LABOR: Hazards Networker no. 92-05
Harel Barzilai
[Via misc.activism.progressive from LaborNet's labor.toxics]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[Inquiries by email, please, to har...@math.cornell.edu, for more
information about LaborNet or about misc.activism.progressive]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Topic 86 Hazards Networker no. 92-05
gn:lhazards Resources for labor re:toxics 7:57 pm Aug 25, 1992
[try lhaz...@gn.apc.org --HB]
=================================================================
Hazards Networker
(Electronic mail edition) No 92/05 - July 1992
=================================================================
Current information on workplace and community health and safety
=================================================================
Hazards Networker aims to provide a means for labour, community
and resource organisations to share health and safety
information.
Hazards Networker describes health and safety documents by or for
trade unionists and community campaigners, including local
agreements, site reports and other unpublished material. Plus a
selection from official publications, academic studies,
management magazines and the press.
The entries are from the library database at the London Hazards
Centre, a resource centre providing advice, information and
training for workplace and community groups.
If you have a piece of information you think other people could
use, send it to the Networker. Either send us a copy of the
document with your comments on it, or ask us for some cataloguing
forms.
We would like to find volunteer translators who could make
English summaries for the Networker, and who might also make
translations of complete documents which users requested. German,
French, Italian, Spanish are the main languages we might need,
but not the only ones.
Hazards Networker is run cheaply for the benefit of people who
can't afford expensive commercial or official health and safety
information. We get no grant support for its production, so
please support us by helping get new subscriptions to the paper
version.
BACK-UP: see separate posting 'Hazards Networker Back-up'
for information on:
DOCUMENT REQUESTS - How to get copies of the documents listed.
INFORMATION SEARCHES - Requesting searches on the LHC database.
SUBSCRIPTIONS - To the printed version of Hazards Networker.
OTHER LHC ACTIVITIES - Publications, advice, training, research.
=====================================================================
London Hazards Centre 308 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8DS, UK
Tel: 44-(0)71-837 5605 Fax: 44-(0)71-833 9956
E-Mail: MCR1:LONDON-HAZARDS / gn:lhazards,
London Hazards Centre Trust is registered charity no 293677
=====================================================================
<PAGE>
=====================================================================
LISTINGS:
=====================================================================
Arrangement:
Trade unions -/- Labour & community organisations -/-
UK government -/- Other official documents -/-
Press, academic, and the rest
Prices: PSt (Pounds sterling) unless specified.
=====================================================================
TRADE UNIONS
=====================================================================
REF: 9205001
FIET for better conditions in hairdressing and beauty care. News
item. FIET info n4/5 p7-8 --MAY92
COMMENT: First international conference on FIET's Hair and Beauty
Care Trade Section: expressed concerns over chemical hazards, but
praised EC directives on cosmetics.
SUBJECTS: COSMETICS/ HAIRDRESSING/
REF: 9205002
Justice for janitors: Apple campaign bears fruit. News item.
FIET info n4/5 p1-2. --MAY92 Supplier: FIET, 15 avenue de Baxelert,
1219 Chatelaine-Geneva, Switzerland; 022-796-2733.
COMMENT: Contractor cleaning Apple Computers California HQ has been
forced to recognise Service Employees Union (SEIU) representation by
the well-organised Justice for Janitors Campaign. The campaign has
forced recognition from a number of other anti-union computer firms
including IBM. Hazards, including sexual harassment, are on the
campaign's agenda.
SUBJECTS: APPLE COMPUTERS/ CLEANING/ ELECTRONICS/ UNION-BUSTING/ USA/
REF: 9205003
Submission by the National Communications Union to the Health and
Safety Executive in respect of the proposals for regulation and
guidance on the EC directive on work with display screen equipment
(90/270/EEC). Sapper, Simon; NCU (National Communications Union).
Typescript, 7pp. --MAY92 Supplier: NCU, 150 Brunswick Road, London W5
1AW; 081-998 2981.
COMMENT: Punchy criticism of the UK's proposed implementation of the
EC 'VDU Directive'. The draft regulations seek to minimise the impact
of the directive and evade the requirements for work-station
standards and eye testing. Sapper was a union representative on the
HSC committee which drew up the proposals, from which the union side
dissented strongly.
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LAW/ VDUS/
REF: 9205004
More comments and news from West Midlands. News item. WEA
Walsall monthly bulletin n155 --JUN92
COMMENT: News of anti-pollution campaigns in West Midlands.
Successful protest against incinerator in Warwick. Resistance to
proposed incinerator at Foxyards former sewage works.
SUBJECTS: CAMPAIGNS/ INCINERATORS/ POLLUTION/ WEST MIDLANDS/
REF: 9205005
Health, safety and welfare report to Walsall Trades Union Council,
June 1992. WEA Walsall monthly bulletin n155 --JUN92
COMMENT: Current concerns include the very high dioxin pollution
levels, and the handling of waste (flytipping, incinerators). Recalls
recent convictions of companies Leigh and Shanks/McEwan.
