draft version: 2 june 2009 · 1/23 work plan 2009- 2012 who global network of collaborating centers...

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Work Plan 2009- 2012

WHO Global Network of Collaborating Centers in

Occupational Health

DRAFT VERSION: 2 JUNE 2009

COMPENDIUM

GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers' health, Claudina Nogueira

GPA Objective 2: To protect and promote health at the workplace, Stavroula Leka and Aditya Jain

GPA Objective 3: To improve the performance of and access to occupational health services, Timo Leino GPA Objective 4: To provide and communicate evidence for action and practice, Jo Harris-Roberts, Edward Robinson GPA Objective 5: To incorporate workers' health in to other policies, Wendy Macdonald

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GPA Objective 5 : To incorporate workers' health into other policies Manager: Wendy Macdonald ACTION AREAS: 24. The capacities of the health sector to promote the inclusion of workers’ health in other sectors’ policies should be strengthened. Measures to protect workers’ health should be incorporated in economic development policies and poverty reduction strategies. The health sector should collaborate with the private sector in order to avoid international transfer of occupational risks and to protect health at the workplace. Similar measures should be incorporated in national plans and programmes for sustainable development. 25. Workers’ health should likewise be considered in the context of trade policies when taking measures as specified in resolution WHA59.26 on international trade and health. 26. Employment policies also influence health; assessment of the health impact of employment strategies should therefore be encouraged. Environmental protection should be strengthened in relation to workers’ health through, for instance, implementation of the risk-reduction measures foreseen in the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, and consideration of workers’ health aspects of multilateral environmental agreements and mitigation strategies, environmental management systems and plans for emergency preparedness and response. 27. Workers’ health should be addressed in the sectoral policies for different branches of economic activity, in particular those with the highest health risk. 28. Aspects of workers’ health should be taken into account in primary, secondary and higher level education and vocational training. PRIORITIES: Priority 5.1: Collate and conduct studies to clarify the economic benefits of workers’ health Output: Published articles and information posted to WHO website Support: Jos Verbeek, FIOH, Finland Priority 5.2: Develop specific and relevant recommendations to manage risks associated with the effects of globalization on workers’ health Output: Guidance for development banks, non-health sector entities to improve workers' health Support: David Rees, NIOH, South Africa; Lygia Therese Budnik, Central Institute for Occupational Medicine, Hamburg, Germany Priority 5.3: Implement sectoral toolkits for the assessment and management of OH risks in the most hazardous sectors (agriculture, construction, transport)

Output: Tools, inventory, framework document, mapping of use and types of tools, evaluation

Support: Leslie Nickels Great Lakes Centers University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, USA Agriculture: Claudio Colosio (expertise in pesticides and ’hygiene’ hazards) Construction: Ernst Koningsveld and/or Henk Van der Molen Transport: Lygia Therese Budnik, Central Institute for Occupational Medicine, Hamburg, Germany Jane Hingston (NIOSH road transport group) Kazu Kogi (expertise in ’ergonomic’, organisational, psychosocial hazards) WHO/HQ: Evelyn Kortum

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GPA5.24a

Formerly AA1:1 GPA Objective Objective 5: To incorporate workers' health in to other policies

CC or NGO Name National Institute of Occupational Health, South Africa and La Trobe University, Australia

Project title Global situation analysis – overall project

Keywords Globalization, employment patterns, health consequences

Project leader Email address

Dr Wendy Macdonald; Centre for Research and Teaching in Occupational Ergonomics, La Trobe University,

Email: [email protected] Prof. David Rees: Deputy Project leader, South African National Institute for Occupational Health, Email: [email protected]

Partners (of the CC Network) Asociación Chilena de Seguridad : Dr. Marisol Concha TNO, the Netherlands: Prof. Frank Pot In addition, the Institutions and project leaders of other AA1 activities belong to the partners of AA1, since work within this whole Area is intended to be closely integrated.

Other partners Dr. P.K. Abeytunga, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Prof. Christer Hogstedt, Swedish National Institute of Public Health; Dr Jerry Spiegel, Director of Global Health at the Liu Institute for Global Issues, University of British Columbia, Canada

Kaj Elgstrand, Sweden Funding Each collaborating partner is responsible for its respective costs

Objective of the project

The ”Global situation analysis” will give a picture of how the ongoing globalization and changing employment patterns are influencing the prerequisites for occupational safety and health. The analysis will allow the identification of actions to be taken considering in a creative way these changing prerequisites.

Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project

A number of reports related to: 1. The ongoing globalization and its consequences for labour markets, employment patterns and working conditions 2. Occupational safety and health in a globalised world 3. Case studies (AA1: 2-9) 4. Identification of actions to be taken by WHO´s CCsOH, and others. The whole project will be completed before the end of 2010.

Target group and/or beneficiaries

Occupational health and safety professionals and policy-makers, inter-national organisations

Summary of the project (max 100 words)

Analyses of ongoing globalization, its health consequences and action implications. The project will consider the situation both in industrial and developing countries, and include a few national studies. It will be coordinated with other similar or related international activities; as and when feasible, outputs will be integrated with other activity areas of the Global Work Plan of WHOs Collaborating Centers in Occupational Health. The former “Global strategy on occupational health for all” (1995) will be considered, as well as the “Global Plan of Action on Workers´ Health” 2008-2017.

Dissemination National documents and WHO documents.

Impact; global/regional Global

Progress on Project Progress was hampered by the demise of the Swedish National Institute for Working Life, resulting in transfer of the Project Manager role from Kaj Elgstrand to Wendy Macdonald and David Rees. Work on Reports 1 and 2 (see Outcomes, above) has now re-commenced in collaboration with Dr Jerry Spiegel. Further case studies to substantiate reports 1 and/or 2 have been planned, in addition to those comprising the other Projects in AA1 (see separate project reports).

