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Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

News from around the World

News Archive

September 2005

Contents
  1. Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide
  2. Fire 2005 conference and exhibition
  3. Cefic: outcome of votes in European Parliament Committees is a step in the right direction for REACH
  4. Workplaces should 'stop that noise!'
  5. Setting Up a Library and Information Service from Scratch by Sheila Pantry OBE and Peter Griffiths
  6. Launching the fieldwork for the 4th European Working Conditions Survey: Improving working conditions in Europe
  7. IOSH launch revamped website
  8. European Restructuring Monitor ERM Quarterly: strong link between restructuring and job creation
  9. EU launches new global safety and health portal

Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide

Much time is spent these days searching the Internet for validated and authoritative information often resulting in out-of date sources. In this fast moving world it is essential to have quick access to validated, authoritative and constantly updated information collections. The ones brought together and maintained by information specialists are one sure way of getting good quality data.

As new research and new ways of working, with the attendant alterations in products, services and technology developments means that no-one, especially those responsible for fire, emergencies and preparedness in workplaces of all kinds, should be without the latest information.

Information Searchers should also be aware that the myth abounding in the world that everything is published on the Internet and is free is just not true!

Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide, arguably the world's premier collection of related validated, authoritative information aims to help all those seeking such information. Emphasis is on all aspects of fire, emergency and preparedness management principles, fire risk assessment, practices and research.

One way to quickly gain access to legislation, guidance and advice that is up-to-date and relevant is to take a 30-day free trial of Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide that is focused, affordable and easy to use.

Published by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd., using the powerful SilverPlatter software it is accessible via the Internet Service and also on CD-ROM for those who need access to information but do not have connections to the outside world.

Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide is the premier collection of validated, authoritative information and contains two major collections - the Full Text Collection and the Bibliographic Collection.

The Full text Collection has 4 major databases containing thousands of pages of easily searchable full text documents, which are continually being added to, thus updating the existing wide-ranging source of critical fire information. The collection contains all appropriate European and UK legislation for fire and fire related industry. In addition there is an extensive range of fire and fire related documents from organisations such as:

The Bibliographic Collection has 7 databases which contain over 240,000 records to journal articles, guidance and advice, circulars, reports, conference proceedings, research reports, statistics and codes of practice from worldwide sources, all of which may be easily accessed. For those organisations that do not subscribe to a range of journals/magazines this is one way of ensuring that the latest news, developments and trends are available. One of the databases - from the British Standards Institution - contains references to over 3000 fire and fire related standards.

The publishers - Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd are committed to maintaining and expanding Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide, which is arguably the world's best collection of fire and fire related information.

George Collins, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers says, "This collection of information is extremely valuable for those working in today's risk based fire industry who need up-to-date consultation, guidance and advice"

Used by organisations and fire and rescue services in the UK and around the world, Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide is set to expand still further!

For full details of this product, please check out the list of contents of Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide on www.sheilapantry.com or why not take a FREE 30-DAY TRIAL OF Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide now? Send your request for either an Internet or CD-ROM trial now.

Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com NEW
Electronic Products: Environment and Waste Plus | Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide | OSH Ireland | OSH UPDATE NEW

Fire 2005 conference and exhibition

FIRE 2005, the UK 's number one fire conference and exhibition, is this year focussing on crucial aspects of the protection of Britain's future. We will be joined by experts from the fields of resilience, counter terrorism, and natural disaster. In addition we will be examining some of the most debated management issues within today's fire and rescue service, such as equality, diversity, recruitment and retention.

Manchester 's G-MEX centre with all its excellent conference facilities will play host to FIRE 2005. It is here you are invited to take part in the many stimulating and lively conference sessions that serve to highlight examples of good and innovative practice from across the fire industry, with valuable lessons for public and private organisations alike.

New this year is included a Water Safety Village , an Innovations Centre and a Demonstration Area where manufacturers will give you the opportunity to view their products and equipment close up and in action.

Workshops for 2005 will cover a range of highly topical issues including arson task force, water rescue, procurement and Firelink. Each of these workshops is designed to give you practical first hand guidelines that can be easily taken away and implemented within your own organisation.

The speaker line up for 2005 ranks among the best yet. We have invited a number of prominent speakers both from within the industry and outside, names such as Dr Carlos Urkia of the Spanish red Cross, Assistant Commissioner Steve House of the Metropolitan Police and Mr S K Dogra, Director of Fire and Rescue Services for Tamil Nadhu, India. The Conference will close with the traditional exchange between the CFOA President and the Fire Minister .

We will also be hosting our second highly coveted Fire Awards to be run alongside the Gala Dinner at the prestigious Renaissance Hotel in Manchester.

