Author Archives: ms6282

Toxic Art – Alexander Calder’s Mercury Fountain

As an occupational hygienist, when visiting the Alexander Calder exhibition at Tate Modern last week I couldn’t help but stop and take notice of the pictures and description of one of the works created by this American artist well known for his mobiles and other “kinetic sculptures” . A mercury fountain. While I was lookingContinue reading “Toxic Art – Alexander Calder’s Mercury Fountain”

Silica exposure in the construction industry

One of the most important health risks encountered by construction workers is exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. Crystalline silica, mainly in the form of quartz, is the main component of most rocks, sands and clays. In the construction industry it can be found in  stone, concrete, aggregates, mortars and other materials. Respirable particles (smallerContinue reading “Silica exposure in the construction industry”

Heatwave in India – implications for workers

It’s rare that the concerns of ordinary workers makes the news in Europe, but over the past few days there have been reports in the British press about fatalities being caused by a severe heatwave in India. (Picture Source; http://www.commondreams) According to the Guardian over 2,200 people have died Andhra Pradesh has been hit theContinue reading “Heatwave in India – implications for workers”

Who are Workplace Health Without Borders?

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 inContinue reading “Who are Workplace Health Without Borders?”

Breathe Freely

On the evening of 28 April, Workers’ Memorial Day, the Breathe Freely initiative, which aims to raise awareness of respiratory disease in the construction industry, was launched at a reception at the Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London. The room was packed with 140 people, mainly representatives from the Construction industry. Breathe Freely is a collaborativeContinue reading “Breathe Freely”

IOHA 2015

A couple of weeks ago I was in London attending the 10th International Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) organised by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). The conference was held in lieu of he usual annual BOHS Conference that normally takes place that time of the year. It was a stepContinue reading “IOHA 2015”

Night Shift Lullaby

There are relatively few good songs about work, even though it’s a major part of most people’s lives. This song, by the Magnolia Electric Company, is one of them and probably sums up the experience of many shift workers. Shift work can make it difficult to socialise, affect personal relationships and seriously disrupt family life. Shift work can also have an effect onContinue reading “Night Shift Lullaby”

Dark Satanic Mills

Many people when they get to a certain age start to wonder where they came from. That was certainly true for me so a few years ago I started to research my family tree. Although there were a few surprises my research confirmed that I my family were ordinary workers. I wanted to find outContinue reading “Dark Satanic Mills”

Canary Girls

A couple of weeks ago I visited the latest exhibition showing at Manchester City Art Gallery – The Sensory War 1914-2014 This major group exhibition marking the Centenary of the First World War explores how artists have communicated the impact of military conflict on the body, mind, environment and human senses between 1914 and 2014.Continue reading “Canary Girls”