NEWSLETTER
International Commission on
Occupational Health - ICOH
Volume 7, Number 2
In this number
Message from the
President 1
From the Editor 3
H1N1 Flu and
Occupational Health 4
What’s New on the
ICOH Website? 6
Report from the Scientific
Committee Meetings 7
Overview of the Scientific
Committees 9
News from the National
Secretaries 10
Sustaining Members 12
ICOH Service Award 13
Forthcoming Meetings 14
New Members 16
New Chairs and Secretaries of
the Scientific Committees 17
Résumé en français 18
Commission Internationale de
la Santé au Travail - CIST
September 2009
Message from the President
Dear ICOH Colleagues,
The uniqueness of our ICOH Network is best
represented by the activities of ICOH Scientific
Committees and Working/Task Groups. There are
now 35 Scientific Committees (SCs) and each SC is
acting as an international focal point of occupational
health research and practice in its specific area. A
distinct feature of the network of SC focal points is
the constant bridging of front-line research and
practice. Regular conferences and symposia held by
our SCs are acting as the most current forum for
exchanging front-line activities and new break-
throughs.
By liaising with the SCs, we are sure we are active on the front lines and can learn
innovations for enhancing the health and well-being of workers worldwide. The
continuous exchanges of new experiences and new guidelines are assured by constant
liaison through SCs and other various communication links. It is therefore important
for us ICOH members to keep this liaison making full use of our own Network.
During and after the Cape Town ICOH 2009 Congress, I had chances of learning
from the ways and means of making better use of our ICOH Network. Among others,
let me point out two lessons I learned.
Exchange of experience as co-workers
The first lesson I learned is about the stance for organizing SC meetings. I saw a
good example of the stance while I was spending a week on the San Servolo Island in
Venice last August. I was attending the International Symposium on Shiftwork and
Working Time. It was organized by the SC on Shiftwork and Working Time and the
Working Time Society. I was amazed at the Rules strictly kept by this series of SC
symposia. The first and the most important Rule was to hold each symposium in a
“remote” spot such as the San Servolo Island. This was one of the seven Rules initiated by
the late SC Chair Joseph Rutenfranz. Other Rules are a good mixture of disciplines, a
good proportion of young researchers, fairly brief presentations, substantial food and
drinks taken jointly, some group outings and sharing contributions with non-attendees.
These “Rutenfranz Rules” started in the 1970s and are kept up to now. Although
many of SC meetings are not necessarily held in a remote spot, the idea of having
concentrated and intimate exchanges of views and experiences is apparently kept by
almost all the SCs. A mixture of disciplines as well as a mixture of generations can lead
undoubtedly to good results. Eating together and joint outings can facilitate the front-
line atmosphere of each meeting.
I am much encouraged by the constructive stance sustained for organizing SC
meetings. The resulting intimate debate can help us keep our close link with the real
⇐
September 2009 01
 working situations we are addressing.
Learning from up-to-date
practice
International Commission on
Occupational Health - ICOH The second lesson is about learning
Commission Internationale de la from real practice at the workplace. I have
Santé au Travail - CIST learned this lesson through serial ICOH-
related projects for serving underserved
sectors. Although my experience is limited
NEWSLETTER
to projects about occupational health
services for small enterprises and agri-
culture and low-cost ergonomic improve-
ments for industrially developing
Volume 7, Number 2 countries, I learned much from the action-
September 2009 oriented nature of the projects for
ICOH Newsletter improving the health of workers in these
Published by the International difficult situations. These projects were
Commission on Occupational Health more successful when they focused on
on-going good practices that are achieved
Editor in Chief despite many constraints.
Seong-Kyu Kang In ICOH Congresses and in many
skk@kosha.net
SC meetings I attended, I could clearly
Editorial Board note the common features of locally
Sergio Iavicoli achieved good practices. These good
seriav@iol.it practices usually address urgent local
Norito Kawakami needs and try to build initiative of local
norito@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp people for making feasible improvements.
Suvi Lehtinen Practical interventions based on such
suvi.lehtinen@ttl.fi good practices can lead to concrete results.
Jorge Morales Examples include training methods for
morales.ja@pg.com workplace improvements in different
Louis Patry sectors, group health services for small
lpatry@santepub-mtl.qc.ca enter pr ises and ag r iculture and
Mary Ross “checkpoints” for identifying locally
barryrn@mweb.co.za feasible actions. I am pleased to note that
Claudio Taboadela recent developments in Basic Occu-
ctaboadela@fibertel.com.ar pational Health Services relate to this
Manuscript Editor practical nature of intervention tools.
Won-Seok Kim There are now new types of databases
wonsok96@naver.com
compiling locally achieved good practices
English Editor in occupational health and safety. I am
Jung-Eun Kim
hoping that new intervention tools and
euni_8421@hotmail.com
databases we are developing in our
French Editor
Louis Patry Network will serve as a firm base for
lpatry@santepub-mtl.qc.ca linking our research with real practice.
Reviewed and Edited by
KOSHA(Korea Occupational Safety & Cooperation with national
Health Agency) and regional associations
The electronic version of the ICOH Another important feature of the
Newsletter on the internet can be accessed
at the following address: ICOH Network is the close cooperation
www.icohweb.org/newsletter with national and regional associations
The responsibility for opinions ex- active in our field. It is a usual custom for
pressed in signed articles, studies and other our SCs to organize meetings in close
contributions rests solely with their conjunction with these national and regional
authors, and publication does not consti-
tute an endorsement by the International associations. This is obviously a major
Commission on Occupational Health of advantage of our Network. We gain a great
the opinions expressed in them. deal from the participation of a large
The ICOH Newsletter contents may freely number of colleagues from these associations
be translated into other languages and
disseminated among ICOH members. in linking our work and achievements with
02 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
diversifying working situations and with the
most current issues.
Rapid changes are taking place in our
approaches to assessing and controlling
workplace risks. These changes require
reformulation of intervention programs and
health services. As more and more concerted
strategies are developed, the cooperation
with the national and regional associations,
NGOs and various networking arrangements
in our field is surely needed. We have seen
this need in developing effective interven-
tions and services with respect to workplace
chemical risks, asbestos and other globally
prominent risks, musculoskeletal disorders,
work stress as well as with respect to under-
served sectors.
I have been involved in a number of
these joint meetings and always impressed
by the reports from action-oriented activi-
ties addressing priority risks. I strongly feel
that we need to liaise our own activities
with various partners particularly by
means of identifying effective preventive
actions workable in different situations.
For example, when I attended the Asian
Asbestos Conference in Hong Kong last
April, I could confirm our role to reinforce
activities in different countries toward a
global ban of asbestos and effective
protection of exposed workers. The Hong
Kong Declaration towards a Complete
Ban on All Forms of Asbestos called for
joint action of governments, the WHO,
the ILO, ICOH and other international
organizations. Needless to say, closer
collaboration with national and regional
associations and NGOs, in addition to our
international allies, is very important in
this and other fields.
Strengthening our Network
In the work plans of our Scientific
Committees, working groups and task
groups, the need to strengthen our own
Network is highlighted in various ways. It
is vital to exchange these plans and means
of action toward the set goals through the
SC reports, the ICOH Newsletter and the
newly designed ICOH website.
Your suggestions about strengthening
our ICOH Network in achieving our
common goals are highly welcome.
Kazutaka Kogi
President of ICOH
©International Commission Occupational Health, 2009
ISSN 1459-6792 (Printed publication)
ISSN 1795-0260 (On-line publication)
From the Editor
Greetings from the New Editor
It is my pleasure to take full responsibility of publishing the ICOH Newsletter. Ever since the
establishment in 2003, the ICOH Newsletter has always been a source of information for ICOH activities
and exchanging news among ICOH members. The contents of the Newsletter include scientific knowledge,
information of meetings, members’ activities and recent news. Suvi Lehtinen has done a superb job over a
period of 6 years. The ICOH Newsletter would not have made this far without Suvi’s hard work. On behalf
of the ICOH members, I deeply appreciate her devotion and affection contributed to the Newsletters.
KOSHA is going to publish the ICOH Newsletters from this issue (Vol. 7, No. 2), where it will be
published 3 times a year as usual. Won-Seok KIM, a safety professional, and Jung-Eun KIM are going to
work with me for the Newsletter.

Contents
The Newsletter will be composed of messages from the president and the editor, hot issues on
occupational health, reports from the Scientific Committee (SC) meetings, overview of the Scientific
Committees (2 SCs), news from the National Secretaries (2 countries), forthcoming SC meetings, and
ICOH memberships including information on Sustaining Members.
I cordially invite all SCs to contribute to the Newsletter. Please send a report within 400 words with
a photo when ICOH meeting is held. I also welcome a 200 word contribution from SCs and National
Secretaries.

