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Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

News from around the World

News Archive

September 2008

Contents
  1. 14th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition
  2. Missing OSH-ROM? Why not take OSH UPDATE? Don't make decisions without quality OSH information
  3. Nanotechnology issues discussed by Dr John Howard in Public TV Interview
  4. Improved Criteria for Emergency Medical Protective Clothing
  5. FIREINF continues to enlarge in quality data and size
  6. ENSHPO launches European certification standard
  7. New ISO standard provides information security guidelines for the health sector
  8. Eco Asia: International trade Fair on Environment Protection
  9. Welcome to the 7th edition of UK REACH Competent Authority e-bulletin
  10. Cryoservice and Medical Research Council put safety first in definitive publication on liquid nitrogen
  11. Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety, 2nd edition
  12. Setting sail for a decent future
  13. Big differences between wage increases in Europe
  14. New degree in environmental health

14th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition

This will be held on December 2-5, 2008 at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV and is sponsored by Continental Exhibitions, Inc.

Contact: Brooke Williams, Conference Coordinator, Continental Exhibitions, Inc., 370 Lexington Ave, Ste 407, NY, NY 10017, USA | Tel: +1 212 370-5005 | Fax: +1 212 370-5699 | Email: bwilliams@ergoexpo.com | www.ergoexpo.com

Missing OSH-ROM? Why not take OSH UPDATE? Don't make decisions without quality OSH information

OSH UPDATE - produced by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd now has 19 databases (latest one just added) 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.

www.oshupdate.com

Why not take a FREE 15-DAY TRIAL 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 | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com | www.fireinf.com

Nanotechnology issues discussed by Dr John Howard in Public TV Interview

In a new public television segment, former NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., and other representatives from government, research, business, and health advocacy discuss issues relating to the health and safety implications of nanotechnology. The segment was broadcast on the August 12, 2008, edition of "QUEST," a science and nature series produced by KQED-TV, San Francisco.

"Nanotechnology's future depends on how much investment we make in risk assessment and risk management now, in the first decade of the 21st Century," Dr. Howard states in an interview.

The segment is available on-line at www.kqed.org/quest/television/macro-concerns-in-a-nano-world

Improved Criteria for Emergency Medical Protective Clothing

US National Institute for Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH) research is incorporated in the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA1999 Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations, 2008 Edition.

The technical standard provides a new level of personal protective equipment (PPE) protection for the nation's Emergency Medical Service.

The NIOSH research incorporated in the technical standard reflects NIOSH's partnership with EMS responders to learn about their PPE needs and identify appropriate technical performance levels for equipment.

Contact Angie Shepherd for more information dlq0@cdc.gov

FIREINF continues to enlarge in quality data and size

Two databases from the US National Institute for Safety and Health - NIOSHTIC and NIOSHTIC-2 are being 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. Both NIOSHTIC and NIOSHTIC-2 databases contain a wealth of fire and fire related as well as a broad range of occupational safety and health information.

Emphasis in FIREINF 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.

Fireinf is the world's premier collection of validated, authoritative fire and fire related information and contains two major collections.

For those individuals and 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.

The Full Text Collection has 5 databases containing thousands of pages of full text information and The Bibliographic Collection has 9 databases which together contain over 522,000 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. One of the databases - from the British Standards Institution - contains references to over 4000 fire and fire related standards.

This long established collection started in 1997 as Fire Worldwide and then expanded into Fire, Emergency and Preparedness Worldwide. From 2007 the collection continues to expand with the new software and host platform as Fireinf and aims to help all those seeking information on all aspects of fire, emergency and preparedness management principles, fire risk assessment, good practices and research.

Fireinf is continuously enlarged as new information is published.

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.

Contact Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd. for 15 day FREE trials for all services that are cost effective. Why pay more for information? Click onto www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

ENSHPO launches European certification standard

ENSHPO, the European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations, will be launching a new European Certification Standard on the 16th September 2008.

This is a voluntary European certification standard for occupational safety and health professionals which will be particularly relevant for those who have a professional remit in several countries in Europe, and as an attestation of the competence of OSH professionals.

