Workplace Health Without Borders 1 Marianne Levitsky OHAO Fall Symposium October 13, 2011 Toronto
Workplace Health Without Borders Imagine a world where everyone goes home at least as healthy as when they came to work.
There are 3 billion workers in the world 2 billion of them work in unhealthy and unsafe workplaces (World Health Organization, 2008)
Worker illness and death due to unhealthy workplaces 2.3 million workers die each year from occupational causes (International Labor Organization) 160 million workers get sick each year due to non-fatal occupational diseases
International need for occupational hygienists Projected need for credentialed occupational hygienists in non-ioha countries: 55,000 1 Current number of certified/credentialed occupational hygienists, worldwide: 7850 2 1 Based on the average # of occupational hygienists/labour force in credentialed IOHA countries. 1,2 John Henshaw (former head, US OSHA), The Resurgence of Occupational Hygiene: Growing the Profession and Creating a Safer Global Workforce, presented at World Safety Congress, Istanbul, September 2011
What is Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB)? We are a group of occupational hygienists and other volunteers We aim to provide under-served populations with the training and skills they need to improve workplace conditions
Needs that WHWB could address In the State of Rajasthan, India, about 500,000 workers are heavily exposed to silica in quarrying and sandstone work. Often whole families are exposed where workers live at the work site. Wet methods to suppress dust are difficult, due to lack of water in the region.
Needs that WHWB could address Small demolition operations in Mozambique, before intervention: 1 No worker training No PPE Deficient control measures 1 PhD thesis, Custodio Muianga, WHWB member
Needs that WHWB could address Request from toxicology professor in Sudan to start a group on safe drinking water in the workplace WHO estimates that 42% of people in sub-saharan Africa lacks access to clean drinking water Nearly 80% of illness in developing countries is linked to poor water and sanitation (thewaterproject.org) Photos from thewaterproject.org
History Started with discussion about Industrial Hygienists Without Borders at AIHce in Toronto, 2009, Occupational Hygienists Without Borders in Norway Group began meeting February 2011 at ECOH in Mississauga: developed Strategic Framework 1 Meeting at Portland AIHce in May 2011 Meet monthly by teleconference: mainly members from Canada and US 1 http://www.whwb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/workplace-health-without-borders- Strategic-Framework-April-16-2011.pdf 10
History, Cont d. New international contacts at World Safety Congress in Istanbul in September Incorporated as Canadian not-for-profit in September Starting application for charitable status. 11
Our Vision A world where workers do not get sick because of their work. Mission To engage the occupational health profession in ensuring that workers and employers throughout the world have the knowledge and technical means to prevent work-related disease.
Objectives Promote OHS awareness Increase access to occupational hygiene expertise and technology Build capacity and infrastructure Encourage multinational companies to require and support good OHS in their supply chains Help NGOs integrate OHS into their work and protect their volunteers.
WHWB Principles Occupational health and safety is a basic human right Adhere to the ethics of the occupational hygiene profession We offer assistance without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, nationality or creed We observe neutrality and impartiality, maintaining independence from all political, economic and religious powers
The WHWB Business Model Core funding through membership contributions Grant applications to support projects Seek support from companies to help ensure good OHS in their supply chains and international communities Other fundraising activities
Anticipated Project Activities Short-term overseas volunteer projects: training, technical assistance Build capacity and infrastructure, while avoiding ongoing dependency Collaboration and information exchange through social media Opportunities for volunteers to work from home, e.g. through web portals and distance learning/advising projects Fundraising to help partner organizations in developing countries Work with both employers and workers Educating and partnering with other NGOs
Current Project: Silica Working Group Silica exposure has been identified as a common concern across a number of potential WHWB projects Partnering with the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA) on silica training module
Interested in joining WHWB? We need help! Communications Administration Projects Social media Fundraising Develop materials Liaison with NGOs, corporations, unions
Supporting WHWB gives you an opportunity to Promote awareness of occupational disease and how occupational hygiene can control hazards Increase global access to occupational hygiene expertise and technology Build occupational hygiene capacity in underserviced areas of the world Encourage multinational companies to require and support good occupational health practices
We invite involvement from multi-national companies Potential Benefits to MNCs: Help improve OHS in your supply chain Opportunities for your international staff to help in local communities Demonstrate corporate social responsibility
Contact WHWB To get involved with Workplace Health Without Borders, E-mail: m.levitsky@whwb.org or c.pilger@whwb.org Subscribe to the whwb.org website to follow our activities Find us on Facebook, Twitter (@WHWB1) or LinkedIn