THIS DOCUMENT ORIGINALLY CREATED ON WP61. Please respond as soon as possible
Chitaranjan (Jivan) Saran, PhD, PE, CPE, CHCM
Professor Engineer Ergonomist, 191 SE 411, Warrensburg, MO 64093-8381, USA
Electronic Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Tel/Fax: 1 660 747 8065
Building Bridges Breaking Barriers
SHE (Safety, Health, & Environment) + Ergonomics + Globalization
= Worker/Community Well Being + Productivity + Profits
Dear Safety, Health, & Environment Scholar:
International Social Security Association and I would like to invite you to I)
attend the XVth World
Congress on Occupational Safety & Health to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April
12-16, 1999, and ii)
present technical papers and posters. The theme of this triennial Congress is
Safety, Health and
Environment (SHE) - A Global Challenge.
I am encouraging submission of 200 word abstracts on SHE Systems opportunities
and challenges
(O&C) in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in your
country/organization for Session:
Session B.4. "New economic structures and SMEs". Machine safety extended from
safe design of
machine s to safe and integrated use of technology and engineering in working
systems. Occupational safety
& health (OSH) and management systems for quality and environmental protection:
problems resulting from
interaction and integration in complex work systems. Methods of problem
solving: risk analysis and
evaluation; development and implementation of techniques and methods generally
applicable to a wide range
of SMEs; new approaches for education and training; prevention measures
extending beyond the workplace.
Systems relevant to individual SMEs as well as to groups of SMEs. Particular
target groups are SMEs and
small enterprise units resulting from restructuring large
Other sessions include:
A: Impact of Globalization- Role of Governments, Common perspectives for SHE
Protection (SHEP) in
Agriculture and Forestry, Managing Chemical Risks, and International Questions
B: Implementation of Occupational SHEP- Informational Technologies- O&C; OSH
Systems in mining,
construction, and health services; New economic structures and SMEs; SHEP Risk
assessment, research
& training, and management; Ergonomics and psycho-social issues.
C: Dock work and transport, child labour, gender issues
Contacts: For details of other Sessions, format for abstracts, full papers, and
posters please contact the
Program Committee at: Comite de Programa
XV Congresso Mundial sobre Seguranca e Saude no Trabalho Fundacentro
Rua Capote Valente, 710
05409 - 002 - Sao Paulo - SP - BRAZIL.
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Home Page: http://www.fundacentro.gov.br
Deadlines: Abstracts: June 30, 1998, Full Paper: January 21, 1999. For Session
B4, please send: i) abstract
on 3.5 or 5.25" floppies or originals to Brazil, ii) copy of your abstract by
fax or email to: Dr Hans-Jurgen
Bischoff, ISSA Section Machine Safety, Dynamostrasse 7-11, D-68165 Mannheim,
GERMANY; T:
+49/(0)621 - 44 56 - 2213, Fax: +49/(0)621 - 44 56 - 2125, Email:
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Internet: <http://www.ivss.org> and iii) a copy by fax or email to me.
For registration, exhibitor booths, and other information, please contact:
Congress Secretariat, Fundocentro
at the address in Brazil. We look forward to hear from you. Sincerely yours,
Jivan
>From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon May 18 15:33:24 1998
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 17:32:28 +0000
From: Vera Britto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: SCIENTISTS RECONFIRM HAZARDS OF SOFT PVC TOYS
From: "greenbase" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: EU Scientists Reconfirm Hazards of Soft PVC Toys
EUROPEAN UNION SCIENTISTS RECONFIRM HAZARDS OF SOFT PVC TOYS
WHILE US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND EU INDUSTRY DIVISION BLOCK
BAN
Amsterdam, 5 May 1998 --- Greenpeace called on the European
Union Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann and the US
Department of Commerce to stop blocking European efforts for an
immediate ban on soft PVC toys. Meanwhile, a EU Scientific
Committee reconfirmed the hazards represented by soft PVC toys.
In a yet unpublished opinion adopted 24 April 1998, the EU
Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the
Environment concluded that PVC teething rings made from
polyvinylchloride (PVC) leach up to ten times the acceptable
level of softeners known as phthalates.
However, Martin Bangemann, Commissioner for Industrial Affairs,
has maintained that immediate action is not necessary or
warranted. Further, the US is actively lobbying against any ban
decision.
Greenpeace recently obtained a letter sent from the US
Ambassador in Brussels A. Vernon Weaver to Hans Beseler, the
Director General of the European Commission responsible for
External Affairs, and internal "action cables" sent by the US
Department of Commerce to US embassies in Europe to lobby
against proposed restrictions on soft PVC toys (1).
These memos urge US government representatives to immediately
"establish a mechanism to begin withdrawing EU bans and warnings
on these and other soft PVC products," arguing that "a ban in
Europe undermines the goals of free trade" and could result in
"enormous loss of trade in these and similar products."