GPA5.24a-1 Formerly AA1:6

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Please indicate whether this is a:

Existing Project AA2:NP16 5.24b

CONTRIBUTING PROJECT Title Work plan project number (to be added by WHO)

National analysis of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) in relation to occupational diseases and injuries and indication of prevention strategies in workplaces

GPA Objective and Action 5.24 Priority Initiative Priority 1: Collate and conduct studies to clarify the economic benefits of workers’ health

(Action 5.24)

Responsible CC or NGO Name

ISPESL – Dept. of Occupational Medicine

Project leader (contact name and email address)

Dr Diana Gagliardi ([email protected]) Dr Bruna Rondinone ([email protected]) Dr Carlo Grandi ([email protected])

Network partners (CC name, country, email)

WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)

Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)

GPA Objective Objective 5: To incorporate workers' health in to other policies

CC or NGO Name Fudan University School of Public Health, Shanghai

Project title Globalization and Occupational Health in Shanghai, China

Keywords Globalization, Occupational Health , Shanghai


Taiyi JIN and Wei LU Email address: [email protected]；[email protected]

Partners (of the CC Network)

Department of Occupational Health, Fudan University; Shanghai Municipal Center of Disease Prevention and Control

Other partners

Funding Each collaborating partner is responsible for its respective costs


To elucidate the situation of globalization in Shanghai since 1979. Analysis of both benefit and adverse effects on occupational health in Shanghai following the globalization. Providing the suggestion for occupational health in Shanghai.


The project will make a report on <Globalization and Occupational Health in Shanghai> and publish some papers in relevant academic journals. Deadline: December 2008


Decision makers, occupational health workers and researchers and enterprise managers.


To identify current status of the globalization and its benefit and adverse effects on occupational health in Shanghai

Dissemination publishing papers and project reports

Impact; global/regional Global

Progress on Project as of June 2007

Working in collaboration with Shanghai Municipality Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center has surveyed occupational health services (OHS) situation in state-owned enterprises, joint ventures and sole proprietorship corporations, in order to investigate effects of global economic integration on OHS in China.

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External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)


Until now, costs related to insufficient or non addressed prevention in workplaces were roughly estimated as percents of the gross national or global product lost. Alternatively estimates are available only at enterprise level. A more detailed quantification of costs at national level may be addressed using Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), which combines potential years of life lost due to premature death and equivalent years of “healthy” life lost by virtue of being in states of poor health or disability. Such an approach, which is intended to be followed in this project, will enable cost-benefit analysis to address preventive strategies at various levels of the productive processes.


National stakeholders, policy makers

Events-opportunities for furthering the project

International congresses (e.g. ICOH 2009 Cape Town, 22-27 March 2009) and workshops

Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)

• To quantify DALY at national level due to lacks of prevention in workplaces. • To quantify socio-economic costs. • To address prevention strategies • To summarize major results on scientific peer-reviewed publications

Indicators of achievement (impact)

• Comparison of results achieved in this study with the outcomes of WHO published in the Global Burden of Diseases

Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)

• Identification of specific occupational risk factors and the exposed worker population (by 2008) • Calculation of DALY (by 2009). • Use of the results achieved to perform cost – benefit analysis with a focus on Italian situation and to supply suggestions for the implementation of economic policies, sanitary regulations and education, basic and advanced education provisions, labour laws (by 2010).

Public health impact Identification of good preventive strategies and their effective use even trough their introduction in differentiated policies, may improve the general and working population health conditions and contribute in the public health’s cost reduction.

Funding source(s) Funded by ISPESL

Dissemination WHO documents, training courses, worker and enterprise meetings

GPA5.24c

Formerly AA6:KTBP4 GPA Objective Objective 3: To improve the performance of and access to occupational health services CC or NGO Name Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland

(WHO Inter-Regional Collaborating Centre on Maritime Occupational Health) Powstania Styczniowego 9 B, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland

Project title Publishing the journal INTERNATIONAL MARITIME HEALTH Keywords Publishing, research work, maritime occupational health, training materials Project leader Email address

Dr Stanislaw Tomaszunas, Head of the WHO CC in Gdynia [email protected]


• University of Brest, France • University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Research Unit on Maritime Medicine

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Other partners • Ministry of Health, Poland • CIRM, Rome • Norwegian Centre of Telemedicine • Department Maritime Medicine of Central Institute of Occupational Medicine,

Hamburg, Germany (Marcus Oldenburg, Xaver Baur [email protected])

Funding Funding from the resources of the Medical University of Gdansk, and additional support from outside, occasionally

Objective of the project To continue publishing this international scientific journal which exists from 1946, and in 2004 volume 55 of it was published. To distribute the journal to Universities, research institutes in maritime countries, port health centres, and WHO CC in OH. To provide postgraduate training materials for medical officers specializing in maritime occupational health, and medical practitioners who care for health of maritime workers in developing countries.


To publish volumes 57-58-59, 60 and 61 of the IMH journal in the years 2006-2010

Target group and/or beneficiaries The target group is medical officers who take care of the health of seafarers, fishermen,

dockers, divers, and shipyard workers; and scientists in all countries of the world. They, and maritime workers, are the beneficiaries of the project


The INTERNATIONAL MARITIME HEALTH is the only scientific journal of maritime medicine and health published in English since 1946. (There are similar journals in Japan, China, Spain and Ukraine, but they are published in the national languages). Volumes of the IMH are the standard source of information and data on the occupational health of seafarers and fishermen. The journal is indexed in Medline, ILO-CIS Bulletin and other bibliographical database. It is distributed to Universities and research institutes in almost all maritime countries of the world. The authors of the papers published in the IMH journal are medical officers and scientists from countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and America.

Dissemination Published volumes of the journal are mailed to the addresses in all the continents. Impact (global or regional)

The impact of this project is global

PROGRESS ON PROJECT In 2005, volume 56/2005 of the International Maritime Health journal (207 pages) was published and distributed by the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. It contained 26 original and review papers and other articles contributed by authors from 13 countries. In 2006, volume 57/2006 (256 pages) was published by the Institute in Gdynia in close cooperation with the University of South Britanny, France, the organizer of the International Symposium ErgoMare, and distributed to medical libraries and maritime occupational health specialists in 40 countries. It contained 32 original and review papers and other articles on maritime occupational health and tropical medicine. Plans are in place to publish the journal in 2007, and also for it to be published on the internet (subject to receiving external financial support).

