the Societal Risk (SR) Land Use Planning (LUP) project. This is a summary of HSE's consideration of these issues and how they will be taken into societal risk assessment.HSE are developing a model for the estimation of societal risk from major accident hazard installations. The results may be used to advise local authorities on proposed land use allocations around certain major hazard installations, and to complement PADHI (Planning Advice for Developments near Hazardous Installations) advice.

As a result of the discussions and advice from the TAG, HSE has developed an 'Adopted Position' for these issues for the purpose of moving forward with this project, one output of which will be a revision of the 1989 document 'Risk Criteria for land use planning in the vicinity of major hazards.' These adopted positions are not yet HSE Policy. The summary, is a distillation of the discussions and are not intended to be a complete summary of every aspect discussed, but to highlight some of the more important considerations. Where relevant, reference to supporting work is included.

'Prevention and control' involves the assessment of risks by the operator of the major hazard site and the implementation of appropriate safety measures. These requirements are enforced via the HSW Act and other relevant legislation, including COMAH and PSR. Prevention and control by the operator reduce the risk of a major accident to a very low level, but do not completely eliminate the possibility that one could take place. There is therefore a 'residual risk' of an accident happening.

For full report see: www.hse.gov.uk/societalrisk/technical-policy-issues.pdf

News from the USA

US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) NEWS

New reports

The HHE Program evaluated custom and border protection agents' exposure to carbon monoxide and heat while inspecting vehicles
Investigators recommended that management continue to rotate officers between the primary and secondary vehicle inspection areas and allow officers to take unscheduled breaks away from the hot environment if needed. HHE Program investigators also recommended that management monitor agents' exposure to carbon monoxide and require vehicles to be turned off while agents inspect the undercarriage.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2005-0215-3099.pdf

HHE Program evaluated exposures to electromagnetic fields from a transformer installed near the timekeeping office at a correctional institution
All personal and area magnetic field measurements taken during the evaluation were well below applicable occupational exposure limits. Investigators recommended that management design office spaces in a way that maximizes the distance between employee work stations and magnetic field sources. Investigators also recommended that employees learn about magnetic fields and ways to reduce their personal exposure.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2009-0154-3101.pdf

The HHE Program evaluated exposures to manganese, cobalt, nickel, and sulfuric acid at a facility that manufactures electrolytic manganese dioxide
Investigators recommended that management use engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation, to reduce dust exposure and improve housekeeping to reduce the amount of dust that becomes airborne. Investigators also recommended that management use nonreactive fiber-reinforced plastic covers to reduce acid mist and steam from the cell tanks which will reduce fogging and improve visibility.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0331-3100.pdf

OSH UPDATE keeps growing with the latest full text and bibliographic records... helping to keep people as up-to-date as possible...

OSH UPDATE - arguably one of the world's best collections of full text and bibliographic health and safety information, is continuously updated as new data is published.

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

Don't make health and safety decisions without consulting the world's authoritative and validated guidance and advice that is found within OSH UPDATE. www.oshupdate.com

Why not take a FREE NO OBLIGATION TRIAL FOR 15 DAY OF OSH UPDATE now?

Send your request at www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com
Websites: www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com | www.fireinf.com

OSH BRIEFS

EEMUA debuts second edition of industry guide to Human-Computer Interfaces

EEMUA, the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users' Association, has launched the second edition of its popular guide to Human-Computer Interface (HCI)* systems developed in consultation with the GB Health and Safety Executive.

EEMUA Publication 201 - "Process plant control desks utilising Human-Computer Interfaces - A guide to design, operational and Human-Computer Interface issues" has been extensively revised and updated since first published in 2002. It gives practical guidance on: the factors to take into account when designing an HCI, display hierarchies, screen display format design and control room design attributes which affect HCI.

The objective is to help engineers and design teams develop HCI systems which are more usable and therefore result in safer and more cost-effective operation of industrial systems. This EEMUA Guide is also intended to help reduce the need for re-engineering of systems after installation. The goal is not only to make industrial plants more operable, efficient and able to avoid abnormal situations, but to be able to better manage such situations should they occur.

The Publication has been written and widely reviewed by users in industry and is based on what some leading companies are doing. The general guidance is directed towards large sophisticated computer-based process systems, but also contains much general information on HCI. Both batch and continuous industrial processes are covered. The Guide is applicable to facilities as diverse as chemical plant, power stations and oil refineries.

EEMUA Publication 201 is aimed at engineers and managers in user, supplier and contracting organisations and others that are involved in the design, procurement, operation, maintenance, management, assessment and review of HCI systems.

