April 2012 Vol 20
No 1

NEWSLETTER
occupational safety and health national programmes into action
at the workplace level.”

Contents
1

Letter from the Editor

2

News from IOHA

3

The 9th IOHA International Scientific Conference

3News from Member Associations

8

News from ICOH

9News from PAHO/WHO

10
13News from WHO Colloborating Centers for
Ocupational HealthNews from the ILO

15

News from the European Union

16

Contributions from Readers

Even in health policies the required balance in addressing all
health determinants is seldom achieved, and the most likely to
be overlooked are “work and the workplace”. Occupational
diseases continue to be one of the silent epidemics. In my statein Brazil, just now, in 4 days we had five deaths at work due tolack of safety, which was tragic. However, fatal occupational
accidents are usually visible and often make their way into
newspapers and TV headlines, and this hopefully contributes toa gradual improvement in their prevention. On the other hand,occupational diseases do not usually come to attention so
promptly (if at all !) and I wonder how many died or became
sentenced to death due to an uncontrolled occupational
exposure, in these four days, without a connection being madeand publicized !

That is why it is so vital that we continue our efforts in bringing
to light the importance of our profession, which is soThis is a Conference year - ICOH 2012 took place recently and underestimated in many places. I have visited enterprises with
IOHA 2012 will happen in September (I hope many of you will excellent safety programmes and yet, when it came tooccupational hygiene, the mistakes were many – even somebe able to attend !).
expensive control measures were badly designed, hence
I take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Jorma Rantanen, inefficient. This is a result of the shortage or even theformer ICOH President, former Director General of the Finnish inexistence of adequately trained and competent occupational
Institute of Occupational Health, for receiving at ICOH 2012 the hygienists.
first ICOH Life Achievement Award in recognition of “hisoutstanding contribution to research impact on prevention and I would like to comment on another issue that came to mind
policies in the field of Occupational Safety and Health and of his when reading one of the contributions from readers in thisremarkable and excellent support to ICOH revitalization and edition, on Indium and compounds, which demonstrates theimpact at international level”. I had the honour to work with importance given by the Japanese government to the toxicity of
Jorma on many occasions because he has collaborated an economically very important chemical, hence to thesignificantly with WHO, for example, he had a leading role in the enforcement of strict preventive measures in its use. Concerned
preparation of the important 1995 WHO document “Global industry representatives, when meeting with occupational
strategy on occupational health for all: The way to health at health professionals and government officials, agreed towork”, which paved the way to a number of subsequent key implement strict controls, but made a request that such
scientific results be disseminated internationally to encourage
actions.
other governments to also require similar measures.
It was gratifying to see that, at the ICOH Congress, key points
such as “proactive risk management, innovative solution-based This has to do with a present-day issue that I believe is anapproaches” and “building bridges between research and unfortunate aspect of globalization, and which is due topractice” were emphasized. It is also encouraging that the discrepancies in the enforcement of appropriate health and“Cancun Charter on Occupational Health for All”, signed in safety, as well as working conditions and social security
Cancun, focuses on the priority of occupational health in requirements, in different countries. Concerning our field, it
political agendas. This is a critical issue, if we are to have happens that products manufactured with no respect for thehealth of workers and the environment compete with others
effective protection of workers’ health.
manufactured in places where appreciable funds are spent toMany international and national political agendas do not protect them. This unfair situation has caused difficulties
adequately address occupational health, as a fundamental particularly, but not exclusively, for small enterprises. And it
aspect of economic, social and sustainable development. The would be disastrous if, in order to commercially compete,
ILO project “Improving safety and health at work through a countries would start lowering their occupational health andDecent Work agenda” was created to respond to this omission, safety standards.
as it aims at “incorporating occupational safety and health at
the highest level in the national political agenda, integrating it It is my belief that there should be an improvement in
into national development policies, and translating the international trade agreements and rules in the sense of
Dear Colleagues

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
1introducing stronger H&S and environmental protection lecture 10 years ago: when we think about victory, let’s think inrequirements (in the line of EU REACH for chemicals), among the sense of a definition that goes “victory is the art ofpersevering when others decide to stop trying”. So, no matterother social aspects.
how difficult the challenge, let’s keep trying!
It is interesting to remember that when the ILO first started toobserve the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, on 28 Thank you for your valuable contributions that make thisApril 2003, the selected theme was “Safety and Health Culture Newsletter possible.
in a Globalized World”. In fact, let’s remember to celebrate thisday this year, with the timely theme “Promoting safety and I wish you all a lot of success and fulfillment in your work.
health in a green economy”.
Best greetings

As we witness what is going on in our field, we realize that
progress is not what it should be and this tends to bediscouraging. Very often, the professionals who wish topractice occupational health, correctly and ethically, have tofight every inch of their way as the obstacles are many andsometimes, insurmountable. I hereby repeat what I said in a

Berenice Goelzer
berenice@goelzer.net

NEWS from IOHA
WHO Collaborating Centres Planning Meeting and ICOH 30th Congress – Cancun, Mexico,14-23 March 2012
Sent by Noel Tresider, IOHA President 2011-2012 E-mail: ntreside@bigpond.net.au
In March, I had the pleasure of going to Cancun Mexico to The topics were wide ranging with many thought provoking
attend the WHO Collaborating Centres Planning Meeting, and plenary presentations – Occupational Health Aspects of Climate
then the International Commission on Occupational Health 30th Change (Dr. Tord Kjellstrom) , International Approaches toCongress.
Asbestos (Prof Ken Takahashi from Japan), The changing natureof work in the 21st century (by Dr John Howard NIOHS Director)
The WHO CC Planning Meeting was to develop the WHO to name a few
Workplan for the next 5 year (2012-2017) and IOHA (as a NGO
with WHO), is an active participant through our representative This was also an opportunity to promote OHlearning.com, and I
Dave Zalk. There were a number of key messages from the made a presentation outlining the efforts achieved thus far byplanning meeting - incorporating workers' health into global the Occupational Hygiene Training Association, and the future
policies and sectoral strategies for green economy and green plans for further development – there was much interest in thejobs.
OHlearning.com training material particularly from thedeveloping countries and academic institutions in Latin America.
IOHA has submitted a number of projects to contribute to the
WHO Workplan on occupational health ranging from tool kits, a The next ICOH Congress will be held in Seoul Korea in 2015.
new project on awareness of hearing loss in young people, andawareness and training material on Asbestos and Silica which It was indeed a wonderful and productive visit to Mexico.
are part of the OHleaning.com collection. It was a great
opportunity to develop new contacts in Latin America and otherdeveloping regions, and I look forward to IOHA continuing these
relationships.
The ICOH 30th Congress was a grand conference with some
1,600 delegates from over 65 countries.
The Congress opened with the trooping of the Mexican flag by
the Colour Troop in their splendid uniforms marching to amilitary band. At the opening ceremony I had the pleasure ofaddressing the delegates on behalf of IOHA expressing ourdesire to continue our close working relationship with ICOH,
WHO and ILO. The opening ceremony concluded with awonderful spirited display of Mexican and Mayan folk dancing.
ICOH Congress - Noel with the delegation from Columbia and PAHOIOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
2

Update on the 9th IOHA International Scientific Conference
Sent by Rajesh Jackson, MIHA E-mail: Rajesh.Jackson@erm.com

The Malaysian Industrial Hygiene Association (MIHA) is proud to Participants will earn certification points by attending thishost the 9th IOHA International Scientific Conference in Kuala conference. Relevant points applicable to relevant IOHA
Lumpur from 16th – 20th September 2012. With the theme member countries will be updated on our website.
“Growing the Seeds of Occupational Hygiene”, the conference
aspires to further promote industrial hygiene as a new field that Registration: We are now open for registration at
begins to be recognized and in demand within the region.
www.IOHA2012.net.
The Professional Development Courses (PDCs) will take place on
16-17 September 2012, and the Scientific and Technical
Presentations, during the Conference. During this time there willbe the opportunity for colleagues to discuss a number of IH/OH
and HSE matters.
The Programme will include:








Three Plenary Sessions with 9 plenary speakers identified(ILO, WHO, IOHA, ICOH, NIOSH-US, McMaster University(Canada, DOSH)
Twenty-eight Podium Sessions (4 Concurrent, 112
papers) with more than 20 IH & HSE topics
Poster sessions with 80 papers will be showcased, giving
opportunities for delegates to maximize their learningand investment.
Nine “1-full day” and one “1/2 day” Professional
Development Courses (PDCs).

IOHA 2012 Online Photography Contest
In conjunction with Conference, the Malaysian Industrial
Hygiene Association (MIHA) is organizing the IOHA 2012 Online
Photography Contest with the aim of increasing the awarenessof the general public on areas of industrial hygiene, occupational
health, safety and environment.
This contest will run from 15 April to 31 July 2012. It is open to
everybody worldwide from the ages of 18 years and above.
We are looking for the most outstanding photos and creative
captions following the theme of the conference, which is“Growing the Seeds of Occupational Hygiene".
IOHA 2012 Technical Tours
There will be the possibility for visits, namely to an Oil Refinery
in Melaka Town and a Palm Oil Plantation Research &Development (R&D) Center.