IOSH, a founding member of ENSHPO and its secretariat, has been active in the development of the standard with Hazel Harvey, IOSH Director of Professional Affairs on the ENSHPO Certification Committee from the inception of the scheme.

The Certification Committee, chaired by Professor Andrew Hale, was set up in 2007 to oversee the scheme, working closely with an organisation called IFE Institut für Ergonomie GmbH based in Switzerland, who administer the standard and the registration process.

An official launch event will take place in Brussels on the 16th September 2008 where EurOSHM will be presented to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

This is a significant step forward for European health and safety professionals. It is intended that this will eventually help achieve a common standard of health and safety practice throughout Europe and lead to easier recognition of equivalent qualifications across member states.

In addition to the scheme for the pan-European certification standard, ENSHPO is already working on producing a technician level European standard in the very near future.

A great amount of interest has already been expressed from practitioners across Europe. Chartered Members and Fellows of IOSH are eligible to apply for the EurOSHM.

Please go to www.enshpo.eu for further information and to www.euroshm.org to apply (open to the public from the 16th September 2008).

ENSHPO Secretariat at email: secretariat@enshpo.org

New ISO standard provides information security guidelines for the health sector

The highly sensitive area of personal health information and how best to protect its confidentiality and integrity while assuring its availability for healthcare delivery is the issue addressed by the newly published ISO 27799:2008, Health informatics - Information security management in health using ISO/IEC 27002.

ISO 27799:2008 applies to health information in all its aspects - whatever form the information takes, whatever means are used to store it and whatever means are used to transmit it. The standard specifies a set of detailed controls for managing health information security and provides health information security best practice guidelines. By implementing this International Standard, healthcare organizations and other custodians of health information will be able to ensure a minimum requisite level of security that is appropriate to their size and circumstances.

www.iso.org

Eco Asia: International trade Fair on Environment Protection

The Eco Expo Asia: International Trade Fair on Environmental Protection will be held on 28-31 October 2008, AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

Eco Asia Conference will feature a panel of international environmental protection experts. Hong Kong Government Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Ms Anissa Wong to deliver keynote speech.

Four main themes to be discussed at this year's conference: Energy Efficiency; Air Quality; Waste & Recycling; Green Building.

The third Eco Asia Conference is welcoming a panel of top international environmental protection experts. The annual conference has been organised under the guidance of former Deputy Director of Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Mr Mike Stokoe. Running from 28 - 29 October 2008, the two-day conference will be held in tandem with Eco Expo Asia at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong.

Panellists have been invited to share insight in the following four main areas of concern:

In addition to several local environmental protection specialists, some of the most influential international voices on the business of environmental protection will be speaking out at the third annual Eco Asia Conference.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Eco Expo Asia will be held from 28 - 31 October 2008, with 31 October opened to public.
For more information www.ecoexpoasia.com or email ecoexpo@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or exhibitions@tdc.org.hk

Welcome to the 7th edition of UK REACH Competent Authority e-bulletin

The aim of this e-bulletin is to provide you with a free regular update of news and information from the UK REACH Competent Authority, as well as keeping you informed of any REACH issues particular to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Below you will find brief information on a number of topics and issues, each linking to more detailed articles on the HSE or ECHA websites.

Cryoservice and Medical Research Council put safety first in definitive publication on liquid nitrogen

Two leading UK organisations have joined forces to develop and launch a ground-breaking new publication which is set to provide a benchmark for safety and operating practices associated with liquid nitrogen.

CryoService, the leading UK provider of cryogenic gases and gas storage solutions, and the Medical Research Council (MRC), a world-renowned human health research organisation, have developed the 44-page publication, entitled "Standards for Liquid Nitrogen Supply".

Liquid nitrogen is widely used worldwide for its cryogenic properties which allow the safe long-term storage of biological samples. Storing items such as blood, tissues, stem cells and viruses in liquid nitrogen helps ensure their long-term viability, supporting not only medical research but procedures such as IVF and blood transfusion.