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Formerly AA6:SWI4 GPA Objective Objective 3: To improve the performance of and access to occupational health services CC or NGO Name Department Maritime Medicine of Central Institute of Occupational Medicine, Hamburg,

Germany Project title Establishment of an international working group for the utilisation of telemedicine to reduce

health risks of seafarers Keywords Telemedicine, merchant ships, accidents, emergencies, seafarers Project leader Email address

Marcus Oldenburg, Xaver Baur, ([email protected])


• Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland (Stanislaw Tomaszunas [email protected])

• University of Brest, France • University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Research Unit on Maritime Medicine

Other partners CIRM, Rome, and the Norwegian Centre of Telemedicine Funding Objective of the project The aim of this project is to promote the introduction of suitable telemedical equipment on

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board of ships without a physician to improve medical care of ill/injured seafarers Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project

The preliminary concept includes • Ascertaining the number and suitability of telemedical equipment (e.g. ECG by

semiautomatic defibrillators, X-rays and photos) by considering ship-specific hazards (frequently injuries and diseases) (by 2006)

• Reinforcing international standardisation, harmonisation and co-operation (by 2006)

• Testing medical devices and the quality of transmitting telemedical signals on board (by 2007)

• Project completion: December 2007 Target group and/or beneficiaries

Seafarers, health staff in departments of health/labour institutions, ship owners, insurance agencies, trade unions of seafarers


Seafaring jobs belong to the most dangerous occupations due to the large number of traumatic work-related accidents. In case of accidents and diseases at sea, professional medical help is mostly not available. Therefore, telemedicine is an extremely useful new technology providing shipboard medical assistance. A pilot study involving the following steps has been started: Further development of medical equipment, suitability and applicability tests, especially in simulated emergencies and diseases, e.g. cardiac and skin diseases, injuries. A further step will be an appropriate, intensive education and training of ship officers.

Dissemination Impact (global or regional) Global PROGRESS ON PROJECT In 2006/2007, we continued our suitability tests by means of four different semi-automatic

defibrillators with telemedical function for their use on merchant ships at sea. In this context, 40 ship officers performed a medical emergency training comprising the administration of an electric shock by defibrillators. Moreover, the telemedical transmission of a 1-canal ECG by these devices was simulated. Afterwards, the ship officers evaluated the devices. The revised German Regulation on Medical Care on Board of Seagoing Ships prescribes to have semi-automatic defibrillators with telemedical function available aboard merchant ships. A comprehensive information and presentation of our study on shipboard defibrillators is planned for November 2007.

GPA4.26a Formerly AA1:2


CC or NGO Name Asociación Chilena de Seguridad (ACHS) Project title Changing patterns in employment and its impact in occupational health in South American

countries

Keywords Patterns in employment, occupational health, South America Project leader Email address

Dr. Marisol Concha, Sr. Rodrigo Pezo [email protected]; [email protected]


Universidad Andrés Bello, FISO

Other partners

Funding Asociación Chilena de Seguridad (ACHS), FISO

Objective of the project Identify the impact in the workers health of the patterns in employment


Discussion paper One year from the starting point


Professionals, politicians, policy analysts


Bibliographic research, countries comparisons, projected impact in health

Dissemination Governments, Labour and Health Ministers, International Organizations

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Impact (global or regional) Regional

Progress on Project The start of this project was delayed due to illness, but work is expected to commence shortly.

GPA5.26b Formerly AA1:5


CC or NGO Name National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing

Project title The requirement analysis of occupational safety and health for migrant workers ongoing globalization and changing employment patterns in China

Keywords Migrant workers, employment patterns Project leader Email address

Tao Li [email protected]


WHO, ILO, NIOSH, US

Other partners

Funding National finance support of China, WHO, ILO

Objective of the project To analyses the status of occupational safety and health for migrant workers, and to recommend some solutions for providing appropriate health care for migrant workers in China


To develop a report on occupational safety and health for migrant workers in China.


Policy makers, occupational health and safety researchers, enterprise managers, migrant workers


This project will describe the ongoing globalization and changing employment patterns in China, analyses occupational health and safety for migrant workers and recommend some appropriate solutions to protect migrant workers.

Dissemination WHO documents and National documents

Impact (global or regional) Both global and national

Progress on Project First, we conducted a survey on the situation of occupational health in a pilot county, covering the major hazards leading to occupational diseases and the level of awareness of knowledge about prevention and control of occupational diseases among workers. Then we provided support for enterprises to develop management systems and to complete rectification. Employers were assisted to create integral occupational health monitoring records. Also we conduct training and intervention.

GPA5.27a

Formerly AA6:SWI1 GPA Objective Objective 5: To incorporate workers' health in to other policies CC or NGO Name National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) USA Project title Sharing workplace OSH practices through sector-based global collaborations (NORA) Keywords NORA Sector Interventions Best Practices Globalization


Dr. Max Lum, Global Collaborations Manager, NIOSH [email protected] and Dr. Marilyn Fingerhut, Global Collaborations Coordinator, NIOSH [email protected]


Anticipated partners: • ISPESL, Italy; • JNIOSH, Japan; • CCOHS Canada;

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• IOHA, IEA, ICOH and others • Department of Occupational Health, Korea Occupational Safety and Health

Agency (KOSHA), Incheon, Republic of Korea (Seong-Kyu Kang [email protected]) Other partners Anticipated partners: OSHA US; BG Germany; HSE UK; IRSST Quebec; ORC US; DOL

Poland; Netherlands; multinational corporations; international unions, and various NORA partners

Funding

NIOSH NORA Global Collaborations funding; funding by global partners

Objective of the project To expand the application in workplaces in the U.S. and globally of interventions that successfully prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.


Partnerships globally to share successful sector based practices, interventions and services (in place in 3 sectors by December 06)

Communication system (e.g. newsletter and/or weblinks) in place (Dec 06) Application in at least 100 new workplaces of shared practices, interventions or

services (by Dec 08) Multinational corporations or international unions provide assistance to 10

developing/transitional nation OSH professionals or local community workplaces to improve OSH services and practices (by Dec 09)

Global network of members established for sustainable continuation of this work (by Dec 10)


Workplaces globally will benefit. Sector based sharing of successes will increase applications and lower costs. Multinational corporations and international unions and OSH institutes, associations and NGOs globally are key partners for success in developing and transitional nations.


NIOSH is initiating in the U.S. a sector based National Occupational Research Agenda aimed at increasing preventive practices and interventions in workplaces. (See www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.) Eight Sector Research Councils (SRC) will have broad membership in order to act to solve the worst problems of workplaces in the Sector. The sector groupings are:

Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing Mining Construction Manufacturing Trade Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities Services Healthcare & Social Assistance

Global Collaborations will be developed in each SRC to share sector based successful solutions across countries. Global partnerships will include employers, unions, OSH institutes, professionals, and associations. Assisting developing and transitional nations and small businesses in developed countries to implement successful practices will be a priority.