SUBJECTS: CONVICTIONS/ DIOXIN/ WASTE/
REF: 9205006
OCAW comments on pesticide law: statement ... before the US Senate
committee on Agriculture... Wages, Robert E; Oil, Chemical and
Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW). 20MAY92 Supplier: E-mail:
GEO2:HAZARDS-BBS; igc:labornet.
COMMENT: US chemical workers' union comments on the 'Circle of
Poison Prevention Act'. This act would ban manufacture of pesticides
including chlordane and heptachlor. OCAW calls for measures to
re-train workers for worthwhile jobs, and a medical monitoring
programme.
SUBJECTS: CHLORDANE/ CIRCLE OF POISON PREVENTION ACT/ HEPTACHLOR/
PESTICIDES BANS/ USA/ VELSICOL/
REF: 9205007
It's time to ban those fishtails Sinclair, Ross (UCATT North West
Region). Letter. UCATT viewpoint --JUN92
COMMENT: Fishtail brick ties are a twisted metal strip with sharp
slit ends that frequently cause serious cuts. Trade union pressure
and successful compensation cases have now led to production of
alternative designs.
SUBJECTS: BRICKLAYING/ SUBSTITUTION/
REF: 9205008
Weightwatching drive by UCATT. News item. UCATT viewpoint
--JUN92
COMMENT: UCATT at Manchester council are negotiating the union's
first comprehensive agreement on lifting heavy loads, based on the
European Community directive.
SUBJECTS: AGREEMENTS/ CONSTRUCTION/ LIFTING/
REF: 9205009
All the hazards under the sun. O'Neill, Rory (Sheffield
Occupational Health Project). Feature article UCATT viewpoint
--JUN92
COMMENT: Advice for outdoor workers on protection from excessive
sunlight. Even before the hole in the ozone layer was detected,
building workers had an above average rate of skin cancers. This
article can be used as a factsheet on the subject.
SUBJECTS: CONSTRUCTION/ SUNLIGHT/
REF: 9205010
Safety directives watered down. Feature article Labour research
v81 n6 p19-20 --JUN92
COMMENT: Trade unions criticise the HSE's dilution of European
Community directives on health and safety as they draw up the UK
implementation. Key issues are the right to refuse dangerous work,
VDUs, noise, and enforcement resources.
SUBJECTS: ENFORCEMENT/ EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/ NOISE/ STOP THE JOB/
VDUS - LAW/
REF: 9205011
Accidents at work. Feature article Labour research v81 n6 p24
--JUN92
COMMENT: Summary of reporting (RIDDOR) and inspection obligations
and rights after an incident ('accident').
SUBJECTS: ACCIDENTS/ REPORTING/
REF: 9205012
Organochlorine pesticides. Gullestrup, Jorgen. News item.
Hazards: bulletin of the Queensland Workers Health Centre, n30 p10-11
--MAR92
COMMENT: Australian building workers' union is campaigning for a
total ban on organochlorine pesticides, having achieved a ban for
building sites.
SUBJECTS: AUSTRALIA/ CONSTRUCTION/ ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES/
PESTICIDES BANS/
REF: 9205013
Dealing with sexual harassment: guidelines for members and
representatives. TGWU Booklet, 12pp. --MAR92 Supplier: TGWU,
Transport House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JB.
COMMENT: A good guide for trade unionists. Explains the problem and
its politics, gives clear plan for addressing it. Covers harassment
by members of the same union or another union. Model policy. TGWU
regional contacts.
SUBJECTS: SEXUAL HARASSMENT/
REF: 9205014
Safety reps information and inspection rights. Feature article
Bargaining report n117 p6 --MAY92 Bargaining brief
COMMENT: Summarises rights in factsheet form.
SUBJECTS: HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS/ INFORMATION ACCESS/
REF: 9205015
Smoking and alcohol policies at work. Feature article
Bargaining report n117 p14-15 --MAY92
COMMENT: Concern about productivity is leading employers to bring in
total bans on smoking and alcohol. Unions want policies that provide
facilities to encourage and enable workers to abide by policies.
Summarises a number of union and employers' views and policies.
Reproduces ACAS checklist for alcohol policy.
SUBJECTS: AGREEMENTS/ ALCOHOLISM/ SMOKING/
REF: 9205016
Competition, cuts and contractors: lessons for trade unionists from
three flagship London boroughs. NALGO; Centre for Public
Services. 57pp. --MAR92 Supplier: CFPS, 1 Sidney St. Sheffield S1
4RG. Price: 5.00 to trade unions and community groups.
COMMENT: Detailed report from NALGO Met District and three NALGO
branches investigates extent and consequences of privatisation in
London's Conservative flagship boroughs - Westminster, Wandsworth and
Kensington and Chelsea.
