Occupational safety and health experts

Sorry, this article is only available in the original italian version.

Click here for an abstract in English.

Working with hazardous substances may be dangerous for safety and health. Therefore, at least some basic information is required. This short safety instruction can be used to highlight specific aspects of handling hazardous substances at the workplace, in particular for small and mediumsized enterprises. The safety briefing set enables superiors to share their knowledge about safe working to their subordinates and colleagues, especially with vulnerable groups.

This collection, “Technical Notebooks” is made of 8 booklets that describe the features of some particular equipment, usually available in temporary or mobile construction sites.

This booklet promotes an effective and safe use of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP) in temporary or mobile construction sites, describing the following topics:

• legislative regulations in force;
• existing kinds of MEWP;
• criteria for their selection and safe use;
• aspects to be considered when assessing risks for MEWP operators (i.e. accidents, electrocution due to contact with power lines);
• management of emergencies;
• operating procedures.

This publication provides a guidance to the application of the current regulations concerning occupational safety and health on construction sites (Chapter IV of the Legislative Decree 81/2008 as amended) and suggests a method for drawing up the safety plans, based on a careful assessment of all risks. Moreover, you can find some patterns, provided with practical examples, for the elaboration of: 

• Safety and Coordination Plan (SCP)
• Safety and Operational Plan (SOP)

This Handbook provides some tools for the assessment and management of the chemical risk for any kind of employees working in a contaminated site. The assessment takes into account: 

• chemicals in general
• carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals
• exposure by inhalation and by dermal absorption

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) provides protection for people world wide through sustainable social security systems. In this context prevention is of great importance. The contribution of knowledge and the commitment of 13 International Sections enable the ISSA to promote occupational safety and health throughout the world.

Falling from heights (whether it is from a ladder or from stairs) often results in severe accidents. This does not only involve serious injuries, but there is a range from temporary to permanent disability, possibly with a longer absence from work, or even casualties. One main focus hence should be the conduct and manner of working of the staff members.

Maintenance is part of the usual business in process plants. As indicated in various legal and technical standards, the instruction of workers for safety topics is crucial. In practice, it is very difficult to ensure safety. The accident rate of maintenance work is still a major focus point. 

Safe storage of chemicals is not only relevant in chemical plants; the products in the following examples are also chemicals:

• Paint and varnishes of a painter workshop,
• Cleaning and disinfecting agents of a cleaning company,
• Oils, solvents and thinners in a repair shop,
• Building foams, cement residue remover of a construction company,
• Gas bottles with acetylene, oxygen, liquefied gases of a locksmith.

As indicated in various legal and technical standards, the instruction of workers for safety topics is crucial.

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are important evaluation criteria for determining possible exposure of dangerous chemical substances and the appropriate technical, organisational, and, in certain cases, personal protective measures at the workplace. Depending on the hazard potential of substances or on the possible exposure route, different states and communities have developed different procedures for determining limit values and additional notations.

Sorry, this article is only available in the original german version.

Click here for an abstract in English.

Sorry, this article is only available in the original german version.

Click here for an abstract in English.

The FCOS Box (https://www.ekas-box.ch/en/#!/home) provides a virtual tour of various office situations that deal with the following areas: “Working ergonomically”, “Accident prevention”, “Setting up the office” and “Office planning”. With a generous dash of humour, the two characters Sophie and Alex show how health and safety in the office can be improved with relatively little effort.

It's very difficult for safety advisors to talk to their colleagues about safety. With the help of this audio production employers can improve their abilities in communication in a quite simple and entertainig way. The booklet, which is included, gives further information to improve skills in communication.

Sorry, this article is only available in the original german version.

Click here for an abstract in English.