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Dedicated to Safety at Work
The history of the Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety
is tightly interwoven with the history of the organization which
publishes it. The International Labour Organization’s Constitution
calls for an improvement of working conditions and "the protection
of the worker from sickness, disease and injury arising out of …
employment". The Encyclopaedia is one manifestation of this
long-term commitment.
At the International Labour Conference in 1919, the year the Organization
was founded, the ILO was asked to "draw up a list of the principal
processes to be considered unhealthy". Given the complexity
of this task, preparation of a comprehensive encyclopaedia was substituted
for the list. It was decided that the Encyclopaedia would analyse
work, workers and the working environment; the substances used at
work and their related hazards; possible sources of disease and
injury; methods of treatment and prevention; and existing protective
legislation.
A Tradition of Leadership
The decision to create the ILO Encyclopaedia contributed greatly
to the establishment of the multidisciplinary field of occupational
health and safety. The publication of the fourth edition continues
this tradition of leadership and innovation in the field.
The first edition was published in 1930 (and again in 1934). It
contained over four hundred articles covering specific industries,
occupation and hazards; medicine and hygiene; and some social policy
issues. More than half of the articles were devoted to various individual
chemicals. The Encyclopaedia has been expanded significantly since
then. The new fourth edition contains over 100 chapters comprising
over 1,000 separate articles. Its Guide to chemicals provides information
on more than 2,000 chemicals. Specific industries and their associated
hazards are discussed in detail. Medicine and occupational hygiene
are covered in comprehensive sections and social policy issues are
addressed by recognized authorities.
The Encyclopaedia is the most widely distributed ILO publication.
Both authoritative and accessible, it is the fundamental reference
for occupational health and safety programming in many parts of
the world.
Produced by Experts from
around the World
From the beginning, the ILO has relied on experts from around the
world to write and review articles for the Encyclopaedia. Mirroring
the unique tripartite structure of the ILO, the authorship of the
Encyclopaedia includes representatives from government, employers’
organizations and labour unions. Experts from over 50 countries
contributed to the fourth edition, and practically every major professional
organization and academic institution involved in occupational health
and safety has assisted in its creation.
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