SUBJECTS: KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA/ PRIVATISATION/ WANDSWORTH/
WESTMINSTER/
REF: 9205017
Workers' rights and 1992: LRD guide to the Social Charter and the
Action Programme. LRD (Labour Research Department). Booklet,
38pp. --FEB90 Supplier: LRD, 78 Blackfriars Road, London SE1. Price:
1.40 ISBN: 0-946-898-316
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/
REF: 9205018
Out at work: lesbian and gay workers rights. Labour Research
Department. Booklet 32pp. --JUL92 Supplier: LRD, 78 Blackfriars
Road, London SE1 8YX. Price: PSt 1.50 labour movement, 10 others.
COMMENT: How unions should, can and sometimes do support gay and
lesbian members against victimisation, harassment and suppression of
their identity. Surveys workplace agreements, union structures and
initiatives.
SUBJECTS: AGREEMENTS/ LESBIANS AND GAYS/
REF: 9205019
Silent injury: strain injuries and bus drivers in South Yorkshire.
TGWU Central Committee South Yorkshire Transport; TGWU Region 9.
Booklet 8pp. --JUN92 Supplier: TGWU Region 9, Blenheim Terrace,
Leeds. Price: Free?
COMMENT: Survey conducted in summer 1991 shows high level of
muscular/skeletal strain injuries among South Yorkshire bus drivers.
Two thirds reported back pain, half reported neck or shoulder pain,
leg problems were also reported. Seat design and long shifts were the
main reasons given. Action and recommendations focused on cab and
seat design, scheduling, compensation, awareness.
SUBJECTS: BACK/ BUSWORKERS/ COMPENSATION/ DRIVING/ JOB DESIGN/
REPETITION STRAIN INJURIES/ SHIFTWORK/
REF: 9205020
Work-related upper limb disorders: health and safety guide.
USDAW. Booklet 48pp. --APR92 Supplier: USDAW, 188 Wilmslow Road,
Manchester M14 6LJ Price: 1.50 members, 10 others.
COMMENT: Shopworkers' union guide on RSI/WRULD. Looks clear and well
laid out. Step-by-step explanation on organising to prevent it,
including a security of employment agreement so victims aren't afraid
to report RSI for fear of the sack.
SUBJECTS: FRUSTRATION OF CONTRACT/ REPETITION STRAIN INJURIES/
SHOPWORK/
=====================================================================
LABOUR / COMMUNITY / CAMPAIGN / RESOURCE
=====================================================================
REF: 9205021
Unlocking the factory door: the community demands the right-to-know.
Is industry working? Having the ability to act. Report to the Coode
Island Review Panel. HAZMAG (Hazardous Materials Action Group);
Adams Paul; Ruchel, Matt. 56pp + appendices. --MAR92 Supplier:
HAZMAG, PO Box 27, Yarraville, Victoria, Australia 3013. ISBN:
0-646-09035-6
COMMENT: The Review Panel was set up after fires at chemical storage
facilities at Coode Island in August 1991. This report reviews and
evaluates local and international models of community right-to-know
legislation; identifies issues and makes recommendations about the
role of communities in monitoring the chemical industry.
SUBJECTS: AUSTRALIA/ CHEMICAL INDUSTRY/ INFORMATION ACCESS/
REF: 9205022
Accident at Mexican pesticide plant raises local and international
health and safety issues. PANUPS 23APR92
COMMENT: A major spill of hydrochloric acid occurred in Mexicali on
12 January 1992. It showed hazards of pesticides plants to local
community, and failures in government protection and information
rules. Gives actions and contacts.
SUBJECTS: DISASTERS/ HYDROCHLORIC ACID/ MEXICO/ PESTICIDES INDUSTRY/
USA/
REF: 9205023
Ban sought on pesticide that destroys ozone layer. Californians
for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs). 9pp 16APR92 Supplier: CATs, 860
1/2 11th St, Arcata, CA 95521, USA.
COMMENT: Methyl bromide, used as a pesticide in homes, is under
attack from both environmentalists and health and safety campaigners.
US EPA restricted its use after two people were killed by its
domestic use.
SUBJECTS: DEATHS/ METHYL BROMIDE/ PESTICIDES BANS/ USA/
REF: 9205024
ANC press statement on toxic waste importation. African National
Congress (ANC). 31MAR92 Supplier: E-mail: posted in gn:labor.toxics
by igc.africafund.
COMMENT: Denounces Thor Chemicals, a UK subsidiary which poisoned
workers and community with mercury.
SUBJECTS: EXPORTING HAZARDS/ MERCURY/ SOUTH AFRICA/ THOR CHEMICALS/
TOXIC WASTE/
REF: 9205025
Oil on their faces: management at British Rail. Merritt, Mike.
News item. 04JUN92
Supplier: E-mail BB MCR1:HAZARDS-NEWS from MCR1:MIKE.MERRITT.