Cefic: outcome of votes in European Parliament Committees is a step in the right direction for REACH

Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council welcomes the outcome of the votes, yesterday, in the Industry Committee (ITRE) and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament on the Commission's proposal on REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals).

A broad majority made up by the three largest groups in the Parliament (EPP, PES, ALDE) gave its support for the compromise packages. Cefic appreciates the efforts of the major political groups to find a way forward in a constructive manner, and considers that these efforts to seek compromises are giving encouraging signals.

The chemical industry acknowledges that the main elements of the compromise packages are going to the right direction. Namely, the risk-based approach is taken into account better than in the Commission's proposal, and the role of the Central Agency has been strengthened. The outcome also improves the possibilities for SMEs to fulfil the requirements of REACH; this reflects the results of the multi-stakeholder project called SPORT (Strategic Partnership on REACH Testing), which revealed that the REACH process, as proposed by the Commission, is too bureaucratic and burdensome - especially for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The compromises achieved in the two Committees could pave the way for a more workable REACH. However, Cefic believes that the REACH proposal needs to be further improved and refined; most importantly, being the application of a risk-based approach throughout the process, notably in the authorisation and restriction of chemicals.

Cefic is the European Chemical Industry Council. It represents 27,000 companies in Europe, employing about 2 million people and accounting for about one third of the world chemicals production. Further information can be found at www.cefic.org

Contact: Thomas Jostmann, CEFIC | Tel: +3226767452 | Email: tjo@cefic.be or
Annemaria Ojanperä, CEFIC | Tel: +3226767378 | Email: aoj@cefic.be

Workplaces should 'stop that noise!'

This is the message of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2005 campaign, the sixth to be organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The campaign coincides with the run-up to the final date for the introduction of the new European directive on noise at work, which must be in place in the Member States by February 2006.

The need to 'stop that noise' is evident. Millions of Europe's workers suffer from work-related hearing difficulties. Noise-induced hearing loss is amongst the most commonly reported occupational diseases in the European Union, and there are concerns other than hearing loss from noise exposure.

Noise can also cause harm in other ways: it can interact with dangerous substances to cause harm to the ear; it can increase the risk of accidents by affecting communication. The range of jobs and workplaces where noise can be a problem is much broader than is commonly thought. It includes farms, building work, classrooms, drivers, clubs and bars, musicians and call-centre staff, as well as factories and shipyards.

To support the 'Stop that noise' campaign, the Agency is making available a wide range of material for all those trying to make Europe's workplaces safer and healthier, whether worker, employer, researcher or policy-maker. This information, in all the official languages of the EU, is provided free of charge by the Agency via its website at http://osha.europa.eu.

This magazine is part of these resources. It gives a view across Europe of some of the work being done to protect workers. There is a description of the new directive, how it will be implemented, and new guidance that is being provided to help reduce risks. There are articles covering noise in schools, offices, and concert halls, and the work being done to ensure that effective control measures exist in the field of acoustic design and personal hearing protection.

It is hoped that these articles will provide an insight into some current noise-control issues and an update on some interesting initiatives and approaches that can be taken to tackle the problem.

To see more information on preparing for European Week for Safety and Health at Work 24-28 October 2005 see https://www.healthy-workplaces.eu/en/european-week-safety-and-health-work

Latest Agency publications

In preparation for the European week 2005 campaign the Agency has been busy preparing the facts on noise at work with a series of Factsheets. Read the publications:

To see the Magazine No. 8 on Noise: http://osha.europa.eu/publications/magazine/8

Setting Up a Library and Information Service from Scratch
by Sheila Pantry OBE and Peter Griffiths

This eminently practical guide is written to help all those who need to set up a library and information service within their organization, irrespective of subject background or type of organization. It offers support to people who have qualifications but no experience in setting up such a service, and those who have had no training at all.

Both authors have had many years' experience of setting up information services for a wide range of organizations in the UK and many other countries.

It will help enormously those who have to set up an occupational safety and health information service wherever you are in the world.

The book will hold your hand as you tackle the many tasks and responsibilities needed to create a successful library and information service - irrespective of size - and takes you step by step through the processes involved, including:

The book is fully supported by appendices containing useful sample documents, including an information centre brochure and a press release. The authors also supply lists of basic reference books and periodicals; sources and suppliers; key search engines; and a quick guide to library basics such as filing, repairs, loans and reference services.

This is a vital guide for anyone, whether an information professional or not, facing the challenge of setting up a library and information service from scratch.

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 UK Health and Safety Executive. She specializes in worldwide occupational health and safety information and is an experienced trainer, writer, editor and lecturer.

