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Filling of hazardous substances

The purpose of this safety instruction is to address essential aspects for safe filling of with hazardous substances. learning. The set of slides is intended to assist managers for the personal instruction of employees and to start an open discussion on the topic of occupational safety.

Call for papers: XXIII International ORPconference “At work: one life – one planet”

The International ORP Foundation and the CERpIE - UPC, on behalf of the Scientific Committee of the former, are pleased to announce the celebration of the 23rd International ORPconference. The International ORPconference aims to provide an international forum that brings together experts in occupational health and safety, innovation and human resources - from companies, public institutions, universities and research centres - in order to present the latest innovations, research and developments in these fields through the promotion of dialogue, collaboration and exchange of experiences, methods and ideas among professionals.

COVID19 vaccination: questions and answers

What is the Anti-Covid19 vaccine used for?

It is a vaccine that serves to prevent COVID-19 disease in subjects aged 12 years or older. The vaccine does not contain the virus and it cannot cause disease.

Ageing-appropriate workplace design

The AUVA leaflet M028 "Ageing-appropriate workplace design" was developed in the context of the AUVA-funded project "Ageing-appropriate and ergonomic workplace design" from 2013 to 2014. It serves

to raise awareness among decision-makers on the subject of older workforces,
the promotion of safety and health at work
and optimising performance

BGN Ventilation App

The "BGN Ventilation App" offers small and medium-sized businesses, especially those in the catering industry, assistance with proper ventilation. This is particularly important in times of the pandemic, because effective protection against infection always consists of the measures distance, hygiene, mouth-nose mask and ventilation (AHA+L).

BGN ventilation calculator

Open the windows and ventilate - that is the easiest way to comply with the requirements of the SARS-CoV-2 occupational health and safety regulations when ventilating workrooms. How often and for how long depends on the room size and the number of guests in the room. 1,000 ppm is the maximum CO2 concentration in the room generated by human exhalation.

Coronavirus short card for small businesses

The short card explains the right behaviours and the right procedures to avoid as much as possible the spread of Coronavirus in small commercial activities and is meant both for employers and employees. The main aspects of the prevention of contagion are presented; the text is very concise, because the message is mainly based on the illustrations.

Working from home? 6 tips for setting up your workstation

Many of us have recently received the direction to work from home. In some cases, the news was a simple “grab and go” situation, grabbing your laptop and heading home. Some people may be lucky enough to have equipment that can help with a temporary home office set-up, such as a mouse, external keyboard, or monitor.

Corona Prevention Monitor

The Corona Prevention Monitor offers a selection of news and analysis from media and other sources around the world with regards to prevention and social security. This platform was initiated by the ISSA member Austrian Accident Insurance Institution (AUVA) together with the ISSA’s Special Commission on Prevention and its 14 international Prevention Sections. External sites will open in a new window. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the ISSA is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Biogas plants – Safe handling of biogas

Biogas plants are comprised of different equipment such as machines, containers, tanks, pipes and measuring devices for the production, cleaning, conveying, measuring, storing, and utilisation or flaring of biogas.

AUVA Apps

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: Safety signs

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: Encyclopaedia of prevention

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: Health and safety management

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: Lifting and carrying

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: First Aid – Hand Injuries

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

AUVA app: Computer workstation

The new generations of smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used for a wide variety of purposes. The Austrian Worker´s Compensation Board (AUVA) wants this trend to continue and has begun developing a number of different apps following extensive preparatory work.

“Back school – neck school” at work

Back pain and neck pain have several causes, among which an inappropriate use of the vertebral column and wrong postures. This booklet shows correct postures and movements, useful for preventing pain, applicable in all working sectors. Moreover, some exercises, to be made on workplace and/or at home, are available.

Risk of exposure to Legionella spp. in living and working environments

This Fact sheet gives an overview about the risk of exposure to Legionella spp, species of bacteria causing an infection named “legionellosis”.

