Canada and the European Union take a significant step in creating a global portal on occupational safety and health

This joint site follows the structure and presentation of the European Agency's website network interface and is the first significant step in creating a portal of interlinked websites across the world. The joint site provides key OSH information on issues such as "best practices", "research", "statistics" and "legislation/regulations". As well as linking directly to EU information, the Canadian website provides a wealth of Canadian information and links to occupational safety and health information from Canadian government agencies at the federal, provincial and territorial levels.

Len Hong, President of CCOHS commented: "Both Canada and its EU counterpart have assembled information resources on successful strategies to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. We're pleased to have a vehicle for sharing information with each other and with all Canadians, in an effort to help expand their knowledge of workplace hazards."

The Director of the European Agency, Mr Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, said that: "The launch of the Canadian website adds a significant dimension to the Agency's network. It allows business, workers and experts alike to be better informed about regulatory demands, OSH-systems and best practices in Canada and in the European Union and thus to meet the challenges of globalisation".

Knowledge about workplace health and safety problems and the best means of dealing with them is being generated through research and experiences of people throughout the world. Sharing of this information enables people in any part of the world to benefit from the knowledge and experience of people from around the globe. The EU/CCOHS site, in addition to providing information on best practices, statistics, research, product toxicity and similar data, also incorporates links to associated sites. Not only Europeans and Canadians but also people from all parts of the world benefit by being able to visit the site, receive direct access and retrieve information on optimal health and safety practices from the selected country, and thus further improve their workplace conditions.

CCOHS makes health and safety information available to workplaces via its website at http:/www.ccohs.ca, CD-ROMs, free inquiry services, and various publications and activities. Recognized internationally as an innovative and authoritative resource, CCOHS is a national not-for-profit organization, established in 1978 by the Government of Canada, to foster and improve the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses in Canada. CCOHS collects, evaluates and distributes information on workplace health, safety and environmental issues from worldwide sources.

Governed by a council with representatives from employers, labour and government, the Centre is committed to providing impartial and accurate information to all clients. CCOHS, as Canada's national occupational health and safety centre, represents Canada in the International Labour Organization's CIS National Centre Program, and is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre.

Through a collaborative arrangement with Canadian jurisdictions, CCOHS also produces and maintains the newly revamped CanOSH website, available at http://www.canoshweb.org.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Eleanor Irwin, Manager - Marketing, Sales and Communications

905/572-2981, Ext. 4408 Email: eleanori@ccohs.ca