In general, liquid nitrogen is a safe product; however, the very nature of its extreme cold properties - it is stored in liquid form at -196°C - and the fact that it expands dramatically upon evaporation, and so can displace air, poses unique safety challenges.

With their extensive joint experience in liquid nitrogen supply and use of, CryoService and the MRC decided to develop a definitive safety and usage guide that could not only be applied across the MRC as best practice, but could also provide helpful guidance to general users to optimise their use and handling of liquid nitrogen.

The document references all key industry codes of practice and includes clearly explained guidelines on:

The document will be invaluable to both experienced and new users of liquid nitrogen, and those designing or planning a new cryostorage facility.

"Standards for Liquid Nitrogen Supply" is available for purchase at www.cryoservice.co.uk for just £29.95 plus postage and packing.

Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety, 2nd edition

Published by the International Labour Office (ILO), this is a practical guide to developing effective occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and programmes based on the provisions defined in the "core" ILO standards and instruments concerning OSH.

It focuses on the key topics essential to promoting and managing national and enterprise OSH systems and presents a concise overview of the issues involved, together with specific guidelines for policy design, implementation and management at both national and enterprise levels. The operational aspects of meeting health and safety requirements are also covered, with detailed sections on legislation and enforcement, occupational health surveillance, and preventive and protective measures, as well as health education and training.

This second edition has been fully revised and updated. It introduces new ILO instruments promoting OSH and new chemical safety information tools, and addresses OSH in the context of globalization and HIV/AIDS and the world of work. The annexes have also been revised to include checklists for preparing national OSH profiles and enterprise policies, selected excerpts from OSH instruments and up-to-date information sources.

This book will be useful for legislators and labour inspectors, those involved in policy-making (governments, and employers' and workers' organizations) and those within enterprises who are concerned with the practical implementation of measures to promote and protect the safety and health of workers (managers, supervisors, workers' representatives), as well as academic institutions.

Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety, 2nd edition, by Benjamin O. Alli
2008. ISBN 9221204545
Available from ILO Bookstore: www.ilo.org/global/publications/WCMS_093550/lang--en/index.htm

Setting sail for a decent future

When the ILO adopted the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) C186, 2006 in February 2006, Director-General Juan Somavia called it "making labour history" for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers.

Two years on, the MLC has been ratified by three key flag states representing nearly 20 per cent of the world's gross tonnage with many more ratifications and industry agreements already under way. A five-year ILO action plan designed to achieve entry into force by 2011 is moving forward this month with two key tripartite experts' meetings to adopt guidelines for flag State inspections and port State control officers.

The ILO reports from the "City of London", where the MLC is already being put to the test...
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, often described as a "Bill of Rights" for seafarers, also helps to achieve a "level-playing field"for quality shipowners. Its basic aim is to achieve worldwide protection for all seafarers and to give them the ability to have their concerns addressed where conditions fail to meet the requirements of the Convention.

In addition to consolidating and modernizing the existing requirements, the Convention also introduces important developments in connection with compliance and enforcement. These are intended to ensure that labour standards are enforced as effectively as the IMO conventions on ship safety, security and environmental protection (SOLAS/MARPOL) by both flag and port States.

"Under the MLC, States must inspect all ships flying their flag and also issue those ships with a maritime labour certificate and a declaration of maritime labour compliance to ships if they are 500 GT or over and go on international voyages. If a flag state inspection is unsatisfactory, the inspector will not issue the certificate, refuse to endorse it or, in especially bad cases, withdraw it. These are greater powers than inspectors have under the present regime", says Neil Atkinson, an inspector for the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The reasons for detaining a ship will also change once the MLC comes into force. "Nowadays detention is limited to safety-related matters. The new Convention goes beyond this and also covers the social welfare of seafarers. That means an inspector will be able to detain a vessel or prevent it from going to sea if social or labour rights are being violated, for example if wages are not being paid or employment records are not in order", says Mr. Atkinson.