PDF Version
Once the ICOH Newsletter is published, it will be sent to all ICOH members in PDF version by
e-mail. The hard copy will also be mailed to all good standing ICOH members. However, to reduce
ICOH financial burden and save the environment, all ICOH members will be asked to notify us if hard
copy of the ICOH Newsletter is not preferred.

Changes of Addresses
To ensure that you receive the Newsletters in time, please check that you have paid the membership
fee via the website (http://www.icohweb.org/site_new/ico_homepage.asp) or the ICOH Secretariat
(carlo.petyx@ispesl.it or pierluca.dionisi@ispesl.it).

Members’ Contribution
The ICOH Newsletter can flourish with active participation from the members. Please let me know if
you have any information to notify or share with the ICOH members. Remember, your contribution will
always be welcome (e-mail: icohnewsletter@kosha.net or skk@kosha.net).

Seong-Kyu KANG
Editor in Chief
Director General
Occupational Safety and Health
Research Institute (OSHRI)

September 2009 03
H1N1 Flu and Occupational
Health
David Koh and Judy Sng
Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health
National University of Singapore
e-mail for correspondence: ephkohd@nus.edu.sg
The 2009 swine flu (Influenza A
H1N1) epidemic, which originated in the
Americas, defied predictions that the next
influenza outbreak was likely to arise from
H5N1-endemic countries in Southeast
Asia. Although the avian influenza predic-
tions did not come true, the warnings and
preparations in the last few years were not
completely ineffectual. Pandemic planning
and exercises that have taken place have
greatly helped decision makers and
healthcare professionals around the world
to deal with the H1N1 outbreak.
Since the declaration of the 2009
H1N1 influenza pandemic on 11 June by
the WHO, the virus has now established
itself as the dominant influenza strain in
most parts of the world. According to the
WHO [1], most southern hemisphere
countries (e.g. Chile, Argentina, New
Zealand and Australia) appear to have
gone beyond their peaks of influenza
activity. However, some countries such as
South Africa and Bolivia continue to
experience high levels of influenza activity.
Many countries in tropical regions (e.g. in
Central America and Asia), continue to
see increasing or sustained high levels of
influenza activity.
In the northern hemisphere (e.g.
North America, Europe, and Central Asia),
04 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
(Binds to D
receptors
on host cells)
F Swine origin
(Helps
initiate
infection)
influenza and respiratory disease activity
remains generally low, with some
countries experiencing localized out-
breaks. However, in Japan, the level of
influenza activity has passed the seasonal
epidemic threshold, and this may
represent the early start of their annual
influenza season. For those countries that
appear to have passed the first peak of
infection, another wave of infection may
be imminent.
Thus far, the worldwide clinical
picture of the H1N1 pandemic influenza
has been consistent. The overwhelming
majority of patients experience mild
illness. The rare cases of severe and fatal
illness tend to affect specific groups, such
as those aged 50 years or over, and preg-
nant women. Those with comorbidities
such as respiratory disease (notably
asthma), cardiovascular disease, diabetes
and immunosuppression, are also at
greater risk for severe or fatal illness.
Continuing surveillance of the virus
fortunately shows no evidence of mutation
to a more virulent or lethal form.
While what we presently know of
H1N1 infection offers a hope for cautious
optimism, we should be aware of the fact
Avian
polymerase
G2 Avian or human
polymerase
Avian
polymerase
Human or
swine
origin
Swine
origin
Human or
swine origin
that large numbers of people in all
countries remain susceptible to infection.
Even if the current pattern of usually mild
illness continues, the impact of the
pandemic dur ing the second and
subsequent waves could worsen as larger
numbers of people become infected.
What will the impact be on occu-
pational health? Estimates range from
30% to 50% of the general population
being infected in a full blown influenza
pandemic. In such an event, workplaces
may be functioning with as little as half
their workforce. If schools close, or family
members get infected, many workers will
have to stay at home. Additionally, in the
event of widespread disease - transport,
other essential services and public gather-
ings will be impacted. Employers will need
to have contingency plans to deal with
such scenarios, including planning for
remote work, implementing policies for
staggered shifts, and catering for staff
absence due to quarantine or family
problems [2].
When we consider specific occu-
pations, health care workers are an
obvious risk group. So far, indications are
that health care workers do not appear to
be at higher risk of H1N1 infection
compared to the general population [3]. This
situation is unlike the previous outbreak of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003,
where health care workers accounted for
approximately 20% of all cases of the disease.
The current state of affairs probably reflects
better preparedness and improved infection
control measures among health care workers.
However, during a pandemic, large
numbers of severely ill patients requiring
intensive care are likely to strain existing
health services. For example, during the
winter season in the southern hemisphere,
several countries reported the need for
intensive care as a great burden on health
services, with up to 15% of hospitalized cases
requiring intensive care. Such strain on the
health care system would translate to more
stressful working conditions and increased
workload for health care workers.
■References
Fortunately, H1N1 vaccines are in the
1. Preparing for the second wave: lessons from current outbreaks. WHO. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
advanced stages of development and are
briefing note 9. 28 Aug 2009.
currently undergoing clinical trials. If available
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_second_wave_20090828/en/index.html
in a timely manner, this would prevent
widespread disease eventually. Until then, we 2. Pandemic flu. Guidance for employers. Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Royal College of
will still have to face and address other issues, Physicians,. United Kingdom.
such as vaccine availability and access, and http://www.facoccmed.ac.uk/library/docs/panflu09.pdf
choices on how to prioritize distribution of
the early (and limited) shipments of vaccines 3. J Sng, D Koh, G Koh. Influenza A (H1N1) infections among healthcare workers:
to populations and occupations at risk. a cause for cautious optimism. Occup Environ Med 2009; 66:569-570.

September 2009 05
What’s New on the ICOH Website?
The ICOH website has undergone a
complete renovation after the Cape Town
Congress. Among the many innovations,
we underline the rotating banners in the
homepage dedicated to the Forthcoming
Meetings and Sustaining Members and
Affiliates.
Each Scientific Committee has been
encouraged to set up its own website as a
promotion implementation for the
Scientific Committees activities. All
scientific contents and internal commun-
ications were recommended to be included
in the website. The website has been
established in the following Scientific
Committees: Fibres, Health Service
Research and Evaluation in OH, History of
Prevention of Occupational and Environ-
mental Disease, OH and Development,
OH for Health Care Workers, OH in the
Chemical Industry, Radiation and Work,
Reproductive Hazards in the Workplace,
Shiftwork and Working Time, Work and
Vision, and Work Organization and
Psychosocial Factors.
A new section titled “ICOH Keynotes”
has been set up. At the moment all keynotes
presented during ICOH 2009 are listed and
available on the website. To access the entire
presentation contents, it is necessary to
login and be an ICOH member. All
06 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
Scientific Committees are encouraged to
send the keynotes presented during their
meetings to the ICOH Secretariat.
Detailed information on Scientific
Committees such as Committee website,
Reports Triennium 2006-2009, and details
of the Officers - chair and secretary - for
the triennium 2009-2012 can be obtained
from the Scientific Committee webpage.
The Scientific Committee webpage and
website can be accessed without logging in
to the ICOH website.
Other information on ICOH website
public area such as background and
activities, core documents, guidelines and
centennial declaration, news, publications,
reports, upcoming events, links, and
ICOH Newsletter are also available.
Finally, in the section “New Members”
of public area lists all new members who
have made the payment but not yet
included in the Newsletter. This page will
help us to welcome new members and
encourage them to play an active role
within ICOH.
In line with the ICOH goal of fos-
tering scientific knowledge and exchange
among researchers and professionals, the
private area has been designed taking into
consideration the web architecture of
social networks.
The procedure for registering into
the ICOH website is extremely easy.
During the first login, the member has to
insert e-mail address and member code.
The system will automatically send a
temporary password, which of course can
be changed on the website. The first page
displayed is the private page, where a
photo and curriculum can be uploaded.
In the private area, ICOH Members
Directory, a Photo Gallery, and SCs and
NSs Virtual Offices are also available.
On Scientific Committee Virtual
Office webpage, final reports triennium
2006-2009, triennium timetable of
Scientific Committee deliverables, Scienti-
f i c Com m i t te e o b l i g a t i on for m s ,
sponsorship funding form, and mem-
bership tools, and application forms in 4
different languages are available for
download. Chairs and Secretaries of each
Scientific Committee will be able to view
and download the list of members of their
Committee.
On National Secretaries Virtual
Office webpage, report on activities of
National Secretaries during the triennium
2006-2009, National Secretaries obligation,
membership tools, application forms in 5
different languages, and guidelines for
National Secretaries are available for
download. National Secretary will be also
able to check and download the list of the
members of their country.
ICOH Members can update contact
information, check payment status, pay
ICOH membership fee electronically, and
check affiliation to Scientific Committees.
All ICOH Members are kindly invited to
use these new functions and increase
internal communication.
Report from the SC Meetings

