Dear Colleagues,
After retiring from WHO, where I worked for 25 years, I am honoured to be the new editor of our Newsletter. In view of this transition period, there was a delay in this first Newsletter of the year 2000, therefore, the next one will be in August/September. I will be most grateful to receive your opinions, suggestions, requests and contributions (including on upcoming events). For the next issue, please, send contributions by 1st August. I will now briefly mention the contents of the present Newsletter.
IOHA is about promoting our profession worldwide at a high level of professionalism and, within this spirit, an IOHA International Workshop on 'Certification of Occupational Hygienists' was held in London, November 1999. Vernon Rose, chairman and rapporteur of the workshop, sent to the Newsletter a Summary of this important activity. For ease of reference, the previous IOHA report on this subject, prepared by A. Burdorf (1995), can be found on-line.
Our president, Paul Oldershaw, also contributed by sending some thought-provoking points concerning the review of the structure for chemical exposure limits in the UK. This brings to mind the fact that our profession is not only about applying norms and rules, but it must often go beyond, in the search for the best scientific knowledge. Legislation is not always as quick as it should in responding to new scientific evidence; for example, it happens that the official OEL for a carcinogen is still what it was when the substance was considered to be only a moderately toxic agent, even after years of change by a number of other national and international institutions to extremely low levels.
It is therefore essential to have access to up-to-date information. As we all know, the Internet provides an incredibly easy way to do this, however, it is important to know where to find reliable information pertaining to our profession. Our colleague David W. Stanton sent a collection of useful WWW sites. I would like to propose that we keep enriching this initial list; additional contributions will appear in the following Newsletters.
IOHA is also about joining efforts towards an increasingly effective practice of occupational hygiene. Sharing knowledge and experiences is essential and the Newsletter is meant to provide a forum for this, therefore I invite you to contribute with short summary descriptions of any pragmatic control solutions you may have designed and successfully applied. This is particularly important for small-scale enterprises, which is a subject that, I believe, we should eventually discuss (suggestions for the next Newsletters ?)
In this line, I am pleased to announce that one of the last documents I was responsible for in WHO, on prevention and control of exposure to dusts, was published in December 1999. I am presenting to you something about its background, contents, and how to obtain it. The aim of WHO in preparing such documents is to put together the best knowledge and experience around and publish it so that it may be shared worldwide.
More news from WHO: The Regional Office for EURO started an important initiative and Kurt Leichnitz, who attended the initial meeting in Bilthoven, provided us with a summary.
Concerning the Americas (PAHO/WHO), I am pleased to inform you that the document 'El Higienista Ocupacional en América Latina y el Caribe - Una Guia para su Desarrollo Profesional' ('The Occupational Hygienist in Latin America and the Caribbean - a Guideline for Professional Development') will be published soon (in Spanish). Although adapted to another Region, it follows an approach similar to the EURO/WHO (1992) publication 'Occupational Hygiene in Europe: Development of the Profession', and also contains the profile of the occupational hygienist and training requirements, including detailed areas of knowledge.
There is a tremendous need for adequate professional development in occupational hygiene. The international harmonization of concepts and requirements will certainly pave the way for a universal understanding of what our profession really is and what the profile of an occupational hygienist should be. In the October 1999 issue of this Newsletter, Maharshi Mehta described India's First Master in Industrial Hygiene Programme; information on similar developments in other countries would be most welcome.
Do remember and spread the word about the 4th IOHA International Scientific Conference on Occupational Hygiene, taking place in Cairns, Australia, 10-14 July 2000. The theme for this conference - 'Occupational Hygiene in Developing Countries' - very well reflects the ideals of IOHA, which include strengthening the profession in developing countries. For ease of reference, the site with all the information is: outdated link removed
Also this year, the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) is organizing the 26th International Congress on Occupational Health, ICOH 2000, in Singapore, 27th August-1st September 2000. The theme for the 26th ICOH Congress is "Healthy Worker, Healthy Workplace: a New Millennium".
The AIHCE 2000, this year in Orlando, FL, USA, 20-25 May, should also be mentioned, as it is the largest national occupational hygiene conference (in fact, very international). The theme 'Prevention - Our Mission for the 21st Century' could not be more adequate and timely, as this is the ultimate goal of our profession. There is an avalanche of knowledge waiting to be applied into effective prevention;let's do it!