For more information on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) C186, see www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:::NO:12100:P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312331:NO

For more details about the Greenwich event:
www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/insight/WCMS_098209/lang--en/index.htm

Big differences between wage increases in Europe

The average real wage increase for European workers fell from 2.7% in 2006 to 2.3% in 2007, according to new data published by Eurofound's European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO). The annual update on pay developments in Europe recorded big differences between EU Member States, both in terms of pay trends and the level of pay increases. It also found a continued moderation in wage increases in the former EU15 countries; among the new EU Member States, however, a distinctive upward trend was evident, with average wage increases almost four times higher than in the former EU15 countries.

Collective bargaining plays a relatively significant role in pay setting across Europe. The new report, which covers the current 27 EU Member States (EU27) and Norway, found that average collectively-agreed nominal wage increases across the EU rose from 5.6% in 2006 to 7% in 2007. In the former EU15, the average increase in 2006 stood at only 2.9%, rising to 3.1% in 2007. In the ten new EU Member States (NMS10), the average increase was 8.5% in 2006, rising to 10.5% in 2007. When the newest members Romania and Bulgaria are added, the respective figures for the larger NMS12 are 9% and 11.9%.

However, when inflation is taken into account, the rate of real increase across the EU27 fell from 2.7% in 2006 to 2.3% in 2007. In the EU15, the average real pay increase stood at only 0.8% in 2006, and fell to 0.2% in 2007. In the NMS12, the average real pay increase also fell, from 5.2% in 2006 to 5% in 2007. In the NMS10, the average real pay increase fell from 5% to 4.1%. During the period under review, differences in pay trends and the level of pay increases varied substantially between individual Member States. Pay rises in Greece and Ireland, for example, ran far ahead of the EU15 averages in both 2006 and 2007. Among the NMS, countries such as Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia saw low increases in pay. The overall average for this group of countries was pushed up significantly by the double-digit increases in the Baltic States, Bulgaria and Romania in both years.

In terms of trends, the rate of increase rose between 2006 and 2007 in 18 of the countries reviewed, remained unchanged in one country and fell in nine. The rate increased in the NMS, most sharply in Latvia, Bulgaria and Romania), with the exceptions of Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia, where it fell. In the EU15, the overall tendency was for a slight rise (with the highest increases in Sweden and Finland); however, the rate of increase was unchanged in the Netherlands and fell in Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy and Spain.

The report also looks at collectively-agreed pay increases in three selected sectors (chemicals, retail and the civil service), current wage rates and minimum wage increases, increases in average earnings, and the extent of the gender pay gap across all countries.

The full text of the report on pay developments is available at http://eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/comparative-information/pay-developments-2007

For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer, at email mma@eurofound.europa.eu or telephone +353-1-204 3124 or mobile +353-876-593 507.

New degree in environmental health

A new degree is set to be launched by the UK University of Wolverhampton for people wishing to pursue a career in environmental health.

Environmental health involves ensuring food is safe and of good quality, protecting the environment and contributing to workplace health and safety.

The new BSc (Hons) Environmental Health is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the first intake of students will begin their studies in September.

Rachel Beech, Lecturer in Environmental Health at the School of Applied Sciences, said: "Environmental health is about caring and helping people and the community through addressing their health and welfare needs. The course is vocational and it is designed to empower and encourage students to use their knowledge and experiences gained at University to pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career."

Tony Lewis, Principal Education Officer at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), said: "The CIEH is delighted to have the University of Wolverhampton on-board as a partner for the delivery BSc (Hons) Environmental Health. The opening of this new course will provide additional options for students and enrich the overall environmental health academic community."

Steve Grime, Chair of the West Midlands Region for the CIEH, added: "The University and the CIEH have worked hard to bring together the course after a long period of planning. The result is a career-focused, vocational course which will have excellent career prospects for the students."

The course can either be completed on a full or part time basis, with a placement year. The course is structured to help students gain work placements in the public and private sectors, leading to a career as an Environmental Health Practitioner (formerly known as Environmental Health Officer) for local authorities or in private industry such as the food industry, public health, healthcare profession, environmental management, international groups and research.

For further details, email sas-enquiries@wlv.ac.uk or Tel: +44 (0)1902 322139.

University of Wolverhampton, MX Building, City Campus North, Camp Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1AD, UK

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