To develop capacity in biological monitoring in occupational and environmental health in South Africa, Southern Africa countries and India
To set baseline reference range in metals for the general unexposed population in South Africa.
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
To establish baseline metal levels in unexposed populations in South Africa from rural, informal, urban and semi urban areas (pilot project by end of 2007 main study 2010)
To train scientists from SADC countries and India, at NIOH laboratories, to measure chemical exposures (metals and solvents) in biological samples (2006-2010)
To organize and present a comprehensive five-day course: “Biological Monitoring in Occupational and Environmental Health” for South African and SADC participants (early 2010)
To develop an information sheet/poster for employees, on the prevention of chemical exposures in the workplace
To develop guidelines on biological monitoring of chemical exposures in the workplace, for employers (end 2007)
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Occupational health care professionals
Scientists with limited laboratory training, from SADC countries, will be trained to measure chemical exposures in biological samples
Employers and employees from industries there are possible chemical exposures
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
There is no formal training in biological monitoring in occupational health in South Africa, SADC and India and therefore this project aims to build capacity through presenting an in depth course for health care professional on biological monitoring and providing in-service laboratory training to scientist from southern African countries.
Reference values of environmental exposure in the general, non-occupationally exposed population are needed, for comparison to occupationally exposed individuals. No reference values exist in South Africa, hence laboratories are currently using reference values established in the UK, USA or Germany. It is therefore the responsibility of the NIOH to identify reliable reference values for the population.
Dissemination
Publish finding of baseline values in local and international journals.
Disseminate information to the Departments of Labour and Health.
Using various means - courses, workshops, posters, pamphlets, CDs - to inform employers and employees.
Advertise the in-service laboratory training at NIOH in “African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety”
Impact (global or regional)
South Africa, SADC and India
Progress on Project
One of the objective of this activity was to establish baseline levels for metals in unexposed populations in South Africa from rural, informal, urban and semi urban areas by end of 2007. This task was done in two stages.
A pilot study was conducted in which 100 blood and urine samples were collected from unexposed office workers, employed in a electricity supplying company from an urban setting in Witwatersrand. Trace metals were measured which includes aluminium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, and nickel. The paper is in the process of being written and will be submitted 2010.
Blood and urine samples from 2000 unexposed subjects are collected from urban, rural, deep rural and informal sector from the North West Province, South Africa to establish baseline metal levels. The estimated completion time for the full project will be will be approximately the end of 2011.
Another objective was to develop guidelines on biological monitoring of chemical exposures in the workplace, for employers. An information brochure has been written on “Biological Monitoring in the Workplace” for employers.
1 A two days in-depth course on Biological Monitoring of Chemical Exposures in the Workplace“ was conducted in Johannesburg on 20-21 October and in Durban on 23- 24 October 2008. The course was conducted jointly with HSL, UK, Arbo Unie, Netherlands and Analytical Services, NIOH. A total of 130 delegates attended the course between the two venues.
2. A lectures on “Biological Monitoring of Chemical Exposures in the Workplace- a Valuable Tool “ was given at the:
57th conference of the Indian Association of Occupational health ( IAOH) in Chennai, India, February 2007.
A lecture on “Biological Monitoring of Chemical Exposures in the Workplace- at the Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute Chennai, India, February 2007
A lecture on “Use of Biological Monitoring of Chemical Exposures in the Workplace” at the Jamnagar IAOH regional branch to a group of occupational health doctors.
A lecture on Biological Monitoring of Chemical Exposures in the Workplace” at the “Fundamentals in OH course in Hyderabad, India, February 2008.
A mini seminar at the 59th IAOH conference in Jamnagar, India on Biological Monitoring.
Training: Analytical Services Section trained three scientist from India in May 2008 from the Department of Environmental Health Engineering of Sri Ramachandra University (A WHO CC in OH and an ILO-CIS Information Centre), Chennai, India, for three weeks at the NIOH. In October 2008
Trained three scientist from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Community Health Department, Tanzania were trained for three weeks in the Analytical services, NIOH.