Both the HSE and the Abnormal Situation Management Consortium in the USA have endorsed EEMUA Publication 201. Below is an extract from the Foreword provided by Peter Baker, Head of the Chemicals Industry Division, Hazardous Installations Directorate (HID), at the Health and Safety Executive:

"This guide is a very useful resource for industry, designers, manufacturers and suppliers in the major hazard sector. Inspectors and specialists in HID will be looking for evidence that the standards and principles in the guide have been implemented appropriately both for new design, and for ongoing review - and continuous improvement - of existing installations. The renewed focus on HCI reflects well the current HID and HSE post-Texas City and Buncefield focus on process safety leadership, workforce involvement and wider human factor issues... I commend this guide to you."

EEMUA Publication 201, ISBN 978 0 85931 176 2, is priced at £104.00 (plus P&P) and is available online at www.eemua.org/acatalog/shop.html or by telephoning EEMUA Sales on +44 (0) 20 76 21 00 11.

*Note: HCI systems form the essential operator interface to large modern industrial systems. They are utilised in power stations, refineries, chemical plants, utility distribution centres and many other places. They provide the vital means by which the operator obtains information on the state of the plant, enters operational parameters, and by which any automatic control action can be overridden and manual control of the plant be taken.

The third Seveso e-bulletin 18 March 2010

The European Commission is starting to draft a proposal to amend the Seveso Directive which is implemented in the UK through the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). This e-Bulletin is following progress and will provide you with free, regular updates of news and information from the UK COMAH Competent Authority.

HSE Seveso new website covers all the main topics and issues - just click on the links below to find out more. Encourage your colleagues to subscribe to this e-bulletin if you think they would find the information useful too.

www.hse.gov.uk/seveso

EC Review of Administrative Burdens

Two proposals in the EC's Action Programme for reducing administrative burdens in the EU relate to the Seveso Directive.

www.hse.gov.uk/seveso/review.htm

The EC is inviting stakeholders to a hearing in Brussels on 12 April 2010 to discuss the proposals.

www.hse.gov.uk/seveso/admin-burden.htm

EEMUA Publication 207 "Double Concrete Tanks for Liquefied Gas: Guide to design, construction and operation" is launched today - 4 March 2010

This pioneering Guide is a world first in defining good and best practices for engineering such tanks - storage facilities that will be not only safety critical, but also could be critical to safeguarding a part of the national infrastructure for many countries around the globe.

A wealth of technical information is included in EEMUA 207 - technical content supported by years of experience gained by the authors in building and operating similar structures. The authoring group comprised representatives from EEMUA member companies, such as BP, ExxonMobil and Shell, together with representatives from engineering construction and inspection organisations, such as AF CryoTank, Arup, Lloyd's Register, Technip and Whessoe Oil and Gas. Following the Guide should therefore reduce the risk of mistakes and poor practice during design, construction and commissioning.

The Publication should resolve many of the technical issues encountered during double concrete tank projects, thus reducing the need for 'technical debate' and improving project timescales, costs and quality.

"For an owner who has elected to adopt the double concrete concept, EEMUA 207 will be invaluable," says Dr Derek Hill of Foster Wheeler Energy Limited, a member of the authoring group. "The cost of producing a specification for a tank from scratch is reduced to simply reviewing EEMUA 207 and possibly adding their own preferences."

Similarly, EEMUA 207 provides for the engineering contractor detailed information that will minimise the risk of obtaining varying quotations from tank constructors.

Tank designers will also benefit for the EEMUA Guide: it gives them a clear basis for their calculations. And tank construction companies are informed of the quality of testing and examination required for materials, construction methods and the tank structure.

EEMUA Publication 207 "Double Concrete Tanks for Liquefied Gas: Guide to design, construction and operation" is available online at http://www.eemua.org/acatalog/shop.html or by telephoning EEMUA Sales on +44 (0) 20 76 21 00 11.

Ergonomic checkpoints. Practical and easy-to-implement solutions for improving safety, health and working conditions. Second edition, May 2010

The manual presents 132 realistic and flexible solutions to ergonomic problems applicable across a whole range of workplace situations, including:

Each of the illustrated checkpoints indicates an action, why it is necessary and how to carry it out, and provides further hints and points to remember. A template checklist is also included, which can be adapted to individual workplaces.

The manual is designed for use by all who are concerned with creating a better workplace: employers, supervisors, workers, inspectors, safety and health personnel, trainers and educators, extension workers, engineers, ergonomists and designers.

Fully revised and expanded, this new edition of the highly successful Ergonomic checkpoints is aimed at reducing work-related accidents and diseases and improving safety, health and working conditions. Building on the wealth of experience of practitioners in applying these checkpoints, the second edition features revised text, additional checkpoints and new, full-colour illustrations.

Ergonomic checkpoints. Practical and easy-to-implement solutions for improving safety, health and working conditions.
Second edition May 2010 ILO. Price: Sw. frs. 45; US $40; UK £28, €30. ISBN 978-92-2-122666-6 (ISBN)

OSHE web sites to explore...