COMMENT: Railway guards in Dorset were required to walk along
electrified through track in order to inspect trains carrying waste
gas from the Wych Farm oilfield. Management stonewalled attempts to
negotiate on the hazard. Finally the trainmen refused to do the work.
They won. Mike argues that HSWA section 7 gives the right (in fact
the duty) to refuse unsafe work.
SUBJECTS: INDUSTRIAL ACTION/ OIL DRILLING/ RAILWAYS/ STOP THE JOB/
REF: 9205026
Annual report 1991/92. Nottingham RSI Support Group. Typescript
4pp. --JUN92
COMMENT: Interesting account of a year's grass-roots campaigning and
investigation on RSI.
SUBJECTS: ORGANISING/ REPETITION STRAIN INJURIES/
REF: 9205027
What happens when 'quality' programs come to the health care
industry? Colatosti, Camille Feature article Labor notes n159
p3 & 9. --JUN92
COMMENT: Cost cutting 'quality' programmes in US health care
industry create health problems of workload stress (burn-out) for
workers.
SUBJECTS: CONTROL OVER YOUR WORK/ CUTS/ HEALTH CARE/ JOB DESIGN/
STRESS/ USA/
REF: 9205029
Guide to the Commonwealth Health and safety act. Muir, Alan.
Feature article Hazards: bulletin of the Queensland Workers Health
Centre, n30 p2-8 --MAR92
COMMENT: Detailed summary and assessment of new Australian health
and safety law.
SUBJECTS: AUSTRALIA/ LAW/
REF: 9205030
Experts debate indoor environment: conference report. McLoughlin,
Deb Feature article Hazards: bulletin of the Queensland Workers
Health Centre, n30 p12-15 --MAR92
COMMENT: Worker's health centre delegate's detailed account of the
discussions on sick building syndrome at the Asia-Pacific Public
Works Conference, September 1991. One report suggests that sump
temperature is more important in controlling legionella than cooling
tower hygiene or biocides. Another suggests that cleaning methods
play a part: for example ordinary vacuum cleaners just throw up the
finer dust to breathing level.
SUBJECTS: DUST/ LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE/ SICK BUILDING SYNDROME/
REF: 9205031
Halophen, halophane and dichlorophen. London Hazards Centre.
Factsheet. Rev ed. --JUL91
SUBJECTS: HALOPHEN/
REF: 9205032
Fact sheet on farm worker health, working conditions and pestcicides.
Pesticides Action Network, North America. 24APR92 Supplier:
igc/en-pesticides conference.
COMMENT: Review of current situation in North America.
SUBJECTS: AGRICULTURE/ PESTICIDES/ USA/
REF: 9205033
Report of third RSI conference, April 1992, Manchester College.
8pp. --APR92 Supplier: NELASH, 7 Croydon Street, Blackburn, Lancs BB2
6HF.
COMMENT: Conference of activists and support groups. Includes report
from a workshop held on European Community directives. This report
was submitted to the Health and Safety Executive in response to its
consultative document on the VDU directive.
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/ REPETITION STRAIN INJURIES/ VDUS/
REF: 9205034
International union rights International Centre for Trade Union
Rights (ICTUR); Trask, Roger (editor). Journal, quarterly --APR92
Supplier: ICTUR, 203 North Gower St., London NW1 2NL.
COMMENT: Political journal on union struggles, mainly focusing on
right to organise and state repression. Occasional health and safety
content. Spanish summaries provided from issue 2 onwards. LHC has all
issues. ICTUR has UK and USA offices and the president is John Hendy,
QC.
SUBJECTS: RIGHTS AT WORK/ TRADE UNIONS/ VICTIMISATION/
REF: 9205035
Feeling the heat: outdoor workers and exposure to sunlight.
Sheffield Occupational Health Project (SOHP); Sheffield Trade Union
Safety Committee. Leaflet --JUN92 Supplier: 37 Exchange St.,
Sheffield S1 5TR. Price: Free?
COMMENT: Good practical workers' summary of hazards and prevention.
SUBJECTS: HEAT/ OUTDOOR WORK/ SUNLIGHT/
REF: 9205036
Do you have occupational asthma? Sheffield Occupational Health
Project (SOHP); Sheffield Trade Union Safety Committee. Leaflet
--JUN92 Supplier: 37 Exchange St., Sheffield S1 5TR. Price: Free?
COMMENT: Good practical workers' guide to DSS benefit for
occupational asthma.
SUBJECTS: ALLERGY/ ASTHMA/ INDUSTRIAL BENEFIT/
REF: 9205037
Common interests: women organising in global electronics. Women
Working Worldwide. Book 237pp. -----91 Supplier: WWW, Box 92, 190
Upper Street, London N1 1RQ, UK. Price: PSt 6.99 ISBN: 0-9517075-0-7
COMMENT: First hand accounts of women workers' experiences and
struggles in the worldwide micro-electronics industry. Chapters on:
South Korea, USA, Scotland, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Thailand,
Italy, Malaysia, Japan, India, Pakistan, Philippines. Contacts and
resource list.
