International Instruments in Occupational Health and Safety

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International Instruments in Occupational Health
and Safety

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Outline

• The organizations that develop international
  instruments
• The types of international instruments
• The uses of international instruments

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Sources of International Instruments

• International instruments are authoritative
  documents developed and issued by international
  bodies such as
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Organization for Standardization
  (ISO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

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Uses of International Instruments

• International instruments are practical documents
  that represent the highest level of consensus
  from experts and policy makers.
• They are intended to be used by governments,
  business enterprises and labour groups as the
  basis of policy and action.
• As far as possible they are free from bias
  relating to political, social or economic
  philosophies.

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Characteristics of the Organizations

• The ILO, ISO, and WHO
• International mandates to promote high global
  standards.
• International memberships representing
  governments, industries and labour groups
• Committees of experts develop consensus documents
• Expert review ensures balance

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International Labour Organization (ILO)

• Describe standards used in Canada and
  internationally for the management of health and
  safety in workplaces
• Membership
• Member states
• Business associations
• Labour organizations

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- ILO -Conventions and Recommendations

• Conventions are similar to international
  treaties.
• Developed by tripartite committees of experts
• Represent consensus on best policies and actions
• When ratified by member state, create obligation
  to implement

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- ILO -Conventions and Recommendations

• Recommendations are guidelines for actions by
  member states.
• Also are consensus documents developed by
  tripartite committees of experts
• Often provide more detail related to a convention
• Recommendations are also intended to be useful to
  employers, employer associations and labour
  associations.

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- ILO -Categories of Instruments

• Fundamental principles and guiding policies for
  action in OHS
• OHS Convention 1981
• National OHS policy structure
• Promotional framework for OHS 2006
• Promotes a preventive culture and a national
  health and safety program

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- ILO -Categories of Instruments

• Health and safety in certain sectors
• Dock work 1979
• Construction 1988
• Mines 1995
• Agriculture 2001

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Example ILO Convention C167 Construction

• Topics include
• Scaffolds, ladders and work at heights
• Lifting equipment
• Earth moving equipment
• Machinery and tools
• Material handling
• Excavations and underground works
• Demolition and explosives
• Lighting and electricity
• Fire, chemicals, physical agents
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Training and communication
• Reporting accidents and diseases

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- ILO -Categories of Instruments

• Protection against specific risks
• Radiation 1960
• Occupational cancer 1974
• Working environment (air pollution, noise, and
  vibration) 1977
• Asbestos 1986
• Chemicals 1990

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- ILO -Categories of Instruments

• Labour inspection conventions and recommendations
  
• Mining
• Transport
• Agriculture
• Water transport

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- ILO -Codes of Practice

• Practical and technical documents
• Good Practices - what should be done
• Purpose
• Assist governments, employers, and workers
  organizations
• Help in development of regulations, policies,
  guidelines, and workplace procedures
• Prepared by tripartite meetings of experts

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- ILO -Codes of Practice

• Coverage
• Industrial sectors (e.g., construction, coal
  mines, steel industries)
• Categories of hazards (e.g., chemicals,
  radiation)
• Certain measures (e.g., recording and
  notification of accidents)

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International Organization for Standardization
(ISO)

• Worlds largest developer and publisher of
  international standards
• Members are the standards institutes of 161
  countries
• Purpose develop standards that..
• Meet needs of governments, businesses and society
• Promote highest standards of safety, quality,
  efficiency, value, and performance
• Promote good practices in technology and
  management
• Support development of effective legislation and
  government programs in health, safety and
  environment

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ISO Standards - Examples

• Health and safety in welding
• Protective clothing
• Head protective equipment
• Leg and foot protection
• Safety of machinery
• Principles of design
• Safety-related control systems

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Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Standards

• ILO-OHS 2001(guideline)
• OHSAS 180011999 and 2007 (BSI)
• CSA Z1000
• ANSI-AIHA Z10
• and others

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World Health Organization (WHO) Authoritative
Publications

• Basic Occupational Health Services
• Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All
• Occupational Exposure to Noise Evaluation,
  Prevention and Control
• Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in the
  Workplace
• Toward Good Practice in Health, Environment and
  Safety Management in Industrial and Other
  Enterprises

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Thank you!