Thank you for your attention and best greetings to all !
Berenice Goelzer
E-mail:berenice#goelzer.net
Occupational diseases and health impairment occur every day throughout the world, due to lack or inadequacy of prevention and control measures in the workplace. If the vast available knowledge on hazard prevention and control were correctly and timely applied, exposure to hazardous agents and hence the associated harmful effects, could be avoided or greatly reduced. Unfortunately, this does not always happen; for example, although silicosis has been known for centuries, exposure to dusts containing free crystalline silica remains uncontrolled in countless workplaces everywhere, mostly but not exclusively in developing countries, still leading to 'text book' cases of this preventable disease. It often happens that more resources are placed into dealing with the consequences of harmful occupational exposure than into actually preventing them.
As Alice Hamilton, pioneer occupational physician and hygienist, said: '...obviously, the way to attack silicosis is to prevent the formation and escape of dust...'
There is a worldwide need to effectively apply existing knowledge into appropriate preventive strategies in the workplace. As very well said in a Zen proverb:'Knowing and not applying is the same as not knowing'.
In order to contribute to wider and more effective application of technical and scientific knowledge on hazard prevention and control, the occupational health programme of the World Health Organization launched (in 1995) the 'Prevention And Control Exchange'(PACE) Initiative, with the following long-term objectives:
to promote awareness and political will concerning the need for prevention and control as a priority element of occupational health programmes, and,
to strengthen or develop, at the national level, technical and managerial capabilities for the prevention and control of occupational hazards, through efficient and sustainable programmes, emphasizing anticipated preventive action, source control, safe work practices, workers' participation and environmental protection.
It should be mentioned that the World Health Organization, together with its network of Collaborating Centres for Occupational Health, developed and published, in 1995, a 'Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All', in order to identify the main needs and establish priorities for action, both at the country and global levels, as well as to trigger the necessary awareness and political commitment to develop appropriate occupational health services, through intersectoral coordination and international collaboration. Recommended key principles for international and national occupational health policies include, among others: avoidance of hazards (primary prevention); safe technology; optimization of working conditions; and integration of production with health and safety activities.
Yet another international initiative should be mentioned, the 'ILO/WHO International Programme on the Elimination of Silicosis', launched in 1995, in response to a need clearly demonstrated by the global prevalence of this serious occupational disease.
In view of the worldwide magnitude of occupational exposure to dust and the acute need for increased preventive action in this respect, a component of the PACE initiative was planned on'Hazard Prevention and Control in the Work Environment - Airborne Dust', a subject which is also highly relevant to both the WHO Global Strategy and the ILO/WHO Programme on Silicosis. This activity has the following long-term objective: 'to promote and strengthen national capabilities in the field of prevention and control of dust exposure in the work environment, by contributing to the development of the required human resources'.
The initial step was the preparation of this document, whose target audience is primarily occupational hygienists in training; however, it is also intended to contribute to continuing education activities, including for other occupational health and safety professionals involved with dust problems, as well as for occupational health and safety managers, ventilation engineers, production engineers and process designers. It is hoped that this will be followed by short courses to actually train professionals at the country level, and that it will trigger the design of innovative and pragmatic dust control solutions.
It should be said that occupational hygienists must look at the work environment and the workers as a whole; all agents and factors that may lead to any harmful exposure must be assessed, with a view to preventing or controlling them. This document, however, aims at contributing to the dissemination of only one aspect of the comprehensive knowledge and experience required to ensure a healthy workplace and a healthy workforce B the prevention and control of airborne dust. Its objective is to provide general advice and to illustrate important aspects to be considered, in order to achieve efficient dust prevention and control.
The different chapters of this document present: dust definitions and mechanisms of generation; illustrations of occupational exposure to dusts and resulting problems, particularly health effects; principles for the recognition and evaluation of dust problems in the workplace; preventive principles and strategies; specific measures to control dust at the source (e.g., substitution) and during its transmission from the source to the workers (e.g., local exhaust ventilation); personal measures (e.g., work practices and personal protection), and, programmes. The importance of integrating specific measures into sustainable hazard prevention and control programmes is emphasized, including how management procedures impact on dust control. The relation to environmental protection is discussed, and, guidance is provided as to where further information on dust control can be found. Some case studies are presented as examples, as well as a proposed format for new ones; it would be greatly appreciated if new case studies on this subject were sent to WHO or to the IOHA Newsletter, for worldwide dissemination.