The 19th International Symposium on Shiftwork and

Working Time, Venice, Italy
XIX International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time:
“Health and Well-being in the 24-h Society”, was held in San Servolo Island,
located in the Venice lagoon (Italy), on August 2-6, 2009.
This biennial event, that has a tradition of 40 years (it started in 1969),
was organised by the ICOH Scientific Committee on Shiftwork and Working
Time in collaboration with the University of Milano (Italy) and the Working
Time Society (WTS).
The aim of the Symposium was providing up-to-date information on
shift and night work, as well as new trends in working time organisation,
proposing practical and feasible solutions for a better organisation of
working hours, more respectful of human health and social well-being. In
fact, modern society is changing quite rapidly both in terms of economic
and productive strategies, and in terms of social organisation and individual
behaviours. The “24-hour Society” requires a social organisation where time
constraints are no longer limits to human activities. Consequently, the
arrangement of working time has become a crucial factor in work
organisation, and acquires different values according to the economic and
social consequences likely to arise at different periods in the company and
worker’s life.
Shift and night work are conditions challenging human adaptability to
time changes from biological and social perspectives. In the short term, they
interfere with circadian homeostasis, performance efficiency, family and
social relationships; in the long term, they are a recognised risk factor for The 19th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time,
psychosomatic (gastrointestinal, psychoneurotic and cardiovascular) Venice, Italy, Aug 2-6, 2009
disorders, and probably for cancer: hence, high economic and social costs for
the individual, the enterprise and the society. 170 participants, from 29
countries all over the world, gave their contribution to the success of the
Conference via 100 oral and 50 poster presentations and fruitful discussions.
The increasing number of participants, among whom many young scientists
and newcomers from developing countries, the presence of scholars with
different backgrounds (biology, medicine, psychology, sociology,
management), confirmed the growing interest and importance of this issue
and its multifaceted aspects that deserve more and more attention in a
globalised world.
The ICOH President Prof. Kazutaka Kogi delivered a keynote lecture on
“Joint change strategy for improving work schedules and job content”. Five
special sessions were organised, debating some “hot” topics in this matter,
such as: “Cancer and shiftwork”, “Sleepiness and working hours”, “Fatigue
and transportation”, “Does tolerant shiftwork exist?”, and “Interventions
towards shift workers: what is really effective?”. In the other 11 oral and 2

September 2009 07
 poster sessions, the following topics were addressed: “Chronobiology”,
“Ageing”, “Sleep, sleepiness and safety”, “Accidents”, “Mental and physical
health”, “Work ability”, “Interventions”, “Working time organisation”, and
“Social problems”. The abstracts of all presentations will be soon published
in the Shiftwork International Newsletter (S.I.N.); website: www.
workingtime.org; e-mail: p.bohle@usyd.edu.au. About 60 peer review
selected papers will be published in the first half of 2010 in six scientific
journals: Applied Ergonomics, Chronobiology International, Ergonomia
(Poland), Industrial Health (Japan), La Medicina del Lavoro (Italy), and
Revista de Saude Publica/Journal of Public Health (Brazil).
All information about the symposium programme and presentation
slides can be found at the website: www.shiftwork2009.it.

Giovanni Costa, Italy

Chair of SC on Shiftwork and Working Time

XI Latin American Congress on Occupational Health,

Leon-Guanajuato, Mexico
XI Latin American Congress on Occupational Health and XIV Mexican
Congress on Occupational Health were conjointly held in Leon-Guanajuato,
Mexico on September 9-12, 2009. The Meeting was organized by the
Mexican Federation on Occupational Health (FeNaSTAC). Dr. Elia Enriquez
Viveros, president of the Federation and ICOH NS for Mexico, was the chair
of the organizing committee.
The subject of the Congress was “Equity, Education and Health”.
Important members of ICOH attended the Congress including Board
Members: Dr. Jorge Morales (Mexico) and Dr. Claudio Taboadela
(Argentina), ex-Vice President Dr. Ruddy Facci (Brazil) and Dr. Fabrizio
Gobba, Secretary to the ICOH Scientific Committee on Radiation and Work.
A post-Congress Course on the OCRA Method was directed by Dr. Daniela
Colombini (Italy).

Claudio Taboadela, Argentina

Board Member

XI Latin American Congress on Occupational Health and XIV Mexican

Congress on Occupational Health, Leon-Guanajuato, Mexico, Sep
9-12, 2009

08 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2

Overview of the Scientific Committees
 he ICOH Scientific Committee of Work
T The ICOH Scientific Committee of Neurotoxicity
Organization and Psychosocial Factors
The ICOH Scientific Committee of Work Organization and
Psychosocial Factors (ICOH-WOPS) was established as one of
the Scientific Committees (SCs) in 1996. The aim of the ICOH-
WOPS is to exchange, accumulate, and disseminate information
relevant to psychosocial factors at work and health among
workers, and also to facilitate research and practice in the field,
from the global perspective, under the principle of the ICOH.
The Chair is Norito Kawakami, University of Tokyo, Japan, and
the Secretary is Stavroula Leka, University of Nottingham, United
Kingdom, for the triennial term of 2009-2011. Other board
members include Judith K Sluiter, Coronel Institute of
Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, the Netherlands,
Maureen F Dollard, University of South Australia, Australia, and
Irene Houtman, TNO, the Netherlands. The 3rd ICOH-WOPS
Conference was organized in September 1-4, 2008, Quebec City,
Canada, by Drs. Renée Bourbonnais and Michel Vézina (http://
www.icoh-wops2008.com/). The SC plans to publish a position
paper in this triennium. We would like to welcome more
members to participate in the SC. Please visit our website: http://
mental.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/wops.
The 4 th ICOH-WOPS Conference will be held in Ams-
terdam, the Netherlands, June 14-17, 2010 (http://www.
icohwops2010.nl/Home/).
Norito Kawakami, Japan
Chair of SC-WOPS
The 3rd ICOH-WOPS Conference, Quebec City, Canada, Sep 1-4, 2009
and Psychophysiology
Focus of the ICOH Scientific Committee of Neurotoxicity
and Psychophysiology(ICOH-SCNP) is research in the fields of
neurotoxicology, neurobehavioral, neurosensory and neuro-
developmental toxicology. Behavior is an important target of the
exposure to various chemical, physical and biological neurotoxic
agents. Early behavioral changes can be detected at low exposure
levels and can be suitable for the establishment of protective
standards in risk assessment. The exposure scenario covered by
the SCNP is now extended from occupationally to en-
vironmentally exposed populations including both early life and
old age, according to the concept of lifetime exposure that may
lead to long term effects on the brain. Aim of the SC is to provide
scientific updates on adverse effects of metals, solvents, pesticides,
and the available testing methods for their detection. Cumulative
exposure from multiple neurotoxic agents is also considered,
including concurrent interaction of neurotoxic agents with other
factors like stress and nutrition. The SCNP is actively
collaborating with other ICOH SCs like the SC on the Toxicology
of Metals, EPICOH, SCOT, Rural Health and non-ICOH
organizations like the International Neurotoxicology Association.
A traditional mission of the SCNP is to reach colleagues in the
developing world, by organizing International Symposia in these
countries to stimulate participation and mutual exchanges. The
11th International Conference will be held in Xian, China, June
5-10, 2011.
Roberto Lucchini, Italy
Chair of SCNP
The 9th International Symposium, Gyeong-ju, Korea, Sep 27-30, 2005
September 2009 09
News from the National Secretaries

ICOH National Secretaries

The role of ICOH National Secretaries is crucial in keeping contact with ICOH members in their own countries,
but also in sharing information and experiences with National Secretaries in other countries. The process for electing
and appointing ICOH National Secretaries is now mid-way. The documentation for approximately 30 National
Secretaries has been cleared, but we still have some 25 to be organized. As soon as all National Secretaries have been
appointed by the ICOH President, we will make a joint work plan for the next 2.5 years. Those who have already been
appointed have received a draft work plan, and their comments and feedback are expected in September.
In order for the ICOH National Secretaries to carry out their National Secretary tasks easily and effectively, we must
first identify the most urgent needs. New fresh ideas are welcome on how to develop activities and increase ICOH
membership.