Further details on all aspects of the Conference are presented
PDCs: Register early for PDCs to secure your seats! Direct link at: www.ioha2012.net
for details on available PDCs: http://www.ioha2012.net/?
page_id=950

NEWS from Member Organisations
From Brazil - ABHOIV Pan-American Congress on Occupational Hygiene
The Brazilian Association of  Asociación Chilena de Higiene Industrial y Salud Ocupacional
Occupational Hygienists (ABHO)(ACHISO)
will be responsible for the  Asociación Venezolana de Higienistas Ocupacionales (AVHO)
organization of the IV Pan-  Asociación Colombiana de Higiene Ocupacional (ACHO).
American Congress on Occupational Hygiene, to be held from19 to 23 August 2012 in São Paulo, Brazil, in association with:
It is hoped to also have the participation of the Argentinean andPeruvian associations.
 Asociación Mexicana de Higiene Industrial (AMHI)IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
3

The theme of the event will be “Occupational Hygiene building The themes for the main lectures will be the following:an Occupational Health Culture in Latin America”, and the aim
will be to enhance the recognition of the importance of  Creating culture through education and training in
Occupational Hygiene in this region, as well as the integration of
Occupational Hygiene - milestones for a Latin American
professionals from the different Latin American countries
visionaround this concept.
 Disseminating knowledge on good Occupational Hygiene
practices
At the same time, ABHO will hold its “XIX Brazilian Annual  Comparative Occupational Hygiene Legislation in Latin
Meeting of Occupational Hygienists” and offer Professional
AmericaDevelopment Courses.
 Occupational Hygiene in different occupational branches
such as mining, gas, chemical and petrochemical industry,
Courses will take place on 19-20 August 2012, at the meetingand small enterprises.
rooms of the Novotel Jaraguá SP Conventions, São Paulo.
Furthermore, there will be presentation of papers on different
The opening Session of the IV Pan-American Congress will take topics by the participants.
place on 20 August 2012.
International lecturers and national authorities in the field of
Lectures and presentations, as well as the exhibit of OH&S will participate in this important event.
instrumentation, equipment and services, will take place at theConvention Centre of Hotel Century Paulista, São Paulo, on 21- Further details can be obtained through ABHO: Website:
23 August 2012. There will be the traditional fraternization www.abho.org.br and E-Mail: secretaria@abho.com.br
lunches for the participants.

From Japan
JAWE-JOHA Joint Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Hygiene and Working Environment
Measurement 2012, Utsunomiya
Sent by Shigeru Asuka, Director General, JAWE, E-mail: sasuka@jawe.or.jp
Norihiko Kohyama, E-mail: kohyama@toyo.jp
and Masayoshi Karasawa, Special Adviser, JAWE, E-mail: m19419k@yahoo.co.jp
There were 12 presentations by manufacturers on theircommercially available models of state-of-the-art measuring
equipment, as well as the exhibition of the equipment, including
The Japan Association for Working Environment Measurement from other manufacturers/dealers who did not join the(JAWE), whose Chairperson is Mr. Takayoshi Meiga, Managing presentations.
Director, Nippon Steel Corporation, and the Japan Occupational
Hygiene Association (JOHA), whose chairperson is Dr. Norihiko
Kohyama, Visiting Professor, University of Toyo, held their 13th
“Joint Conference and Exhibition on Occupational Hygiene andWorking Environment Measurement 2012” from 16 to 18
November 2012, in Utsunomiya, capital city of Tochigi
prefecture, located about 100km north from Tokyo.
This event provided about 300 participants, including
researchers, technical experts in working environment control,
21 manufacturers/dealers of measuring equipment and otherinterested people, who had a good opportunity to discuss andexchange views on their daily technical issues.
There were altogether 64 scientific presentations and case This year’s joint conference and exhibition was highlighted bystudies by researchers and experts, almost the same number as the special session on risk control of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), thelast year. Among them, 24 presentations were on chemical essential material in manufacture of liquid crystal display for
analysis and 19 were on working environment improvement. TVs, PCs and mobile phones, etc. Japan accounts for about 80
The breakdown of them was analytical technology on mineral percent of ITO annual production in the world.
dusts (8), metals (5), organic solvents (3), specified hazardous
chemicals (3) and measuring methods for asbestos (7), nano- The session was composed of four presentations namely on: 1)
particles (5) and formaldehyde (4).
“administrative control measures” by a government official
concerned, 2) “health impairment caused by ITO” by a medical
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
4doctor, 3)“measurement method” by a measurement expert Dr. Haruhiko Sakurai, professor emeritus of Keio University andand 4)“respiratory protective equipment to be used in ITO the leading expert on risk control of chemicals in Japan,
handling” by an university professor.
delivered a special lecture on “the theory and practice ofchemicals’ risk assessment”.
Health problems caused by ITO constitute a hot issue in Japan
now, because experimental toxicology studies with respect to
ITO both concerning carcinogenicity and chronic toxicity byinhalation of ITO dust performed at the Japan Bioassay ResearchCentre, which is a GLP referent facility, established by thegovernment, revealed the potential carcinogenic risk to workers
handling them.
The other special session was on “asbestos in Asian countries”
where reports revealed that chrysotile is still widely used incountries of this region for industrial purposes and, therefore,
control measures should be taken in the concerned workplaces.
The next joint conference and exhibition will be held in
November 2013 in Fukuoka City, located in Kyushu Island.
JAWE-sponsored National symposium on working environment
control and risk control of hazardous chemicals 2012, Sendai
JAWE launched the annual National symposium in 2010 under Case studies in workplaces of the chemical manufacturing
the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare industry and electrical appliances industry were presented by(MHLW) and other concerned associations and industries. The Dr. Seitaroh Dohi, Chief Occupational Physician of Mitsui
first and the second symposium were held in Tokyo in 2010 and Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Mr. Michizane Ono, senior staff of2011, respectively. However, JAWE, in consultation with the Mitsubishi Electric Co., Ltd., respectively
Ministry, decided to hold the third symposium in Sendai thatwas hardly hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and The Panel discussion was chaired by Mr. Yasumi Shiozaki, vicesubsequent devastating Tsunami eight months before, in the president of JAWE and managing director of Sumitomo
hope to encourage local people to overcome the resulting Chemicals Co. Ltd., on the topic of “How to practice risk- based
difficulties.
control in workplaces”. The panelists were Dr. Dohi, Mr. Onoand three other participants including one from the
About 100 people, mostly from the Eastern half of Japan, government.
participated in the one-day symposium, which consisted of one
special lecture, two case studies and one panel discussion.

From the United Kingdom
BOHS welcomes publication of Löfstedt review Sent by Alex Bianchi, BOHS President, 2011–2012
E-mail: president@bohs.org
The British Occupational Hygiene Society workplace exposures to carcinogens. “The Health and Safety at(BOHS) welcomes the publication of the Work Act 1974 (HSWA) has had a major impact in reducing
Löfstedt review of health and safety occupational accidents, but more attention - throughlegislation. “It is a balanced, evidence- communication, training and enforcement – is needed to reducebased report which focuses on the the burden of chronic ill health arising from exposure risks in theissues which need to be addressed”, states Steve Perkins, BOHS work environment, such as those from chemicals or physical
Chief Executive.
agents such as noise”, confirms Perkins. “The recommendationsin the Löfstedt review will, at last, begin to refocus attention
The headline conclusion of the review - that in general, the where it is needed - on the serious challenges in stemming the
problem lies less with the regulations themselves and more with levels of exposure related death and disability in the UK.”the way they are interpreted and applied - chimes with BOHS’s
expressed view that such inappropriate application of health In addition, BOHS is particularly pleased at the recognition ofand safety regulations is principally of those linked to public the need to stimulate a wider debate about risk in society andsafety and individual behaviour rather than those aimed at how it should be regulated, and is supportive of the proposal toreducing workplace exposures to health hazards.
convene an expert group, under the Government’s Chief
Scientific Adviser, to consider how to engage society in a
Moreover, the review explicitly acknowledges the much greater discussion.
burden on business and society from occupational ill-health as
opposed to accidents, citing as an example the estimated 8,000
cancer deaths in Britain each year that are attributable to past
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
5

X2012: 7th International Conference on the Science of Exposure Assessment, 2-5 July 2012
Sent by Martie van Tongeren (Organising Committee Chair)E-mail: Martie.VanTongeren@iom-world.org
and Frank de Vocht (Scientific Committee Chair)E-mail: Frank.DeVocht@manchester.ac.uk

The British Occupational Hygiene Society is hosting an international scientific conference on the science of exposure 
assessment in Edinburgh on 2 – 5 July 2012 (X2012).







Dr John Howard (Director of
NIOSH) has kindly agreed to provide
the opening address and thefollowing keynote lectures will begiven by:



Dr
Roel
Vermeulen(IRAS,
University of Utrecht, NL): The
Exposome;
Decoding
theenvironment.







Dr Dhimiter Bello (University of
Massachusetts Lowell, US): Beyond
emissions: Linking exposures toengineered nanomaterials withhuman healthProf Richard Wakeford (Universityof Manchester, UK): Exposure
assessment following catastrophic
events - the example of FukushimaExposure assessment methodology following disasters
Exposure
assessment
studiesforengineered
nanomaterials
Exposure assessment studies for chemical agents
Exposure assessment studies for biological agents
Exposure assessment studies for physical agents
Use of sensor technology in exposure assessment
Recent advances in exposure assessment methodology
for general population-based epidemiological studies
Recent advances in exposure modelling, including for
REACH
Biologicalmonitoringandphysiologically-based
pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling
Statistical methods for exposure assessment
Dermal and ingestion exposure
Methodology for aggregate exposure assessment
Methodology for estimating exposure to indoor air
contaminants
Exposure assessment for health impact assessment
studies
Pesticide exposure
Exposure assessment using geospatial information
systems

Dr Erik Tielemans (TNO, NL):
Advancements in occupational
exposure modelling

In addition, poster sessions will complement the programme.

