CIS NEWSLETTER No.162 March 2003
CIS Newsletter celebrates 15 years & still going strong! Bringing news to over 135 countries in the CIS Network
Contents
p.1 Editorial
p.2 Important News from CIS HQ
p.3 Annual CIS Meeting & Workshops in London, UK and accommodation
p.5 News from around the World - Australia, Belgium, Canada, European Agencies, ILO Geneva, Netherlands, UK, USA
p. 14 Introducing IALI
p. 17 Web sites to explore
p. 20 Diary of Events
______
Editorial
Dear CIS Colleagues
Recently you should have received your copy of the CIS Annual Meeting Report 2002 and will no doubt be writing your 2003 report (don't these years move on quickly?)
You will have seen the details in the January and February 2003 CIS Newsletter regarding the 2003 CIS AGM, visits and workshops. This month's Newsletter contains some more details and repeat of information in case some people missed the previous editions.
2003 CIS Annual Meeting will be the week beginning 19 May 2003 in London, UK. The full programme is below including accommodation opportunities. The April Newsletter will contain just a summary of the programme.
REMEMBER THE MEETING IS ONLY 2 MONTHS AWAY! and time flies by very quickly!!!!
Also remember to send to Geneva HQ any items which you wish to have placed on the agenda. If you wish to give a presentation please let CIS HQ and myself know so we can ensure the programme runs smoothly. You should send as soon possible any items you wish to have discussed. Also remember to send your annual reports in early.
As usual many thanks to all the contributors to this edition of your Newsletter - all news however small is most welcomed. If you are planning any publications, seminars or training courses, then please send your details to me so that we can share your efforts with others. Don't forget to send me your latest news!
Over 100 individuals and organisations have let me know that wish to receive the Newsletter by email....if you wish to join just let me know and I will send it. CIS newsletters can be found on click onto CIS Newsletters!
Perhaps your own website will want to link to them?
Best wishes to you and your colleagues.
Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd
85 The Meadows, Todwick,
Sheffield S26 1JG, UK
Tel: +441909 771024 Fax: +441909 772829
Email:
______
CIS NETWORK OF NATIONAL INFORMATION
CENTRES......
WORKING TOGETHER AND HELPING EACH OTHER....
______
News from CIS HQ, Geneva
Emmert Clevenstine writes:
CIS Web Portal
Despite the existence of this web site for some time there are, unfortunately only a very few entries. Send you details as soon as possible to make this web site more useful.
Update of the CIS Centres Directory
As usual, several Centres have informed us of changes in their telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, logos and names. Please check the address and other co-ordinates of the Centres in the list of CIS Centres. You may also have a look at the Directory on the CIS Web site:
We take the opportunity to thank you for helping us keep the CIS Centres Directory up to date. And again, don't forget to have a look at the many attractive Web pages of the CIS Centres!
We have great pleasure in announcing that the National Safety Council of the USA has become a CIS Collaborating Centre for this country after a long history of active cooperation, and we look forward to many more years of even more fruitful collaboration. We are also very happy to announce the joining of the Caribbean Safety Development Programme as a new CIS Collaborating Centre in Antigua and Barbuda.
The work of the CIS is shared with an international network of over 130 institutions in ILO member States - National and Collaborating Centres. In most cases, these Centres are government agencies with direct responsibilities for labour affairs, but employers' organizations, workers' organizations and independent institutes are represented as well. They contribute to the processing and dissemination of information by collecting the relevant literature published in their countries and sending it to the CIS; they may also prepare abstracts of the documents, promote the publications of the CIS and other ILO units, produce translations of these publications, collaborate in the compilation of multilingual dictionaries in the area of occupational safety and health, participate in the annual meetings of the CIS Centres and engage in joint efforts to use the latest information technology to disseminate occupational safety and health information.
A country may have only one National Centre. When a National Centre is not enough to serve a country, for linguistic, geographical or demographic reasons, or when responsibilities for occupational safety and health are widely diffused, one or more Collaborating Centres may be named. It may also occur that no one institution qualifies as a National Centre, while one may be designated as a Collaborating Centre.
You can find information on our Centres in three ways. There is an alphabetic list on a series of small, fast loading web pages. For printing purposes you can load a singe-file version as well. Using the Database of OSH Institutions and CIS Centres you can search & update the data on-line. For in-depth information, including a search engine that works on all the Centres' pages, visit our Centres Portal at
______
CIS Annual Meeting 2003
Financial constraints are everywhere but ANY COUNTRY/CIS CENTRE RECEIVING TECHNICAL AID WHO BELIEVE THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE to go to the 2003 UK meetings SHOULD CONTACT THEIR OWN COUNTRY PROJECT TECHNICAL OFFICER IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND IMMEDIATELY.
CIS activities during the week
NB Changes taking place all the time>
Monday 19 May 2003 and Tuesday 20 May 2003
RoSPA Expo and Conference - Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK
About 1 hour train journey from London Euston Station
This is a mega sized expo shows - well worth a visit and covering:
- Health and Safety
- Fire
- Security
Tuesday 20 May 2003
For those not wishing to go to Birmingham, an alternative visit is being arranged to the British Library. Details to follow.