SUBJECTS: CHINA/ ELECTRONICS/ HONG KONG/ INDIA/ ITALY/ JAPAN/
MALAYSIA/ PAKISTAN/ PHILIPPINES/ SCOTLAND/ SOUTH KOREA/ TAIWAN/
THAILAND/ USA/ WOMEN/
-- Hit <RETURN> or <ENTER> for more (51% read) --
Conf?
[Continued] Topic 86 Hazards Networker no. 92-05
=====================================================================
UK GOVERNMENT
=====================================================================
REF: 9205038
Personal protective equipment: a ceramics industry booklet. HSC:
Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee. Booklet. --JUN92 IAC/L56
Supplier: HSE. Price: Free.
SUBJECTS: CERAMICS INDUSTRY/ PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT/
REF: 9205039
Asbestos in kilns and driers: a ceramics industry booklet. HSC:
Ceramics Industry Advisory Committee. Booklet. --JUN92 IAC/L57
Supplier: HSE. Price: Free.
SUBJECTS: ASBESTOS - WORKPLACE/ CERAMICS INDUSTRY/
REF: 9205040
Noise: a ceramics industry booklet. HSC: Ceramics Industry
Advisory Committee. Booklet. --JUN92 IAC/L54 Supplier: HSE.
Price: Free.
SUBJECTS: CERAMICS INDUSTRY/ NOISE/
REF: 9205041
Workplace inspection: a ceramics industry booklet. HSC: Ceramics
Industry Advisory Committee. Booklet. --JUN92 IAC/L55 Supplier:
HSE. Price: Free.
SUBJECTS: CERAMICS INDUSTRY/ HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS/
REF: 9205042
COSHH and peripatetic workers. HSE Booklet 16pp HMSO 22JUN92
HS(G)77 Price: 4.00 ISBN: 0-11-885733-9
COMMENT: Workers covered include cleaners, drivers, building trades,
postworkers, engineers, salespeople, doctors, home helps, refuse
collectors, surveyors and anyone else who doesn't work always at a
fixed place.
SUBJECTS: CLEANING/ CONSTRUCTION/ CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO
HEALTH/ NON-EMPLOYEES/ PAINTING AND DECORATING/ PERIPATETIC WORKERS/
REFUSE COLLECTION/ VISITORS/
REF: 9205043
Local authorities report on health and safety in service industries
1990-91. HSE: HELA (Health and Safety Enforcement Liaison
Committee). Book 85pp. HMSO 30JUN92 Price: 4.75 ISBN:
0-11-885741-X
COMMENT: Important statistical source on shops, catering, garages,
social care, leisure, etc. This year shows 2 per cent more major
injuries and 8 per cent more incidents ('accidents'). Special
chapters on: violence to shopworkers, mineral fibres, RSIs,
dermatitis in hairdressers and florists, legionnaire's disease, sick
building syndrome, warehouses, peripatetic workers. Explains
enforcement responsibilities.
SUBJECTS: DERMATITIS/ FLORISTS/ HAIRDRESSING/ LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE/
MANUFACTURED MINERAL FIBRES/ PERIPATETIC WORKERS/ REPETITION STRAIN
INJURIES/ SERVICE INDUSTRIES/ SHOPWORK/ SICK BUILDING SYNDROME/
VIOLENCE/ WAREHOUSES/
REF: 9205044
Asbestos: worker protection and further prohibitions: proposal for
regulations and guidance. HSC --JUN92 Supplier: Robert Jones
Memorial Workshops, Units 3 & 5-9, Grain Industrial Estate, Harlow
Street, Liverpool L8 4UH (tel 051-709 1354/5/6; fax 051-709 1478).
Price: Free
COMMENT: Proposed regulations to implement EC directives in UK.
Deadline for comments is 31 July 1992, although it was not issued
until 8 June 1992.
SUBJECTS: ASBESTOS - WORKPLACE/ EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/
=====================================================================
OTHER OFFICIAL BODIES
=====================================================================
REF: 9205045
List of pesticides banned and severely restricted in the United
States. USA: Environmental Protection Agency PANNA 29MAY92
COMMENT: 43 banned pesticides and 10 restricted ones.
SUBJECTS: PESTICIDES BANS/ USA/
REF: 9205046
Action plan to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Kilbom, Asa.
News item. Research news n1/92 -----92 Supplier: National Institute
of Occupational Health, S1717 84 Solna, Sweden.
COMMENT: The Swedes are working on a national plan of preventive
action on RSI.