We look at websites in different parts of the world that are offering quality information. This month we continue to look at a variety of websites from Switzerland, Thailand and Tunisia.

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 listed please send it to me sp@sheilapantry.com

Switzerland

World Health Organisation WHO: Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)
www.who.int/peh-emf/en
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Globalisation of trade and the rapidly expanding use of electrical devices have focused attention on the large differences existing in standards limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Disparities in EMF standards around the world have arisen from different interpretations of the scientific data that underlie all of the standards and from different philosophies for public health standards development. Differences in EMF exposure guidelines might also reflect, in part, deficiencies in communications among scientists between different regions. Large disparities in international guidelines can increase public anxiety about increasing EMF exposures from the introduction of new technologies. This web site contains details of the International EMF Project, The EMF Research Database, health topics, research tools, standards, publications and other information sources. In November 1998, WHO commenced a process of harmonization of EMF standards worldwide. Over 54 countries and 8 international organizations are involved in the International EMF Project.

World Health Organisation WHO: GOHNET (Global Occupational Health Network) Newsletter
www.who.int/entity/occupational_health/publications/newsletter
World Health Organisation GOHNET (Global Occupational Health Network) newsletter contains a wide range of topics. The archives of the newsletter are also included on the site.

World Health Organisation WHO: Health Knowledge Management
www.who.int/kms/en
World Health Organisation web site on health knowledge management is a set of principles, tools and practices that enable people to create knowledge, and to share, translate and apply what they know to create value and improve effectiveness. Many of the solutions to health problems of the poor exist, but are not applied. This is called the "know-do" gap - the gap between what is known and what is done in practice. The Global WHO Knowledge Management team aims to bridge the know-do gap in global health by fostering an environment that encourages the creation, sharing, and effective application of knowledge to improve health.

World Health Organization WHO: Ionising Radiation
www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/en
World Health Organization WHO includes information about the WHO Ionizing Radiation Programme and a range of information resources about ionizing radiation, environmental radiation, radiation accidents and emergencies and ongoing research.

World Health Organisation WHO: SARS infection
www.who.int/csr/sars/casedefinition/en
World Health Organisation (WHO) website describes the epidemiology of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS, monitors the magnitude and the spread of this disease, in order to provide advice on prevention and control. The case definitions for global surveillance are subject to limitations because of the rapidly evolving nature of this illness. They are based on current understanding of the clinical features of SARS and the available epidemiological data, and may be revised as new information accumulates. Summarises what is currently known about the clinical features of SARS. Countries may need to adapt case definitions depending on their own disease situation. Retrospective surveillance is not expected.

World Health Organisation WHO: SARS symptoms and Q&A
www.who.int/csr/sars/sarsfaq/en
World Health Organisation (WHO) website describes the symptoms of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS and gives questions and answers.

World Health Organisation WHO: Violence in the health sector
www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/injury/work9/en
World Health Organisation (WHO) website on violence at work. The enormous cost of workplace violence for the individual, the workplace and the community at large is becoming more and more apparent. Recent information shows that the current knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg. While workplace violence affects practically all sectors and all categories of workers, the health sector is at major risk: more than half of all workers in this sector may have experienced violent incidents at some point. Ambulance and pre-hospital emergency staff are reported to be at greatest risk, nurses are three times more likely, on average, to experience violence in the workplace than other occupational groups. Since the large majority of the health workforce is female, the gender dimension of the problem is very evident. The International Labour Office (ILO), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Services International (PSI) launched in 2000 a joint programme in order to develop sound policies and practical approaches for the prevention and elimination of violence in the health sector. The "Framework Guidelines for Addressing Workplace Violence in the Health Sector" are intended to support all those responsible for safety in the workplace, be it governments, employers, workers, trade unions, professional bodies or members of the public. The tool will guide you through the complexity of issues to be considered when developing anti-violence policies and strategies for all work-settings in the health sector. These can be adapted to meet local and national needs and constraints.

World Standards Services Network (WSSN)
www.wssn.net/WSSN
World Standards Services Network (WSSN), is a network of publicly accessible World Wide Web servers of standards organizations around the world. Through the Web sites of its members, WSSN provides information on international, regional and national standardization and related activities and services. Direct links from the WSSN site are provided to the Web sites of: International Organization for Standardization - ISO; International Electrotechnical Commission - IEC; International Telecommunication Union - ITU; International standardizing bodies; Regional standardizing bodies; National members of ISO and IEC; Other international/regional organizations with related activities; Alphabetical list of Web sites in WSSN and Geographical list of Web sites in WSSN.

Thailand

National Institute for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment   NICE
www.oshthai.org
National Institute for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment NICE, Thailand. Details of the organisation and its activities which is also the International Labour Office Health and Safety National Centre.