Dissemination NIOSH is sponsoring the sector based National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) in the U.S. and information will be disseminated by NIOSH, WHO and other partners. A Global Collaborations electronic communication system will be put in place to encourage partnerships and sharing of successful practices and to ensure sustainability of the effort.

Impact (global or regional) Global PROGRESS ON PROJECT 1 OCTOBER

All 8 NORA Sector Councils have been formed and are working on identifying the worst problems in the sector and stating objectives for public review. Global Collaborations is one of 27 cross-cutting programs (www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/global) working with the Sector Councils. Projects are underway with the Transport Sector in Global Road Safety for Workers and with the Mining and Construction Sectors in the Americas Silicosis Initiative. Additional bridges are being built with other sectors.

GPA 5.27b

Formerly AA4:CE5c

GPA Objective Objective 5: To protect and promote health at the workplace CC or NGO Name National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (USA)

Project title Road safety toolkits for organizations whose employees travel abroad within the PAHO region

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Keywords Occupational safety, road safety and security, employees working abroad, educational materials

Project leader

Email address

Stephanie Pratt (NIOSH)

[email protected] Partners (of the CC Network)

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA, Canada)

Other partners Funding NIOSH can provide start-up funding during 2007 and 2008 Objective of the project The objective of the project is to develop a toolkit that provides information on road

safety and security to employees working abroad in the Americas.


Develop a draft toolkit for stakeholder review (2007-2008)

Finalize products based on review (2008)

Adapt products for Internet access from NIOSH, PAHO, and stakeholder Web sites (2009)


All organizations with international operations in the Americas will benefit. Small and medium-sized firms with few resources to devote to worker safety do not provide employees who travel abroad with information on road safety and security, especially for those who travel to low- or middle-income nations. Even large organizations with comprehensive road safety programs for domestic employees may not adequately address this issue for employees who travel abroad.


In collaboration with PAHO and other interested groups in the PAHO region, we propose to develop tool kits that could be used by businesses, governments, and NGOs to provide information on roadway safety and security for employees who travel abroad within the PAHO region. The toolkit will include information on traffic laws and penalties, personal safety while on the roadway, use of private and public transportation modes, and special safety and health concerns of business travelers. Products will be specific to each nation, and will be made available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and possibly French.

Dissemination Products will be disseminated in printed form to trade associations, labor organizations, and individual mailing lists of organizations. They will also be made available via the Internet through NIOSH, PAHO, and other stakeholders’ Web sites.

Impact (global or regional) Regional (PAHO region)

Progress on Project No update GPA5.28.a

Formerly AA 4: TT3b Activity Area Number and title

AA4: Education, Training and Technical Materials

CC or NGO Name National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Project title Young Workers Occupational Safety and Health Curriculum Keywords Young workers, training Project leader Email address

Carol M. Stephenson, PhD [email protected]


Other partners University and NGO partners in the USA Funding NIOSH Objective of the project To widely disseminate an occupational safety and health curriculum recently developed by

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NIOSH for schools and community based entities who can train teen workers. Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project

Outcomes of the project. • To finalize development of the curriculum (by early 2006) • To translate the curriculum into Spanish (by 2007) • To widely disseminate the curriculum electronically through the NIOSH web site and WHO educational gateway beginning in 2006 • To provide a model for use or modification by others To gather and share globally OSOH curricula from other countries for young workers


Beneficiaries of the completed project include all entities interested in preventing occupational safety and health injuries and fatalities in young workers: High school teachers, parents, employers, training and apprentice programs, NGOs providing services to teens, and government agencies responsible for teen workers.


A curriculum has been developed and pilot tested in the U.S. It will be finalized early in 2006 and made available through electronic distribution. It is designed to train youth and their teachers in basic occupational safety and health principles to that they will enter the workplace more aware of hazards, have skills recognizing occupational safety and health hazards, and have knowledge as to how to seek assistance in correcting dangerous work situations. The curriculum is designed for participatory learning.

Dissemination Method of dissemination: Web based dissemination of the curriculum teacher’s guide and classroom materials so that teachers may print off and create materials they need. NGO partners may choose to disseminate printed versions of the curriculum.

Impact (global or regional)

Global

Progress on Project The curriculum has been published and is available for free at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/

GPA5.28b

Formerly AA4:TT3d GPA Objective Objective 5: To incorporate workers' health in to other policies CC or NGO Name Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland Project title Preventive programme designed to reduce musculoskeletal pain for construction workers

and students of construction schools Keywords Manual materials handling, ergonomics, WMSDisorders, RSI, Project leader Email address

Zbigniew W. Jóźwiak, PhD.,Eng. [email protected]


Other partners National Labour Inspectorate Funding

Project is financed by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland

Objective of the project Preventive programme Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project

• To develop a programme that will be user-friendly (by 2008) • To develop training packages for the toolkit deliverable through e-learning and face-to-face (by 2009) • To integrate the toolkit in the provision of construction workers and students (beginning in 2009)


Construction workers, students of construction schools


The preventive programme for construction workers and students will help to reduce physical overload and prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms in these workers. A programme will consists of two main elements: theoretical training and a set of physical exercises. The theoretical training comprises:

• basic information on the anatomy of the musculo-skeletal system • ways to avoid static loads • use of professional and ad hoc means to simplify manual lifting and handling of

weights • a set of simple physical exercises to be performed at home without the need to

use special appliances. The set includes both relaxing and fitness exercises promotion of physical exercise during leisure time.

Dissemination Worker and enterprise meetings and trainings, special lessons entitled Ergonomics in construction sector, papers in journals for occupational safety staff


Global

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Progress on Project The physical workload data using photo registration and stadiometer was collected. Now we are analyzing these data with NIOSH reviewd equation and REBA methods. The first CD version of Powerpoint presentation was prepared.

GPA5.28c

Formerly AA5:2a

GPA Objective

Objective 2: To protect and promote health at the workplace

CC or NGO Name

The Industrial Accident Prevention Association, (IAPA), Canada a WHO Collaborating Centre for Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention

Project title

Enhancement of Occupational Health and Safety in Mexican Industry

Keywords

Integrated management system Occupational health & safety


Leonard Sassano, Director, Strategic Alliances [email protected]


IAPA

Other partners

Mexican Ministry of Labour: Direccion General De Seguridad Y Salud En El Trabajo (DGSST) Secretaria Del Trabajo Prevencion Social (STPS)

Funding

Funding provided by the Mexican government.