Exposure to vibrations transmitted to the hand-arm system

The emission of vibrations from some equipment (e.g. drills, jackhammers, grinders) may cause disorders to the hand-arm system.

Fit and healthy in small enterprises

A healthy back

The present paper offers simple and quick assistance in the execution of hazard evaluation for strains on back and joints. In addition, it contains practice-oriented and economic possibilities to avoid back and joint aches.

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Carry out asbestos remediation works safely

Dealing with asbestos is dangerous. Respirable asbestos fibers can be breathed and cause asbestosis or cancer. Therefore dealing with asbestos materials is forbidden in Germany. Excepted from this prohibition are remediation works if the required technical and organizational protective measures are observed.

App “Supplementary risk assessment”

The German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the energy, textile, electrical and media products sectors (BG ETEM) has developed an app for smartphones and tablet computers to be used by its member companies. This app allows to create a “supplementary risk assessment for construction and assembly sites“ directly at the workplace. The app contains a checklist that can be worked through at the construction and assembly site.

Up-to-date information on the construction site can easily be added to the risk assessment set up within the company. Once the documentation is completed in a PDF format, it can directly be emailed via the app to the company.

CD: That´s ok! A radio play for all who talk about safety.

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.

Chemical risk for employees working in contaminated sites

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

Aston Martin apprentices say Speak Up

A British Safety Council video made with the world famous car company, featuring seven of their young apprentices who have all started work recently. They explain, in their own words, why health and safety is important, how to stay safe and urge all young people to speak up or stop work if they feel unsafe.

Fit and healthy in small enterprises

Working: Stress-free - together - better

The new BG Information Sheet „Arbeiten: Entspannt - gemeinsam - besser“ (Working: Stress-free - together - better) explains how stress develops on the basis of six case examples and suggests possibilities to keep stressful work situations under control.

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Occupational exposure to chemicals in dismantled industrial sites

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Fit and healthy in small enterprises

Evaluation of the room climate

The brochure offers practical help in the evaluation of the room climate and possible solutions for the removal or reduction of problems arising from the room climate.

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Fit and healthy in small enterprises

Daylight at the workplace

Why is daylight important for our health? How may daylight be beneficially used at the workplace? These questions and others are answered in the new information leaflet which puts into effect the Arbeitsstättenverordnung (German Workplace Ordinance) as far as daylight is concerned.

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Distraction in the road traffic

Distraction is a growing hazard in the road traffic which is often underestimated.

An active participation in the road traffic – as car driver, cyclist or pedestrian – requires at any time the full concentration to the traffic events. A short inattention can under certain circumstances not only lead to dangerous situations in the road traffic or risky driving manoeuvres but also to grave accidents.

Campaign „Glance over the shoulder“: be mobile consciously and safely

What’s about my driving ability? Do I drive as safe as in the past? These questions arise if we become older. Perfect persons to discuss this subject are family doctors. They know the previous history of their patients and are important persons of trust. But only 19% of car driving persons over an age of 65 have discussed the topic of driving ability with their doctor.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders

This booklet, addressed to employees and their Representatives for Workplace Safety, shows the preventive measures to be applied by workers whose activities are potentially hazardous for the spine or upper/lower limbs.

Roofing: Risk Prevention of falls from heights – Recommendations CRAMIF n° 20

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

You can find an abstract in English here.

Roofing: decision aid to the implementation of the protection device against falls from heights in the roofing sector

This brochure proposes an evaluation matrix for determining a priority and depending on the type of construction and its environment, the most appropriate collective protection against the risk of falling from heights.

This matrix has been approved by professional trade unions and organizations responsible for enforcing regulation and prevention of occupational risks.

Occupational safety - Compact!

The Sector Rulebooks, a new concept by the DGUV, are a way to present issues of industrial and occupational safety to small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in a compact format. The first issue is dedicated to the Mining Sector. In this rulebook, the dangers of mining different types of minerals are depicted and described and the correct safety measures are explained. It also contains advice concerning the safe handling of processing machines, i.e. crushing machines and conveyors.