Dr Melissa Friesen (NCI, US): Inside
the black box: Advances in exposure
assessment for population-based
studies

All in all, X2012 promises to be a very interesting and stimulating
programme for anyone who is interested in the science of
exposure assessment. In addition, X2012 will provide ample
opportunities to network and meet with colleagues to discuss
the challenges and current and future requirements for
exposure assessment.

We have received a large number of high quality abstracts from We look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh in 2-5 July,
all over the world, not only UK, other European countries, US 2012.
and Canada, but Asian countries are also very well represented.
At the time of writing, the final programme is now available on
the conference website (www.x2012.org/).
www.x2012.org
The programme promises to be of very high quality, covering awide variety of topics. Session topics include:
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
6

The Quintessence of Dust
Sent by John W Cherrie E-mail: john.cherrie@iom-world.org
Lang Tran E-mail: lang.tran@iom-world.org

The eleventh international Inhaled Particles Symposium (IPXI) Symposia were held about every five or so years, thereafter: inwill be held in Nottingham between the 23 and 25 of Cambridge (four times), Edinburgh (twice), Brighton, Cardiff and
September, 2013. This series of conferences has been organized Sheffield. The history for the Symposium is ably summed up by
periodically over the last fifty-two years and the latest meeting Walton [2] and Jim Vincent [3].
promises to provide a fantastic opportunity for discussions
about the latest scientific research on the hazards and risks While research into industrial dusts such as coal and asbestos
from aerosols.
will undoubtedly continue to be represented at IPXI, it isexpected that there will be a very wide range of investigations
In 1943 Thomas Bedford, the first president of BOHS, and described, including studies of ambient air pollution,others published a comprehensive report of conditions in the environmental cigarette smoke, biomass fuel burning, volcanic
Welsh coalmines [1]. They used very crude hand pumps to ash, bioaerosols, pharmaceutical aerosols and engineered
measure the gravimetric concentration of dust in the mines. nanoparticles. The future conferences will include toxicology
The colliery mean values during ripping of coal ranged form 105 studies, epidemiological investigations, clinical investigations
to 424 mg/m3 and in the coal handling work from 84 to 675 mg/ along with exposure measurement and modeling. We are
m3. At this time there was a great risk of pneumoconiosis and particularly interested in receiving results from studies that aim
increased mortality from non-malignant respiratory and heart to integrate the available knowledge about aerosol exposure todisease. The problem was considerably worse in South Wales assess the potential risks or health impacts. Contributions frombut nobody really understood the underlying reason. However, scientists from developing countries are particularly welcomed.
it was clear that only through careful research were the issues
going to be understood.
At the inaugural Symposium, the great Henry Walton quoted
some words from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "What a piece of work
Ten years later, Thomas Bedford and the thirty-four others is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! . . . thisfounded the Society, with one of their key objectives to hold at quintessence of dust." It is now time for the quintessence ofleast one conference each year. In 1957, Henry Walton put dust to reassemble.
forward the idea of a specialized international conference on
the inhalation and retention of particles and vapours. Part of his The conference website is now up and running and can beoriginal rationale for this meeting was to talk about the found at www.inhaledparticles.org
progress that had been made in measuring respirable coal dustand quantifying the risk from exposure. The proposal was References
widely supported and the first Symposium was held in Oxford in Bedford, T, et al. (1943). Chronic pulmonary disease in South Wales
coalminers. II – Environmental studies. London: HMSO.
1960. There were 251 delegates from 20 countries; 38 papers Walton, WH. (1997). Inhaled Particles VIII: History or the Symposia. Ann
were presented. It was a great success, although very few Occup Hyg; 41(suppl 1): xvii-xix. (available at: http://papers were presented on vapours and this was later dropped annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/content/41/inhaled_particles_VIII/xvii.full.pdf).
from later meetings. Importantly the proceedings were Vincent, JH. (2003). Aerosol exposure: concepts, criteria, standards andpublished as peer-reviewed articles and this tradition has applications. Journal of Physics: Conference Series; 151: 012003. (http://enhanced the standing of the meeting and of the BOHS. Further iopscience.iop.org/1742-6596/151/1/012003/pdf/17426596_151_1_012003.pdf)

From the USA
AIHA
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Fall Conference
Sent by Zack Mansdorf, Program Chair, Academy of Industrial Hygiene, E-mail: mansdorf@tiac.net
The
AmericanIndustrial will be held in San Antonio, Texas, October 27-31, 2012. San
Hygiene Association (AIHA) Fall Antonio is a very popular location with mild weather in the
Conference, formerly known October time frame. It has more than 30 miles of nature trails,
as the Professional Conference a vibrant night life, great restaurants and a beautiful river walkon Industrial Hygiene (PCIH), area that will be the site of our conference hotel.
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
7

The Fall Conference is being organized under four themes. Monday will be on managing low frequency/high severity
These themes are Exposure Risk Assessment and Management events and on Tuesday a presentation on incorporating(ERAM), Petrochemical and Gas, Product Stewardship and prevention though design methods into the design and redesign
Sustainability and Management and Leadership.
The process.
conference will have professional development courses on theweekend before, the conference on Monday and Tuesday and We would be very happy to welcome you to San Antonio and ansome additional professional development courses on exciting conference. Please visit www.aihafallconference.org or
Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday will include breakfast email fallconference@aiha.org for additional details.
discussions, keynote speakers, concurrent technical sessions, Registration opens in June 2012.
luncheon discussions, and afternoon workshops, and some
additional technical presentations. Our keynote session on

AIHA Supports OSHA’s Update of Hazard Communication Standard
Sent by Kathryn Grandstaff E-mail: kgrandstaff@aiha.org
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has members better tools to protect workers on a worldwide basis”.
supported the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) update.
While AIHA has not yet reviewed the entire final rule todetermine specific requirements for training, exposureThis final rule revises the HCS so that it is in alignment with the guidelines, hazard categories and other possible changes, AIHA
United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification believes that more standardized labels and SDSs will makeand Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
hazard communication information easier to use and therefore
improve employee protection from hazards. This is one of the
As Elizabeth Pullen, CIH, and AIHA President, stated: “After main benefits of GHS implementation in addition to economic
more than 25 years since adoption of the HCS, AIHA is pleased ones.
that OSHA has finalized this update and fully supports provisions
that update the development and distribution of Material Safety One area AIHA believes AIHA members can be of specificData Sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous chemicals”. …“The new assistance to OSHA is the implementation stage of the final rule.
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) not only greatly improve the quality of As Pullen said, “Industrial hygienists have a key role in
MSDSs by establishing a harmonized structure and meaningful improving the quality and value of information on an SDS. We
recommendations of content but will improve the protection intend to educate our members and others about the current
provided to workers, employers and chemical users”. … “With activities related to the preparation and use of SDSs, including
the continued expansion of the global economy, particularly in efforts to increase their quality and utility, implementation of athe manufacture and increased use of hazardous chemicals, globally harmonized approach to their presentation, andmany AIHA members have extensive experience and direct updating the existing standards that provide guidance for
involvement with technical and policy issues regarding MSDSs development”.
and are involved in the development or review of MSDS for theiremployers. Aligning the HCS with the GHS will provide AIHA

