News from around the World

News Archive

June 2011

Manage the risks in your business: Health and safety made simple

You must manage the health and safety risks in your workplace. To do this you need to think about what, in your business, might cause harm to people and decide whether you are doing enough to prevent that harm. This is known as a risk assessment. Once you have identified the risks, you need to decide how to control them and put the appropriate measures in place.

A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace. The law does not expect you to remove all risks, but to protect people by putting in place measures to control those risks. You are probably already taking steps to protect your employees, but your risk assessment will tell you whether you should be doing more.

www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/manage.htm

Did you use OSH-ROM in the past? Then OSH UPDATE brings you the Major Hazards Accidents and Incidents Database as well as another 19 databases!

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.

From February 2011 the Major Hazards Accidents and Incidents Database (MHAID) is the latest database in the OSH UPDATE electronic service www.oshupdate.com.

This is the 20th database in OSH UPDATE and can be searched alongside the other 19 databases or on its own.

All the data in MHAID has been collected from regular sources - with the emphasis where possible in making links to the full text of the document/report. When the report/document is out of print we have also added locations where it can be borrowed or located for loan or photocopy e.g. The British Library.

It is intended that the content of MHAID will grow rapidly.

• OSH UPDATE has 20 databases containing validated and authoritative worldwide information on all aspects of health and safety at work.
• Contain over 817,000 records containing thousands of links to full text documents containing guidance, advice, research results, standards etc on all aspects of worked related health and safety.
• It has user-friendly powerful software that takes you direct to the documents and information that you are seeking.
• Is the lowest priced collection in the world of occupational safety and health (OSH) information.
• Will help you keep up-to-date easy and cheaply.
• Used by organisations worldwide from government departments, research laboratories, private companies, institutions, associations to individual consultants.

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

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health (SJWEH) is an international scientific occupational safety and health (OSH) periodical that was formed from the fusion of the publications known formerly as Work-Environment-Health and Nordisk Hygienisk Tidskrift. It is published in English and began publication on 1 January 1975.

SJWEH is one of the many journals that is indexed cover to cover within OSH UPDATE

www.oshupdate.com

Safe Maintenance has new ambassadors from leading European companies and organisations

In the second year of EU-OSHA's Healthy Workplaces Campaign on safe maintenance, the number of official campaign partners has now risen to 52 as seven more pan-European organisations and multinational companies from a range of public and private sectors have joined: AEIP, CPME, Dupont, ECTA, EORNA, Golder Associates and UEPG.

As many as 20% of all workplace accidents in Europe are connected with maintenance, with organisations across the continent increasingly aware that action is necessary to combat hazards related to maintenance. With this in mind, over a quarter (26.8%) of the partners have cited the improvement of safe and healthy work conditions for employees and employers alike, as the main reason for their participation in the Campaign. The partners identified further reasons for their participation, such as aiming to engage their own workers and/or members in managing safety and health (16.01%), or sharing good practices (5.39%). Other partners associated their participation as an opportunity to work closely with other like-minded organisations (14.4%).

"Renowned companies, organisations and associations from a wide range of sectors such as the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing and construction, among many others, have joined our Campaign", Jukka Takala, Director of EU-OSHA said. "We are delighted that the issue of safe maintenance has been incorporated in industries and workplaces across Europe helping transform the daily lives of workers. I'd like to welcome our 7 new 'ambassadors' and look forward to working in cooperation with them for the remainder of the campaign".

Since the start of the campaign on 28th April 2010, good practice in safe maintenance has been promoted by the partners all around Europe through a wide variety of activities. The many seminars and conferences across Europe touched on specific topics, such as the latest OSH products and services available to help improve conditions in workplaces throughout the continent. One of the partners also invented a scheme that develops, assesses and certifies the competency of personnel responsible for the installation and maintenance of equipment in hazardous areas. Today this tool is operated not only within the EU but in locations across the globe.

The new Official Campaign Partners will be recognised during a ceremony on the 22nd and 23rd November in Bilbao, which also plays host to the closing event of the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2010/11 on safe maintenance.

For more information about campaign partners and their activities as well as a wide range of information resources on safe maintenance, visit the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2010/11 official website: www.healthy-workplaces.eu/en

Just a few reasons why you should never be without the up-to-date authoritative fire information in FIREINF!

FIREINF is arguably the world's premier collection of validated, authoritative information on fire and fire related information including wildland fire 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, current practices, training and research.

The 5 reasons:

1. FIREINF is continuously enlarged as information including new research and new ways of working is published
2. FIREINF helps those responsible for fire, emergencies and preparedness in workplaces of all kinds to keep ahead with the latest information and developments
3. FIREINF assists individuals and organisations that cannot afford to subscribe to a range of journals/magazines because these are indexed within FIREINF
4. FIREINF contains information that has been published in the past, so an easy reference point for researchers
5. FIREINF leads the searcher to quality guidance and advice from around the world, and it is used worldwide by organisations, including those teaching fire science as well as fire brigades and their union, rescue services, forensic and fire experts.

The Full Text Collection has 5 databases and The Bibliographic Collection has 12 databases. Together these sources contain over 536,000 records with links to more than 35,000 full text documents 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.

