Workplace Health Without Borders (WHWB) is an organisation of occupational hygienists and other occupational health professionals who want to do something about the estimated 2 million people who die every year due to ill health caused by their work, and the countless millions of workers who suffer from work related illnesses. WHWB was established in Canada in 2011 and now has members in countries across the world.
The organisation’s stated mission is to work for a world where none is made ill by their work. A grand aim which will be far from easy to achieve. But WHWB are doing their part in trying to achieve it by working to transfer occupational hygiene expertise, training and resources to developing countries to help them to develop the capacity and local infrastructure to manage and improve health conditions in their workplaces.
Projects undertaken by WHWB members include
- established a mentoring programme to provide support, advice and encouragement to occupational hygienists in the developing word
- establishing a brick plant project to address silica and other hazards in brick plants in Nepal, Pakistan and Tanzania
- providing technical support on silica dust monitoring in Pakistan
- facilitated donations of occupational hygiene equipment to Uruguay, Pakistan and Tanzania
- running the OHTA Basic Principles of Occupational Hygiene course in Tanzania
- providing training on occupational hygiene to physicians in New Delhi, India
- sponsored a workshop in India to raise awareness on silica exposure amongst stone crushers
WHWB also organise monthly teleconferences for their members across the globe to share knowledge and experience.
WHWB members attending the recent International Occupational Hygiene Association conference organised a lunchtime meeting to introduce interested delegates to the organisation, its aims, objectives, activities and projects. Over 50 delegates attended the meeting and there was a lot of enthusiasm for what WHWB are doing.
WHWB co-sponsored the 7th International Control Banding Workshop in partnership with Medgate, which took place at the Conference, and there were also contributions from two WHWB members to the Conference programme. Kevin Hedges from Canada gave an Ignite presentation – Workplace Health Without Borders, Together We Will Make A Difference! – and Dave Zalk from the USA presented a scientific poster entitled Workplace Health Without Borders: Sharing occupational health and hygiene knowledge around the world.
Anyone interested in getting involved can sign up by visiting the WHWB website
Recognition, Evaluation, Control 