SUBJECTS: REPETITION STRAIN INJURIES/ SWEDEN/
REF: 9205047
Proposal for a Council directive on the protection of young people at
work. European Commission Law text Official journal no C 84
p7-12. 18MAR92 Price: 3.75
COMMENT: Specifies processes and exposures which young people would
not be permitted to work with if exposure could be thought to damage
their health (who decides?). Night work and working time covered.
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/ YOUNG PEOPLE/
REF: 9205048
Environmental strategy. London Borough of Barnet. --JAN91
Supplier: LB Barnet, Chief Executive's Dept, Town Hall, Hendon,
London NW4 4BG.
COMMENT: Papers relating to the development of an environmental
protection strategy, notably paper on use of pesticides. Ban on
atrazine and simazine decided and other moves made to reduce
pesticide use.
SUBJECTS: BARNET/ PESTICIDES BANS/
REF: 9205049
Update on health and safety issues. Hughes, Stephen (MEP)
Typescript 01JUL92
COMMENT: Summary of negotiations on health & safety issues in the EC
Social Affairs Council by the Socialist Group spokesperson. Mainly
concerns working time and pregnancy proposals. Attaches leaked copy
of UK government's negotiating position.
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LAW/ HOURS OF WORK/ PREGNANCY/
REF: 9205050
Provincial/territorial governments provide interim funding to save
CCOHS free inquiries service. CCOHS (Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health and Safety. News release. 24MAR92
COMMENT: The CCOHS has been forced to suspend its newsletter and
education activities because the government is forcing it to become
self-funding. The Centre's commitment to supplying health and safety
information freely or cheaply to those who need it was a good example
to other government agencies and its elimination will be a loss.
SUBJECTS: CANADA/ INFORMATION ACCESS/ PROFIT AND SAFETY/
=====================================================================
PRESS / ACADEMIC / OTHER
=====================================================================
REF: 9205051
Case control study of lung cancer in a cohort of workers potentially
exposed to slag wool fibres. Musselman, E G (USG Corporation).
Letter. BJIM v49 p454. --JUN92
COMMENT: Supports report that slag wool doesn't cause lung cancer;
suggests that this is because it breaks up more quickly than other
manufactured fibres.
SUBJECTS: LUNG CANCER/ MANUFACTURED MINERAL FIBRES/ SLAG WOOL/
REF: 9205052
Asbestos and cancer: history and public policy. Morgan, W K C
(University Hospital, London, Ontario). Letter BJIM v49 n6 p451.
--JUN92
COMMENT: Continues the controversy over the date of the asbestos
industry's guilty knowledge. Defends the manufacturers, vituperates
correspondent Weller, and appears to allege bribery of the judiciary
by claimants.
SUBJECTS: ASBESTOS - INDUSTRY/
REF: 9205053
Small airways dysfunction among non-smoking shipyard arc welders.
Hjortsberg, Ulf, & others (Malmo General Hospital). Research paper
BJIM v49 n6 p441-444. --JUN92
COMMENT: Found small airways disease in 14 welders who were
non-smokers and atopic (ie not subject to allergies).
SUBJECTS: ALLERGY/ LUNG/ SMOKING/ WELDING/
REF: 9205054
Diagnoses of alcohol abuse and other neuropsychiatric disorders among
house painters compared with house carpenters. Lundberg, Ivar, &
others (Karolinska Hospital; Sweden: National Institute of
Occupational Health) Research paper BJIM v49 n6 p409-415. --JUN92
COMMENT: Shows that painters have an apparently higher rate of
alcoholism than house carpenters who drink the same amounts: this
apparent rate of alcoholism is probably due to paint solvents
interacting with a typical alcohol intake.
SUBJECTS: ALCOHOLISM/ PAINT/ SOLVENTS/
REF: 9205055
Studying the effects of industrial emissions. Safety and Health
Practitioner v10 n6 p4-5. --JUN92
COMMENT: Debate around the validity of epidemiological studies of
the effects of industrial emissions on the health of local
communities. Professor Pocock of the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine argues that exposure is difficult to determine and
alleges that the objectivity of many studies is compromised by those
involved being committed in advance to certain findings. Professor
Bhopal of the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who carried out a
detailed study of the health effects of emissions from the Monkton
Coking Works, takes an opposing view. Also reports on work of the
Small Area Health Statistics Unit (based at the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), set up to investigate the incidence
of disease near to industrial sites.
SUBJECTS: AIR POLLUTION/ COMMUNITY HEALTH/ STATISTICS/
REF: 9205057
Crown court to hear death case. Prior, Grant. News item.
Construction news 30APR92
COMMENT: Magistrates ignored HSE inspector Bob Tunnicliffe's views
and referred a construction death case to the Crown court. The death
was that of John Rowland at a Demolition UK site at Ronan Point, East
London.
SUBJECTS: CONSTRUCTION/ DEATHS/ PROSECUTIONS/
REF: 9205058
Crane driver slams HSE over site accident probe. Prior, Grant.
