News from around the World

News Archive

June 2008

No OSH-ROM why not have a look at OSH UPDATE

OSH UPDATE produced by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd now has 18 databases containing validated and authoritative worldwide information on all aspects of health and safety at work.

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

During 2007, 24,152 new bibliographic records containing 3,387 links to full text and 1,811 full text documents containing 42,724 pages were added. It is hoped to progress in the same way in 2008.

www.oshupdate.com

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

News from the ITUC on World Day against Child Labour 12 June 2008 - launch of Mini action guide on Child Labour

On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June 2008, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) launched a new "Mini Action Guide on Child Labour," providing campaigning tools and direct support to trade unions to fight against child labour. According to the International Labour Office (ILO), some 218 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour. Many of these children work long hours, often in dangerous conditions.

The guide, which was produced with support from the ILO-IPEC programme, highlights the fact that some sixty-nine percent of working children are involved in agriculture compared with nine percent in industry. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest number of child labourers with 122 million, followed by sub-Saharan Africa (49.3 million) and Latin America and the Caribbean (5.7 million). With twenty-six percent, the proportion of children engaged in economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa is currently the highest of any region in the world. Child labour can also be found in many industrialised countries.

According to the ITUC mini guide of action, trade unions have a responsibility to society and workers in general to ensure that labour standards and legislation are respected by all employers at all levels. Workers' organisations have a long tradition of defending human rights and workers' rights, and child labour violates both children's and adults' rights.

The World Day Against Child Labour this year is emphasizing education as a key factor in the eradication of child labour. The day will be marked around the world with activities to raise awareness that education is the right response to child labour. Around 72 million children of primary school age are not enrolled in school. There are also many who are enrolled but who do not attend regularly or who drop out. Good quality education and training is necessary for children if they are to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in the labour market; such education and training is also important to economically and socially excluded children and youth so that they can lift themselves out of poverty. Wherever children miss out on education, poverty will continue from one generation to the next, explains the mini guide.

"Too many children have lives profoundly affected by the fact that instead of going to school they have to go to work," said Guy Ryder, ITUC general secretary. "Effort must be made by all, with governments, employers, unions and others all playing their part," he added.

To fight against child labour, the guide gives advice on issues such as using collective bargaining, participation in tripartite dialogue, promoting international labour standards, joining the Global March Against Child Labour and the Global Trade Union Alliance to Combat Forced Labour and Trafficking, and campaigning for the ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions No. 138 and No.182.

The ITUC is closely linking its work in the Global March Against Child Labour and the newly-emerging Global Trade Union Alliance to Combat Forced Labour and Trafficking. The ILO estimates that up to fifty percent of all forced labour victims worldwide are children. Increasingly, children are becoming forced child labourers as a result of human trafficking. Children in in-house domestic work, in rural agriculture or isolated estates, in mining, brick making, textiles and fisheries are particularly vulnerable to this "worst form of child labour" as specified in ILO Convention 182.

On this World Day Against Child Labour, the ITUC shares the serious concerns with the ILO about the increased risk that the reconstruction of Burma will involve further use of child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, and military recruitment of children. Despite the fact that Burma officially made human trafficking illegal in September 2005, trafficking is still a serious problem in the country. A particular concern is the possibility that displaced and orphaned children will be pushed into forced labour, as traffickers will target displaced people and women and children who have lost their families. Unaccompanied or separated children are easily deceived by promises of safety and a better place to live, and "brokers" are reportedly recruiting children in shelters already.

For more information on IPEC (International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour) : www.ilo.org/ipec/Campaignandadvocacy/WDACL/2008/lang--en/index.htm

To read the full ITUC mini action guide: www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/guide_CL_EN_Final.pdf

Information on 12 to 12:

What is 12 to 12? The 12 to12 Community Portal is a community of people from various walks of life all working together against child labour. The aim of this initiative is to bring attention to the issue of child labour from June 12th to June 12th, and every day after that until child labourers are finally given the chance to enjoy their rights as children and one day realize their full potential as the adults that they will become. Fore more information on 12 to 12: www.12to12.org

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. Website: www.ituc-csi.org

2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week

The US National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) is partnering with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to promote 2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, 22 - 28 June 2008.