Suvi Lehtinen, Finland

Vice President

Korea
The 20th Korea-Japan-China Joint Conference on Occupational Health (KJC JCOH) was successfully held at the
Capital Hotel in Seoul, Korea, from August 27-29, 2009. JCOH is a regional meeting led by ICOH members. It has
gradually gained a good reputation as an international scientific conference on occupational health since its
establishment in Seoul in 1984. China has become a member country since 2000. The date of the 20th KJC JCOH was
originally scheduled in early June but was postponed due to pandemic H1N1.
The 20th KJC JCOH was composed of 3 keynotes, a workshop on
health promotion in workplaces, a symposium on occupational stress,
and free communications. It brought 158 participants and 100
presentations including 69 posters. The posters were briefly presented
orally (3 minutes with 3 slides) before the poster session began in order
to effectively promote participants’ interest.
A special lecture on Kimchi, which is a Korean traditional
fermented vegetable dish, was delivered for cultural understanding of
Korea.
KJC JCOH is hosted alternatively by three member countries. The
21st KJC JCOH will be held in Utsunomiya, Japan, from June 10-12,
2010, and 22nd KJC JCOH will be held in Kumin, China. The Steering
Committee of the KJC JCOH has agreed to host the 26th KJC JCOH
with the 31st ICOH Congress to be held in Seoul, 2015.
At the banquet of the 20 th KJC JCOH, all participants
congratulated the newly elected ICOH officer, Kazutaka Kogi, the
president of ICOH, and board members: Norito Kawakami (Japan),
Sheng Wang (China), and Seong-Kyu Kang (Korea) and also celebrated
Prof. Kyu-Sang Cho for his appointment as an honorary member of
ICOH.

Se-Hoon Lee, Korea

The 20th KJC JCOH, Seoul, Korea, Aug 27-29, 2009 National Secretary

10 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2

Argentina
While ICOH members always existed in the country, most of them were associated during the International Congress on
Occupational Health held in Buenos Aires in 1972. Argentine members had no relevant scientific activity until 1984, when the
authorities of the Province of Buenos Aires Occupational Health Society decided to contact Dr. Luigi Parmeggiani, ICOH
General Secretary. From this moment a lot of Argentine physicians became ICOH members, and the Society became an Affiliate
Member too. During the 24th Congress in Nice, Association of Argentine Members of ICOH was founded in order to support
the activities of ICOH in Argentina. Dr. Antonio Werner was the first NS and developed a long and fruitful career from 1984 to
2006. He was Board Member for two periods and was designated Honorary Member in 2006.
In 2006, Dr. Claudio Taboadela acceded the ICOH National Secretariat for Argentina. He developed an important
campaign for the recruitment of new members and worked for the re-affiliation of the Province of Buenos Aires Occupational
Health Society as an Affiliate Member after the economic crisis in the country. He presented the Spanish version of the ICOH
Centennial Declaration in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2006 and organized the 1st Meeting of Latin American ICOH NS in Buenos Aires
in November 2007. During the Congress in Cape Town he was elected Board Member for the tenure 2009-2012 and received the
ICOH NS Service Award from the Past-President Dr. Jorma
Rantanen.
In 2009, Dr. Maria Cristina Pantano was elected ICOH
National Secretary for Argentina. She is organizing two Meetings
for Argentine ICOH members with Dr. Taboadela. The first
meeting will be held during the 13th Conference on
Occupational Health (November 11-13, 2009, Buenos Aires)
and the second during the XVI Argentine Congress on
Occupational Health (May 19-23, 2010, Neuquen, Argentine
Patagonia) and the Occupational Infectious Agents (OIA)
Working Group Meeting “Emerging Occupational Infectious
Diseases in Latin America” (December 5-6, 2009, Buenos Aires).

Christina Pantano, Argentina

National Secretary The reunion of Latin American ICOH, 1993

■Obituary
 
Guillermo D'ragona, Argentine pioneer of the Occupational Health in Latin America,
passed away in Buenos Aires, September 13, 2009.
He was one of the founders of the Province of Buenos Aires Occupational Health
Society, the Argentine Federation of Occupational Health and the Latin American
Occupational Health Association.
He was also ICOH Emeritus Member. His life was dedicated to the Occupational
Health and he worked for an only goal: joining the Spanish speaking OH pro-
fessionals.

September 2009 11
Sustaining Members
Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency
The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA,
President Min-Ki NOH) is a professional public organization
financed through government subsidies in accordance with the
Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency Act. It was
established in 1987 under the slogan ‘Respecting Life’, with the
mission to protect workers’ health and maintain safety in
workplaces nationwide. Approximately 1300 employees work
with KOSHA in broad fields of occupational safety and health,
including technical support to workplaces without enforcement,
OSH research, education, information dissemination, and
international collaboration.
KOSHA is comprised of the headquarters, the Occupational
Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), and the
Occupational Safety and Health Training Institute (OSHTI)
located in the central district (Incheon), and 6 regional offices,
18 area offices and centers located nationwide. OSHRI (DG.
Seong-Kyu KANG) has 7 departments with 149 employees and
the key activities include conducting research on OSH and
testing and certifying machines and equipment.
KOSHA not only seeks to prevent and reduce occupational
accidents and diseases, but is also passionate about providing a
ground for the OSH professionals from around the world to
exchange information and expertise and to create new networks. In
order to reduce OSH disparities among different countries,
particularly between developing and developed countries, KOSHA
aims to act as a bridge, connecting all countries to become globally
harmonized in terms of OSH. In order to achieve this goal, KOSHA
hosted various national and international OSH congresses such as
the 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in 2008,
and will be the host for the 31st ICOH Congress in 2015.
If you would like more information regarding KOSHA’s
activities, programs and events, please contact the International
Collaboration Department (overseas@kosha.net) or visit the
website (www.kosha.or.kr/english/index.jsp). For OSHRI’s
activities, please contact Mr. W.S. Kim (wonsok96@naver.com)
or visit the website (http://oshri.kosha.or.kr/index.jsp).
Seong-Kyu Kang, Korea
Board Member
The headquarters of KOSHA, Incheon, Korea
12 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH,
Professor Harri Vainio, Director General) is a multidisciplinary
research and specialist institute on occupational health and
safety. FIOH is a national governmental institute covering
relevant research aspects of work life and conditions of work,
including surveillance of working conditions, well-being at
work, physical, chemical, biological and physiological exposures,
occupational medicine, psychology and stress, epidemiology,
safety and organization of work, as well as occupational health
services.
The mission of FIOH is to promote occupational health
and safety and the well-being of workers as part of good living.
It seeks solutions for the needs of the clients and the needs of
work life by means of research, training, specialist advisory
services and communications. Scientific research is the core of
FIOH’s activities. Research and development work generates
new knowledge that can be applied to improve working
conditions, to promote workers’ health and work ability, to
ensure the smooth functioning of working communities, and to
enhance well-being.
FIOH was founded in 1945 with the goal to keep workers
safe and in good health from the beginning to the end of their
careers, where working conditions and work itself should
promote health and work ability, not endanger workers in any
way. It has the headquarters located in Helsinki and 6 regional
offices with permanent personnel of approximately 600 and
about 200 persons on different projects.
For more information on FIOH please contact the Office of
International Affairs (suvi.lehtinen@ttl.fi) or visit our website
(www.ttl.fi/). Available information products: http://www.ttl.fi/
Internet/English/Information/Electronic+journals/
Harri Vainio, Finland
Board Member
The headquarters of FIOH, Helsinki, Finland
ICOH Service Award
ICOH Service Awards were awarded at the 2nd General Assembly of the 29th ICOH Congress in
Cape Town, SA, on March 27, 2009. ICOH Service Awards are granted after two full terms of
service.

Honorary Member Award

• Pier-Alberto Bertazzi, Italy
• Kyu-Sang Cho, Korea
• Ruddy Facci, Brazil
• Willem Goedhard, The Netherlands
• Sir Michael Marmot, United Kingdom
• Benito Reverente Jr., Philippines
• Anne Kamoto Puta, Zambia
• Deogratias Sekimpi, Uganda
• Linda Rosenstock, USA
• David Wegman, USA

ICOH Board Member Service Award

• Ian EDDINGTON
• Kaj ELGSTRAND
• Hua FU
• Petter KRISTENSEN
• Suvi LEHTINEN
• René MENDES
• Jennifer R. SERFONTEIN
• Ken TAKAHASHI
• Martha WATERS

ICOH Scientific Committee Service Award

• Peter SCHNALL
• Bonnie ROGERS
• Pier Alberto BERTAZZI
• Kristiina ALANKO
• Claude VIAU
• Sverre LANGÅRD
• Giovanni COSTA
• Ken C PARSONS
• Monica NORDBERG
• Thomas KIESELBACH
• Patrick LOISEL
• Kanehisa MORIMOTO

ICOH National Secretary Service Award

• Claudio TABOADELA
• Norito KAWAKAMI
• Eduardo SANTINO

September 2009 13
Forthcoming Meetings

30th ICOH Congress 2012, Monterrey, Mexico

30th CIST, Congres International de la Sante au travall
Cintermex International Convention Center
March / mars 18 - 24, 2012
President of the Congress: Dr. Jorge Morales Camino

www.icohcongress2012.org | jorgemoc@prodigy.net.mx

17th International Congress of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health