Tunisia

Institute for Health and Safety in the Workplace   ISST
www.isst.nat.tn
The Tunisian Institute for Health and Safety in the Workplace contains details on medical and technical assistance available from the Institute, the Laboratories, research and studies being undertaken, training and information. Available in both English and French. The Institute is also the Tunisian National Centre for the International Labour Office Health and Safety Information Centres network.

More websites next month ... from the UK

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.

27-29 April 2010 - BOHS Occupational Hygiene Annual Conference, 2010
The Majestic Hotel, Ripon Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 2HU, UK
Contact: The British Occupational Hygiene Society Delegates can contact Kirsty Westran to book accommodation, or you can book a place online. For more information on the conference timetable, accommodation and fees: www.bohs.org/events

28 April 2010 - World Day for Safety and Health at Work
International Labour Office
Theme: Emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work
Events worldwide
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international annual campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work.
www.ilo.org/safework/events/safeday/lang--en/index.htm

28 April 2010 - FABIG Technical Meeting covering 'Ignition'
London and via Live Webcast
Contact: Lis Oliver, FABIG, London | Tel: +44 (0) 1344 636 537 | Email fabig@steel-sci.com | www.fabig.com/events
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

29 April 2010 - FABIG Technical Meeting covering 'Ignition'
Aberdeen and via Live Webcast
Contact: Lis Oliver, FABIG, London | Tel: +44 (0) 1344 636 537 | Email fabig@steel-sci.com | www.fabig.com/events
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE and FIREINF: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

4-5 May 2010 - 38th ESReDA Seminar and 3rd joint ESReDA/ESRA seminar on Advanced Maintenance Modelling
Pecs, Hungary
Contact: The Regional Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Science, Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Pecsi Teruleti Bizottsaga, H-7624 Pecs, Jurisics M. u.44, Hungary | www.esreda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=100 visit the site for details of the venue: www.pte.hu/pab

10-11 May 2010 - Global Child Labour Conference
The Hague, The Netherlands
Contact: Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, in close collaboration with the ILO, UNICEF and World Bank | www.childlabourconference2010.com

6-9 June 2010 - 13th International Symposium on Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Industries
Brugge, Belgium
Contact: www.lossprevention2010.com

7-8 June 2010 - 3rd International Summer School "Occupational Health Crossing Borders"
Munich, Germany
Contact: Stella Huber | E-mail: occupational-health@med.uni-muenchen.de
For further information see www.networm-online.eu and Prof. Dr. Katja Radon, MSc, Head of the Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & NetTeaching, Institute for Occupational- and Environmental Medicine Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich Ziemssenstr. 1 - D-80336 Munich, Germany | Tel.: +49-89-51602485 | Fax: +49-89-51604954 | E-mail: Katja.Radon@med.uni-muenchen.de
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

7-11 June 2010 - 7th International course on safety research (6005) - Part 1 (5 days). NB Part 2 is held on 7-11 March 2011
Hotel Fredriksdal, Lynby, Denmark
Contact: NIVA, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A 00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 30 4741 | Fax: +358 30 474 2497 | Email: annika.barlund@tti.fi or niva@ttl.fi | www.niva.org/courses/6005.htm

8-11 June 2010 - Seafarers' occupational health examinations (6006)
Scandic Crown, Gothenburg, Sweden
Contact: NIVA, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A 00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 30 4741 | Fax: +358 30 474 2497 | Email: annika.barlund@tti.fi or niva@ttl.fi | www.niva.org/courses/6006.htm

8-11 June 2010 - Nordic Occupational Cancer (NOCCA) studies (6007)
Hotel Sannas, Porvoo, Finland
Contact: NIVA, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A 00250 Helsinki, FINLAND | Tel: +358 30 4741 | Fax: +358 30 474 2497 | Email: annika.barlund@tti.fi or niva@ttl.fi | www.niva.org/courses/6007.htm

13-15 June 2010 - Nanotech 2010
Baltimore MD, USA
Contact: www.techconnectworld.com/Nanotech2010
Readers may also wish to take a free trial of OSH UPDATE: www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

14-16 June 2010 - ASRANet Conference
Edinburgh, UK
Contact: Professor P. K. Das, Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde | Tel: +44 (0) 141 548 3465 | Fax: +44 (0) 141 552 2879 | Email: P.K.Das@na-me.ac.uk

15 June 2010 - Fire and Rescue Congress: Developing a cost-effective service
ORT Conference Centre, 126 Albert Street London NW1 7NE, UK
Contact: Pavilion Publishing Ltd, Richmond House, Richmond Road, Brighton BN2 3RL | Tel: 0844 880 5061 | Fax: 0844 880 5062 | Email: info@pavpub.com | www.pavpub.com

Please Do Not Forget... Make my day... please send your news items to your Editor!