This document was circulated for comments and also thoroughly discussed by a group of specialists, during a WHO Consultation in Geneva, who also identified gaps in knowledge and made recommendations for further research.
Copies of the document'WHO (1999) Prevention And Control Exchange: PACE, Hazard Prevention and Control in the Work Environment: Airborne Dust, WHO/SDE/OEH/99.14'may be obtained from: Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH), Department of Protection of the Human Environment (PHE), World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (Fax: +41-22-791-4123). This document will also be available on the WWW, in the WHO Sitehttp://www.who.int.
A debate has opened in the UK over the structure of the system for giving legal standing for occupational exposure limits (OELs) for chemicals. Since 1989, this has been a two-tier system in which the great majority are given a standard broadly equating with an expert view of 'safe' - bearing in mind the incomplete extent of evidence. A second, much smaller group, require that exposure does not exceed a maximum standard and that it is driven as far as reasonably practicable below this figure. This latter group is particularly relevant for genotoxic carcinogens and substances where there is serious doubt as to the existence of a practical, safe exposure.
Why consider a change? This conceptually appealing system, as with any closely defined structure, finds itself unable to adequately deal with some challenges. In this case, experience has shown problems with substances with poor data sets, insufficient to ascribe a 'safe' level, but probably not justifying the strong hygiene requirements and legal sanctions of the maximum limits, yet'an exposure standard is desirable to assist small business'. Following agreement of a European Directive, binding on the 15 Member States of the European Union, a list of chemicals for which there are agreed indicative exposure values in the EU have to be given a national limit. Incorporating this requirement into the UK system presents difficulties (the limits are set on a different basis to UK standards) and so it is timely to re-examine the UK system after a little over 10 years of practical experience.
Whatever the eventual outcome, the debate, at the professional, political and enforcement levels, is sure to be interesting. An open workshop was held on this, at the BOHS Conference in April, and produced strong but contradictory views.
This article lists occupational hygiene and related web sites and is based on the sixth NetPage published in the March/April 2000 edition of the journal Occupational Health Southern Africa. The sites listed can be easily accessed via the Occupational Hygiene page of ASOSH.ORG -http://www.asosh.org (located via Societies & Related at World Links). Extensive links to Chemical related information (Analytical methods, OELs, laboratory safety, MSDS, transport, safety manuals etc.) can be found at the Chemicals page of ASOSH.ORG (also located via World Links). To view the sites in French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish use the AltaVista Babel Fish Translation facility at World Links.
Webmasters note - rather than include the rest of this article in the electronic version of the newsletter please see the ASOSH site
On 27 March 1995, IOHA hosted an international workshop on certification, in Blackpool, UK. The purpose of the workshop was to 'enhance movement of occupational hygiene professionals across national borders.' In connection with this workshop, IOHA published an inventory of existing certification/licensing schemes for occupational hygienists in Canada, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, U.K. and USA. Since the workshop, several additional countries have implemented (Norway and Switzerland) and/or explored (Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden) national certification programs.
The IOHA publication and the workshop discussions were used to develop IOHA's Policy on International Certification. In that policy, the following objectives were set forth:
The development of appropriate national and international standards and practices to facilitate comparable levels of education and competence of professional occupational hygienists.
The avoidance of unnecessary restrictions from and within national certification schemes relating to the training and certification of hygienists and their ability to practice.
The sharing of technical information in relation to the training and certification of hygienists.
The development and wide application of principles of quality assurance to the education, training and competence of professional occupational hygienists.
It was also suggested that certifying boards explore the extent to which there is the ability to establish, through bilateral arrangements, a level of mutual recognition of training and competence.
On 4-5 November 1999, IOHA organized an International Workshop, in London, to explore possibilities of international cooperation in registration and certification. Participants included representatives from the existing national Certification Bodies (except for Italy), as well as representatives from Sweden, Finland and the WHO.
The aims of the 1999 IOHA Workshop on Certification/Registration were to:
Update IOHA information collected for the 1995 Workshop, with a focus on the practical provisions in each country; its legal standing and reality in the workplace; what is being developed; what degrees of competence are recognized; what are the requirements; and, what are the number of professionals involved.