When: October 13-16, 2009
Venue: Cartagona de Indias, Colombia
SC: Rural Health
Conference President: Julietta Rodríguez Guzmán
Visit the website at http://www.ruralhealth-colombia.com/eng/index.html
Contact conference secretariat at scicominfo@ruralhealth-colombia.com

OIA Meeting 2009

When: December 5-6, 2009
Venue: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Theme: Emerging Occupational Infectious Disease in Latin America
Working Group: Occupational Infectious Disease
Conference President: Claudio Taboadela
Contact: Claudio Taboadela, ICOH Board Member (ctaboadela@asociart.com.ar/ctaboadela@fibertel.com.ar)

4th International Conference on Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors

When: June 14-17, 2010
Venue: Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam (VU University), the Netherlands
SC: Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors
Theme: Occupational Health under Globalization and New Technology
Important dates: • Abstract deadline: December 1, 2009
• Notification of acceptance: February 15, 2010
• Early bird registration: March 1, 2010
Visit the website at http://www.icohwops2010.nl
Contact the conference secretariat at paog@vumc.nl

14 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2

 31st ICOH Congress 2015,
Seoul, Korea
Date: May, 2015 Venue: COEX, Seoul

21st International Conference on Epidemiology in Occupational Health and

38th Occupational and Environmental Health in the Production and Use of
Chemicals International Congress (EPICOH-MEDICHEM 2010)
When: April 21-25, 2010
Venue: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
SC: Epidemiology, MEDICHEM
Theme: Occupational Health under Globalization and New Technology
Important dates:
Date Event
Sep. 30, 2009 Deadline for symposium proposals
Oct. 31, 2009 Deadline for submission of abstracts
Dec. 31, 2009 Abstract acceptance notification
Jan. 31, 2010 Deadline for early bird registration

Conference President: EPICOH2010: Jung-Der Wang

MEDICHEM2010: How-Ran Guo
Visit the website at http://www.epicohmedichem2010.tw
Contact conference secretariat at epicohmedichem2010@gmail.com

4th International Conference on the History of Occupational and Environmental

Health
When: June 19-22, 2010
Venue: Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel, San Francisco, USA
SC: History of Occupational and Environmental Health
Organizer: Paul Blanc
Visit the website at http://www.ucsfcme.com/blast2010/MMJ10014.htm
Contact at paul.blanc@ucsf.edu

September 2009 15
New Members
Name Country Name Country
Miriam Rita COBOS Argentina Bettina Patricia LOPEZ TORRES Mexico
Leon COHEN BELLO Argentina Roberto Santiago PERALES ALONSO Mexico
Cecilia CORNELIO Argentina Youb Raj BHATTA Nepal
Barry Steele GILBERT Australia Pranab DAHAL Nepal
Ryan KIFT Australia Subhadra Vaidya JOSHI Nepal
Frans VAN DYCK Belgium Shivaran PRADHAN Nepal
Reginald B MATCHABA-HOVE Botswana Subhash Chandra SHARMA Nepal
Nwamba Bwalya NSEBULA Botswana Pitamber Lal SHRESTHA Nepal
Tarciso F. CAIYETA DE SOUSA Brazil Udeep Lal SHRESTHA Nepal
Eduardo Mello CAPITANI Brazil Musa Yusufu RIBADU Nigeria
Joao Anastacio DIAS Brazil Zhijun ZHOU P. R. China
Roberto Neiva FIGUEIREDO Brazil Juan MORALES QUISPE Peru
Larissa FIORENTINI Brazil Sung-Soo LEE Republic of Korea
Ricardo Luiz LORENZI Brazil Yun-Jeong YI Republic of Korea
Luciana R MORAIS Brazil Africain BIRABONEYE Rwanda
Ana Beatriz NEVES Brazil Gustave NGIRIYANDEMYE Rwanda
José Edoardo PISSINATI Brazil Vincent RUSANGANWA Rwanda
Katia Maciel COSTA-BLACK Canada Mor NDIAYE Senegal
Avram WHITEMAN Canada Adéle BURGER South Africa
Ilse Sonia URZUA-FINKE Chile Nambuyselo In DLAMINI South Africa
Monica-Lucia SOTO-VELASQUEZ Colombia Boitumelo MASHITISHO South Africa
Carl Lysbeck HANSEN Denmark Muhammad MINTY South Africa
Kim Lyngby MIKKELSEN Denmark Margot PRETORIUS South Africa
Gunnar TOFT Denmark Bonakele QABAICA South Africa
Homero Carlos HARARI Ecuador Elana VENTER South Africa
Mohamed Abdelmaksoud OMAIRA Egypt Haidee Mayne WILLIAMS South Africa
Kenneth Mikael JOHANSSON Finland How-Ran GUO Taiwan, China
Swen M JOHN Germany Sara ARPHORN Thailand
Jaana Johanna VASTAMÄKI Germany Vincent GOUTTEBARGE The Netherlands
Kwaku AFRIYIE Ghana Irene Lydia HOUTMAN The Netherlands
Vimeshkumar JANI India Barbra Clara KHAYONGO Uganda
Timothy MURPHY Ireland Joseph Flavian YIGA Uganda
Vincenzo NICOSIA Italy Frank DE VOCHT United Kingdom
Yukitaro IKEDA Japan Candis Denise MAYWCATHER USA
Ngatu NLANDU Japan Ajay PATWARDHAN USA
Takuo NOMURA Japan Paul A SCHULTE USA
Yasumasa OTSUKA Japan David TURNER USA
Yasuaki SAIJO Japan Connard MWANSA Zambia
Tarou TAMURA Japan

New Book Releases

Title: Occupational Health for Health Care Professionals ‘Caring for the Carers’
Publisher: Malaysian Medical Association (ISBN 978-983-99128-3-8)
Editors: Dr. G. Jayakumar, Prof. Dr. Retneswari Masilamani
Hard Bound Cover 300 pages USD60.00
Contact: Ms. Hema +60(3) 40411375(some@mma.org.my)

16 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2

New Chairs and Secretaries of SCs
1. Accident and Prevention 10. Indoor Air Quality 19. O H in the Chemical Industry (MEDICHEM) 28. Thermal Factors (*)
Chair: ir: Chair: Giacomo Muzi Chair: Thirumalai Rajgopal Chair: Ken C. Parsons
muzi@unipg.it Thirumalai.rajgopal@unilever.com k.c.parsons@lboro.ac.uk
Secretary: Secretary: Paolo Carrer Secretary: Diane J. Mundt Secretary: Ingvar Holmer
paolo.carrer@unimi.it dmundt@environcorp.com ingvar.holmer@design.lth.se
2. Aging and Work 11. Industrial Hygiene 20. OH in the Construction Industry 29. Toxicology of Metals
Chair: Masaharu Kumashiro Chair: Peter S.J. Lees Chair: Knut Ringen Chair: Lars Barregard
m-kuma@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp plees@jhsph.edu knutringen@msn.com lars.barregard@amm.gu.se
Secretary: Clas-Håkan Nygård Secretary: Nils Plato Secretary: Jean Francois Boulat Secretary: Monica Nordberg
clas-hakan.nygard@uta.fi nils.plato@ki.se boulat@apst.fr monica.nordberg@ki.se

3. Allergy and Immunotoxicology 12. Musculoskeletal Disorders (*) 21. Occupational Toxicology 30. Unemployment and Health
Chair: Mario Di Gioacchino Chair: Laura Punnet Chair: Maurizio Manno Chair: Jukka Vuori
m.digioacchino@unich.it Laura_Punnett@uml.edu maurizio.manno@unina.it jukka.vuori@ttl.fi
Secretary: Takemi Otsuki Secretary: Paul F.M. Kuijer Secretary: Glenn Talaska Secretary: Roland Blonk
takemi@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp p.p.kuijer@amc.nl glenn.talaska@uc.edu roland.blonk@tno.nl

4. Cardiology in OH (*) 13. Neurotoxicology and Psychophysiology 22. Occupational Medicine 31. Vibration and Noise
Chair: Peter Schnall Chair: Roberto Lucchini Chair: Chair:
pschnall@workhealth.org lucchini@med.unibs.it
Secretary: Reiner Rugulies Secretary: Eun-A Kim Secretary: Secretary: Pietro Nataletti
rer@ami.dk toxneuro@kosha.net pietro.nataletti@ispesl.it
5. Education and Training in Occupational Health 14. O ccupational and Environmental Dermatoses 23. Radiation and Work 32. Women Health and Work
Chair: Yvonne Toft Chair: Pietro Sartorelli Chair: Maila Hietanen Chair: Kaisa Kauppinen
y.toft@cqu.edu.au sartorelli@unisi.it maila.hietanen@ttl.fi kaisa.kauppinen@ttl.fi
Secretary: Linda Grainger Secretary: Sanja Kezic Secretary: Fabriziomaria Gobba Secretary: Julietta Rodrìguez-Guzmàn
grainger@telkomsa.net s.kezic@amc.uva.nl f.gobba@unimore.it rodriguezjulietta@unbosque.edu.co

