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• This paper is identifying age-related changes and their impacts on occupational health and safety. • Work ability index is a tool proposed to measure a person's ability and performance. • New emerging risks must be considered in the development of an OHSMS. • Gaps in the field have been identified and a new research work is proposed. During the last decades, humanity experiences an increasing demographic change. The relative percentage of older people is growing, while fewer young employees are entering the labour force. This phenomenon is directly connected with ageing of the workforce. Older workers constitute a special group with characteristics that require special attention from the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) point of view. The aim of this paper is to address what changes occur in ageing workers as a result of physical and psychological processes and the possible impacts of these at work in relation to OHS and the concept of sustainable work and workplaces. In addition, this paper discusses factors affecting work ability and worker's performance in relation to the ageing phenomenon. Finally, based on the literature, the paper proposes measures to minimize age-related risks and increase awareness. These measures should be designed and adopted at the early stages of working life and continue until retirement. By reducing risk factors of employees, the rate of occupational accidents and occupational diseases may be decreased, thus saving costs for employers, health system and insurance costs, while simultaneously facilitating a healthier retirement for the working-age population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical step in the development and use of tests of physical fitness for employment purposes (e.g., fitness for duty) is to establish 1 or more cut points, dividing the test score range into 2 or more ordered categories reflecting, for example, fail/pass decisions. Over the last 3 decades elaborated theories and methods have evolved focusing on the process of establishing 1 or more cut-scores on a test. This elaborated process is widely referred to as "standard-setting". As such, the validity of the test score interpretation hinges on the standard-setting, which embodies the purpose and rules according to which the test results are interpreted. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of standard-setting methodology. The essential features, key definitions and concepts, and various novel methods of informing standard-setting will be described. The focus is on foundational issues with an eye toward informing best practices with new methodology. Throughout, a case is made that in terms of best practices, establishing a test standard involves, in good part, setting a cut-score and can be conceptualized as evidence/databased policy making that is essentially tied to test validity and an evidential trail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse the obstacles that prevent the development of a safety culture in Thailand's large construction industry from various managerial points of view. Qualitative research methods were used by performing a series of semi-structured interviews of eight case studies selected from six prominent construction firms to investigate the obstacles they face. Glaser's keyword coding from Grounded Theory (GT) was used to reduce the information load after the interviews. Our findings revealed that the factors influencing the successful development of a safety culture in the construction industry are the workers, the characteristics of construction, the subcontractors, the supervisors, and external factors. Based on the frequency analysis, the main obstacles in developing a safety culture result from problems related to the workers themselves. The three most frequently discussed problems are unskilled workers, unsafe worker habits, and high worker turnover. Our results also suggest that managers should encourage engagement from their workers to optimise the successful implementation of safety programs and their long-term improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the significance of an appropriate management of the material safety data sheets (MSDS) labels in avoiding accidents due to chemical substances. It states that over 30 million people are exposed to hazardous chemicals. Most of the developed countries are in the process of standardizing chemical substance information and requirements. Advances in technologies have played a significant role on how businesses prepare to meet regulatory requirements for handling chemicals.

The article discusses the significance of human performance improvement (HPI) in achieving a sustainable safety excellence in the U.S. According to the article, promoting HPI covers an injury process that is deep and broad. It also ensure that true root causes of human error are exposed and solutions are suitable and permanent. It cites the cross-disciplinary focus of HPI which offers a unique toolbox of infinite options which link identified gaps. Furthermore, it notes that the ability to creatively solve industrial problems is through management asset.

The development of the Safety Management System (SMS) in chemical industry appears as one of the important requirements introduced by the EU "Seveso II" Directive on the control of major-accident hazards. This paper aims to provide a contribution regarding the SMS structure and the definition of the tools for assessing the effectiveness of this system by means of safety performance indicators. The performance indicators are linked to a reference values or policy targets, illustrating how far the SMS is from the desired level. We developed a system of performance indicators for SMS in chemical industry by using the concept of environmental performance indicators defined in standard ISO 14031. A set of three types of safety system performance indicators was proposed: management performance indicators, operational performance indicators and safety status indicators. These indicators represent the most important factors in the linkage between a possible cause of an accident and its effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A safety management system (SMS) is a continuous improvement process that reduces hazards and prevents incidents. It protects the health and safety of your employees and should be integrated into everyday processes throughout the organization. An effective Safety Management System as one that: - Reduces the risk of workplace incidents, injuries and fatalities through data-driven measurements and improvements. - Involves engaging people and working in partnership to make safety a shared responsibility, recognizing the value of crosslevel teamwork. - Is organized and structured to ensure organizations are able to achieve and maintain high standards of safety performance. - Is proactive, preventive and integrated into the culture of your organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To further reduce injuries in the workplace, companies have begun focusing on organizational factors which may contribute to workplace safety. Safety climate is an organizational factor commonly cited as a predictor of injury occurrence. Characterized by the shared perceptions of employees, safety climate can be viewed as a snapshot of the prevailing state of safety in the organization at a discrete point in time. However, few studies have elaborated plausible mechanisms through which safety climate likely influences injury occurrence. A mediating model is proposed to link safety climate (i.e., management commitment to safety, return-to-work policies, post-injury administration, and safety training) with self-reported injury through employees’ perceived control on safety. Factorial evidence substantiated that management commitment to safety, return-to-work policies, post-injury administration, and safety training are important dimensions of safety climate. In addition, the data support that safety climate is a critical factor predicting the history of a self-reported occupational injury, and that employee safety control mediates the relationship between safety climate and occupational injury. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating organizational factors and workers’ characteristics in efforts to improve organizational safety performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents the comments of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) to the proposed revision of the Performance and Program Standards for the Professional Practice of Environmental, Health & Safety (SH&E) Auditing in the U.S. ASSE states that the auditing function mainly addresses internal issues, however, many SH&E issues are impacting an organization. It argues that the auditing function lacks discussion of how business operations may affect external entities that includes customers, the community and environment. ASSE suggests that the Board of Environmental, Health and Safety Auditor Certifications should add more language to address auditing of the revision process.

