I am at the 50th Annual meeting of the collaborating centres of the International Labour Organization (ILO). CCOHS is one of those collaborating centres, with 60 member countries represented here.
Steve Horvath, far right, presenting at the meeting.
I led off the meeting with a summary of initiatives and discussions in the last year.
There has been a fundamental recognition of the impact of changing technology and environment on the structure and strategy of the collaborating network within the ILO. I presented to the ILO the feedback from the ILO collaborating centres’ input to date on the re-focus of the ILO strategy on occupational health and safety systems, programs and products.
I am committed to the framework of a network of collaborating centres – but it must be adaptive and responsive to present realities. We have to shift our focus regularly and ask whether we are being effective as an organization in our initiatives and able to demonstrate progress. In this context, CCOHS is committed to working within the network towards a needs-based approach and to support the mobilization of available expertise and products.
The second day of meetings of the ILO network began with my being voted to chair their “Knowledge and Information Sharing Tools” group.
These are always lively discussions that highlight the opportunity to share established solutions and resources. This dialogue underscores the stark differences between the developing and developed countries, but, for me, the even greater issue is the significant commonality in challenges between all countries. Everyone is struggling with diminishing resources, increasing needs, accessing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and training of vulnerable or migrant workers – to name a few.
There is a compelling need created by the new environment for collaboration and the exchange of expertise to ensure we meet our common goals. These networks have to be built on a platform of reciprocal relationships, where resources are exchanged freely to the benefit of all.
I am looking forward to working collaboratively within these networks to meet the challenges that lay ahead.
There were 26 countries represented at the Mainstreaming OSH into Schools: Towards a Culture of Prevention meeting in Turin at the ILO training centre in Turin last week, and as I review the event, it has become apparent that Canada’s resources and expertise were very much in demand from other regions in the world. Some were developing countries looking for assistance in launching initiatives to address the needs for teaching OSH to students prior to entering the workforce. A number also had issues with child labour, an active informal economy, and increasing numbers of youth in precarious work that makes training and enforcement challenging.
CCOHS has resources to offer, in addition to support. Our programs, web sites, and databases are readily accessible. But, as I listened, there was also a real need for leadership and guidance by institutions and countries that have established regulations, standards, procedures and resource materials. We at CCOHS have a lot to contribute to the promotion of integrating OSH into the education curriculum.
I spoke of collaborating with educators at the early stages of curriculum development and the need to understand their processes in order to achieve a seamless integration into the lesson plans of teachers, instead of a distinct program requiring their time commitments outside their measured educational goals.
We have success stories here in Canada; in particular, and one of the ones presented here by Sue Boychuk, was the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s Live Safe! Work Smart! program. The results in terms of injury rate reductions over 10 years amongst teens (a 67% decrease) have been dramatic.
I also supported the concept of a mentorship program between developed and developing countries. Our resources and learning materials can benefit and pave the way, in a much more direct way.
As well as attending sessions on establishing national standards at CSA‘s annual conference and committee week, I had the pleasant opportunity to sit down over dinner on Sunday night with the two co-chairs of the technical committee on Mental Health in the Workplace, the committee establishing the national mental health standards that we have all been discussing.
Mary Anne Baynton and Roger Bertrand were engaging and had a lot of insights into the process and goals of the new psychological health standards. We shared a common vision, and there was commitment to address all the issues on this complex topic. CCOHS can certainly have an active role in promoting the standards as well as the “Guarding Minds at Work” online assessment tool to help organizations implement a healthy workplace program.
I also had an opportunity on Monday to sit down with Bonnie Rose, President of CSA, to discuss mutual interests and areas for collaboration between CCOHS and CSA. Our goals are complementary and we can develop synergies between us by working together.
Hola amigos and amigas from the 30th International Congress on Occupational Health in Mexico.
The agenda over the last few days has been hectic. Psychosocial issues have been a particularly significant topic of discussion from all areas of the world. Non-communicable diseases and integrating health care delivery with occupational health were also major topics of discussion.
I was asked to present the discussions and conclusions of a round table discussion on knowledge transfer and increasing the effectiveness of occupational health communication. It was a discussion I found fascinating because it defined in my mind the problem and galvanized the issues for me – although I do not believe all saw it from my perspective.
I noted in my presentation that while we discussed the merits and limitations of the Internet as a delivery vehicle, we were behaving a lot like the Web. Free flowing ideas going not only in two directions, but in a number of directions: creating a form of network of open dialogue.
Today’s workers are turning to the Internet for information, and it is incumbent on occupational health and safety professionals everywhere to reach out directly to workers and engage them in a dialogue about their needs. For the first time, the Internet and social media tools have allowed us to hear directly what the workforce needs. What they are looking for is information that is credible, understandable, relevant and unbiased. I believe the organizations that best tap into that resource will be the most effective in instilling change and creating healthy workplaces.