6. Epidemiology in OH 15. OH and Development 24. R eproductive Hazards in the Workplace 33. Work and Vision
Chair: Dana Loomis Chair: Shyam Pingle Chair: Jens Peter Bonde Chair: Dino L. Pisaniello
dana.loomis@unc.edu shyam.pingle@ril.com jbp.bbh@regionh.dk dpisaniello@medicine.adelaide.edu.au
Secretary: Hans Kromhout Secretary: Diana Gagliardi Secretary: Gunnar Toft Secretary: Bruno Piccoli
H.Kromhout@uu.nl diana.gagliardi@ispesl.it guntof@rm.dk bpiccoli@unimi.it

7. Fibres 16. OH for Health Care Workers 25. Respiratory Disorders 34. W
 ork Disability Prevention and Integration
Chair: Chair: Annalee Yassi Chair: Yukinori Kusaka Chair: Glenn Pranski
annalee.yassi@ubc.ca yukik@u-fukui.ac.jp glenn.pransky@libertymutual.com
Secretary: Secretary: Marie Claude Lavoie Secretary: David Sherson Secretary: Johannes Anema
lavoiema@paho.org Sherson@dadlnet.dk h.anema@vumc.nl

8. Health Services Research and Evaluation in OH 17. OH Nursing 26. R ural Health: Agriculture, Pesticides and 35. Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors
Chair: Carel Hulshof Chair: Louwna J. Pretorius Organic Dusts Chair: Norito Kawakami
c.t.hulshof@amc.uva.nl louwna.pretorius@corobrik.co.za Chair: Claudio Colosio norito@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Secretary: Timo Leino Secretary: Susan Randolph claudio.colosio@unimi.it Secretary: Stravoula Leka
timo.leino@ttl.fi susan.randolph@unc.edu Secretry: Petar Bulat Stavroula.Leka@nottingham.ac.uk
bulatp@eunet.rs
9. History of Prevention of Occupational and 18. OH in Small-Scale Enterprises and the * Subject to change due to upcoming elections
Environmental Diseases Informal Sector 27. Shiftwork and Working Time
Chair: Michele A. Riva Chair: Toru Itani Chair: Giovanni Costa
mikiriva@tiscali.it itani@ilo.org giovanni.costa@univr.it
Secretary: Daniela Fano Secretary: Paula Naumanen Secretary: Sonia Hornberger
ergonomia@unimi.it paula.naumanen@tt.fi sonia.hornberger@audi.de

National Secretaries 2009-2012

Name Country Name Country Name Country
Cristina Pantano Argentina Eva Ruzsas Hungary Charles P. Roos South Africa
Wai-On Phoon Australia S. Sivaramakrishnan India Hakan Westberg Sweden
Robert Winker Austria Patrick Lee Ireland Jung-Der Wang Taiwan
Simon Bultreys Belgium Leonardo Soleo Italy Yothin Benjawung Thailand
Josè Carneiro Brazil Seichi Horie Japan Monique Frings-Dresen The Netherlands
Louis Patry Canada Elia Enriquez Mexico Rafik Gharbi Tunisia
Julietta Rodriguez Guzman Colombia Peter S. Nmadu Nigeria Yucel Demiral Turkey
Ari Kaukiainen Finland Raul Gomero Peru Robin P. Donnelly UK
Janine Cantineau France Oscar D. Tinio Philippines Robert R. Orford USA
Elisaveta Stikova FYROM Se-Hoon Lee Rep. of Korea
Theodore Bazas Greece Babacar Fall Senegal