The article offers news briefs about safety standards and requirements in the workplace for December 2006 in the U.S. The standard and safety requirements of the Material Handling Industry's scissors lifts is under revision. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has introduced new standard, Safety for External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Storage Tanks. The National Fire Protection Association's standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems is under revision.

The article presents an interview with two executives of General Electric Co.'s corporate environmental and global health and safety programs, Stephen Ramsey and Kurt Krueger in the U.S. Both Ramsey and Krueger explained to the staff of American Society of Safety Engineers' Council on Practices and Standards regarding the company's effort to reduce injury and illnesses through promoting industrial safety programs. They also mentioned of improving employee performance.

The article provides information about developments of standards related to industrial safety in the U.S. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has launched a new standard called Performance-based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators that addresses the design, construction, operation, inspection and testing of equipment such as rooms, spaces and hoistways. The Underwriters Laboratory Inc. has developed the standard for Safety for Electrochemical Capacitors that address standards for electrochemical capacitors electronic products. Lastly, the American Institute of Steel Construction's standard, Specification for Safety-Related Steel Structures for Nuclear Facilities is under revision.

Reports on the development of a rule-based formula for setting a practical injury-rate goals in the U.S. Application of goal-setting in other field of endeavors; Chart depicting actual injury rates and target values; Presentation of target-setting formulas; Emphasis on the need of safety and health professional to identify workplace hazards, assess the risk in terms of severity and probability of causing harm.

The article discusses the importance of workplace wellness, safety and health in improving employee and company performance. It mentions that robust communications plan and employee engagement are critical to success in business. It notes that safety achievements demonstrate excellence in occupational safety and health.

Focuses on performance-based self-assessments (PBSA) that help line managers and supervisors identify problems which hinder the accomplishement of safety and health requirements, goals and objectives. Fundamental goal of the self-assessment process; Role of the safety professional in PBSA process; Implementation of PBSA.

The article offers tips for the proper delivery of an effective safety job briefing in the U.S. Organizations. Topics discussed include getting the attention of the crew, providing the crew with the daily scope of work, considering the demonstration of a new technique or tool, and having the veteran crew members help new employees in refining their skills.

The article focuses on the significance of the management systems in improving industrial safety in the U.S. The author suggests that in order to improve a system, it is essential to explore the history of the managerial practices regarding safety and health. The effectiveness of a management standard must be equal to the rules and responsibilities of management and the worker.

The article reports on the presentation of American Petroleum Institute (API) Occupational Safety Performance Award to Koch Pipeline Co. at the organization's 57th annual pipeline conference in the U.S. According to Bob O'Hair, president of Koch Pipeline Co., they are very proud to be honored for safety performance in an in an industry which as such high standards for excellence. Kock Pipeline also received the API's "No Days Away From Work" and "Most Improved Safety Performance" awards for occupational safety performance.

The article presents trends in the development of safety standards in the U.S. The American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) Executive Standards Council has approved the reaccreditation of the Accredited Standards Committee A10, Safety Requirements for Construction and Demolition Operations. The ANSI A10 Committee on Construction and Demolition Operations have met in Washington D.C. to discuss updates within the organization. The Standard for Safety Gas Vents of the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is under revision.

Reports on developments related to the creation and implementation of occupational safety standards in the U.S. Adoption of the new ISA standard; Establishment of standardization in the field of explosion prevention and protection; Revision of the Automotive Lift Institute's standard; Proposal of the Greenguard Environmental Institute to establish an adhesive emissions performance standard.

The article reports on the plans of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) to revise its Performance Criteria for Safeguarding (BSR B11.19-200x) standard in the U.S. The revision will be carried out to incorporate new updates in safeguarding theory and technology. The standard provides performance requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of the safeguarding, such as guards, safeguarding devices, awareness devices, safeguarding methods, and safe work procedures, when applied to machines.

The article presents information on the Acoustical Society of America's (ASA) standard. The ASA's standard, that is, Determination of Occupational Noise Exposure and Estimation of Noise-Induced Hearing Impairment, has been reaffirmed. The statistical relationship between noise exposures and the changes in hearing threshold levels for a noise-exposed population are covered under this standard. It also offers guidance in the measurement of noise exposure.

Comments on the negative implications of the declining trust of employees to employers. Threat to competitiveness; Impact of employee trust on the total business performance and safety; Effect of employee perceptions of the safety culture on their behavior.

Reports on the partnership between the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Science and Technology and the Office of Domestic Preparedness. Adoption of radiological and nuclear detectors standards; Development of guidelines on performance standards and test methods; Contact information.