There are those that still see the professional’s role as evaluating data and collating it in a format that can be delivered through a network of other professionals. It is about building competencies in communities. At a local level it is an effective educational tool, but that is not where CCOHS will thrive. We must harness the global power of the Web and make a difference in workers’ lives wherever they may be.
Performance of Mayan music and folk dance
Last night our Mexican organizers hosted a cultural night. It began with a presentation by a local historian about the history of the Mayan civilization. That was followed by a performance of Mayan music and folk dance. A good time was had by all.
Sunday early afternoon before the start of the ICOH Congress, I had a meeting with the Chairman and Founder of the SOS Foundation, Arnaud Vaissie, and a couple of his senior staff. We discussed the issue of “duty of care” for an employer and the establishment of global guidelines in the area. We explored areas of collaboration and how we could move the initiative forward.
There was a panel discussion of experts convened on Monday evening to discuss the issue from various perspectives and consider solutions. CCOHS was well represented on the panel by our Dr. P.K. Abeytunga. Other members of the panel included (from left to right in the photo) the heads of ISSA, IOHA, NIOSH, past President of Finnish Institute, CCOHS, ICOH, and SOS Foundation.
Even prior to the kick-off of the WHO Collaborating Centres meetings, there was a flurry of activity that had a critical impact on CCOHS’ key initiative on vulnerable workers. Early intervention, open and supportive dialogue with WHO and suppport from our friends at NIOSH like Marilynn Fingerhut and John Howard were key in securing a resolution that saw our “Vulnerable Workers” program back on the agenda and which will, I am conviced, now flourish and make a significant impact nationally and globally on the health of young, immigrant and aging workers as well as women and those working in the informal economy.
The WHO has been going through challenging times due to the economic realities faced by member countries. Consequently, the WHO has been re-organizing and has had to focus on its key global priorities, in order to ensure that programs are completed to their established timelines. We’re pleased that our multilingual “Vulnerable Workers” Web portal project and NIOSH’s program on green industries and Nanotechnology were moved forward on the agenda, as Knowledge Network initiatives in conjunction with the WHO global priorities.
Now with the start of the Collaborating Centres Network meetings, there has been vigourous discussion and healthy consensus building leading to mutual understanding and resulting in effective promotion of healthy workplaces for all.
I’m just leaving the Congress and reflecting on the past few days. I am convinced everyone associated with CCOHS would be proud of the stature of our organization in the international forum. The Centre’s name and reputation for credible and evidence-based work is recognized globally. Due in no small part to the long term commitment of people like Abey.
I go home enriched with new knowledge and an increased network of collaboration.
There is a renewed vigour to address the growing dichotomy in occupational health and safety: from adapting to emerging psychosocial risks and implementing sophisticated controls for exposure to nanoparticles – which one researcher described as “the new asbestos” – to the most basic awareness needs amongst the expanding migrant and SME worker population in developing nations. There are great challenges ahead for CCOHS.
The Turkish Prime Minister addressed the congress about how Turkey had passed major occupational health and safety legislation this year. He spoke about the major economic and job growth in his country, but that there cannot be growth without social justice, and health and safety is one of the pillars. A very progressive vision of a country.
A lot of discussion on global strategy on health and safety in light of the present economic environment.
Outside the Halic Congress Centre in Istanbul, Turkey.
There is a need to build bridges between developed and developing countries – how appropriate from a city that is between two continents, Europe and Asia. We had been discussing the “casualization” of work and “precarious” employment (working poor) due to the new global economy, and the resulting health effects. CCOHS has to respond with a
holistic and integrated approach leading to cultural change and the sustainability of the workforce through occupational health and safety.
New H & S challenges will come from the emerging global activities such as: climate change; green jobs; nanotechnology; and, biotechnology. As well, there is an increase in migrant workers in 3D jobs (dirty/demanding/dangerous).
Just taking a quick break during the XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Istanbul, Turkey.
I have not had much time to absorb the culture, but the sights and sounds of the city are spectacular and the reception has been warm and the people friendly.
The meetings started on the Sunday before conference opening for me with the CIS Centres global network, of which CCOHS is an active member. Discussions were about best practices and what was effective in different parts of the world; then how we make the CIS more effective in getting the information to workers around the globe.
Side meetings with the ILO, WHO and others have taken up my time to establish collaborations and agreements on new programs and services that would be mutually beneficial.
There is an appetite for progress and change but all organizations are struggling with the challenges in light of restructuring and budget constraints.
I have just left the opening ceremony for the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences in Port Alberni, B.C.
Totem pole dedication ceremony
The program started with one of the most endearing traditions of the Pacific Northwest – a totem pole dedication ceremony and blessing from the elder of the local native group. This region has embraced the local culture and history of the First Nation people.
This University is about our investment in our young and their future, but they first stop to honour and reflect on the past.
In recognition of the safety and health mandate of the school, the native artists created a totem depicting a shaman healer during a healing ceremony.
