Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment

The inter-relationship between safety, health and the ‘environment’ is a complex and at times a relatively neglected topic. In this issue, ‘safety’ is often viewed by contributors as ‘health and safety’ and includes occupationally-related ill health as well as injury or harm to employees and the wider public. ‘Environment’ is also interpreted in the widest sense covering both physical and work environments with upstream work hazards presenting risks to downstream communities. The focus is very much on exploring and where possible addressing the challenges, some old and some facing workers in a range of public and private settings and also at times their nearby communities. The 19 papers in the issue cover public and private sectors, global and very local populations, macro-theoretical perspectives, large epidemiological and some single factory or hospital site small case studies. A number of the papers are just beginning to explore and draw out for the first time the risks from hazards in their part of the world. The methodologies adopted also range from lab-based studies through ergonomic assessments and interventions to therapeutic approaches.Output Type: Editoria

For most work-related cancers, you have a 1% chance of state compensation

First paragraph: While both main political parties come under pressure over how they will cut the UK deficit, the Conservatives reportedly see one possible target as the benefits scheme for industrial injuries. They would pass the costs on to private companies, requiring them either to take out insurance or become members of a default scheme that they would have to pay for. The saving is being touted at £1bn.http://theconversation.com/for-most-work-related-cancers-you-have-a-1-chance-of-state-compensation-3961

Regulation of Occupational Health and Safety in the Semiconductor Industry: Enforcement Problems and Solutions

Reports of high incidences of occupational illnesses in the semiconductor industry should have triggered global investigations and rigorous inspection of the industry. Yet semiconductor plants remain essentially unregulated. Health and safety standards are inadequate and enforcement is lax. Roles for stakeholders in laying down good practice, monitoring, and regulating are proposed, and obstacles are described. Effective regulation has advantages for the industry as well as workers. Conditions for best practice include education at all levels, protection and support for labor inspectors, government commitment to enforcing laws, recognition of the right of workers to organize, and recognition of their rights

Speakers corner. To frack or not to frack? Why is that not a global public health question and how should public health practitioners address it?

First paragraph: Large-scale unconventional gas extraction (UGE) includes coal bed methane, shale gas and coal gas. It may involve fracking or fracturing of shale and other seams via wells. Fracking is planned or underway in North America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia. Frackers make great profits and assure those to be fracked that the activity, product and any minimal pollution will be tightly regulated and carefully run by the companies. Hence communities will be safe, the energy supply will be better for the environment and jobs and economic growth will be created. Some who are being fracked also receive financial benefits and are happy with the process. Others so fracked are not

Pollution, 'crime' and ill-health impacts

First paragraph: The Scottish Government recently introduced welcome new laws in 2013 to address environmental crime with on-thespot fines of up to £40,000 and established an environmental crime multi-agency taskforce led by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). International environmental crime, the waste industry and large scale environmental degradation as well as fly tipping have all been examined (Scottish Government, 2013). However, this may simply be the tip of a much larger and very toxic ‘rubbish dump’ of pollution and just as crime knows no boundaries, neither does pollution

Asbestos in schools: what you need to know

First paragraph: The Department for Education referred nearly 700 schools in England to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as they did not provide evidence that they were managing asbestos in line with regulatory requirements. Of the 29,000 schools in Britain, more than 75% contain asbestos.https://theconversation.com/asbestos-in-schools-what-you-need-to-know-12004

The Politics of Occupational Health

How do political decisions shape and mould the practice of occupational health in the UK and what is the impact on both practitioners and patients? Andrew Watterson examines the political influences impacting on OH practice today.  Visit the publisher's website at: www.atworkpartnership.co.u

Lancashire fracking refusals may be no red light to the industry - here's why

First paragraph: Big news from Lancashire in north England: the county council has rejected two planning applications to develop shale gas sites in recent days, the first in four years. Lancashire councillors’ decisions to reject planning applications by Cuadrilla at Roseacre Wood (June 25) and Little Plumpton (June 29) against the conditional approval of planning officers is a major blow for the industry. For reasons I will outline, though, it may not yet to lead to a national defeat.https://theconversation.com/lancashire-fracking-refusals-may-be-no-red-light-to-the-industry-heres-why-4404

Can talcum powder really cause ovarian cancer?

First paragraph: The debate about whether or not talcum powder causes ovarian cancer has rumbled on for decades. However, it recently reached fever pitch after a US court awarded damages to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer, allegedly as a result of having used talc as a feminine hygiene product for many years. Does that mean women should avoid using talcum powder? What does the science say?https://theconversation.com/can-talcum-powder-really-cause-ovarian-cancer-5546

Ten deadly carcinogens (you've probably never heard of)

First paragraph: Bad news for bacon butty lovers and barbecue afficionados. The World Health Organisation now deems bacon, sausage – and other processed meats – a serious cancer risk.https://theconversation.com/ten-deadly-carcinogens-youve-probably-never-heard-of-4983