News item. Construction news 23APR92
COMMENT: HSE admits that it often decides whether or not to
investigate an accident solely on the basis of the employer's own
report. As a result, in this case, it failed to investigate the
disabling of a crane driver, Roger Beesley, employed by Rees Hough at
Sevenoaks.
SUBJECTS: CONSTRUCTION/ ENFORCEMENT/ HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE/
REF: 9205059
Many nurses 'ignorant and prejudiced about AIDS'. Brindle, David
News item. Guardian 15MAY92
COMMENT: Royal College of Pathologists reports low risk of HIV to
health workers: 60 cases worldwide, one being in Britain. Despite
this many nurses are frightened of working with HIV/AIDS sufferers.
SUBJECTS: ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME/ HEALTH SERVICES/
NURSING/
REF: 9205060
Weedkiller ban follows breach of drinking water limit.
Ehrlichman, James. News item. Guardian 13MAY92
COMMENT: Atrazine and simazine are banned for non-farm uses in the
UK from 31 August 1992, and for aerial crop spraying. Non-farm users
include local councils and British Rail. The ban results from
detection of water contamination levels above European Community
limits.
SUBJECTS: ATRAZINE/ PARKS AND GARDENS/ PESTICIDES BANS/ RAILWAYS/
SIMAZINE/
REF: 9205061
'Why are our babies dying?' Allen, Robert. Feature article.
Independent 10MAY92
COMMENT: Women in the Donegal town of Carndonagh suffer a high rate
of miscarriages and birth disorders since adhesives manufacturer
Truloc started operations 5 years ago. Formaldehyde and cyanide are
among the pollutants. Typical and accepted formaldehyde exposure
symptoms of skin and lungs are experienced: the reproductive hazard
is controversial.
SUBJECTS: ADHESIVES/ AIR POLLUTION/ BIRTH DEFECTS/ CYANIDE/
FORMALDEHYDE/ IRELAND/ MISCARRIAGES/
REF: 9205062
Hooked on IT. Herman, Gary. Feature article. New statesman
and society p26 01MAY92
COMMENT: Reports a conference on labour movement use of information
technology and electronic communication, Manchester, April 1992.
London Hazards Centre participated. Herman (like the participants who
were drawn from 5 continents) sees electronic mail as a useful tool.
SUBJECTS: ELECTRONIC MAIL/ INFORMATION FINDING/ INFORMATION HANDLING/
REF: 9205063
Tenant-friendly pest control puts Lambeth ahead of schedule. News
item. Env health news v7 n22 p3 05JUN92
COMMENT: Lambeth has set up a prioritised block treatment system to
deal with cockroach and pharaoh's ants infestations. The programme is
ahead of schedule the systematic approach has reduced the workload
which used to result from dealing with infestations piecemeal.
Success is partly attributed to the new insecticide hydramethlynon
because it doesn't smell, and is quick to apply. No information about
toxicity. This successful programme is threatened by poll tax
capping.
SUBJECTS: BLOCK TREATMENT/ COCKROACHES/ HYDRAMETHLYNON/ INSECTICIDES/
LAMBETH/ PEST CONTROL/ PHARAOHS ANTS/ TOWER BLOCKS/
REF: 9205064
Peckham flats in legionella scare. News item. Environmental
health news v7 n22 p5 05JUN92
COMMENT: Legionella found in showers used by workers servicing water
heating boilers. Southwark runs 3-monthly checks on water supplies in
council blocks. Council shut down all water supply, chlorinated,
informed tenants and notified local hospital. Seems an example of
good practice.
SUBJECTS: HOUSING/ LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE/ MAINTENANCE/ SOUTHWARK/
REF: 9205065
Farmworkers still at risk: federal report. Asher, Julie.
Feature article San Francisco Bay Guardian 25MAR92 Supplier: PANUPS
COMMENT: A US governmental report finds that farmworkers' conditions
haven't improved in 15 years. 300,000 illnesses and injuries a year,
inadequate hazards information, inadequate protection, children
exposed, etc.
SUBJECTS: AGRICULTURE/ CHILDREN/ DEATHS/ PESTICIDES/ STATISTICS/ USA/
REF: 9205066
SA to check mercury risks at Thor. News item. Guardian 04JUN92
COMMENT: 'The uglier face of British capitalism is about to be
exposed in South Africa once again'. Three workers for Thor
Chemicals, subsidiary of a UK company, are dying of mercury
poisoning.
SUBJECTS: EXPORTING HAZARDS/ MERCURY/ POLLUTION/ SOUTH AFRICA/ THOR
CHEMICALS/
REF: 9205067
Hot-blooded busmen can show a leg. News item. South London
press 29MAY92
COMMENT: TGWU members in 3 south London bus garages forced bosses to
permit wearing of shorts in hot weather; management at first
threatened to send home anyone wearing shorts. Modern bus design has
poor ventilation.