The Mexican government is committed to promoting the integration of HS&E into Mexican industries through its voluntary compliance program known as the SASST programme program (Systema de Administration Salud y Seguridad en el Trabajo). The objective is to apply SASST within workplaces to improve the health and safety of workplaces and working conditions for all workers. It is realized that Mexican workplaces require to engage a managed approach and adopt a management system to successfully apply SASST. The project will focus on the development and engagement of a managed system to successfully integrate the SASST compliance programme.


1. Completed May 2003: Developed and delivered a four day training program on

SASST programme implementation to 40 STPS assessors and DGSST inspectors from across Mexico.

2. Completed October 2003: Presentations on SASST and OHS Management Systems completed at two major OHS conferences in Mexico and at regional workshops across Mexico involving government, employers and worker groups.

3. Completed November 2003 – December 2004: A Consultant Certification process was developed to enable Mexican assessors to provide services to enterprises enrolled in the SASST programme.

4. September 2005: To deliver consultant certification to assessors. 5. December 2007: Pilot applications and evaluate results of interventions. Make

necessary modifications and refinements based of results. Apply nation wide. Completion by 2008.


The Mexican government will benefit by having a roster of qualified consultants who can assist enterprises to develop and implement a quality health and safety program, using an integrated management system with proven effectiveness. All enterprises will benefit by having access to qualified consultants to assist them to

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comply with SASST, in a manner that is of high quality and consistency.


The project will achieve a number of results: • The achievement of healthier and safer workplaces for Mexican workers. • The development and implementation of an OHS Management System to successfully

apply the SASST voluntary compliance programme. This will lead to improvement of working conditions and reduction of injuries and illnesses within the workplace.

• The empowerment of workers, and improved communication and cooperation between management and workers through the successful engagement of SASST and a managed approach towards HS&E.

• To contribute towards sustainability and building capacities among STSP, DGSST, and independent assessors to lead the successful integration of SASST together with a managed system’s approach into Mexican workplaces.

Dissemination

The project outcomes will be disseminated by the increasing numbers of qualified Mexican assessors and certified consultants, who will coach and train Mexican enterprises. The project outcomes will also be published in IAPA’s various communications vehicles, (magazine, website) and discussed at national and international conferences.


National (Mexican) and regional (Americas)

Progress on Project (max 100 words)

This project should be considered dormant, due to the change in the Mexican Government last year. We have had no indication that the new government wishes to continue this project. If it becomes active again in the future, we will inform you.

GPA5.28d

Formerly AA5:2b

GPA Objective


CC or NGO Name

The Industrial Accident Prevention Association, (IAPA), Canada a WHO Collaborating Centre for Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention

Project title

Enhancement of Occupational Health and Safety in Brazilian Industry

Keywords

Integrated management systems occupational health and safety


Leonard Sassano, Director Strategic Alliances [email protected]


IAPA Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

Other partners

Canadian Partners: • Ryerson University

Marsha McEachrine Mikhail, Ryerson University, Toronto [email protected]

• Occupational Health & Safety Research Institute Robert-Sauvé (IRSST) • Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) • Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association (OFSWA) • BRI International

Brazilian Partners:

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• SESI- Industrial Social Service National Department, Brasilia • Fundacentro

International Partners: • PAHO • ILO

Funding

The project is co-funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and ABC Transfer of Technology Fund for Brazil.


The purpose of the project is to strengthen the capacity of small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) within selected sectors in the participating states for integrating workplace health and safety into their organizational culture, performance goals and management systems, and to reduce illnesses, injuries and fatalities for all workers. Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the capacity of participating industries and their SESI Occupational Health and Safety Departments to effectively address challenges in the development, implementation, management and evaluation of OHS services and programs for all workplace participants.


1. Needs assessments & stakeholder engagement Completed April 2005. 2. Training of individuals that have responsibility for the development of the information

system and web portal. Completed December 2005 3. Develop consulting skills and begin the development of the SESI management

system framework. December 2005 4. Support SESI in the design and development of an Epidemiological Information

System. By 2009 5. Development of a OHS web portal to enhance SESI’s capacity to use OHS technical

knowledge and information as a strategy to improve OHS within work environment of SME’s. By 2009

6. Development and implementation of OHS management systems within SME’s. To develop and deliver enhanced SESI managed OHS technical and management services to SME’s. By 2009


Brazilian industrial workers in SMEs are the target, and will benefit by achievement of greater health and safety equity, and the reduction of injuries, illnesses and fatalities. SESI will benefit from the combined expertise and experience of a consortium of highly credible Canadian organizations.


Project Results will include: • The achievement of healthier and safer work environments for Brazilian workers. • An increase in the number of SMEs implementing effective and efficient OHS

programs that comply with Brazilian OHS legislation and international standards. • The establishment of an effective SESI managed OHS Information System to identify

needs, set priorities, and evaluate industry programs, as well as inform SESI service delivery to address identified OHS issues including workplace related injuries, illnesses and deaths.

• Strengthening the ability of men and women to exercise equally, their recognized fundamental right to know.

• Improved attention to gender specific health and safety issues. • The empowerment of workers, and improved communications and co-operation

between management and workers, through increased OHS awareness and education, and the formation of joint OHS committees within participating industries.

Dissemination

The project outcomes will be disseminated by the Brazilian partners, who will continue the work after the project is completed. The project outcomes will also be published in IAPA’s various communications vehicles, (magazine, website) and discussed at national and international conferences such as the National Safety Council (US) and the World Congress on OH&S.

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National (Brazil) and regional (the Americas)


• Training of SESI consultants in managed systems and consulting skills is in progress and is to be completed March 2009. Some of this training is being done in Brazil, and some in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

• Pilot projects are being carried out in 6 regions with 18 enterprises to develop and implement occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) utilizing OHSAS 18001 as the underlying system. The pilot project is to be completed March 2009.

• Workers in each of the 18 enterprises are actively participating in the development and implementation of the OHSMS.

• Workplace gender and diversity considerations are being addressed throughout the development and implementation of the OHSMS.

• A key principle underlying the pilot project is building capacity and capability of each enterprise to continue the maintenance and enhancement of their OHSMS.

(Much more detail on this project is available in IAPA’s Annual Report to WHO/PAHO for 2006.) (Note that project AA2:NP7 is part of this overall project, but it is being carried out by IRSST, another partner in the Canadian consortium.)