During their stay they were all trained in the laboratory techniques to measure chemical exposures in biological and environmental samples for occupational and environmental health assessments for the purpose of biological monitoring.
This activity was initiated so that the first “Biological Monitoring laboratory can be established in India and Tanzania.
E-learning: A DVD for e-learning was created by recording the Biological Monitoring seminar that was held at the “7th Conference in toxicology in developing countries” in Sun City, South Africa on 5th September 2009.
Analytical Capacity:
A full range of POP and organochlorine metabolites assays are established in the pesticide laboratory
300 biological samples are analysed to determine current use pesticides levels
E learning of biological monitoring.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Training course on “ Management of chemical exposures in the workplace” in 2011-2012
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
3.18d
AA4:CE3b
GPA Objective
Objective 3: To improve the performance of and access to occupational health services
CC or NGO Name
INRS – FRANCE
Project title
E-training in occupational risk prevention for prevention organisers in Africa
Paul Guenoun, Annie Leprincemailto:marie-therese.brondeau@inrs.fr
Partners (of the CC Network)
URESTE (Unité d’enseignement et de recherche en santé au travail et environnement), Cotonou, Bénin (Pr Benjamin Fayomi)
Other partners
Funding
INRS and trainee’s institutions or enterprises
Objective of the project
Training of prevention organisers in French speaking Sub-Saharian African Countries, with the aim of developing a multidisciplinary approach of occupational risks and prevention.
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
The project has already been developed successfully in France. A tool (CD-ROM with Internet access) and a network of coaches are already available. It would be possible to train about ten persons each year at first, and secondly to identify the most susceptible to become coach, in order to multiply the number of trainees
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Prevention organisers in Institutions involved in occupational risks prevention and in enterprises.
The training centres around four general objectives:
1. Acquisition of a prevention approach: knowing the basic principles of prevention; appraising the current situation at work place in terms of health and safety; detecting and assessing risks; initiating, carrying out, and monitoring actions.
2. Application of this prevention approach to specific risks: physical activity, biological agents, chemical agents, thermal environment, noise, etc.
3. Discovery of prevention organizer’s tasks through case studies.
4. Availability of references.
Dissemination
French speaking African Sub-Saharian Countries
Impact (global or regional)
To enhance occupational risks prevention in Sub-Saharian French Speaking Africa.
Progress on Project
The training tool previously developed by INRS was examined with regard to its applicability to African countries. It was fairly appropriate, only a few adaptations were necessary. The training is built to lasts 6 months, with exchange with a coach by internet.
URESTE was in charge of selection and registration of trainees who should have a appropriate IT equipment and an internet access. It was possible to retain only three, located in Benin, Mali and Cameroon. The training started in January 2007. At the end of the training, one of the trainees has finalised the course successfully, the other two gave up before the end for unknown reason. The causes for this failure will be considered in the next step of the project.
Priority 3: Adapt and disseminate curricula, training materials and training for international capacity building in occupational health, including development of model courses for basic occupational health services and introduction of occupational health into professional education (Action 3.18). Projects include technical assistance to countries, organizing and conducting international courses and on-line training, and establishment of national training programmes in low and medium income countries.
Responsible CC or NGO Name
ISPESL – Dept. of Occupational Medicine ITALY
Project leader
Dr Sergio Iavicoli (sergio.iavicoli@ispesl.it)
Dr Fabio Boccuni (fabio.boccuni@ispesl.it)
Network partners
INRS France
WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project
INSHT - Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo Spain
ACT - Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho Portugal
Summary of the project
Main objective of the project is the training for Occupational Safety and Health professionals to develop prevention of emerging and traditional occupational risks. The courses are organized on international basis. They consist of presentations followed by a discussion with the speakers and practical sessions. The first advanced course was organized in 2005 on occupational cancer and chemical risk. The second in 2006 on occupational exposure to nanoparticles. The third advanced course on biological hazard has been finalized on November 2007. All the training activities are organized in joint effort with the other partners in this project: INRS from France, INSHT from Spain and ACT from Portugal.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Physicians, Hygienists, Risk Assessment Experts, Managers and Researchers
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
Meetings and Working Groups
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
Advanced courses will be organized each year.