SUBJECTS: BUSWORKERS/ HOT WORKPLACES/
REF: 9205068
Midwife Anita wins reinstatement fight. News item. Hackney
Gazette 01MAY92
COMMENT: Midwife Anita Ceesay shouted at a hospital visitor who
racially abused her and threatened violence. She was summarily
sacked. Following support by other health workers she was
re-instated. Her employer, the Royal London Hospital Trust is
'considering' reintroducing a training programme for staff on dealing
with violence. (LHC asks: why was the programme dropped?)
SUBJECTS: DISMISSAL/ HEALTH SERVICE/ RACISM/ VIOLENCE/
REF: 9205069
Gummer acts on sheep dip hazard. News item. Guardian 06JUN92
COMMENT: Compulsory dipping of sheep in insecticides and fungicides
is to cease in UK. Twenty years of organophosphorous saturation have
failed to eliminate scab and tick, have poisoned workers and animals,
and have contaminated ground and water.
SUBJECTS: ORGANOPHOSPHATES/ PESTICIDE BANS/
REF: 9205070
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by epoxy resins. Nixon, R;
Frowen, K. Research paper. Journal of occupational health and
safety: Australia and New Zealand). --MAR92
COMMENT: 'In a recent Australian study of 234 workers using epoxy
resins, a total of 52 were found to have an occupational skin
disease, of which 24 were allergic in nature. Almost all affected
workers continued working despite this, most took little time off,
and many didn't see a doctor. The researchers concluded that
occupational allergic contact dermatitis may be much more common than
is estimated in studies based on either workers compensation
statistics or from the records of specialised dermatology clinics.
(Comment by Queensland Workers Health Centre in their bulletin
'Hazards', n30, March 92.
SUBJECTS: ALLERGY/ AUSTRALIA/ DERMATITIS/ EPOXY RESINS/ REPORTING/
STATISTICS/
REF: 9205071
Computers and visual stress: how to enhance visual comfort while
using computers. Godnig, Edward; Hacunda, John. Book, 108pp.
-----90 Supplier: Seacoast Information Services, 4446 South County
Trail, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA. ISBN: 0-9625708-5-0
COMMENT: Written by a software engineer and an optometrist. Partly
on stress relief techniques and eye exercises but recognises problems
associated with job design, lack of breaks etc. Gives labour contacts
and mentions De Matteo's work.
SUBJECTS: VDUS - EYES/
REF: 9205072
Health and safety across Europe. Feature article. Environmental
Health v100 n5 p112-114. --MAY92
COMMENT: Brief survey of legal framework and accident statistics in
Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
SUBJECTS: ACCIDENT STATISTICS/ EUROPE/ FRANCE/ GERMANY/ HEALTH AND
SAFETY LAW/ ITALY/ SPAIN/
REF: 9205073
European Safety Newsletter (ESN). Journal. Supplier: ESN, Unit 3,
St Georges Ind. Est. White Hart Lane, London N22 5QL. Tel:
081-888-2734. Price: 65.00 p.a.
COMMENT: Began publishing May 1992. Monthly. Aimed at management and
at this price not useful for labour movement.
SUBJECTS: EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES LAW/
REF: 9205074
Leader of the subway safety sect. Balian, J; Osborne, Alan
(London Underground). Feature article Safety and health
practitioner v10 n7 p28-31. --JUL92
COMMENT: Interview with Director of Safety on London Underground
about the situation as LUL cuts staff, introduces more contractors,
and is criticised in the HSE 'Holden' report on signal-related
accidents. LUL contests Holden's views and is carrying out its own
study on signalling: the method, quantified risk assessment, has been
questioned by the HSE. Violence, noise, dust, fires are other issues.
SUBJECTS: CUTS/ DUST/ NOISE/ PRIVATISATION/ RISK ASSESSMENT/
UNDERGROUND/ VIOLENCE/
REF: 9205075
Substitution of organic solvents. Sorensen, Frode; Petersen,
Hans. 4pp. --SEP91 Supplier: The Authors, Dept. of Chemical
Engineering, Building 229, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800
Lyngby, Denmark.
COMMENT: Lists possibilities of substitution of organic solvents in
62 processes according to branch of industry. Translated from the
Danish.
SUBJECTS: SOLVENTS/ SUBSTITUTION/
REF: 9205076
Process-based method for substitution of hazardous chemicals and its
application to metal degreasing. Sorensen, Frode; Petersen, Hans.
Pamphlet, 14pp. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials v8 n1
p69-84. -----91 Supplier: The Authors, Dept. of Chemical Engineering,
Building 229, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby,
Denmark.
COMMENT: Main strategy is to use acqueous alkaline solutions in
place of organic solvents. Phosphate solutions can be used instead of
cyanide in electrodegreasing. Degreasing solutions can be
recirculated reducing environmental problems.
SUBJECTS: DEGREASING SOLVENTS/ SOLVENTS/ SUBSTITUTION/