Please indicate whether this is a:

New Project 5.28e

CONTRIBUTING PROJECT Title Work plan project number (to be added by WHO)

Improving the working environment in cutting and extraction of wood in south-central state of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil

GPA Objective and Action GPA Objective 2; Action 2.11 Priority Initiative Priority 1 - Responsible CC or NGO Name

FUNDACENTRO – Brazil Eduardo Algranti [email protected]

Project leader (contact name and email address)

Cristiane Paim da Cunha [email protected]

Network partners (CC name, country, email)

Dr. Fernando Gonçalves Amaral; [email protected]; (UFRGS-Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul state – Brazil)

WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)

Roberto Garcia [email protected] Federation employees in the construction industry and furniture

Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)

Sérgio Augusto Letizia Garcia; [email protected]; Ministry of work and employment (MTE – Brazil)

External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)

(-)


The project aims at studying and developing strategies for improving the working environment in the activities of cutting and extraction of wood. This area is characterized by small enterprises with very poor working conditions. Some actions are planned: 1. Studying the current conditions of the working environment through risk assessment evaluation 2. Generate scientific data for OSH activities targeted for publication. 3. Planning specific training in OSH for the actors involved. 4. Dissemination of results to the local community, class organizations and research

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bodies involved Target group and/or beneficiaries

Small enterprises in the activities of cutting and extraction of wood in south-central state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Events-opportunities for furthering the project

The design of new poles of economic development that includes a large increase in the production of wood.

Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)

Improvement of working conditions with the consequent reduction of accidents at work.

Indicators of achievement (impact)

Number of articles published Number of entrepreneurs trained Number of employees trained

Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)

Development of search engines (April 2009) Collection and analysis of data (August 2009) Specific training in OSH (November 2009)

Public health impact Reduction of accidents at work Funding source(s) FUNDACENTRO

Dissemination Publishing articles in journals FUNDACENTRO website Participation in events

GPA5.28f

Formerly AA5:3a

GPA Objective


CC or NGO Name

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan

Project title

Occupational Health Services of Small Scale Industries

Keywords

OSH management, SMEs, checklists, training manuals


Dr. Shigeki Koda E-mail address:[email protected]


Prof. Naomi Hisanaga, Aichi University of Education, Japan E-mai addressl:[email protected]

Other partners

Funding Each collaborating partner is responsible for its respective costs Objective of the project

The objective of this project is to establish and develop support system for OSH management in small scale industries.


The reports of good practices in small scale industries related to: 1. Improving for working environments and conditions. 2. Improving ergonomic stress 3. Identify OSH risk in the workplaces by using action checklists and training manuals. This will be completed before the end of 2010.


Employers of small scale industries and occupational health and safety professionals


We will visit many small scale industries, examine occupational health and safety risk in the workplaces, and discuss with employers and employees using action checklist and training manuals. These activities will develop good practices in small scale industries. The good practices include feasible and cheap improvements in working environments and conditions, good working organization and the development of OSH services. These good practices will provide good hints for occupational health and safety professionals engaging in OSH activities for small scale industries in many countries.

Dissemination

National documents

Impact: global/regional

Global


We have visited several small scaled factories of manufacturing industries. Visiting small scale industries is ongoing. And we are developing action checklists and training manuals in order to identify occupational health and safety risk, and discussing good practices in

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the workplaces with employers and employees in small scale industries.

GPA5.28g Formerly AA2:PM10

GPA Objective Objective 2: To protect and promote health at the workplace

CC or NGO Name National Institutue for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Project title Promoting Initiatives for Occupational Road Safety

Keywords Global Road Safety, occupational health, traffic injury and illness Project leader Email address

Jane Hingston, [email protected]


University of Illinois School of Public Health, Chicago, U.S.A., Chilean Institute of Public Health, Santiago, Chile

Other partners USAID, National Safety Council, ORC Worldwide, World Bank U.S. Department of Transportation – National Highway Transit Safety Administration, U.S. Department of State, PAHO, WHO, Navistar, Abbott, Chevron, Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of N. America, Intl Brother. Teamsters, AAA Foundation, Ford

Funding National Institutue for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Objective of the project The overall objective of this project is to collect, analyze and share best practices of

prevention of road traffic injuries at work.


Electronic library of road safety information and “best practices”; a “best practices” white paper; a Global Occupational Road Safety Conference; a network of occupational road safety partners; and a NIOSH document on “international best practices” Deadline: 2010, with continuation of database.


Employers, workers, governments, associations


Project will demonstrate the injury reduction and economic benefit of workplace initiatives to prevent road traffic injuries among workers globally, so that these approaches will be utilized more broadly. The project will promote inclusion of workplace initiatives that highlight problems and solutions for working people into existing World Bank/WHO international initiatives on global road safety. The project will develop an electronic library of road safety “best practices”; a “best practices” white paper; a Global Occupational Road Safety Conference; a network of occupational road safety partners; and a NIOSH document on “international best practices.”

Dissemination Employers, workers, governments, labour and health ministers, international organizations

Impact (global or regional) Global

Progress on Project as of May 2007 (max 100 words)

The online library infrastructure is being created. Collection of materials for online library habegun and will continue throughout the life of the project. Project team continues to make partners at international and domestic meetings.

GPA5.28h Formerly AA2:NP21

GPA Objective Objective 2: To protect and promote health at the workplace CC or NGO Name WHO Collaborating Centre in Occupational Healths

Clinica del Lavoro “Luigi Devoto”, Milano, Italy Project title

Exposure assessment and occupational health in petrochemical industry, banana production and floriculture in Ecuador

Keywords Exposure assessment; industrial hygiene; occupational health; risk prevention; petrochemical workers; floriculture workers; banana production workers; pesticides

Project leader Email address Prof. Vito Foà, [email protected], Dr. Silvia Fustinoni, [email protected]

Dr. Raul Harari, [email protected]

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Partners (of the CC Network) We are looking for possible partners. Other partners Corporación para el Desarrollo de la Producción y el Medio Ambiente Laboral-IFA, Quito,

Ecuador

Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milano

ISPESL ?