The memos also suggested that "no decisions be taken on PVC
restrictions in toys until further scientific data is
available", since "the discussion of a ban is based on hype
rather than scientific evidence".
"While European national governments, consumers and parents,
backed by a wealth of scientific evidence, are calling for an
urgent ban to protect the health of their children, the US seeks
only to protect the interests of US-based toy companies such as
Mattel and Hasbro," said Madeleine Cobbing of Greenpeace
International. "Mr Bangemann has to decide who he wants to
protect: European children from unnecessary exposure to
hazardous chemicals or the toy industry profits made selling
hazardous baby toys ?"
The softeners DINP and DEHP, identified by the EU Scientific
Committee as exceeding the margin of safety, were found by
Greenpeace (2) to be the ones most frequently used in soft PVC
toys, and the ones used at the highest concentrations ranging
from 10 to 40% of the product weight. These phthalates have been
shown to have critical effects on the liver or on the
reproductive system.
A legal ban on soft baby toys has already been agreed in
Austria, and recommendations for voluntary withdrawals have been
made by the Danish, Dutch, German and Belgian Health
Authorities. In March 1998, the Spanish government requested the
Commission to take EU wide legal action against the hazards from
soft PVC toys.
In April 1998, the European Consumers' Organization BEUC (Bureau
Europeen des Unions de Consommateurs) called on the Commission
to impose an urgent ban on soft PVC toys containing phthalates.
The entire life cycle of PVC plastic is a polluting process. Its
production involves highly toxic precursors and generates
hazardous emissions and wastes. When burned in accidental fires
or waste incinerators, PVC is a significant source of dioxin and
secondary hazardous wastes. end
-------------------------------------------------------------
For information:
Greenpeace on the Internet at http://www.greenpeace.org
NOTES
(1) Copies of the letter and the memos are available on request.
(2) "Determination of the Composition and Quantities of
Phthalate Ester Additives in PVC Children's Toys", Greenpeace
Research Laboratories, University of Exeter, Department of
Biological Sciences, August 1997. 68% of all PVC toys examined
contained DINP in concentrations from 10 to 40%.
>From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tue May 19 10:58:15 1998
From: "us" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fw: Greetings!
Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 12:05:25 -0500
charset="iso-8859-1"
-----Original Message-----
From: Buffalo Folks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 1998 11:43 AM
Subject: Greetings!
>
>*****************************************************************
Two weeks ago, the Montana Department of Livestock did their
>major military like hazing operation in west Yellowstone Montana (see
article below). They used two helicopters, three all terrain vehicles, a
motor cross bike, several four wheel drive trucks and two horses. It was a
very expensive, loud operation involving alot of manpower as well as alot of
taxpayers dollars.
>
>Meanwhile three pregnant buffalo ignored them and quietly ducked off into
the woods to have their babies.
>For the last two weeks these mothers and their calves have lived in a small
area north of the Madison river, a quarter mile west of highway 191.
>
>This morning the mothers and children awoke with one thing in mind, to
>test the calves' new legs. After two weeks of strengthening the legs, the
>journey to return to the herd began. Within minutes of awakening,
>they were up and off toward Yellowstone National Park.
>
>Our first concern was their crossing Highway 191. Buffalo Nations placed
the first traffic warning volunteer in position as they were nearing the
first bluff, overlooking the highway. Then, faster than the helicopter
chased buffalo
>two weeks before, they crossed the final obstacle to freedom. Up and down
>each 40 foot bluff they crossed the highway and didn't stop. Moving at
>speeds adult buffalo could be proud of, they continued past the safety line
>of the park. They continued on for at least 1/2 a mile not even breaking
>for a mouth full of the fresh new green grasses. Finally, they did stop
>and look at us, before going out of view.
>
>We take note of this simple stress free journey back into the Park. No
helicopters, ATVs, etc. or multi thousand dollar budget was necessary.
Simple but effective.
>
>Our smiles were reflected in the safety of the new calves and their moms.
>
>*******************************************************
>
>* Jake speaks about the April Hazing fiasco.......
>
>Its been a long couple of weeks here at Buffalo Nations. Certainly the
>loudest thing that's happened lately was the Montana Department of
Livestock's (DOL) big haze. At the time there were almost 300 buffalo on and
around Horse Butte, a big hill several miles west of Yellowstone Park that
the buffalo get to by following the north shore of the Madison River.
>
>The buffalo were gathering there as they have for generations to birth
their calves. They were enjoying some of the best spring grazing in the
area.
>
>Now, a thing like that made the DOL nervous. Their main concern seemed to
be for a a rancher from Idaho who runs 240 head of cattle on Horse Butte
(which is public land) during the summer.