The goal is to institute a strong culture of health and safety within the fire/EMS service.

More information about this important activity can be found at www.iafc.org or by contacting Tim Merinar at TMerinar@cdc.gov

Control Banding: draft document for public review and comment

The US National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) posted a draft document about Control Banding for public review and comment. This draft document, Qualitative Risk Characterization and Management of Occupational Hazards (Control Banding [CB]): A Literature Review and Critical Analysis, describes the evolution and concepts of control banding, a qualitative approach for assessing and managing hazards associated primarily with chemical exposures in the workplace.

The public review and comment period is open until July 11, 2008.

Office Health and Safety Guide: News from Canada

Produced by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) this pocket guide deals with office-specific health and safety issues. Although offices may be considered to be relatively clean, safe and risk free, office workers account for a significant number of workers' compensation claims in Canada. Shows workers, HR professionals and health and safety representatives how to identify hazards in an office and keep workers safe.

The handbook covers the basic rules of workplace health and safety, including tips for new employees and supervisors as well as how to design and implement health and safety policies and programs. Information is provided on workplace inspections, task analysis, safety procedures, accident investigations, and emergency preparedness.

The guide offers an introduction to office ergonomics and explains chemical hazards, indoor air quality, and the dangers of mould, slips, trips, falls and other common hazards that can affect office workers.

www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/officeHS.html

Eurofound contributes to Employment Week 2008, focusing on today's most talked about employment issues: Helping Europe's social policy-makers tackle youth unemployment and globalisation

Off-shoring of employment accounts only for 8% of job losses in the European Union today, according to research from Eurofound, the Dublin-based EU Agency providing European social partners with comparative research, data and recommendations. Its argues that European policy-makers face difficult decisions today since the developments in international trade in services could result in a serious impact on future employment, given that service-sector jobs account for 70% of employment in the European Union. This comes at a time when negative public opinion toward globalisation is on the rise. Between 2003 and 2006, the proportion of European citizens who see globalisation as a threat to employment went up from 39% to 47%. The attitudes towards globalisation among Europe's social partners, however, remain broadly positive.

Youth employment and unemployment rates are highly susceptible to cyclical economic change. Europe's social policy-makers are challenged to design policies for individual industries or sectors that not only take into consideration regional differences and involve social actors, particularly the social partners and public authority representatives, but also to implement these solutions before economic circumstances have changed. More urgently, policy-makers need to find ways for young people to get started on the employment ladder. The rate of youth unemployment is 20% or higher in 12 of 26 European countries.

During Employment Week 2008, experts from Eurofound will present their latest conclusions in the fields of youth and employment, and employment and competitiveness.

• Isabella Biletta, research manager, Industrial Relations and Workplace, will present recent findings on youth and employment on Wednesday 1430-1600.
• Donald Storrie, Head of Unit, Employment and Competitiveness, will chair the discussions in the session on Managing Change, on Thursday 1130-1300.
• Radoslaw Owczarzak, research manager, Employment and Competitiveness, will give a presentation on competitiveness and the quality of jobs, on Thursday 1430-1600.

Eurofound is a proud member of the advisory committee organising this annual event, which gathers over 1,000 employment professionals to discuss today's employment trends, challenges and opportunities in the EU, in Brussels on 11-12 June 2008.

More information is available at www.eurofound.europa.eu

Hazards to Outdoor Workers

The US National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) representatives presented a workshop, "Hazards to Outdoor Workers," at the 24th Annual Kentucky Governor's Safety and Health Conference and Exposition in Louisville . Workshop sessions included an overview of outdoor worker hazards, a review and update on vector-borne diseases, and dermal hazards with a focus on contact dermatitis. EID has an ongoing informational effort addressing outdoor worker hazards including the development of Web pages with recommendations for protecting outdoor workers from physical and biological hazards. The NIOSH topic page for hazards to outdoor workers was recently posted at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor

Healthy commuting

According to the RAC Foundation, commuters travel 54 minutes a day on average, with many travelling up to 2 hours or more, which eats into their leisure time and therefore affects their health. What's more, cramped conditions on trains or long car queues can leave commuters stressed and frustrated. Whatever your situation, there are some worthwhile changes that can help you keep your lifestyle as healthy as possible for the benefit of your heart, mind and body.