Funding

ISPESL/ Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Consortium, for WHO Collaborating Centre

Objective of the project − To conduct three studies in Ecuador on: petrochemical industry, floriculture and

banana producers. We will investigate exposure to solvents, heavy metals and pesticides and will establish their outcome on workers’ health

− To develop training programs for physician, and nurses, and technicians in occupational health

− To publish booklets to address risk management and scientific articles to report the results of the studies

− To improve technical capability of laboratories in Ecuador dealing with environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure


Improvement of working and health conditions in Ecuadorian workers;

Improvement of know-how for prevention operators.

Target group and/or beneficiaries Floriculture workers, banana growers, petrochemical workers, occupational health

physicians, nurses, industrial hygienists, laboratory technicians, institutions for safety and prevention at work.

Summary of the project (max 100 words) Select of working settlements to be study. Contact employers and employees to obtain

their consensus to conduct the study. Visit the working settings and plan the investigations. Perform the field studies with collection of health information and clinical outcomes, environmental and biological samples. Perform exposure assessment analysis. Set a database and conduct statistical analysis. Discuss the meaning of findings. Report results to workers and authorities. Set strategies to reduce exposure and its health effect.

Dissemination Guidelines for safety and prevention at work, booklets and training packages for workers and operators of prevention, scientific publications.

Impact (global or regional) Global


An exposure study on Ecuadorian floriculture workers has been carried out, which involves measurement work (health and exposures information) in the open field environment and greenhouses. Exposure to ethylenbisdithiocarbamate fungicides (EBDTCs) was investigated in a group of greenhouse farmers by measuring urinary ethylenethiourea (ETU), which is a major metabolite of EBDTCs. This work has demonstrated that ETU measurements may be adopted as a biomarker of short-term exposure.

GPA5.28j Formerly AA3:Ag1


CC or NGO Name Occupational and Environmental Health Research Unit, Univ Cape Town, South Africa Project title Control of Occupational hazards associated with pesticides in agriculture

Keywords Pesticides; surveillance; training; safety materials; policy; registration; hazard communication; risk perception; agriculture

Project leader Email address Professor L London [email protected]

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Partners (of the CC Network) Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania

Other partners To be developed throughout Southern Africa as part of the network.

Funding Work and Health in Southern Africa (SIDA)


To develop capacity in Southern Africa to address pesticide hazards: surveillance; risk perceptions; training; exposure characterization; interventions to reduce pesticide usage and exposure


YEAR 2 ACTIVITIES (AS PER ORIGINAL PROPOSAL) 1. Joint protocols developed in the areas of: surveillance of pesticide exposures and

health impacts, proper risk assessment, hazard communication effectiveness, risk perceptions, effectiveness of different methodologies of pesticide safety training, assessment of the economic and health consequences of pesticide use

2. Training of pesticide registrars 3. Skills of practitioners and scientists will be upgraded through short courses 4. A comprehensive investigation on needs of regional policy activities, development

projects and research 5. Networking workplan to be developed by UCT and TPRI. Will include resource

centre at TPRI and pesticides list-server at UCT POST YEAR 2 ACTIVITIES 1. A regional conference will be held to present overall findings 2. A Best Practice Manual will be compiled and published, including examples

developed in the project 3. Action programme developed at, at least, four major agricultural sites against

pesticide exposure Target group and/or beneficiaries

Occupational health professionals in Southern Africa; public officials concerned with pesticide policy; users: farmers and farm workers


This project aims to establish a regional Resource Complex between TPRI and UCT to support the development of capacity to address pesticides hazards. The Resource Complex will act as the node for establishing a network of researchers, practitioners and policy makers across the region. This network will serve as the basis for disseminating training and safety materials, implementing improved surveillance for pesticides poisoning, policy interventions to reduce pesticide use and capacity building at all levels

Dissemination

Project will disseminate via: a) electronic list-server; b) WAHSA website; c) hard copy newsletter; d) regional meetings and conferences e) publication in development fora; e) publications in scientific journals f) presentations to policy makers (e.g. parliamentary portfolio committees)

Impact: global/regional Regional – interventions through regional policy makers International: Key driver with SALTRA programme in Central America to develop South-South collaborative networks.


Regional network developed; improved surveillance for pesticide poisoning; training and safety materials widely disseminated; policy consultation with pesticide registrars in the region; action undertaken in two sites by end 2008 (Phase I). Project will disseminate via: a) electronic list-server; b) WAHSA website; c) hard copy newsletter; d) regional meetings and conferences; e) publication in development fora; e) publications in scientific journals; f) presentations to policy makers (e.g. parliamentary portfolio committees)

GPA5.28k Formerly AA3:Ag2


CC or NGO Name Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Environmental Medicine University Munich

Project title Lung disease in Agriculture – tools for assessment of exposure, burden of disease and prevention

Keywords Occupational lung disease, Agriculture


Holger Dressel MD MPH [email protected] Rudi Schierl, will be also Contact-Person and Co-Project leader

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[email protected]

Partners (of the CC Network) Médecine du Travail, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin Institute of Occupational Medicine, Skopje, FYROM Other CCs interested in participating

Other partners Local agricultural professions associations cooperate in this project.

Funding Local agricultural professions associations Funding for the global spread of the project will be applied for


Develop globally accessible tools to assess and reduce the burden of agricultural lung disease


Develop simple recommendations to reduce allergen exposure in farmers’ homes (by 2006) Develop tools for the evaluation of educational interventions (by 2007) Develop tools for secondary prevention (by 2008) Dissemination of tools through WHO CC centers (by 2009)


All occupations in the agricultural sector, public and private institutions dealing with compensation schemes for occupational diseases


We aim at developing tools to cover all aspects of lung disease in agriculture using a stepwise approach beginning with allergies to cow dander. One important issue is the transfer of allergens from the stables into living rooms, kitchens and beds. A study with 46 farmers showed clearly that concentrations of cow dander bos d2 allergens in dust samples from living-rooms and mattresses are above the supposed threshold level for risk of sensitization. In cases where farmers did not work in stables themselves anymore a transport of allergens is possible by family members. In a second step we currently evaluate educational and medical interventions in occupational asthma in agriculture.

Dissemination WHO/ILO documents; scientific papers; educational programs for agricultural workers Impact: global/regional Global


1. Data presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress 2006 2. Data will be presented at the German Congress for Occupational Health 2007. 3. Poster presentation in Buxton. 4. Results were also distributed by local press and television. 5. Currently planning studies to develop efficient screening strategies to detect

agricultural lung disease at an early stage and are planning cooperation with Médecine du Travail, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin and Institute of Occupational Medicine, Skopje, Macedonia.