September 2009 17
Résumé en français
Message du Président
Chers (es) collègues de la CIST,
Le caractère unique du réseau de la
CIST est mieux représenté grâce aux
activités des comités scientifiques et des
groupes de travail. Aujourd'hui, il existe
35 comités scientifiques (SC) et au niveau
international, chaque SC se retrouve au
centre de la recherche et de la pratique de
la santé au travail. Les comités scientifiques
se distinguent du réseau de la CIST par les
liens qu’ils développent entre la recherche
et la pratique de pointe en santé au travail.
Grâce à la concertation entre les SC et les
autres liens de communication, des
é c h a n g e s c o n t i n u s d e n o u ve l l e s
expériences et de nouvelles directives
peuvent être assurés. Par conséquent, il est
important pour tous les membres de la
CIST de maintenir ce lien, utilisant
pleinement nos propres réseaux.
J'ai appris deux leçons concernant
une meilleure utilisation du réseau de la
CIST lors du congrès ICOH 2009 de Cape
Town.
L'échange des expériences entre
collègues
La première leçon que j'ai apprise
concerne les orientations privilégiées dans
l'organisation des réunions des SC. J'ai vu
un très bel exemple de cette orientation
alors que j'ai assisté à l’organisation d’un
symposium international, préparé par le
SC sur le travail posté et le temps de
travail. J'étais étonné par les Règles
scrupuleusement suivies: importance
d’avoir des symposiums en dehors des
grands centres, un bon mélange des
disciplines, une bonne proportion de
jeunes chercheurs, des présentations assez
courtes, des activités sociales, des sorties
de groupes et la diffusion des présentations
auprès de ceux qui n’ont pu y participer.
18 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
Tous ces aspects, sont des gages de succès
lors de symposiums. L'idée de partager
des points de vue et des expériences de
façon soutenue lors de rencontres est
considérée comme essentiel par la plupart
des SC.
Les orientations constructives prise
dans l’organisation des réunions des SC
m’encouragent car les discussions qui en
d é co u l e n t n o u s a i d e n t à m i e u x
comprendre les situations réelles de
travail.
Apprendre de la pratique moderne
La deuxième leçon que j'ai tirée est
d’apprendre à partir des pratiques réelles
en milieux de travail. J'ai appris cette leçon
par le biais d’une série de projets
développés à la CIST' pour rejoindre les
secteurs non desservis. Malgré mon
expérience limitée, j'ai beaucoup appris de
la nature des projets mis en place dans le
but d'améliorer la santé des travailleurs.
Ces projets ont rencontrés plus de succès
lorsqu'ils étaient centrés sur les suivies des
bonnes pratiques. Au cours des congrès de
la CIST et des réunions des SC, j'ai
clairement remarquer que les caractéristiques
communes des projets qui ont donnés de
bons résultats abordent généralement les
besoins locaux urgents et tentent de
constr uire des initiatives avec la
population afin de réaliser des
améliorations faisables. Des interventions
pratiques basées sur les bonnes pratiques
peuvent conduire à des résultats concrets.
Je suis ravi d'observer que de récents
développements en matière de services de
santé du travail concordent avec la nature
pratique de ces outils d'intervention.
Il existe désormais de nouvelles bases
de données regroupant les bonnes
pratiques en matière et de santé et de
sécurité au travail. J'ai l'espoir que de
nouveaux outils d'intervention et les
nouvelles bases de données que nous
développons dans notre réseau serviront
de base solide pour unir notre recherche à
une pratique réelle.
Coopération avec les associations
nationales et régionales
Une autre caractéristique primordiale
du réseau de la CIST est l'étroite
collaboration avec les associations
nationales et régionales. Les comités SC
organisent des réunions conjointement
avec ces associations nationales et
régionales. Il s'agit évidemment d'un
avantage majeur de notre réseau car nous
gagnons beaucoup de la participation d'un
grand nombre de collègues de ces
associations en rapprochant notre travail
et nos réalisations avec la diversification
des conditions de travail et avec la plupart
des problèmes actuels.
De rapides changements ont lieu
dans nos approches d'évaluation et de
contrôle des risques sur les lieux de travail.
Ces changements impliquent une
reformulation des programmes
d'intervention et des services de santé.
Comme de plus en plus de stratégies
concertées sont développées, la coopération
avec les associations nationales et
régionales, les ONG et les arrangements
avec les divers réseaux sont sans aucun
doute nécessaires.
J'ai été impliqué dans plusieurs de ces
réunions conjointes et j’ai toujours été
impressionné par les rapports des activités
orientées vers l'action abordant les risques
selon une priorité d’intervention. J'ai le
profond sentiment que nous devons unir
nos propres activ ités avec divers
partenaires notamment en identifiant des
actions préventives efficaces réalisables
dans diverses situations. Une étroite
collaboration avec des associations
nationales et régionales et de ONG, en sus
des alliés internationaux, est essentielle.
Renforcer notre réseau
Dans les plans de travail de nos
comités scientifiques et des groupes de
travail, le besoin de renforcer notre propre
réseau est mentionné à plusieurs niveaux.
Il est primordial d'échanger ces plans et
modes d'action par le biais des rapports
de SC, du Newsletter et du site Internet de
la CIST récemment mis à jour.
Vos suggestions quant au renforcement
du réseau de la CIST sont les bienvenues,
elles nous aiderons dans l’atteinte de nos
objectifs.
Kazutaka Kogi
Président de la CIST
Mots de l’Éditeur
Les voeux du nouveau rédacteur en chef
C'est avec plaisir que je prends les
pleines responsabilités de la publication
du Newsletter de la CIST Depuis sa
création en 2003, le Newsletter de la CIST'
a toujours été une source d'informations
relatives aux activités de la CIST et
d'échanges entre les membres. Suvi
Lehtinen a réalisé un superbe travail au
cours de ces 6 dernières années. Le
Newsletter ne serait pas ce qu'il est sans
tous les efforts de Suvi.
KOSHA va poursuivre la publication
des Newsletters de la CIST à compter de
ce numéro (Vol. 7, No. 2). Le Newsletter
sera publié 3 fois par an, comme
d'habitude. Si vous avez des informations
que vous souhaitez communiquer aux
membres de la CIST veuillez m'en faire
part.
Sommaire
Le Newsletter sera composé des
messages du Président et du rédacteur en
chef, de la présentation de problèmes
concernant la santé au travail, du rapport
des réunions du comité scientifique 'SC),
de la présentation du comité scientifique
(2 SC), des actualités du secrétaire
national (2 pays), des réunions SC à venir,
et des nouveaux membres de la CIST dont
les informations sur les membres déjà
présents.
Veuillez envoyer un rapport d'environ
400 mots avec une photo lorsqu'une
réunion de la CIST a lieu. J'inclurai
également une contribution de 200 mots
des SC et des secrétaires généraux.
Version PDF
Une fois le Newsletter publié, il sera
envoyé à tous les membres de la CIST en
format PDF. Une version papier sera
également disponible pour les personnes
qui nous en font la demande.
Changements d'adresses
Afin de vous assurer de recevoir le
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ou pierluca.dionisi@ispesl.it).
La grippe H1N1 et la santé du
travail
L'épidémie de grippe A(H1N1) de
2009 qui a pris son origine sur le continent
américain, malgré les prévisions d'un recul
de la prochaine grippe, risque probablement
d’atteindre le niveau l'endémie de la
grippe H5N1 qui a eu lieu dans les pays de
l'Asie du Sud-est.
Les plans et exercices de pandémie
mis en place en prévision de la grippe
aviaire ont été d'une très grande aide pour
l e s pren eu rs de d é c i s i on s e t l e s
professionnels de la santé du monde
entier, quant à l'irruption de la grippe A
(H1N1).
C'est le 11 juin que l'OMS a déclaré
la pandémie de la grippe A H1N1 et
qu’elle devient une préoccupation de
première importance dans la majorité des
pays. Selon l'OMS, la plupart des pays de
l'hémisphère sud semble être allés au delà
de leur pic d'activités de grippe. Dans les
pays des régions tropicales, la grippe
continue à progresser ou reste à un niveau
élevé dans les activités de la grippe. Les
pays de l'hémisphère nord maintiennent
un niveau d'activité de grippe et de
maladies respiratoires faibles, avec
quelques poussées localisées.
Jusqu'à présent, la perception
clinique mondiale de la pandémie de la
grippe A H1N1 est cohérente. La majorité
des patients souffre de la forme bénigne
de la maladie, mais les personnes
présentant des facteurs de comorbidité :,
les personnes âgées de 50 ans ou plus ainsi
que les femmes enceintes ont tendance à
développer la forme sévère de la grippe.
Une surveillance continue du virus
indique qu'il n'existe aucune preuve de
mutation du virus en une forme virulente
ou mortelle.
Même si les faits concernant
l'infection A H1N1 nous donnent espoir
et nous permettent d'être optimistes, nous
devons être conscients qu'une large
proportion de la population dans de
nombreux pays est toujours exposée à
l'infection et que l'impact de la pandémie
peut s'aggraver dans l'avenir.
Il est estimé qu'au pic de la pandémie
de la grippe, 30% à 50% de la population
générale sera touché, les entreprises seront
donc contraintes de travailler avec la
moitié de leurs effectifs. Par conséquent,
les employeurs devront avoir des plans
d'urgence pour faire face à un tel scénario.
Étant donné leurs métiers, le personnel
September 2009 19
Résumé en français
médical est bien évidemment un groupe à
risque. Contrairement à la poussée du
SRAS en 2003, le personnel médical ne
semble pas avoir plus de risque de
contracter la grippe A H1N1 que le reste
de la population, notamment grâce à une
meilleure préparation et une amélioration
des mesures de contrôle d'affection.
Cependant, en cas de pandémie, un
grand nombre de patients gravement
malades et nécessitant des soins intensifs
risque probablement de mettre à rude
épreuve les services de santé existants, ce
qui peut se traduire par des conditions de
travail plus stressantes et une charge de
travail accrue pour le personnel médical.
Heureusement, les vaccins de la
grippe A H1N1 sont un stade avancé de
l eu r d é ve l op p e m e n t e t s u b i s s e n t
actuellement des tests cliniques, ce qui
d e v r a i t l i m i te r u n e t rop g r a n d e
propagation de la maladie. Jusqu'à alors,
nous devons évoquer et faire face aux
problèmes concernant la disponibilité et
l'accessibilité du vaccin ainsi que la
priorité dans la distribution du vaccin.
Rapport des réunions comités
scientifiques
Le XIXe Symposium International
sur le travail posté et le temps de travail:
“Santé et bien-être dans la société des 24
heures” a eu lieu sur l'île de San Servolo,
située dans le lagon de Venise (Italie), du 2
au 6 Août 2009. Cet événement biannuel,
dont la première édition remonte à 1969,
a été organisé par le comité scientifique de
la CIST sur le sujet de “travail posté et
temps de travail” en collaboration avec
l'Université de Milan et la Société du
Temps de Travail (STT-WTS, Working
Time Society).
Le but du Symposium était de fournir
des informations actualisées sur le travail
de nuit, ainsi que sur l'organisation du
20 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
temps de travail, proposant des solutions
pratiques et réalisables pour une meilleure
organisation des heures de travail, plus
respectueuse de la santé humaine et du
bien-être social. 170 participants de 29
pays ont contribué au succès de la
conférence grâce à 100 présentations
orales et 50 vidéos ainsi que des
discussions productives.
Le prof Kazutaka Kogi. Président de
la CIST. a délivré un discours clé intitulé
“Rejoindre la stratégie de changement
pour l'amélioration des horaires de travail
et du contenu du travail.” Cinq sessions
extraordinaires ont été organisées, ayant
pour débat quelques sujets “brûlants”, et
11 sessions orales et 2 vidéos concernant
divers sujets ont été tenus.
Les résumés de toutes ces présentations
seront prochainement publiées dans le
Newsletter de Shiftwork (S.I.N.); sur site
Internet: www.workingtime.org; E-mail:
p.bohle@usyd.edu.au;
Environ 60 papiers sélectionnés lors
seront publiés, dans la première moitié de
2010, dans six journaux scientifiques.
Toutes les informations sur le
programme du symposium ainsi que des
diapositives sur présentations sont
disponibles sur le site www.shiftwork2009.
it.
Présentation des comités
scientifiques
Le comité scientifique de la CIST sur
l'organisation du travail et les facteurs
psychosociaux (ICOH-WOPS)
Le comité scientifique de la CIST sur
l'organisation du travail et des facteurs
psychosociaux (ICOH-WOPS) a été fondé
en 1996. L'objectif du comité ICOH-
WOPS est d'échanger, de rassembler et de
diffuser des informations relatives aux
facteurs psychosociaux au travail et de la
santé chez les ouvriers, ainsi que de
faciliter la recherche et la pratique sur le
terrain, à partie de la perspective globale,
sous le principe de la CIST'. Le Président
est Norito Kawakami, Université de Tokyo,
Japon, et le secrétaire est Stavroula Leka,
Université de Nottingham, Royaume-Uni,
pour le prochain mandat de trois ans de
2009 à 2011. Parmi d'autres activités, nous
envisageons de publier un papier sur les
orientations qui seront définies dans ce
mandat de trois ans.
Nous avons organisé la 4e conférence
du comité ICOH-WOPS du 14 au17 juin,
20210, à Amsterdam, Pays-Bas, qui a
rencontré un vif succès (http://www.
icohwops2010.nl/Home/).
Le comité scientifique de la CIST sur la
Neurotoxicité et la Psychophysiologie
(ICOH-SCNP)
La mission traditionnelle du comité
SCNP est d'atteindre des collègues dans
les pays en voie de développement en
organisant des symposiums internationaux
afin de stimuler la participation et les
échanges mutuels.
Le comité SCNP se concentre sur la
recherche sur le terrain en matière de
neurotoxicologie, de neurocomportement,
de neurosensibilité et de toxicologie
neurodéveloppementale.
Le scénario d'exposition couvert par
le comité SCNP s'étend désormais aux
populations exposées au travail et celles
exposées dans leur environnement. Cette,
ouverture vers l’environnent s’appuie sur
le concept de l'exposition durant toute
une vie qui peut entraîner des effets à long
terme sur le cerveau.
L'objectif du comité SCNP est de
fournir des mises à jour scientifiques sur
les effets secondaires des métaux, solvants
et pesticides ainsi que sur les modes de
tests disponibles pour leur détection. Une
exposition répétée à divers agents
neurotoxiques est également prise en
compte, dont une interaction
concomitante d'agents neutoxiques et
d'autres factures comme le stress et
l'alimentation.
Actualités du secrétariat
national
Corée
La 20e Conférence conjointe Corée-
Japon-Chine sur la santé du travail
(JCOH) s'est déroulée avec succès au
Capital Hotel de Séoul, Corée, du 27 au 29
août 2009. La JCOH est une réunion
régionale organisée par les membres de la
CIST.
La 20e conférence JCOH se divisait
en trois: un atelier sur la promotion de la
santé en mlieu de travail, un symposium
sur le stress au travail et une période
consacrée aux communications libres. Il y
a eu 158 participants, 100 présentations
dont 69 vidéos. Un discours consacré au
Kimchi, aliment végétal fermenté
traditionnel coréen, a été délivré pour une
compréhension culturelle de la Corée.
Lors du buffet, les participants ont
félicité Kazutaka Kogi, nouvellement élu
au comité directeur ainsi que trois autres
membres du comité. Le Prof. Kyu Sang
Cho a également été félicité pour son
élection au poste de membre honoraire de
la CIST
La conférence JCOH est
alternativement organisée par les trois
pays membres. Le comité de pilotage de la
KJC JCOH a décidé d’organiser la 26e
conférence JCOH et le 31 e congrès
d'ICOH à Séoul en 2015.
Argentine
Le 24 e congrès d'ICOH à Nice, a
suscité une large réponse de la part de
l'Argentine, durant lequel l'AMAICOH
(Association des membres argentins de
l'ICOH) a été formé, et dont la fonction
principale était de soutenir les activités de
la CIST dans ce pays.
En 2006, le Dr. Claudio Taboadela est
devenu le secrétaire national d'ICOH pour
l'Argentine et a développé une importante
campagne pour le recrutement des
nouveaux membres d'ICOH. Il a présenté
la version espagnole de la Déclaration
Centenaire d'ICOH à Sao Paulo, Brésil en
2006 et a organisé la 1e Réunion de ICOH
NS de l'Amérique Latine à Buenos Aires
en novembre 2007.
En 2009, le Dr. Mara Cristina
Pantano a été élue secrétaire nationale
d'ICOH pour l’Argentine. La Réunion des
membres d'ICOH Argent ine ser a
organisée lors du 13e séminaire de la santé
au travail en novembre à Buenos Aires, et
lors du prochain Congrès argentin sur la
santé au travail en mai 2010. Nous
sommes aussi en train d'organiser la
Réunion OIA 2009 qui aura lieu les 5 et 6
décembre à Buenos Aires sur “l'Emergence
des maladies infectieuses au travail en
Amérique Latine.”