News from ICOH
ICOH 2012
Sent by Suvi Lehtinen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health E-mail: Suvi.Lehtinen@ttl.fi
and Berenice Goelzer E-mail: berenice@goelzer.net
The International Commission on Occupational Health, ICOH,
organized its 30th International Congress on Occupational
Health on 18–23 March in Cancun, Mexico. Close to 1,700
experts attended and contributed to the success of themeeting.
ICOH is an NGO in official relations with WHO and ILO. In
addition to these International Organizations, ICOH’s sisterorganizations, namely the International Occupational Hygiene
Association (IOHA) represented by Noel Tresider, the
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
8International Ergonomics Association (IEA) represented by based cooperation for achieving good occupational healthAndrew Imada, and the International Social Security Association practices. The discussion and dialogue at the Congress aimed at(ISSA) represented by Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, conveyed their helping all participants respond to urgent needs of workers andbest wishes for the success of the Congress in the Opening better understand the principles and ethics of our own
Session.
occupational activities.”
The theme of the Congress - “Occupational Health for All: From As Jorge A. Morales-Camino, President of the ICOH Congress
Research to Practice”, is based on the belief that all workers of 2012, mentioned: “To achieve such an important goal, we need
the world require health protection to prevent any occupational to take advantage of new scientific information to develop
disease or injury as part of their human and labor rights.
innovative guidelines, new approaches and procedures, training
courses, etc. to be applied to workers’ health protection. OverAs Dr Kazutaka Kogi, ICOH President, said in his Welcome 90% of scientific papers on occupational health are written inspeech: “Since the first Congress held in Milan in 1906, our industrialized countries; however it is in developing countries
triennial congresses have always played a front-line role in where the most compelling needs in this field are a part ofprotecting and promoting the health of workers. This role is everyday reality. The Cancun Mexico Congress aimed at building
particularly vital throughout the time of rapid changes in a bridge between research and practice in order to help
employment structures, working life and work environments industrialized and developing countries improve the level ofcaused by the globalizing economy. These changes bring about health protection for workers and help prevent occupational
complex health and safety risks for workers in all the sectors. It injuries and diseases.”is timely to focus on workplace improvement actions applicableto managing complex risks in increasingly diversifying work The Congress, which held more than 200 Special Sessions andsituations.”
Oral Paper Sessions resulting in nearly 1450 presentations, andmore than 450 poster sessions, disseminated information on
In his Opening Keynote Professor Jorma Rantanen challenged all topical issues such as occupational health as a human right;
the Congress participants to launch a Cancun Charter on climate change and occupational health; nanotechnologies andOccupational Health, with the aim of enhancing the priority of their impact on occupational health; evidence base inoccupational health in political agendas. This was prepared for occupational health, just to mention a few.
approval on the last day of the Congress and signed by the ICOH
President, Dr. Kazutaka Kogi, the ICOH Secretary General, Dr. Special thanks are due to Dr. Jorge Morales and Dr. Elia Enriquez
Sergio Iavicoli, the ICOH 2012 President, Dr. Jorge Morales, and as the Local Organizers of the Congress. Drs. Elia Enriquez and
the Chair of the Drafting Committee, Professor Jorma Rantanen. Bonnie Rogers, ICOH Vice President, were Co-Chairs of the
Scientific Programme and developed the science content in
As Dr Kogi pointed out: “The debate in Cancun will focus on close collaboration with ICOH Scientific Committees, theproactive risk management procedures and innovative solution- National Organizing Committee, ICOH leaders, and many otherbased approaches. The progress in these aspects is seen in the international bodies who made many significant contributions.
broad-ranging activities of 35 ICOH Scientific Committees thathave actively taken part in the organization of the symposia, For additional information on the Congress, please see:mini-symposia and special sessions of the 2012 Congress. Serial
sessions were organized to promote regional and network- http://www.icohcongress2012cancun.org/

News from PAHO/WHO
WHO/PAHO present in the 30th International Congress on Occupational Health in Cancun, Mexico:
Occupational Health for all: from research to practice.
Sent by Julietta Rodríguez-Guzmán, Regional Advisor on Worker’s Health, PAHO/WHO
E-mail: rodriguezj@paho.org
Starting the scientific program, Dr. Maria Neira, Director of OH services. She acknowledged that this approach entails
Public Health and Environment at WHO addressed a keynote certain complex measures, such as reducing the cost
plenary conference on the topic of “Delivery of Occupational proportions to the individuals/workers undertaking services/
Health to All Workers”. Her message enhanced the need to insurance schemes, adding interventions to existing packages
carry out actions to provide universal access to Primary Health for providing services, increasing the number of workers
Care by developing comprehensive health services, introducing covered, and reducing barriers for health providers and accessnational equitable and sustainable financing mechanisms and to workers/individuals accessing such services. For achieving it,
implementing vertical health programs, e.g. occupational health a new health leadership with a solid regulatory frameworkprograms in the context of integrated health care. She reminded guaranteeing a basic level of protection in all workplaces and forthe need of bringing healthcare to where people live and work. all workers is required, as well as careful planning for providing
As well, a policy direction for reform was mentioned including different occupational and primary health care services to underrecommendations to working towards universal coverage with -served working populations.
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
9

A semi-plenary included a keynote conference about the 1. WHO Green economy
current situation of “Occupational health in the Americas”, 2. WHO Healthy workplacesdelivered by PAHO’s Regional Advisor on Worker’s Health. The 3. WHO Healthcare workers protection of bio-hazards
conference gave an overview of the problems, the needs and 4. WHO healthcare workers initiative
the ways approaching solutions to the series of social and 5. WHO Classification of occupational diseases
economic inequities caused by employment and working 6. WHO Caring for health of all workers: what we expect fromconditions that the 468 million regional workforce face. The
PHC reforms?
presentation highlighted: the tremendous heterogeneity of the 7. WHO Occupational Radiation protection – global initiatives
Americas, the reality of employment, unemployment and under-employment, the impacts of poverty on the workforce, the Finally, three (3) expert work groups were organized aiming toseverity and the burden of non-communicable diseases – analyze, discuss and contribute to the Regional Plan of Action
including cancer and other chronic pathologies-, the under- on Worker’s Health related to the following initiatives: Informal
diagnoses and under-registration of occupational injuries and Economy Approaches; Occupational Cancer prevention; and OH
diseases, the persistence of child labor and gender disparities, and the emerging Green Economy.
the presence of forced labor, and the increasing needs toimprove working and living conditions to the growing informal In all the aforementioned events and priorities a huge need to
sector involving a broad portion of vulnerable populations strengthening Occupational Hygiene was made visible. The
throughout the region. The strategic alliances made by PAHO to increasing need to build capacity and transfer technology andapproach these problems and several of the successful regional knowledge for controlling hazards at the workplace still remains
initiatives to improve the situation were mentioned. As well, the to be a challenge to overcome throughout the region, withways forward being tailored and a call for actions from all more emphasis in developing countries.
stakeholders to improve the current situation were emphasized.
For further information please contact Julietta RodríguezA total of seven simultaneous sessions were also organized to Guzmán at rodriguezj@paho.org; or visit the web-page of theaddress different key topics of global/regional interest, as congress at: http://www.icohcongress2012cancun.org/.
follows:

News from WHO Collaborating Centres for Occupational
Health9th Meeting of the WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centres for Occupational Health

WHO held its 9th Global Meeting of the Collaborating Centres Occupational Health (ICOH), the International Ergonomics
for Occupational Health (CCs) in Cancun, Mexico on 15-16 Association (IEA) and the International Occupational Hygiene
March 2012. The meeting was organized back to back with the Association (IOHA). All members present worked on redefining
ICOH Congress, which started in the afternoon of Sunday 18 their focused contributions towards the implementation of the
March. The Planning Committee of Network, as well as the staff WHO Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health, 2008-2017.
from WHO/HQ and the Regions, met on 14 March to discuss The results of a number of working groups were collected in aand reconfirm their priority action areas.
'Global Master Plan' with seven priority areas that would becovered by WHO and the CCs during that period with clearly
One hundred and twenty representatives from the CCs were defined activities and outcomes, and is shown on the following
present including three Regional Advisers (AMRO, EURO, two pages.
SEARO) and the WHO/HQ secretariat, the ILO and the NGOs in
official relations, namely the International Commission on

WHO CCs - Planning Committee Meeting

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
10

The results of a number of working groups were collected in a
'Global Master Plan' with seven priority areas that would becovered by WHO and the CCs during that period with clearly
defined activities and outcomes, as follows:
WHO will be contacting network members to finalize theirconcrete commitments for the next years, particularly withthose few CCs that did not attend. Working groups on the
different priority areas will be created on EZcollab, a WHO
online communication tool.
In 2013, the WHO Secretariat will report back to the World
Health Assembly on the midterm status of the implementation
WHO CCs - Work Sessionof the Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health. For thisOne hundred and twenty representatives from the CCs were purpose, NIOSH created an attractive draft document withpresent including three Regional Advisers (AMRO, EURO, successes of CCs to be completed by WHO HQ and the Regions.
SEARO) and the WHO/HQ secretariat, the ILO and the NGOs in This document will be the background document for the 2-pageofficial relations, namely the International Commission on report to the World Health Assembly.
Occupational Health (ICOH), the International Ergonomics
Association (IEA) and the International Occupational Hygiene For more information, please contact Evelyn Kortum
Association (IOHA). All members present worked on redefining (kortume@who.int)
their focused contributions towards the implementation of the
WHO Global Plan of Action for Workers' Health, 2008-2017.

Global Master Plan for Implementing GPA (2012-2017)
Priorities
Priority 1. Regional andnational programmes on
occupational NCDs with,focus on cancer, silica
andasbestos-relateddiseases
Priority2.
National
programmes and goodpracticesforoccupational health andsafety of health care
workers

Products
AMR Regional Product 1.1. Pan-American action on prevention of occupational cancer
EUR Regional Product 1.2. National programmes for the elimination of asbestos related diseases in
the WHO European Region
SEA Regional Product 1.3. Asian asbestos initiative
AMR Regional Product 1.4. American Asbestos AtlasAMR Regional Product 1.4. Pan-American programme for the elimination of silicosis
EMR Regional Product 1.5. Eastern-Mediterranean programme for the elimination of silicosis
Global product 2.1. WHO/ILO global framework and guidance for the development of national
occupational health programmes for health workers
Global product 2.2. Success Stories and Good practices for occupational health of health workers
Global product 2.3. Health WISE – improving working conditions and occupational health in healthsectorGlobal product 2.4. Implementation of WHO-ILO-UNAIDS policy guidelines for improving healthworker access to HIV and TB prevention, treatment, care and support
AMR Regional product 2.5 Initiative for protecting the health of health care workers in the Americas
EMR Regional product. 2.6. Integrating standards for occupational health of Health Workers into
Hospital accreditation systems in the Eastern Mediterranean
Global Product 2.7. Revision of protecting HCW toolkit
Global Product 2.8. Chemicals hazards - Assessment and management of chemical risks in thehealth care setting including exposure to hazardous drugs and linking the work to the Strategic
Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) strengthening engagement of the healthsectorPriority3.
Tools,
standards and capacities
for healthy workplaces