GPA5.28l Formerly AA3:Ag3


CC or NGO Name IEA International Development Committee

Project title Ergonomics Checkpoints in Agriculture –A toolkit for developing countries

Keywords Ergonomic, agriculture, developing countries, workplace design, work environment.


Prof. David C Caple, Chair, [email protected]

Partners (of the CC Network) ILO, IOHA, IRET Costa Rica

Other partners

Funding Partial funding for workshops on the checkpoints has been provided by the ILO, SafeWork program, Geneva


To document at least 100 low cost practical solutions to ergonomic hazards faced by farmers in developing countries


To identify and document 100 checkpoints relating to ergonomic hazards in agriculture. • To test the validity of the checkpoints in South East Asia and India to provide a global document. Workshops already conducted in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in 2005. A further workshop conducted in India in December 2005.


Farmers and farm advisers in developing countries

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Abstract. Following the success of the ILO publication, “Ergonomic Checkpoints” the IEA offered to develop a following publication targeted to farmers in developing countries. A series of workshops have been conducted to identify issues and to document low cost practical checkpoints. The document will be reviewed in 2006 to address a range of emerging issues such as the diversity of agriculture scenarios in developing countries with consideration to the roles of women Development of 100 checkpoints showing practical suggestions to address ergonomic and OHS risks in agriculture in developing countries.

Dissemination ILO document to be released as part of the SafeWork program.

Impact: global/regional Global


The IEA has now documented over 100 Checkpoints in agriculture and is finalizing the illustrations to go with them. The IEA has conducted a workshop for verification in India and hopefully will do another in southern Africa later this year. There is also interest to do one in Brazil. As usual the funding of these is the problem as they cost around $10,000 each for the preparation and expenses for the presenter and the local costs for the host committee and attendees. The technical leader of this project is Dr Kazutaka Kogi from Japan. The IEA is hosting an international conference on ergonomics in agriculture in Malaysia from the 27th – 29th November this year. The website will be www.aedec.org. This site will be operational from the 15th March The 1.5 day workshop will be held prior to the conference on Ergonomics in Agriculture. This conference is being convened by Dr Halimahtun Kahlid in Malaysia. The materials for the workshop in Malaysia are under development. A selection of persons working in OHS and ergonomics in developing countries relating to agriculture will be invited to attend. The exact number will depend on the amount of external funding that can be obtained. A range of international stakeholders including the WHO, ILO, ICOH, IOHA and NIOSH (USA) have been invited to attend.

GPA5.28m Formerly AA3:Ag4


Project title Development of risk assessment guidelines for agricultural workers.

Project leader ICPS, Milan, Italy Prof. Angelo Moretto, International Centre for Pesticides and Health Risk Prevention, [email protected]

Partners -Prevention Unit of the General Directorate of Health, Region of Lombardy. -University of Cape Town, South Africa

Potential to involve additional partners

We foresee to involve other national and international experts in the field of agricultural health and safety.

Funding ICPS.

Issues to be addressed To provide methods for assessment of health risks in agriculture, with particular focus on pesticide use.

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Project outcomes

1. development of a generic model to perform risk assessment for agricultural workers exposed to plant protection products 2. definition of risk profiles for exposure to plant protection products in specific crops (greenhouses, vineyard, maize, rice). 3. development of a probabilistic approach for assessment of exposure to pesticides in selected scenarios. 4. elaboration of guidelines for health surveillance of agricultural workers. 5. organization of a regional/national conference to present the obtained results 6. publication and dissemination through scientific journals.

Dissemination Dissemination of the results will be channelled throughout the rural health network. The main results (risk profiles for crops of concern) will be translated in national languages of Eastern European countries.

Impact: global/regional Regional National


Risk profiles for exposure to plant protection products in specific crops will be soon available:

1) Risk profile for greenhouses is under validation process; the Prevention Unit of the General Directorate of Health, in the Region of Lombardy is performing environmental and biological monitoring on greenhouses worker exposed to chlorpyriphos and mancozeb. The results would be useful to validate the risk profiles for greenhouses.

2) Risk profile for maize and rice will be soon finalized. 3) Risk profile for vineyard is in progress

GPA5.28n Formerly AA3:Co1


CC or NGO Name Clinica del Lavoro “Luigi Devoto”, Milano

Project title Assessment of exposure to carcinogenic compounds, focusing on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in construction workers.

Keywords Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, construction workers, environmental and biological monitoring, bitumen fumes.


Dr. Laura Campo [email protected]

Partners (of the CC Network) IAPA (potential)

Other partners Lombardy Region, (Prevention of Occupational cancers project) Fondazione Ospedale Maggiore “Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena”, Milan.

Funding Lombardy Region, (Prevention of Occupational cancers project) University of Milan ISPESL/ICP Consortium for WHO Collaborating Center


1) Development of analytical methods to measure urinary biomarkers of exposure to carcinogenic compounds, with particular attention to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their application in workers exposed to bitumen fumes (asphalt workers and roofers). 2) Evaluation of the dermal exposure and comparison between dermal and inhalation exposure. 3) Evaluation of influence of genetic factors and of life style (tobacco smoking, diet) on PAHs exposure.


Definition of a toolkit for the evaluation and prevention of chemical risk in construction workers, i.e. dermal absorption and biological monitoring.


Workers, enterprises, prevention operators, occupational health physicians, institutions for safety and prevention at work.

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Workers employed in the road construction and maintenance companies are potentially exposed to bitumen fumes during either production or laying of asphalt. Bitumen contains a large number of different compounds among which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). IARC has classified some PAHs as probable (class 2A) or possible (class 2B) carcinogen to humans. The primary objective of this study are: to assess exposure to PAHs by means of environmental and biological monitoring in asphalt workers, to evaluate the contribution of occupational exposure and life style (cigarette smoking, diet) to the internal dose, to compare dermal and inhalation exposure, to evaluate the importance of genetic factors.

Dissemination Scientific publications, guidelines for safety and prevention at work, WHO/ILO documents, booklets and training packages for workers and employees.

Impact: global/regional Global


In progress activities: 1) Literature review about urinary biomarkers used to assess PAHs exposure and about level of exposure in asphalt workers. 2) Recruitment of subjects and collection of biological samples.

draft version: 2 june 2009 · 1/23 work plan 2009- 2012 who global network of collaborating centers...

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