Asbestos: Towards a worldwide ban

The purpose of this brochure of ISSA's Special Commission on Prevention is to remind the reader that whilst asbestos may still be seen as a "miracle mineral", it is above all a time bomb and the moment has now come to ban it once and for all.

The removal and reclamation of asbestos-containing materials

The removal and reclamation of asbestos-containing materials is undoubtedly one of the most risky work activities today. A proper training of employers and employees who are active in this field is therefore a very important aspect of prevention.
This publication is used as the main manual in the training courses organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Service (Spisal) of the Department of Prevention at the Local Health Unit of Venice.

Chemical risk in the building sector. If you know it…you avoid it

This booklet deals with exposure to chemical agents (cement, solvents, adhesives, mineral oils, bituminous products and so on) in the building sector and the related, often underestimated, risks for health and safety of workers.

Occupational safety in road construction sites

This Handbook represents a guide tothe main risks – general and specific ones – which are typical for road works. The described risks concern both personnel working on road construction sites and external workers and experts.

Buy extraction units – but in the right way!

The information “buy extraction units – but in the right way!” (I 7006-2) is very new and supports enterprises to consider important data before buying extraction units.

Dermal absorption of chemicals

The factsheet regards exposure to chemicals by dermal absorption.

Chemicals, even if not irritating and corrosive, may be absorbed in significant amounts through large contact areas of non-damaged skin: their systemic toxic effects cannot be prevented only by environmental monitoring; besides, damaged skin requires more precautions.

Car and truck workshops

The rate of occupational accidents and illnesses is high in the car and heavy truck workshops, especially in the Very Small Entreprises (SMEs). The prevention of occupational risks is a way to preserve the health of employees and the financial strength of the businesses.

Repair and maintenance activities of light and heavy vehicles provide jobs for approximately 140 000 persons in France. The compensation for accidents at work and occupational diseases supported by the Social Security on behalf of these companies represents more than 3% of their payroll.

Working with Visual Display Units (VDUs)

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

Click here for an abstract in English.

Fire safety for operators of existing plants for dismantling End-of-Life Vehicles

According to the Ministerial Decree n° 151/2011, the fire risk related to dismantling of End-of Life-Vehicles (ELV) is classified as average or high.

This booklet is just about fire – as well as explosion – risk in the existing plants for ELV dismantling.

Guideline „Breweries – competent, safe and cost-efficient”

This guideline for a good work design “breweries – competent, safe and cost-efficient” provides information, help and tips for entrepreneurs, brewing masters and other management personnel.

It is addressed above all to small and medium-sized breweries but is also useful for management personnel in larger breweries.

It is structured according to subjects which breweries have to deal with every day. It describes good practice in breweries.

Guideline „Meat processing enterprises – competent, safe and cost-efficient”

The guideline for a good work design provides information, help and tips for entrepreneurs, master butchers and other management personnel. The guideline is addressed above all to small and medium-sized meat processing enterprises but is also useful for management personnel in larger enterprises of the meat industry. It is structured according to subjects which meat industry has to deal with each day. It describes good practice in the meat industry. The guideline has been developed by BGN (statutory accident insurance institution for the food and catering industry), DFV (German butcher association), AUVA, Austria as well as the ISSA-Section Machine and System Safety. Target was to set a common standard for good work design as well as occupational safety and health in meat processing industries.

Fact Sheet No. 1: Cyber Security in Small Enterprises

Also small enterprises become victims of hacker attacks! Devices and machines with an Internet connection still have many security gaps. And more than 350,000 new malware programs are detected every day.

A malfunction or a failure of IT systems can very quickly lead to a loss of image, loss of production or major damage - reasonable IT protection, however, can be achieved with relatively simple means.

In order to reduce the risk of something like this happening to you, take the measures described in the Fact Sheet!