Wednesday 21 May 2003
At the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London
Two workshops will be held:
Wednesday 21 May 2003 Morning :
Creating the electronic OSH information and knowledge service and centre. There will be various presentations and discussions.
To be successful, OSH managers constantly need to reassess the effectiveness of their information services and to ascertain whether they are really delivering the services needed by their users. In doing so it is now essential to take on board the opportunities afforded by new technology. An information service is no longer necessarily defined by the restrictions of a particular physical location or specific opening hours.
For anyone wishing to establish an electronic information/knowledge service, whatever the type or size of organization they work in, and is equally essential for those wishing to convert an existing traditional service into an e-information service. Ideas and examples of how an e-information service can be created, maintained and marketed in a cost effective way. Key issues covered include:
·Introducing the concept of the e-information service
·What kind of an information service do you want to provide?
·Where are the customers?
·What kind of information do your customers need – and in what formats?
·Who needs to be involved in your plans?
·Budgeting for your e-information service
·Keeping in touch with your customers
·Keeping one step ahead of your competitors.
Wednesday 21 May 2003 Afternoon
Creating the successful OSH Publicity Campaign involving inspectors,
Workshop 2. Promotion and Publicity Ideas for CIS Centres
This will have short presentations about 20 minutes each (IS that long enough for you or do you want 30 minutes - just let me know
a) Vern Anderson NIOSH
- how NIOSH have started to get their messages out in different ways
- evaluating NIOSH information dissemination
- via the web, via links to industry sectors eg. construction industry
- recognising Spanish language speakers need to get information
- also web site pages
- via exhibitions, seminars and training courses
- revamping web site
- Toll Free number
- links and sponsorships
b) Irja Laamanen FIOH
- how FIOH promotes Inf centre, both inside FIOH and outside
- what is done, any special successes
- any information training courses - how you promote these
c) Sheila Pantry
- ideas which have been used and which have made impact regarding awareness of OSH products, web sites, brochures
- using press releases, journals, newsletters etc
- "paid for promotion"
- free promotion - ideas and successes
- linking with groups
d) Roman Litvyakov - experiences in creating a Information service - the virtual
Internet Academy of Safe Work and Russian Information System for labour
Protection.
e) hope to get someone else - perhaps one of the Asia or African countries.... working on this! Does anyone want to make a 10-15 minute presentation?
Then a BREAKOUT INTO GROUPS and for the delegates to think about a "topical subject" and make a PR plan - we did something similar a few years ago - but the technologies are helping to get messages out in various ways.
Also when we go to the HSE for the visit on Thursday 22 May 2003 I have asked them to do a session on how they organise Campaigns etc so that will be complementary to our workshops.
There will be various presentations and discussions. The participants should be able to draw up their own campaigns after this workshop and also the visit to HSE the next day.
Wednesday Evening 18.00 - 19.30
There will be a get-together "Reception" sponsored by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd held in the Atrium at the Imperial Hotel at 18.00. Rest of the evening free.
______
Thursday 22 May 2003 morning 10.00-13.00
Visit to the UK Health and Safety Executive, Globe Room, Rose Court, London
A number of presentations will be given by HSE staff and will complement the workshops held the previous day. HSE is the National CIS Centre.
Buffet Lunch, kindly provided by HSE will be served after the morning meeting.
Because the location of the Health and Safety Executive, Rose Court, Southwark Bridge Road which is south of the River Thames - it is proposed that people meet at the Imperial Hotel at 09.00 hours and that we go into by taxi cab (5 people to a taxi).
______
Thursday 22 May 2003 afternoon 14.00 - 17.00
Back at the Imperial Hotel, Tudor Room, London The 2003 CIS Annual Meeting will start. Please let Emmert Clevenstine or Sheila Pantry know if you wish to give a short (10 minutes) presentation .
Thursday evening - Free for late night shopping, theatre, music, eating or just enjoying London!
Friday 23 May 2002 09.30 - 15.00
The 2003 CIS Annual Meeting will continue.
There will be two presentations:
Roger Bibbings MBE will talk about the role and activities of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). RoSPA has been in existence for over 80 years and is instrumental through its many activities in being a major "mover and shaker" in the UK OSH scene.
Representative from NEBOSH - the National Examining Board for Occupational Safety and Health will be introducing the new International Certificate for Occupational Safety and Health.
______
Hotel Accommodation for CIS Meeting.....
To help you....
1. Arrangements have been made with the Imperial London Hotels Ltd regarding hotel bookings which people must booked themselves.
2. The Imperial Group offer the following hotels - all in the Russell Square location.
A 10% reduction of the usual price has been arranged - see details below.
If CIS members wish to share twin rooms then this of course will cut the costs again.
Imperial Hotel £65.70 single £87.30 twin room (£43.65 each if sharing)
with Full English Breakfast.