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 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? Go to www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

Risks stacked against new workers

Workers are as likely to suffer a reportable injury in the first six months at a workplace as during the whole of the rest of their working life, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned. The safety watchdog says a number of factors contribute to the excess risk, including lack of experience at or familiarity with the job and workplace. New workers may also be reluctant or not know how to raise concerns, it adds, and as novices may not recognise the risks or safe work processes. It adds 'vulnerable' groups, including young workers and migrant workers may face additional problems, which should be taken into account by employers.

HSE has produced a six point plan to protect new starters. It says firms should access their capability, for example literacy, numeracy or other factors including familiarity with the job and command of language. They should also provide a carefully planned induction and ensure control measures are up to date and are being used and maintained. There should also be adequate training and supervision.

Finally, firms should make sure all these measures are properly understood. HSE's online guide concludes: 'Check workers have understood the information, instruction and training they need to work safely, and are acting on it, especially during the vital first days/weeks at work. Remember to make sure workers know how and with whom they can raise any concerns about their health and safety and that they know about any emergency arrangements or procedures.'

HSE 'new to the job' guide

Challenges of an Ageing Workforce NEW! FREE!

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health (CCOHS) examines the challenges of ageing workers and what employers can do to accommodate the needs of all workers.

Released:

June 9, 2011

Availability:

On Demand - Listen to it now!

File Size:

3.2 MB

Length:

3:21 minutes

http://traffic.libsyn.com/ccohs/Episode47_AgingWorkforce_OSHA.mp3

Safe Work Australia publishes report on carbon nanotubes

Safe Work Australia Chair, Mr Tom Phillips AM, announced the release of a research report: Durability of carbon nanotubes and their potential to cause inflammation.

The structural similarities of some forms of carbon nanotubes with asbestos has raised concerns about possible health effects for humans. This study examined the durability of carbon nanotubes and the tendency to cause lung inflammation, two indicators of potential asbestos-like behaviour, if inhaled.

Commissioned under the Nanotechnology Work Health and Safety Program and funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom (UK) and the UK Institute of Occupational Medicine undertook this experimental research.

Key findings in the report include:

• Some types of carbon nanotubes can be durable, but others may also break down in simulated lung fluid.
• carbon nanotubes of certain length and aspect ratio can induce asbestos-like responses in mice, confirming previous findings. However, this response may be reduced if the nanotubes are less durable.
• tightly agglomerated particle-like bundles of carbon nanotubes did not cause an inflammatory response in mice.

Shorter carbon nanotubes or bundles of carbon nanotubes may not be an asbestos-like hazard, but they can still cause an inflammatory response and be hazardous in the lungs.

"This project is an excellent example of Australia and the United Kingdom collaborating to undertake world class work health and safety research", said Mr Phillips.

"These results indicate that durability and hazards of all types of carbon nanotubes are not necessarily the same. However carbon nanotubes should be handled with high levels of caution in the workplace to avoid inhalation.

Safe Work Australia continues to support research on carbon nanotubes to further the knowledge of work health and safety issues, and has commissioned other work which uses the research findings to protect workers.

The research report and further information on the nanotechnology work health and safety program can be found at: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

MR120511DurabilityNanotubes.pdf

Latest "OSH at a Glance" from INRS, France

INRS publishes a bilingual international newsletter "OSH at a glance". The aim of the newsletter is to make the work and activities of INRS better known with its partners, with its counterparts, and with European and international institutions.

The June 2011 edition is now available

http://en.inrs.fr

Worldwide Events not to be missed in late June and July 2012...

For a fuller listing see www.oshworld.com/diary.html

20-22 June 2011 - OH&S Forum 2011: International Forum on Occupational Health and Safety: Policies, Profiles and Services
Hanasaari Cultural Centre, Espoo, Finland
Contact: TAVI Congress Bureau, Tavicon Ltd, Finland | Email: OSHForum2011@tavicon.fi | www.ttl.fi/forum2011

21-22 June 2011 - Dresden Conference: Adding value through International Cooperation - Global Outreach Conference of the European Forum
Dresden, Germany
Contact: The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and the European Forum of the insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases | Tel: + 01 47 70 45 78 | Email: andrea.conitzer@dguv.de | www.dguv.de

28 June - 1 July 2011 - 20th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time
Stockholm, Sweden
Contact: Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University, Stockholm University SE-106 91 Stockholm Sweden | Tel: +46 855378906 | Fax: +46 68-55378900 | Email: shiftwork2011@stress.su.se

20-22 July 2011 - First Peruvian Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health
Cuzco, Peru
Contact: National Center on Occupational Health and Environmental Protection for Health | Email: rgomero@barrick.com

24-30 July 2011 - 19th International Conference On Composites Or Nano Engineering
Shanghai, China
Contact: www.icce-nano.org

25-30 July 2011 - 5 Day Conference 'The Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems'
University of California, Irvine, California, USA
Contact: icders2011@uci.edu | http://icders2011.eng.uci.edu

26-28 July 2011 - NIOSH/NPPTL Workshop Meeting
Health and Safety Laboratory, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK
Contact: HSL Training | Tel: +44 (0)1298 218817 | www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-conferences.aspx