Global Product 3.1. WHO-sponsored international toolkits for healthy workplaces in SMEs and in
the informal sector -improving the physical, chemical, biological, MSDs, and psychosocial working
environment, personal resources and business responsibility
Global Product 3.2. WHO modules for training on healthy workplaces
Global Product 3.3. WHO guidelines on workplace action for protecting the health of workers
EUR Regional Product 3.4. European report on prevention of NCDs through healthy lifestyle inhealthy workplace
AMR Regional product 3.5. Regional Tool kit on Workers’ health promotion available on-line(SPANISH version)
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
11

Global product 4.1 Enhancing occupational health in primary health care
Priority
4.
Strengthening
health systems, governance,
capacities and service delivery
for workers' health

Global product 4.2 Creation, dissemination, and evaluation of training and education to
support occupational health in health care systems
Global product 4.3 Strengthening national health policies and systems regarding workers'
healthAMR Regional product 4.4. Regional Training program on occupational health for PHC
professionals. Training course available on-line for 2 years (SPANISH version)

Priority 5.
Occupational
health aspects of emerging
technologies

Priority
6.
Classification,
diagnostic
andexposure
criteria
foroccupational
diseases
Priority7.
Knowledge
networks on occupational
health of vulnerable groups
and high risk sectors

Global product 5.1. Knowledge base and framework for global action on incorporating
workers' health into global policies and sectoral strategies for green economy and green jobs
Global product 5.2. WHO Guidelines on "Protecting Workers from Potential Risks of
Manufactured Nanomaterials"(NANOH)
Global product 6.1. International classification, diagnostic and exposure criteria ofoccupational diseases

Global Product 7.1. WHO-supported knowledge networks to advance information, policies,
tools and resources to improve the health of vulnerable workers, including young workers,
ageing, informal sector and vulnerable employment.
Global Product 7.2. WHO-supported knowledge networks on improving the health of workers
in high risk sectors, including construction, mining, transport and agriculture
AMR Regional product 7.3. Regional Action Plan on preventing Occupational Injuries anddiseases in the Informal Sector

From the USA – NIOSH
WHO publishes a background document on nanotechnology
Sent by Dr. Vladimir Murashov, NIOSH E-mail: vmurashov@cdc.gov
The World Health Organization (WHO) is developing Guidelines These activities will be spread over two years starting in 2012
to “Protecting Workers from Potential Risks of Manufactured for the development of the Guidelines with an additional year
Nanomaterials” (WHO/NANOH).
for the implementation phase. WHO seeks to initiate a dialogue
with potential sponsors to explore possibilities for additional
As an initial step towards the development of these Guidelines, support for the development of these Guidelines. Potential
WHO prepared a draft background document proposing content sponsors are invited to contact the project at
and focus of the Guidelines. This background document will be nanohealth@who.int.
used by the Guideline Development Group to identify key
questions to be addressed by the Guidelines. In order to ensure These Guidelines aim at facilitating improvements intransparency and broad stakeholder participation throughout occupational health and safety of workers potentially exposed
the process of guideline development, WHO posted the to nanomaterials in a broad range of manufacturing and social
background document and the peer-review comments on the environments. It is estimated that there were 400,000 workers
project web-site; the direct link is:
employed in nanotechnology industries worldwide in 2010,
http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/
while this number would grow up to 6 million workers by 2020
nanotechnologies/en/.
(See: www.nano.gov/html/res/faqs.html).
The development of the WHO/NANOH Guidelines is presently Workers in all countries face new risks from manufacturing
funded through in-kind contributions from WHO, U.S. NIOSH applications of rapidly advancing new technologies based on
and global experts from a wide range of countries and nanoscale atomic structures known as nanomaterials. The
organizations. There is a critical need for external funding to growing list of nanomaterial applications includes cosmetics,
support a broad range of activities associated with this project food packaging, clothing, disinfectants, surface coatings, andsuch as facilitating expert participation in project meetings, paints. Most of these nanomaterials are produced with simple
holding and sponsoring expert meetings, drafting and processes and often in low and medium-income nations.
translating Guidelines and implementation documents, and Toxicological laboratory studies in animals have shown adverse
pilot testing.
effects such as inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs of animals
resulting from exposures to some nanomaterials. Although
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
12strong human studies of exposure and response to engineered Occupational Health has selected this field as one of key focus of
nanomaterials are not currently available and more research is their activity.
needed to predict the effects of nanomaterial exposures inhumans, sufficient information is available to provide interim The WHO/NANOH Guidelines will provide the basis for therecommendations and guidance about prudent approaches to development of an Implementation Guide of user-specificnanomaterial handling in the workplace.
guidance and recommendations for four target groups: country
ministries of health and labor; Occupational Safety and HealthMany low and medium-income countries lag behind in agencies and professional associations; Occupational Health andintroducing occupational safety and health guidance for Hygiene professionals; workers and management.
nanotechnology. This is why, the World Health Assembly
identified exposure to nanomaterials as a priority action for the For more information, contact Dr. Vladimir Murashov, Special
Global Plan of Action on Workers Health, it adopted in 2007, and Assistant to NIOSH Director, vmurashov@cdc.gov.
the WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centers inNews from the ILO
World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2012
Sent by Seiji Machida, Director ILO SafeWork E-mail: Safework@ilo.org
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an international are considered to be “green”, the technologies used may not beannual campaign to promote safe, healthy, and decent work safe at all. Green jobs should also be safe and healthy forheld every year on 28 April. This celebration is an integral part workers and not only protect the environment. The ILOof the Global Strategy of the ILO’s Programme on Safety and SafeWork Programme has prepared a report to serve as a
Health and the Environment (SafeWork) and its advocacy background to this theme. It highlights occupational safety andpolicy. Since 2003, the ILO observes the World Day for Safety health as an integral part of the promotion of green jobs and a
and Health at Work stressing OSH trends and the importance of greener economy as key drivers for achieving an economic andpreventing accidents and diseases at work encouraging the social development that is also environmentally sustainable.
efforts of its tripartite social partners. The 28th of April is also a
day which the world's trade union movement has long Last year over 100 countries celebrated World Day for Safety
associated with commemorating victims of occupational and Health at Work. Events ranged from events organized
accidents and diseases. This year, as in previous years, tripartite jointly by government authorities, employers' organisations andevents will be taking place world wide.
trade unions to debates, workshops and exhibitions focusing on
local priorities on occupational safety and health. There was
The theme for this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at extensive media coverage.
Work is:The ILO Report for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Promoting safety and health in a green economy
2012 and other promotional material in English, French andSpanish, will be available on the Safework’s Website for
There is a shift in the world to a greener economy. As the green downloading shortly; direct link: www.ilo.org/safeday. We
economy progresses, it is essential that safety and health at invite you to visit it and to use our products to organize yourwork are integrated into green jobs policies. Even if certain jobs activities on that date.

New 2011 edition of the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses
Sent by Seiji Machida, Director ILO SafeWork E-mail: Safework@ilo.org
A new edition of the ILO International Classification of universally recognized way to record abnormalities on the chest
Radiographs of Pneumoconioses (Revised 2011) has been radiographs systematically. It is used for diagnosis ofreleased and is now available from the ILO.
pneumoconioses and to monitor the health of workers
occupationally exposed to silica, coalmine, asbestos and other
Despite important advances in respiratory medicine in many mineral and organic dusts. Countless clinical andcountries, disability and premature deaths arising from the epidemiological research studies have relied on the ILO scheme,
inhalation of dust at work are common and remain a serious and it is frequently used to describe the appearances on chest
problem of continuing concern to the ILO.
radiographs of individuals whose lungs have been affected bytheir work and who are seeking compensation.
The ILO’s International Classification continues to provide the
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
13This revised edition of the Classification Guidelines extends the by all concerned with combating occupational lung disease inapplicability of the ILO scheme to classifications of results from both developing and developed countries.
digital radiographic images of the chest offering very practicaland beneficial solutions in many situations and countries where For further information, please visit: http://www.ilo.org/
digital techniques are progressively used. The ILO Standard safework/info/publications/WCMS_168260/lang--en/index.htm
Digital Images (ILO 2011-D) have been produced for thispurpose.
Requests for acquiring the Classification can be made to the ILO
Publications Department by fax: + 41 22 799 6938 or by email:Publication of the revised (2011) Classification will be welcomed pubvente@ilo.org

Stress Prevention at Work Checkpoints (Published by the ILO in 2012)
Sent by Seiji Machida, Director ILO SafeWork E-mail: Safework@ilo.org

Work-related stress is one of the most important issues in to incorporate stress prevention into their overall occupational
many countries. The negative impacts of stress are multiform safety and health policy and management systems. Each of theand can include circulatory and gastrointestinal diseases as well checkpoints – illustrated in full colour – describes an action,
as physical, psychosomatic and psycho-social problems. These indicates why it is necessary and how to carry it out, andin turn can lead to poor work performance, high accident and provides further hints and points to remember.
injury rates, and low productivity.
This publication will be essential reading for national
It is therefore of vital importance to optimize work conditions authorities, company and organizational managers, tradeand organization. This new ILO publication includes easy-to- unions, occupational safety and health practitioners, and otherapply checkpoints for identifying stressors in working life and parties with an interest in workplace stress prevention.
mitigating their harmful effects. It also provides guidance onlinking workplace risk assessment with the process of stress This publication could be downloaded from:prevention. The checkpoints in this publication are goodpractice for enterprises and organizations in general, and they http://www.ilo.org/global/publications/ilo-bookstore/orderare especially useful for companies and organizations that wish online/books/WCMS_168053/lang--en/index.htm