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September 2009 21
ICOH
Officers
President
Dr. Kazutaka Kogi
Institute for Science of Labour
2-8-14, Sugao, Miyamae-ku
Kawasaki 216-8501
Japan
Tel: +81 44 977 2121
Fax: +81 44 977 7504
Email: k.kogi@isl.or.jp
Secretary General
Prof. Sergio Iavicoli
ISPESL National Institute for
Occupational Safety
and Prevention
Via Fontana Candida 1
00040 Monteporzio Catone (Rorne)
Italy
Tel: +39 06 94181407
Fax: +39 06 94181556
Email: seriav@iol.it
Vice President
Ms. Suvi Lehtinen
Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health
Topeliuksenkatu 41a A
FI-00250 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358 30 474 2344
Fax: +358 30 474 2548
Email: suvi.lehtinen@ttl.fi
Vice President
Prof. Bonnie Rogers
School of Public Health
University of North Carolina
1700 MLK BLVD, CB# 7502
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7502
USA
Tel: +1 919 966 1765
Fax: +1 919 966 1765
Email: rogersb@email.unc.edu
Past President
Prof. Jorma Rantanen
Email: jorma.rantanen@ttl.fi
22 ICOH Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 2
ICOH
Board Members
Prof. Giovanni Costa
Department of Occupational and
Environmental Health
“Clinica del Lavoro L. Devoto”,
University of Milan
Via S. Barnaba 8, 20122 Milan
Italy
Tel: + 39 02 50320151
Fax: + 39 02 50320150
Email: giovanni.costa@unimi.it
Dr. Marilyn Fingerhut
OH Consultant
2121 Jamieson Ave Unit 2109
Alexandria VA 22314
USA
Tel: +1 703 5670987
Fax: +1 703 5670987
Email: mfingerhut@cdc.gov
Prof. Michel Guillemin
Institute of Occupational Health
Sciences
University of Lausanne
Rue Du Bugnon. 19 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel: +41(0)213147420
Fax: +41(0) 213147420
Email: Michel. Guillemin@hospvd.ch
Dr. John Harrison
Health at Work
Hammersmith Hospital
Du Cane Road London W12 OHS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 208383 1514
Email: John .Harrison@imperial.nhs.uk
Dr. Seong-Kyu Kang
Occup. Safety & Health Research
Institute, KOSHA
34-4, Gusan-dong, Bupyeong-gu
Incheon 403-711
Republic of Korea
Tel: +82 32 5100750
Fax: +82 32 5180863
Email: skk@kosha.net
Prof. Norito Kawakami
Department of Mental Health
School of Public Health
University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo 113-0033
Japan
Tel: +81 3 58413521
Fax: +81 3 58413392
Email: norito@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Prof. Thomas Kieselbach
Institute for Psychology of Work,
Unemployment and Health
University of Bremen
Grazer Straße 2 D-28359 Bremen
Germany
Tel: +49 421 2182825
Fax: +49 421 2184309
Email: kieselbach@ipg.uni-bremen.de
Dr. Timo Leino
Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health
Topeliuksenkatu
41a A FI-00250 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358 30 4742396
Email: timo.leino@ttl.fi
Dr. Jorge Morales
Corporativo Procter & Gamble
Electrón # 28. Naucalpan
53370 Estado de México
México
Tel: +52 (55) 5726 4230
Fax: +52 (55) 5726 4236
Email: morales.ja@pg.com
Prof. Antonio Mutti
University of Parma
Viale Gramsci, 14
43100 Parma
Italy
Tel: +39 0521 033075
Fax: +39 0521 033076
Email: antonio.mutti@unipr.it
Prof. Mary Ross
School of Public Health
University of Witwatersrand
5 Gale Road-Parktown West
2193 Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 7267833
Email: barrym@mweb.co.za
Dr. Claudio Taboadela
Argentine Federation on
Occupational Health
General Enrique Martinez 934
Buenos Aires 1426
Argentina
Tel: +54 11 45516652
Email: ctaboadela@fibertel.com.ar
Prof. Harri Vainio
Finnish Institute of
Occupational Health
Topeliuksenkatu 41a A
FI-00250 Helsinki
Finland
Tel: +358 30 4742340
Fax: +358 30 4742548
Email: harri.vainio@ttl.fi
Prof. Frank Van Dijk
Academic Medical Center
Coronel Institute of
Occupational Health
PO Box 22700
1100 DE Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 56665325
Fax: +31 20 6977161
Email: f.j.vandijk@amc.nl
Prof. Sheng Wang
Dept. of Occupational &
Environmental Health
Peking University Health Science
Center
Center Beijing, 100083
P.R. of China
Tel: +86 10 8280 1533
Fax: +86 10 8280 1533
Email: shengw@bjmu.edu.cn
Prof. Peter Westerholm
Dept. of Medical Seiences
Occupational and Environmental
Medicine
Uppsala University
Ullerakersvagen 38-40
SE-75185 Uppsala
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 619 6972
Email: peter.westerholm@medsci.uu.se