Editorial
Lessons learned
September 2012
Sheila Pantry OBE
Sadly when an accident, incident or disaster occurs it is sometimes said that "no-one has learned anything". But there is hope - when looking at the vast array of occupational health and safety information such as found in OSH UPDATE www.oshupdate.com it can be seen that many organisations have started to take notice and tighten their procedures and re-evaluate any risk assessments that have been carried out previously. An example is Lessons Learned from the Deepwater Horizon Response, produced by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in which it hopes to share the knowledge gained during this response (including the application of knowledge gained from past large-scale emergency responses). NIOSH hopes it can improve their response to similar events in the future, and facilitate a dialogue between NIOSH and partners in the government, industry, labour and academia on ways to improve the overall response to both natural and man-made disasters. There are many other examples in OSH UPDATE.
As we build our knowledge of what happens during the response to disasters, so too will we increase our understanding of how to protect workers including response workers.
This month's FOCUS Happy 90th Birthday, Professor Trevor Kletz shows how one man has changed the way many organisations and individuals around the world think about health, safety, chemical, loss prevention and environment procedures.
If budget constraints do not allow you to buy all the journals, newsletters and documents that contain the latest information or you do not have the time to search for the latest information, legislation and standards then try the very affordable and reliable and easy to use services OSH UPDATE and FIREINF from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd.
Information Seekers will find a wealth of authoritative and validated advice from around the world in these well established electronic services. Best practices, case studies, journal articles, conference proceedings, research reports, legislation, standards are all in OSH UPDATE and FIREINF.
Ask for a 15 DAY FREE NO OBLIGATION trials contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd | e-mail: sp@sheilapantry.com | or fill in the Interest form www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html
OSHWORLD www.oshworld.com - your portal to some of the best OSH web sites in the world
Globally there are continually new titles, news items, new products so remember to look at the News to find the latest information from a number of authoritative sources such as the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the UK Health and Safety Executive, SafeWork Australia and US NIOSH.
You can use OSHWORLD as your portal to many hundreds of validated and authoritative web sites which you can find in the Country and Subject links we offer. New subject topics are constantly brought together on web sites, e.g. nanotechnology, driving as a job and smoke free workplaces.
Look further into the portal OSHWORLD www.oshworld.com and view the latest additions. In these days of tighter budgets perhaps training may be put on the "back-burner" - but think again how you can keep up with the latest techniques and training opportunities.
As 2012 advances and despite the recession an increasing number of conferences, seminars and training courses are being listed in the Diary of Events and you will find these being held in many places in the world and on a wide range of subjects.
It is always good to review health, safety, chemical, fire and environment procedures on a regular basis. It is also important that the practices and systems in the workplace are constantly reviewed and if necessary, improved. This review may also indicate training requirements and updates and re-thinking how systems and services can be improved. This is where the free-of charge OSHWORLD can help you find the right course, seminar or conference.
Remember that even if you cannot attend these many events, speakers and organisers are often willing to share their knowledge. Look at the details - where possible, we add in the web sites of these events so you can request further information. And do let me know if you are organising any OSHE events so that I can add them to the Diary send to sp@sheilapantry.com
Remember to look at the Products and Services on this OSHWORLD web site and see what is new and updated.
Also look at our www.shebuyersguide.com that give you access to many organisations, their products and services. You may also wish to add your company's information to the listing for free!
You can sign up for the RSS feed that alerts you each time there is an update in OSHWORLD!
OSH UPDATE was described recently as a "brilliant site"!
Don't work harder - work smarter! Be ahead of the game.
Are you hoping to have a zero accident, incident-free and healthy record this year in your workplace? Some would argue that this is not possible! But keep on trying!
And do continue to make plans for your campaigns for the rest of 2012 and beyond!