Ergonomic Checkpoints in Agriculture (Published by the ILO in 2012)
Sent by Seiji Machida, Director ILO SafeWork E-mail: Safework@ilo.org
Agriculture is one of the most hazardous sectors in both checkpoints each describe an action, indicate why it isdeveloping and developed countries. Increasing attention is necessary and how to carry it out, and provide further hints andbeing given to applying practical actions in rural and agricultural points to remember. They focus on ergonomically designed
settings to reduce work-related accidents and diseases, improve tools and on best techniques for handling materials andliving conditions and increase productivity. Reports from many arranging workstations, physical environments, welfare
countries have shown the feasibility and effectiveness of facilities, teamwork methods and community cooperation. Thisergonomic innovations that have improved working and living invaluable training tool is designed for all those concerned withconditions in rural and agricultural settings. Building on these creating a better workplace in agriculture and rural settings:
good examples, this manual is intended to present practical and employers, supervisors, workers, inspectors, safety and healthconcrete guidance on easy-to-implement ergonomic personnel, trainers and educators, extension workers,
improvements, most particularly in developing countries.
engineers, ergonomists and designers.
The result of long-term collaboration between the ILO and the This publication could be downloaded from:International Ergonomics Association, this new ILO publication http://www.ilo.org/global/publications/ilo-bookstore/ordercompiles 100 illustrated examples of practical ergonomic online/books/WCMS_168042/lang--en/index.htm
improvements that can be achieved at low or no cost. The

Occupational safety and health for children in the fishing sector: New FAO-ILO Good practice guideavailable for comments
Sent by: Halshka Graczyk, IPEC, ILO E-mail: g8ipec@ilo.org
Most experts agree that the fishing and aquaculture sector is at sea is likely to be the most dangerous occupation in therife with occupational safety and health (OSH) hazards. world (ILO, 1999). As the fisheries and aquaculture sector
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), fishing includes a wide range of activities, the associated OSH concerns
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
14

also vary, depending on technologies used and other (FAO) and ILO have developed the: “FAO-ILO good practice
circumstances.
guide for addressing child labour in fisheries and aquaculture:policy and practice,” this is a preliminary version for comments,
Child labourers are susceptible to all the dangers faced by adult which will be integrated in the final version in late 2012. The
workers when placed in the same situation, but may suffer document can be accessed through this link: ftp://ftp.fao.org/
magnified health consequences due to their special FI/DOCUMENT/child_labour_FAO-ILO/child_labour_FAOdevelopmental characteristics (such as thinner skin, deeper/ ILO.pdf.
more frequent breathing rate and poorer detoxification
processes). Workplace hazards and their associated risks may All stakeholders, including international and national
therefore be much greater for child labourers than adult development organizations, government agencies, and social
workers.
partners are encouraged to use the guidance document and toprovide comments and inputs to improve it before it isHowever many specifics are still lacking, particularly published and disseminated more widely. Feedback andinformation on the OSH hazards that child face throughout the suggestions are hence solicited and should be submitted
sector and appropriate ways of mitigating these hazards.
to termine@ilo.org by 30 April 2012. The final version will be
prepared and circulated in July 2012.
To increase the knowledge base on child labour in fisheries andto provide technical assistance for policy makers and Reference: ILO, 1999. Tripartite Meeting on Safety and Health ingovernment authorities, the Food and Agriculture Organization the Fishing Industry, Geneva, 13–17 December 1999.

News from the European Union
From EU-OSHA
Sent by: Birgit Müller, EU-OSHA E-mail: muller@osha.europa.eu

Countdown starts for new Healthy Workplaces Campaign
EU-OSHA’s next Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2012-2013 Leaflet; direct link: http://www.healthy-workplaces.eu/“Working together for risk prevention” starts on 18 April 2012 leaflet_en.pdf
and focuses on the twin concepts of management leadershipand worker participation in occupational safety and health.
Campaign Guide “Management Leadership and Worker Participation in Occupational Safety and Health”; direct link:
New campaign material already online at: www.healthyworkplaces.eu.
http://www.healthy-workplaces.eu/campaign_guide_en.pdf

Active ageing tomorrow requires good safety and health today
Occupational safety and health has a crucial role to play in across Europe, the average exit age from the labour force insecuring active ageing through a better and longer working life. 2009 was about 61.5 years according to Eurostat. In theThat’s the message that EU-OSHA is looking to communicate Eurobarometer survey, four in ten (42%) Europeans believe thatduring the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity they will be capable of doing the work they are currently doing
between Generations.
until the age of 65 or beyond, while 17% expect that they will
not be able to carry on in their current job past the age of 59. EU
The 2nd European Opinion Poll on Occupational Safety and -OSHA is actively involved in the promotion of the European
Health found that 87% of the general public across Europe Year for Active Ageing 2012 to reinforce the need for goodbelieve that good occupational health and safety practices are occupational safety and health at all stages of working life.
important to help people work for longer before they retire(including 56% who say they are ‘very important’).
Throughout the year, EU-OSHA will be publishing a range of
information products and articles on our website as well as
A recent Eurobarometer survey shows that many Europeans are passing the message on at public events and conferences.
ready for active ageing but their current occupational safety and Information available online at: http://europa.eu/ey2012/.
health conditions might not allow them to continue working toan older age. Although the typical pensionable age is 65 years
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
15

Stress in the workplace to rise, say 8 out of 10 in major pan-European opinion poll
(Excerpts from the 27 March 2012 Press Release)Job-related stress is a concern for the large majority of the Work-related stress is one of the biggest health and safety
European workforce, concludes the 2nd European Opinion Poll challenges faced in Europe, representing a huge cost in terms ofon Occupational Safety and Health. The survey, conducted by human distress and economic performance.
Ipsos MORI on behalf of the European Agency for Safety and
Health at Work (EU-OSHA), measured the opinions of over “The financial crisis and the changing world of work is making
35,000 members of the general public in 36 European countries increased demands on workers, therefore it is unsurprising thaton contemporary workplace issues including job-related stress, work-related stress is at the forefront of people’s minds,” says
and the importance of occupational safety and health for Dr Christa Sedlatschek, Director of EU-OSHA. “Regardless of age,economic competitiveness and in the context of longer working gender and organisation size an overwhelming majority oflives.
people believe that work-related stress will rise. Nonethelessthere are interesting national variations in those who expect job
Eight in ten of the working population across Europe think that -related stress to ‘increase a lot’, with Norwegians least worried
the number of people suffering from job-related stress over the (16%), for instance, and Greeks most worried about rising stressnext five years will increase (80%), with as many as 52% (83% ‘increase a lot’). Tackling psychosocial risks is a major focus
expecting this to ‘increase a lot’. This echoes the findings of EU- of EU-OSHA’s work to improve the lives of workers across
OSHA’s ESENER survey on new and emerging workplace risks Europe.”
which found that 79% of managers think that stress is an issue
in their companies, making stress at work as important as The full results of the pan-European poll are available online at:workplace accidents for companies.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/safety-health-in-figures/index_html#tabs-2

Contributions from Readers
From CanadaNews from the IRSST, Canada
Sent by: Maura Tomi, IRSST E-mail: Maura.Tomi@irsst.qc.ca
7th International Conference on Safety of Industrial Automated Systems (SIAS)
with machines.
The 7th International Conference on Safety of Industrial
Please, note that the deadline for the early registration fee is 15
Automated Systems (SIAS) will be held in Montréal, on 11-12
May 2012.
October 2012.
Leading specialists in the field have been invited to give keynote Further conference information can be found at: http://
addresses at this SIAS conference, which will be of interest to www.irsst.qc.ca/en/sias2012.html
machine system users and designers, standard-setting bodies,
manufacturers of safety systems and devices, and occupational
health and safety experts concerned about the risks associatedLooking forward to seeing you in Montréal!

Strategies for Preventing Prolonged Disability in Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
The main purpose of this literature review published by the an increasingly prevalent topic in the studies reviewed. In
IRSST (Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité addition, the investigation of psychosocial and ergonomicdu travail) was to provide an overview of the main topics and related workplace factors, especially for workers identified asrecent trends in contemporary work disability research and to being at risk of prolonged disability, is frequently considered.
identify potentially successful intervention modalities for Taking into account the different stakeholders’ points of view
preventing prolonged disability in workers compensated for also constitutes a widespread trend in contemporary researchWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs).
on intervention aimed at preventing prolonged disability inworkers compensated for WRMSDs. Finally, the literature
The major topics in work disability research appear to be the reviewed identifies a number of strategies as potentiallyfactors contributing to prolonged disability and a clear interest in successful in preventing prolonged disability.
intervention modalities for people at risk of prolonged disability.
Multidisciplinary, multimodal, and targeted intervention is also The findings of this document will provide stakeholders and
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
16

practitioners in the work disability intervention field with The document could be downloaded at:
potentially successful strategies for preventing prolonged
disability and with information about specific areas in need of http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/R-719.pdf
further research regarding workers compensated for WRMSDs.