Ask for a quiet room looking over the Courtyard.
President Hotel £67.00 single £89.00 twin room (£44.50 each if sharing)
with Full English Breakfast.
Royal National Hotel £66.00 £85.00 twin room (£42.50 each if sharing)
with CONTINENTAL Breakfast ONLY
Bedford Hotel £71.00 single £94.00 twin room (£47.00 each if sharing)
with Full English Breakfast.
Tavistock Hotel £61.00 single £81.00 twin room (£40.50 each if sharing)
with Full English Breakfast.
All the above Hotels have ensuite bathrooms and showers, TV and Radio
There is also>
County Hotel £39.00 single £50.00 twin room (£25.00 each if sharing)
with Full English Breakfast.
NOTE Without private bathrooms.
Contact:
Reservations Manager
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London WC1B 5BB
Tel: +44 20 7278 7871 Fax: +44 20 7837 4653
email:
for further details of the hotels, map etc.
NB When making the booking mention the CIS Meeting being held in the Imperial Hotel arranged by Sheila Pantry and ensure that you have the discounted prices. Please note that Sheila cannot make your bookings - you will have to make your own reservation using credit card or other deposit.
Overlooking some of London's most beautiful garden squares The Imperial Hotels have bars, coffee shops, Internet cafes and all are within walking distance of major attractions such as the British Museum, Covent Garden, Theatreland, Oxford Street - for shopping, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and the National and Portrait Galleries.
The Imperial hotels are surrounded by a wide choice of cafes, bars, restaurants to suit all tastes.
There are of course 100s of hotels and other guest accommodation in London, remember that London is very, very busy in the morning rush hour and public transport is very crowded and can add to your travel costs.
______
New European Legislation
New pieces of legislation from the European Parliament are available free of charge and in full text from the European Commission web site quoted below
NB THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL IS NOW ENTITLED Official Journal of the European Union not COMMUNITIES
Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) (Seventeenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Official Journal of the European Union, L42, VOL. 46 , 15.2.2003, 38-44
go to page 38
Directive 2003/11/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003 amending for the 24th time Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (pentabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether)
Official Journal of the European Union, L42, VOL. 46 , 15.2.2003, 45-47
go to page 45
Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC
Official Journal of the European Union, L41, VOL. 46 , 14.2.2003, 26 -32
go to page 26-32
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 172/2002 of 6 December 2002 amending Annex XVIII (Health and safety at work, labour law, and equal treatment for men and women) to the EEA Agreement
Official Journal of the European Union, L38, VOL. 46 , 13.2.2003, 38-39
go to page 38-39
Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
Official Journal of the European Union, L37, VOL. 46 , 13.2.2003, 19 -23
go to page 19-23
Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
Official Journal of the European Union, L37, VOL. 46 , 13.2.2003, 24-38
go to page 24-38
Directive 2002/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 December 2002 amending Directive 97/68/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery
Official Journal of the European Union, L35, VOL. 46 , 11.2.2003, 28-81
go to page 28-81
______
News from Canada
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is now offering
a free, monthly e-news service to all Canadians and global workplace participants.
Signing up is quite easy. Just visit
and click on the "e-news" tab in the top navigation bar to subscribe for free.
For further information contact:
Sue Andreychuk, Marketing Officer
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
250 Main Street East
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1H6
Phone 905-572-2981 ext 4554
Fax 905-572-2206
______
Flomerics plc help mobile phone manufacturers minimise the amount of electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by their handsets
A new version of a simulation software package developed by UK-based Flomerics plc ( is set to help mobile phone manufacturers minimise the amount of electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted by their handsets, thereby reducing the potential health-risks associated with mobile phone use.
As controversy and concern continues to rise over the damaging effects that the absorption of EM radiation can have on human brain tissue, Flomerics' Micro-Stripes v6.1 software will enable mobile phone manufacturers to ensure that their products are safer.
Micro-Stripes v6.1 gives mobile phone manufacturers the ability to ensure their new devices meet Government Radio Frequency (RF) guidelines by simulating and evaluating electromagnetic emissions from a standard mobile phone antenna. By considering the characteristics of human brain tissue, such as density and its electrical properties, the software is able to visually and mathematically represent the penetration and the absorption rate of electromagnetic radiation into the brain.
The new software package from Flomerics has been launched amid increasing concern that exposure to mobile phone radiation may destroy cells in parts of the brain and can affect memory, movement and learning, and could cause premature onset of illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease or even cancer. Although it is not yet clear whether these findings can be applied directly to humans, recent laboratory tests on rats have shown that the radiation from mobile phones has an adverse effect on their overall health. There have also been reports of people suffering from headaches, fatigue and loss of concentration after using their mobile phones. In Britain, a 27-year old woman with a brain tumour is taking a mobile phone manufacturer to court, whilst biologist, Roger Coghill, has been given permission to bring a case against a provider of mobile phone equipment for failing to warn people of radiation hazards.