• Approach your employer about flexible hours so you can avoid rush hour. If this isn't possible, try leaving home earlier and visit a gym before work or, alternatively, stay on after work and go for a run or long walk near your office or visit a local leisure centre. Exercise will help you de-stress, give your heart muscle a work out, help keep that waist measurement in check.
• If you are home late, eat a light meal, low in fat and sugar and rich in vegetables and avoid too much caffeine and alcohol, this way you'll sleep better and wake up hungry for a healthy breakfast.
• Keep healthy snacks in your car, like unsalted nuts and dried fruit, and a bottle of water or diluted fruit juice; you'll be less tempted to buy chocolate and crisps on impulse at the petrol station.
• Car pool with friends or colleagues so you can share the driving and petrol costs; together you're more likely to laugh and chat through the stresses of a traffic jam.

Make your work-life balance work for you and maximise your opportunities to lead a heart healthy lifestyle during your working week so you reach the weekend ready to enjoy it to the full.

For more information and advice about healthy living, contact Heart Research UK | Tel: +44 (0) 113 297 6206 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk

Mind the Gap: needing up-to-date fire information.... then had a look at FIREINF

A new database from the UK University of Greenwich Fire Safety Engineering Group (FSEG) has just been added to FIREINF that is arguably the world's premier collection of related validated, authoritative information on the subject 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. FIREINF leads the searcher to quality guidance and advice from around the world. And it is used by organisations, those teaching fire science as well as fire brigades, rescue services, forensic and fire experts.

In this fast moving world it is essential to have quick access to validated, authoritative and constantly updated information collections. Much time is spent these days searching the Internet for validated and authoritative information often resulting in out-of date sources. Collections 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. Nor should people be without access to information that has been published in the past!

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! Nor is the latest theory that if you have a credit card and access to search engines then you do NOT need a library!

One way to quickly gain access to legislation, guidance and advice that is up-to-date and relevant is to take a 15-day Free Trial of FIREINF - the service that is focused, affordable, easy to use and continuously updated as new data is published.

Published by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd. since 1997 (previous titles Fire Worldwide and also Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide), FIREINF uses the powerful Headfast software

Fireinf is accessible via the Internet Service www.fireinf.com.

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Croner's 4th Annual Health and Safety Conference 2008

Croner Training's 4th Annual Health and Safety Conference will be held on 3 December 2008, London. Now in its fourth year, this practical one-day conference will help you move ahead with health and safety challenges in your organisation and enable you to understand what needs to be addressed to achieve success. Programme is organised and conference chaired by Sheila Pantry OBE.

The 2007 conference was attended by well over 100 delegates and received very good delegate feedback:

'A very good forum for the exchange of information from both presentations and networking'

'The content and speakers were all of a high standard'

Attending this conference will give you:

• Individual awareness and perspectives on new major health and safety topics
• The ability to quickly develop credible, coherent and effective plans for turning strategies into action
• The opportunity to talk to and ask questions of the expert speakers
• The opportunity to network with other senior professionals

This conference will help you to:

• Identify the key health and safety issues for 2008/2009
• Turn your own strategy into successful action programme

Who should attend?:

• Owner-managers
• All Occupational Health and Safety Managers aiming to be up-to-date in 2008 with the latest hot topics
• Senior Level Managers and Directors who need to be aware about their health and safety responsibilities and the consequences of non-compliance
• Finance directors
• Representatives from organisations wishing to benchmark their own practices against other leading organisations
• Health, Safety and Facilities Managers looking to update and improve their own knowledge and skills base on what is changing in health, safety, professional capabilities, latest legislation and trends
• Senior Employee Representatives

The final programme and speakers details will be confirmed shortly.

Croner's 4th Annual Health and Safety Conference 2008
3 December 2008, London (location TBC)
Price: £399 + VAT (Early booking discount of £100 if place booked before 29th August 2008)

Contact: Customer Services on 0845 082 1170 to book your place or email: services@cronertraining.co.uk