Describe existing and future methods for demonstrating knowledge and competence.
Identify and develop a plan to minimize unnecessary restrictions relating to the training and certification of Occupational Hygienists. These restrictions may impact occupational hygiene professionals within a country as well as those outside the country who have legitimate needs to practice the profession in the host country.
Develop methods for continued sharing of technical information on the training and certification of hygienists.
Develop and enhance the widespread application of quality assurance principles to the education, training and initial as well as continuing competence of professional hygienists.
The workshop achieved these goals and a report with recommendations was submitted to the IOHA Board of Directors on 13 April 2000. The most significant recommendations contained in the report are:
To prepare a model certification program, containing minimum requirements to be met for an organization to obtain acceptance as an AIOHA Recognized Certification Board.
To establish an IOHA Certification Committee consisting of existing Certification Bodies. The purpose of this Committee would be to evaluate programs and to consider the submitting organizations as candidates to become an IOHA Recognized Certification Board. Once recognized, that organization will be invited to be a member of the IOHA Committee.
To request existing IOHA Recognized Certification Boards to explore methods for assuring 'mutual recognition' of certification between Boards.
If the report is accepted and endorsed by the IOHA Board, it is anticipated that the IOHA Certification Committee will be operational by the end of 2000.
The Occupational Health Unit, European Centre for Environment and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO), has undertaken a new programme: the HESME. The initial meeting on this subject, which took place on 23-24 March 2000 in Bilthoven, The Netherlands, was attended by 15 representatives nominated by Ministries of Health, Environment or Labour, from 14 WHO/EURO Member States, as well as by 12 representatives from international organizations, institutions and NGOs, including the ILO and UNEP, and the IOHA.
Good practice in health, environment and safety management in the enterprise (GP HESME) has been defined as 'a process of continuous improvement of Health, Environment and Safety (HES) performance, involving stakeholders inside and outside the enterprise'. GP HESME creates opportunities for environmental and occupational health impact assessment of the enterprise's activities, as well as for more effective management, taking into account national experiences, existing international standards and recommendations by WHO, the ILO and UNEP.
The meeting reached the following recommendations:
The holistic concept of good practice in HESME is needed in all countries, in order to strengthen and facilitate the enforcement of legislation concerning occupational health and safety, and the environment. This concept provides employers and workers with self-regulatory mechanisms to protect and promote health, safety and the environment, thus providing a tool to achieve sustainable development.
In order to assist Member States in developing and implementing national HESME programmes, strong collaboration and joint initiatives are needed, involving the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The support of the European Commission to this initiative would also be extremely important.
Different national approaches should be used to implement GP HESME, in view of the fact that the countries of the WHO European Region are in various phases of socio-economic development.
Exchange of experience and information between countries is essential for the harmonization of the HESME policies, so that these respond to the growing challenge of globalization of trade and economy.
Participation of all major stakeholders is needed for the development, implementation and monitoring of national HESME programmes. A common national HESME policy developed jointly by Ministries of Health, of Environment and of Labour would encourage employers, workers, social and health insurers and other stakeholders to undertake their own action. Associations of enterprises of the same business sector or belonging to the same supply chain, as well as municipal and local authorities, are in the best position to take the lead in initiating self-supported GP HESME in small-scale enterprises.
The development of GP HESME at the enterprise level requires comprehensive assessment of needs. Step-wise approaches to make a programme feasible and to make measurable progress are advisable. This should also allow the socio-economic appraisal of investments and results. National and local workshops organized by employers or by other stakeholders provide an opportunity to present views and to initiate activities.
The development of criteria and indicators of good practices in HESME is a first priority, preferably as a joint endeavour by international agencies, including WHO, the ILO and UNEP. Such criteria and indicators should be adapted to national or local needs and to the monitoring possibilities; some may be common for all kinds of enterprises (e.g. those related to HES management system, maintenance of work ability), while others may be specific to the industrial or business sector (e.g. energy consumption, use of natural resources).
Additional information may be obtained from the WHO Regional Adviser for Occupational Health in EURO: Dr Boguslaw Baranski, World Health Organization, European Centre for Environment and Health, Bilthoven Division, A. von Leeuwenhooklaan 1, P.O. Box 10, NL - 3730 AA De Bilt Fax: +31 3022 94 120/252 E-mail:bba#who.nl
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