Peter Griffiths BA FCLIP MCLIP is Head of Information Services Unit at the Home Office, where he is Head of Profession for librarians and information scientists. His responsibilities extend not only to library and information services in the Home Office but also to an internal reference service, knowledge management, and information support to the research community. He is an experienced trainer, writer and lecturer.

Setting Up a Library and Information Service from Scratch
by Sheila Pantry OBE and Peter Griffiths
Facet Publishing www.facetpublishing.co.uk
ISBN 1 85604 558 7
£29.95
For other books published by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths see www.sheilapantry.com/books

Also on Amazon see www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1856045587

Launching the fieldwork for the 4th European Working Conditions Survey: Improving working conditions in Europe

The intensification of work - doing more work in less time - has affected an increasing number of workers in the European Union (EU) Member States over the past 15 years, the Foundation's last European Working Conditions Survey revealed in 2001. Next week, the fieldwork for the fourth working conditions survey covering workers in 31 European countries will start. The survey provides an overview of the state of working conditions in Europe, highlighting trends and identifying major issues and changes in the workplace.

'If Europe is to reach the labour market participation levels for men and women set out in the Lisbon criteria, we need more good quality jobs,' says Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU agency providing knowledge and information about socio-economic progress. 'The European Working Conditions Surveys is a unique tool that allows Europe's decision makers to monitor and make policies for betters working conditions. In its fourth edition, the survey has been expanded to also cover issues related to modern forms of work organisation, gender-sensitive issues and how people perceive their quality of work'

Starting on 19 September 2005, more than 23,000 face-to-face interviews will be carried out with workers in the former EU15 countries, the ten new EU Member States, the four accession and candidate countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey), plus Norway and Switzerland. The questionnaire covers all aspects of working conditions, including physical environment, workplace design, working hours, work organisation and social relationships in the workplace.

The last working conditions survey for the former EU15 countries revealed that more than four out of every ten workers in the United Kingdom were very satisfied with their job, including higher than average job control and autonomy. However, one quarter of UK workers reported working to very tight deadlines, and working hours in the UK were high compared to other countries.

First results from the new European Working Condition Survey will be published in 2006.

Consult the Foundation's expertise in the area of quality of work on http://eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork

For further information, contact: Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer | Tel +353-1-204 3124 | Mobile: +353-876-593 507 | Email: mma@eurofound.eu.int
or: John Hurley, Information Liaison Officer | Tel +353-1204 3209 | Email: joh@eurofound.eu.int

IOSH launch revamped website

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals, represents 28,000 members in over 50 countries.

An independent, not-for-profit organisation, the Institution regulates and steers the profession, maintaining standards and providing impartial, authoritative guidance on health and safety issues has revamped its website.

www.iosh.co.uk

European Restructuring Monitor ERM Quarterly: strong link between restructuring and job creation

The number of new jobs created through restructuring activities in Europe is almost equal to the number of jobs lost during the second quarter of 2005, according to the latest European Restructuring Monitor Quarterly.

In the period April to June 2005, the figure for total job announcements in the EU almost doubled in comparison to the first quarter of the year, the ERM quarterly reports. During this period, some 213 restructuring cases resulted in 120,000 new jobs, mainly created in the manufacturing and wholesale and retail industry.

New job creations almost balanced out the 142,000 job losses announced during the same period. Among the 27 countries covered by the ERM, Romania reported the highest number of job losses (35 job losses per 10,000 workers), followed by Hungary (17), Finland and Sweden (10 each), and the United Kingdom (9).

'This new data from the European Restructuring Monitor confirms that company restructuring does not necessarily always have to be bad news,' says Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU agency providing information about socio-economic progress in the European Union. 'We are recording an increasing number of cases where companies announce expansion and the creation of additional jobs.'

The lion's share of these new job announcements were found in the new EU Member States, creating new jobs mainly in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail/repairs sectors. Poland has attracted some 24,500 new jobs, Romania 20,600 and the Czech Republic 10,000 during the period. In all the 27 countries covered by the ERM, the highest number of restructuring activities were recorded in Poland (70 cases), the United Kingdom (64), Germany (63) and Romania (59),

The latest issue of the ERM quarterly examines two cases of business expansion in more depth: BMWs decision to open a new factory in high-cost Germany and Tesco's expansion in Poland. Restructuring in Spain is covered in the country focus. This issue's sector focus explores the situation in retail.

The report can be downloaded from: http://eurofound.europa.eu/publication-types/erm-quarterly

For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer | Tel +353-1-204 3124 | Mobile +353-876-593 507 | email mma@eurofound.eu.int

EU launches new global safety and health portal

The new online information portal is operated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and is based on the most advanced Internet technology. The new website can be found at http://osha.europa.eu, offering you the following services:

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