>So instead of waiting for the natural birthing cycles and then migration of
the buffalo to the Park, the DOL felt they should carry out a military
hazing operation. As we all know, there has never been a proven transmission
of the DOL's big fear, brucellosis, in the wild. Many of the buffalo on the
Butte were bulls which couldn't transmit it anyway. But stressing pregnant
and new born calves and young bulls with an motorized assault and full tilt
run seem to be the right decision to the DOL.
>
>So, first the DOL sent Buffalo Nations a long letter written in legalese,
>asking us not to try and stop their hazing operation, and threatened to
>kill any buffalo left outside the park if the haze was unsuccessful.
>
>It was a hard decision to make, whether or not to try and stop the DOL.
>
>We didn't like them running buffalo with their aggressive methods just days
>before the kids were born, and why do cows have more of a right to Horse
Butte than buffalo. As one local resident put it, "The buffalo have probably
been having their calves on Horse Butte for a few thousand years..."
>
>We decided that while the hazing was pretty lame, it wasn't
>killing buffalo, and the reason Buffalo Nations exists is to prevent the
>killing of buffalo. So, we decided to monitor the hazing operation with
hidden
>and obvious cameras, ready to turn to direct action if the buffalo were in
>mortal danger.
>We quickly put out an alert and grew from our core group of 6 people at
that time to 30 plus people showing up from all over. Our numbers filled the
house and spilled out into the yard, as well as allowing us to double
numbers and increase patrols in the field. I know some of you are reading
this, so thanks!
>
>Before the haze, activists slipped in and stationed themselves in small
teams along the hazing route. The DOL showed up about an hour after sunrise
riding 2 horses, several ATVs, a pickup or four, a helicopters, and a dirt
bike. Every one of these vehicles, except the dirt bike, carried a shotgun
and cracker-barrel shells, which are basically M80s launched out of a
shotgun, scientifically designed to scare the hell out of animals.
>And believe me, they shot their cap guns off fast and furious all day, in
true cowboy style. Buffalo Nations was watching over the first buffalo moved
that day as well as the one last hazed into the park, and just about every
one in between as they were running in front of the wall of noise.
>
>The DOL pulled some cheesy stunts that day, like running buffalo through a
barbed wire fence, and the Yellowstone Village and Bear Trap housing areas.
>Tina who lives in the Bear Trap subdivision said, "It was crazy, they flew
their helicopter right over my house, and there were buffalo running
everywhere."
>
>They also violated a federal closure by flying directly over a bald eagle
nesting area and chasing an eagle off in a flurry (thankfully the eagle was
not physically injured.) In addition to that violation, they broke
Endangered species provisions and flew over the eagles open feeding water
before 10am and they even landed their helicopter in the closure area (yep,
we got it on video.)
>
>We were glad our numbers were strong so that we could monitor their
actions.
>
>By the end of the day, no buffalo were killed.
>
>So the DOL had gone and the woods got quiet again, we found quite a few
straggling buffalo, including a newborn calf and its shell shocked mother.
>Since then we've been watching the small groups that wander in and out of
the park when they feel like it. The DOL continues to
>try to haze them into the park, we haven't heard anything more about their
>threat to shoot the buffalo who are still out of the park. In fact Larry
>Petersen, the chief executive of the DOL, sent us a personal letter the
>other day saying he looked forward to working with us next year. One
>activist called it "pretty damn cordial" of him.
>
>In a few days were only going to have 4 people here. Though the buffalo
>don't seem to be in as much danger as they were this winter, our patrols
>are probably the only thing making the DOL play nice.
>We also have to keep the office running, which is more work than it looks
like as well as doing our educational tables again this summer. We still
need a few volunteers for the months to come.
>
>Buffalo Nations is much bigger than just those of us at the cabin. Thanks
>for your support and for spreading the word. Happy traveling to the Swedes,
>wherever they are.
>******************************************
>* CNN Earth Matters recently did a piece on the hazing.
>
>*******************************
>* Buffalo Nations will be continuing our work year round until this madness
stops. Although it is early to be thinking about the next field season, the
hazing action did point out that we can definitlely use some more good field
radios, batteries, rechargers, a home base cb, cbs and antennae, video
camera gear and batteries as well as some good feild tape recorders. Any
help with fulfilling this wishlist will be most appreciated.
>
>Thanks so much for all of your continued support. Any and all help from
radios to donations to spreading the word is important.
>Thanks and happy spring! Today, the snow is melting off in the mountains of
Yellowstone, but as they say about Montana springs..."if ya' don't like the
weather...wait 5 minutes."
>
>***********************
>
>
>
>
>Please check out
>http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo
>for updates from the only group working every day in the Park: Buffalo
Nations
>
>and find out what you can do
>http://www.wildrockies.org/bison
>
>Please pass these URL's on
>
>Also
>check this out!
>sign on to the code of silence!
>http://www.wildrockies.org/quiet/
>no more helicopter hazing!...
>
>