Indicators of achievement (impact)
The evaluation questionnaires filled by the attendants will be analysed in order to identify gaps and needs and to improve the future activities.
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Advanced training course on “Keeping employees at work: the contribution of workplace health promotion” (2009)
Advanced training course on “Posture and movement analysis” (2010)
Public health impact
Regional
Funding source(s)
Self-funding
Dissemination
Courses, presentations, fact-sheets, documents
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
“Advanced Course on Occupational Cancer and Chemical Risk”, February 21-24, 2005. ISPESL Research Center, Parma, Italy.
“White Book on Biological Hazards”, edited by METROnet, October 2005.
“Advanced Training Course on the Risks Relating to Occupational Exposure to Nanoparticles”, April 11-14, 2006. INRS – Centre of Paris, France.
“Advanced Training Course on Occupational Exposure to Biological Agents”, November 20-23, 2007. INSHT Barcelona, Spain.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
“Advanced training course Keeping Employees At Work: the Contribution Of Workplace Health Promotion”, 27-30 October, 2009. INSHT – CNCT Barcelona, Spain.
“State of the Art on repro-toxicity”, edited by METROnet, 2010.
“Advanced training course on Movement Analysis Techniques in Occupational Health”, 2010. ISPESL – Research Centre, Italy.
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
3.18i
Formerly AA4:CE3p
GPA Objective
Objective 3: To improve the performance of and access to occupational health services
CC or NGO Name
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
The University of Texas School of Public Health
Project title
Short/intensive course curriculum in occupational health (various topics)
Keywords
continuing education ; short course
Project leader
Email address
Sarah A. Felknor, DrPH, MS (Sarah.A.Felknor@uth.tmc.edu ) and
George L. Delclos, MD, MPH, PhD (George.Delclos@uth.tmc.edu ).
Partners (of the CC Network)
Other partners
Costa Rica: Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica/IRET
Nicaragua: Universidad de León
Colombia: Universidad Javeriana/Centro de Estudios en Ergonomía
Venezuela: Centro de Estudios en Salud de los Trabajadores, Universidad de Carabobo (Maracay)
Funding
Fogarty International Center ITREOH Training Grant
Objective of the project
Development, delivery and evaluation of 2 to 5 day courses on a variety of occupational health topics.
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
These courses have been developed (and continue to be developed) and delivered on an annual basis, since 1995.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Collaborating institutions, through our Fogarty ITREOH training grant, in Venezuela, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Colombia.
Occupational health professionals and students in these same countries.
Summary of the project
2 to 5-day (16 to 30 hour) short courses developed, delivered and evaluated by our faculty, in partnership with our collaborators, to build a repository of courses in the collaborating country. Examples (since 2005):
- Spirometry
- Occupational asthma
- Hospital-based occupational health services
- Survey development
- Psychosocial risk factors
Dissemination
Spanish-speaking universities and academic institutions. Course materials will be entered into the GeoLibrary.
Impact (global or regional)
Regional (Latin America)
Progress on Project as of December 07
These courses have been developed and delivered on a regular, annual basis since 1995 (and continue to do so). New courses for 2008 include:
Ethics in occupational health (Venezuela)
Certificate program in industrial hygiene (a hybrid course, i.e., face-to-face plus distance learning) (Colombia)
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
Regular delivery of these short courses, upon request by our collaborating partners, on a yearly basis. Most of these courses are being delivered in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
To continue to deliver short courses (topics, number of offerings and dates are determined jointly with our collaborators and vary from year to year).