Evaluation of whole-body vibration exposure of operators of soil compactors
The IRSST published an evaluation of whole-body vibration These results suggest that the use of an adequately tuned(WBV) exposure of operators of soil compactors. Single-drum suspension seat would be vital for limiting the exposure below
vibratory compactors are widely used for compaction of soils the action value, particularly for the 10-ton machine, which is
and road building.
most representative of the compactors used in Québec. It wasobserved that most of the compactors used in Québec do not
This study investigates vibration properties and operator employ a suspension at the seat and the cabin suspension is
exposure to WBV of single-drum vibratory soil compactors limited only to rubber mounts. Further efforts are also
through measurements, and presents spectral classes of recommended to examine the design of suspension seats usedvibration that could be applied for identifying desired in the newer vehicles and their actual adjustment in the field tointerventions. Two test series were undertaken to characterize limit the transmitted vibration. Further efforts in identifying
the mechanical vibration properties of the vehicles and optimal cabin mounts are also desirable and recommended forvibration exposure of the operators. The first test series was limiting the WBV exposure.
performed on a test track under controlled conditions, namely,
the speed, the amplitude of vibration due to the rotating mass To download the report:
integrated within the drum and the soil properties. The
objective was to determine the vibration behaviours of the http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-evaluation-ofvehicles in terms of dominant ride frequencies and probable whole-body-vibration-exposure-operators-soil-compactors-rvibration modes. The second test series was undertaken at two 709.html
different worksites in Québec in order to quantify and assess
the WBV exposure under typical working conditions.

Effects of Concentration Peaks on Styrene Neurotoxicity in the Fibreglass Reinforced Plastics
Industry
In a new research published by the IRSST, the researchers studying the chronic effects of styrene. The average duration ofobserved important styrene exposure peaks in the fibreglass exposure of the workers in our study was only 5.6 years, which
reinforced plastics industry; in certain cases, the measured could explain the negative results that we obtained. The
styrene values even exceeded the standards prescribed by the concentrations of the peaks remain high in the fibreglass
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety. reinforced plastics industry (FRPI) and must continue to receive
Furthermore, the researchers noted that the volunteers particular attention by occupational hygienists when measuringexposed to styrene at average concentrations of 137 mg/m3 styrene concentrations in the workplace.
showed a frequency of irritation symptoms higher than the“Control group” or the “Average group.”
To download the full text, please visit:
As to the nervous system, the results showed no relationship http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-effects-ofbetween styrene at the exposure levels in this study and concentration-peaks-on-styrene-neurotoxicity-fibreglassmeasurable effects. The results obtained with the “Group with reinforced-plastics-industry-r-728.html
peaks” were no different from those obtained with the “Control
group” and the “Group without peaks”.
The document is available in French as well at:
In several studies, the styrene exposure duration (more than http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-effects-ofeight years) has been demonstrated to have a possible effect on concentration-peaks-on-styrene-neurotoxicity-in-the-fibreglassthe nervous system. This is an important factor to consider in reinforced-plastics-sector-phase-ii-r-640.html

From Ghana
Sowing the seeds for occupational hygiene in West Africa
Sent by Mahinda Seneviratne mahindas@hotmail.com
Dr Edith Clarke essieclarke@yahoo.com
Sweating from excessive heat from the furnace and the metal breakers’ welding fumes, while overhead cranes
noise from machinery limiting communication, thetravelled rapidly with loads of scrap metal dangling
young workers wore dust masks for protection fromprecariously on magnets.

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
17

The site visit to a medium-sized steel plant in Accra’s industrial
suburb could not have given a better field experience of the diverse
workplace hazards in a medium-sized industrial enterprise in
Ghana.

The occupational hygiene workshop was attended by 37
participants from a diverse range of professions including
medical specialists, OHS practitioners and public health officers
from national, regional and district levels in Ghana. Participantsfrom other African countries, including Nigeria and Namibia, as
Most of the participants had attended a workshop on well as representatives from WHO and ILO also attended.
“Occupational Hygiene: A tool to improve OH in SMEs”, held
earlier in the week and had identified and discussed case The workshop was facilitated by occupational hygienist
studies of such hazards during the group sessions
Mahinda Seneviratne from Australia, Professors Ing-Marie
Andersson and Gunnar Rosen from Dalarna University, Sweden,and Dr Kurt Rasmussen, an occupational physician from Herning
Hospital, Denmark. This occupational hygiene workshop, which
ran in parallel with a risk assessment workshop facilitated by a
US EPA scientist, covered basic occupational hygiene concepts,
case studies from SME as well as practical examples of video
exposure monitoring.
Ghana is a country of 25 million people located on the western
coast of sub-Saharan Africa. Its ancient gold mining andmetallurgical reputation drew European powers from the 15th
century to its coastline, which later was ruled until the 20 th
century by Britain as the Gold Coast. Today Ghana is a
developing economy with a majority of workers in the
agricultural sector and more than 90% of the workforce in small
and medium size enterprises, or in the informal economy.
Ghana has a rapidly expanding petro-chemical sector, which
will require skilled occupational hygiene and environmental
assessment personnel. While providing some building blocks for
The workplace visits were the culmination of the ICOH the Ghanaians to develop its emerging occupational hygiene
Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health in Small capabilities, the event also provided the visiting professionals
and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), held on 18-20 October with an insight into Ghana’s strong scientific and medical
2011, in Accra. The conference and workshops were organised education base as well as its rich culture and fascinating history.
by a team led by Dr Edith Clarke, Head of Occupational andEnvironmental Health at the Ghana Health Service, in This two-way exchange of knowledge is critical in promoting thecollaboration with the International Commission on aims and objectives of organisations such as IOHA and ICOH in
Occupational Health (ICOH) Scientific Committee on developing national capabilities in occupational health globally.
Occupational Health in Small-scale Enterprises and the Informal This experience in Ghana showed us that African countries have
Sector. It was supported by a number of government, keen and energetic young professionals with much potential;
professional and private sector organisations in Ghana. This however, they have been for far too long overlooked inimportant Conference was presented on the November issues international efforts in these areas.
of the ICOH newsletter – direct link: http://www.icohweb.org/
site_new/multimedia/newsletter/pdf/
Dr Ali El Sherif, Chief Medical Officer, Occupational Healthicoh_newsletter_2011_11.pdf
Services of Namibia concluded: “We face similar problems as
Ghana in relation to the delivery of OHS services to the SME
sector in Namibia. This workshop has given us a better
appreciation of occupational hygiene and how we can use thisdiscipline more effectively in our countries.”
Group work on case studies at hygiene workshop

You can access previous issues of the
IOHA Newsletter at:
www.ioha.net/newsletter.html
Site visit to steel making plant near Accra

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
18

From Japan
Report on Indium and its compounds as respirable dust
Sent by Masayoshi Karasawa, Special Adviser of JAWEE-mail:m19419k@yahoo.co.jp
The Expert Committee on measures for preventing health Taking a serious view of this report, MHLW followed, organizedhazards caused by toxic chemical substances, organized by the and conducted, during recent years, comprehensive studies on
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Japan, and risk of health impairment due to exposure to ITO, including
whose Chairperson is Mr. Seiichiro Kanno (National Institute of detailed evaluation of ITO toxicity; research on actual working
Occupational Safety and Health) finalized, in November 2011, conditions in manufacturing, processing or handling of these
the report on Indium and its compounds (excluding dust of substances, and work environment and personal exposure
metal Indium or Indium alloy), as respirable dusts, as well as measurements.
Indium Oxide (evolving from molten Metal Indium).
The results from the MHLW were disclosed in 2010. In view of
Indium and Tin Oxide (ITO) have been manufactured, processed these results and the need to manage/control ITO in order toor handled in large quantities in Japan, as important raw prevent health hazards to workers, MHLW organized two Expert
materials for the manufacture of liquid crystal and other display Committees, namely on “risk assessment due to toxic chemical
devices (e.g., for personal computers, televisions, portable substances” and “measures to prevent health hazards caused
terminal devices, including touch-screen applications). Japan is by toxic chemical substances”. The latter focused on, thethe largest manufacturer of ITO, with about 80% of the world prevention of health hazards caused by Indium and its
production.
compounds, and prepared “The Technical Guideline forPreventing Health Impairment of Workers Engaged in the
The Expert Committee concluded that, in order to prevent Indium Tin Oxide Handling Processes”, which was finalized inserious diseases, such as lung cancer, interstitial pneumonia, September 2010.
pulmonary emphysema, pneumothorax or alveolar proteinosis
in workers who engage in manufacturing, processing or From the results of the above-mentioned studies, remarkablehandling of this group of substances, these should be strictly knowledge was obtained, concerning ITO toxicity and its
controlled, as potential carcinogens to humans by the threshold value, including:
Ordinance on Prevention of Hazards Due to Specified Chemical
Substances. However, at present, in view of insufficient data,  ITO may be a carcinogen to humans, if it is inhaled as
the Expert Committee could not determine the carcinogenicity
respirable dust;of metallic Indium or Indium alloy dust to humans, if not  ITO may induce cancer at very low concentrations; according
accompanied by a melting process.
to the above-mentioned inhalation carcinogenicity studies,
its LOAEL (lowest observable adverse effect level), inducing a
Nevertheless, there is a serious health threat to workers
statistically significant increase of bronchiolo-alveolar
engaged in activities of manufacturing, processing and handlingadenoma and carcinoma, was 0.01mg/㎥.
associated to ITO. In 2003, it was reported, in a Japanese plant, As to serious health hazards, other than cancer, a value ofthat a worker engaged in finishing compacted ITO by wet-43
3.0×10mg/m as an exposure limit would be acceptable.
grinding was diagnosed with interstitial pneumonia and died ofbilateral pneumothorax. Another example is the death, in 2010,of an operator of a hydrogen furnace in an American ITO plant It should be noted that the Japanese results concerning
occupational exposure limit (threshold value) for Indium and its
due to respiratory failure as result of alveolar proteinosis.
3compounds, derived from the LOAEL of 0.01mg/m, led to a
In July 2004, the MHLW recognized this health threat tomuch lower concentration than the ACGIH TLV-TWA of 0.1
workers, and issued the notification by the Director of Chemical
Hazards Control Division, Occupational Safety and Health mg/㎥ and also the work place exposure limit in the UK.
Department, Labour Standards Bureau, alerting as to the risk ofserious pulmonary disease due to the exposure to sintered Working environment measurements, including personalmaterials containing 90 % indium oxide and 10 % tin oxide and exposure measurements, under actual working conditions in
manufacturing, processing or handling ITO, showed Indium
requesting measures to prevent exposure to ITO.
-4
concentrations much higher than 3.0×10mg/㎥.
Therefore, manufacturers in Japan were requested to conduct
experimental toxicology studies with respect to ITO both Based on this important knowledge, the Expert Committee
concerning carcinogenicity and chronic toxicity (as a long term, considered that it was necessary to adopt measures to prevent
two years toxicity study), as well as sub-acute toxicity studies. the serious consequences of exposure to ITO, and finalized
This study was contracted to the Japan Bioassay Research control standards (under the Ordinance on Prevention ofCentre and the final report, which was published as three Hazards Due to Specified Chemical Substances under thescientific articles in the Journal of Occupational Health, Japan Occupational Safety and Health Law), containing measures that(Vol.53; No.2 March, No.3 May, 2011) and can be downloaded include:
from: http://joh.sanei.or.jp/e/index.html, presented clear
evidence of carcinogenicity of inhaled ITO in rats.
IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
19

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)
6)
7)

Containment of factory equipment, which manufacture,  Measures to prevent Indium and ITO related diseases
process, or handle ITO (including Indium Oxide
should be required not only in Japan but also in all countries
generated from melting metal Indium), and installation
dealing these substances;of local exhaust ventilation including the push-pull type;  Occupational Health Standards to prevent the aboveAdequate Management of the related work methods,
mentioned diseases should be internationally harmonized.
including appointment of a supervisor knowledgeableon prevention of health hazards posed by chemicals;
Since industry has a legitimate concern, it is important to bring
Good housekeeping of workplaces, through appropriate these conclusions, including its scientific and medical bases, tocleaning methods, in order to prevent secondary dust the international community in order to get understanding
sources;from colleagues around the world, hopefully leading to similar
Use of appropriate respiratory personal protective control requirements everywhere.
equipments in response to the very low target
occupational exposure limit;
NOTE: Further information, including details on how theWorking environment measurements;
threshold values were calculated, both concerning
Specific health surveillance;
carcinogenicity and other serious health hazards, may be
Preparing, and keeping for thirty years, work records obtained from the author, Mr. M. Karasawa, Licensed
and summaries of handling procedures, as well as Occupational Hygiene Consultant, Member of the Expert
resultsfromrelatedworkingenvironment Committee on the Measures for Prevention of Health Hazards
measurements and specific health surveillance.
caused by Toxic Chemical Substances, MHLW, Japan.

In November 2011, the Committee held a public hearing,
involving representatives from the concerned industries, who
expressed the following:

From the Netherlands
And the Winner is……………….
Sent by Andrea Hidding, NVvA E-mail: Andrea.Hiddinga@arbounie.nl
The “Buitenlandbeurs” Prize for Foreign projects was granted Summary of the projects
for the fifth time, on 25 March 2012, by the NVvA, theNetherlands.
Project 1 - Improvement of labour conditions in the Clothing
industry of Bangladesh by Koen Verbist and Hester Dekker
The “Buitenlandbeurs” offers the Dutch Association of
Occupational Hygiene (NVvA) the possibility to promote Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an international verification
occupational health in developing countries, with an amount of initiative dedicated to enhancing workers’ lives all over the€10.000 available for one or more projects. This year three world. FWF works closely with a growing number of companies
completely different projects were submitted. In this article that produce clothing and other sewn products and that takeyou will find a small summary of the projects and the name of responsibility for their supply chain. FWF keeps track of thethe winner.
improvements made by the companies it works with. And
through sharing expertise, social dialogue and strengthening
industrial relations, FWF increases the effectiveness of theefforts made by companies.
The fair wear foundation has own auditors which audit theclothing companies on occupational hygiene. The audits are on
one side focussed on the inspection of documents and on theother side on the actual working condition in the factory.
Workers are interviewed and the plant/factory is inspected.
From the FWF the impression exists that the auditors haveenough knowledge for a global inspection but on specific items(e.g., chemical agents) they do not always find the relevant
sources of information. As a result of that, the inspection
reports differ significantly.

NVvA President Joost van Rooij
presenting the Buitenlandbeurs prize

1) The project is focussed on supporting the auditors withcustomized information and support so they are better able
to identify the risks and give advice on corrective actions.
2) Developing a guidance document on dangerous substances
for the FWF that can be deployed within shoe factories as
information and communication tool3) Develop a format about exposure to chemicals that the FWF
can incorporate in the code of conduct for clothing

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
20

companies. Working with chemicals is in the code of project 5x Better, Work is healthy and focuses on improvement
conduct almost not addressed.
of working conditions in the metal and wood industry in
Zambia. The project 5x Better, Work is healthy is an initiative ofProject 2 - Strengthening of the Latin American occupational employer organizations and unions in the Metalworking andhygiene associations by means of the preparation of a Metal electro in the Netherlands, to improve working
common work program by Rudolf van der Haar
conditions.
Rudolf van der Haar is an occupational hygienist working with
División de Servicios de Prevención in Barcelona (Spain). The
project has as a main goal strengthening of the Latin American
occupational hygiene associations by means of the preparationof a common work program.

This project is carried out in cooperation with St. Ambroseinstitute. St. Ambrose is an educational institute in Kafue(Zambia) for young Zambian people. In return for work, theZambians earn a part of their education. Knowledge in the areaof safety and health is limited.

Currently, there are six occupational hygiene associations in The project 5x Better, Work is healthy want to provide the St.
several Latin American countries. Some members of these Ambrose institute with, safety instruction leaflet (for every
associations participated in the first consultative meeting on department), Instruction and education for teachers, student
occupational hygiene held in 1998 in São Paulo (Brazil). During and supervisors on occupational exposure (dust, noise, welding
this meeting, profession development strategies were fumes) and safe work procedures, good housekeeping e.g. andidentified, emphasizing the important role of the professional finally the chance for a Zambian metalworker to come to theassociations for its implementation.
Netherlands and get an education in a Dutch metal company.
Although in later years various Latin American associations’ The jury
maintained contact with each other, no specific follow-up
meeting of the agreements reached in Sao Paulo, has been A jury of four experienced occupational hygienists (P. Swuste, J.
organized. For this reason, this project aims to give new Terwoert, M. Sturm and V. Correia) judged the three submitted
impetus to coordinate and implement occupational hygiene projects on different aspects such as the choice of subject,
activities in Latin America by organizing a new meeting with the originality, population at risk, relation with activities of theprofessional associations.
NVvA, transparency of the project, possibilities of realisation,
succession on short term and implementation chances on longTo achieve this objective poll among the Latin American term. It was a close call between 2 projects,
occupational hygiene associations will be conducted in order toestablish a detailed agenda for the meeting and to prepare And the winner is.........Rudolf van der Haar.
needed working documents. Secondly a meeting withparticipation of the Latin American occupational hygiene In the jury report the importance of this initiative, focussing on
associations will be organized. The coordination of these strengthening the contacts with Latin American countries, anactivities will be led by Rudolf van der Haar, vice president of area where business development goes fast, is emphasized.
the Spanish Association of Industrial Hygiene and member of
the Foundation "Heath Workers Impulse" in conjunction with On behalf of the Dutch Association of Occupational Hygiene
the board of all involved associations.
(NVvA) we like to congratulate Rudolf and his co-workers withthe price of €10.000. We look forward to hear from him next
Project 3 - A safe future for the Zambian wood en metal year on the NVvA conference, where he will be presenting theworker by Hilde Bussink and Annemieke Leegwater
results of this project.
The third project was submitted by the coaches from theDisclaimer:
While great care is taken with the compilation of this Newsletter, IOHA, its Directors, the Editor and the authors of articles accept no
responsibility for opinions, errors and omissions that may be made in this Newsletter. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed
articles rests solely with their authors and does not constitute an endorsement by the IOHA.

International Occupational Hygiene Association
5/6 Melbourne Business Court
Millennium Way
Derby DE24 8LZ
UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1332 298101

Fax: +44 (0) 1332 298099 email: admin@ioha.net web: www.ioha.net

A Company Limited by Guarantee

Registered in England No. 06327692

IOHA Newsletter April 2012www.ioha.net
21