Strategy Workshop

International Training and Qualifications

1

The Challenge

Source: John Henshaw, AIHce 2009

With the exception of Australia the number of occupational hygienists is static or decreasing in most western countries.

The projected need for hygienists in developing countries is very high.

2

Current Projected - GDP Projected - Labor force0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

7,850 7,597

9,736

IOHA Member Countries (27)

Based on Labor Force>55,000 Professionals Needed

Current Projected - GDP Projected - Labor force

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

03,164

55,060

Other Countries (88)

Based on GDP>3,100 Professionals Needed

Source: John Henshaw, AIHce 20093

Emerging Economies

Increasing need for OESH risk management as countries industrialise

Blind spot on chronic & insidious risks

Limited recognition of OH professions

4

Global burden from risks at work*

• 318,000 deaths due to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

• 102,000 deaths due to lung cancers and leukaemia

• 38,000 deaths due to asthma

• 30,000 deaths due to pneumoconiosis

• 9% of all lung cancers

• 2% of all leukaemia

• 13% of Chronic

Obstructive Lung Disease

(bronchitis)

• 11% of Asthma

• 100% of pneumoconiosis

• 16% of all hearing loss

• 37% of back pain

NB Each year there are 2 million deaths due to occupational injury and illness (312,000 due to injuries)

(*data derived from: Fingerhut, M, et al, SJWEH Suppl 2005;no 1:58-61) 5

How to meet the demand?

• 6-year evolution of a new international scheme for education, training and qualifications in occupational hygiene

• Website went live in mid 2010

6

Shared Vision

• building occupational hygiene capabilities where there is a need

• promoting consistent quality of training

• encouraging transferability of skills & qualifications

• fostering a global community of hygiene practitioners

• creating a sustainable business model for training

• engaging stakeholder organisations as partners

Aim to reduce the global burden of ill health from the work environment

7

Professional bodiesNational associationsExam boards

Large companies Oil and gas Pharmaceutical Mining Petrochemicals Metallurgical

Key Partners

Collaboration with• professional bodies• employers• training providers

Education and training providers Universities Non-profit institutes Commercial

businesses National institutions

8

Occupational HygieneTraining Association (OHTA) Ltd

• A not-for-profit organisation of volunteers• Manages the global training and qualifications scheme

in occupational hygiene

• OHlearning.com is its website

9

Making the Training AccessibleThe OHlearning website• has information on careers,

training and qualifications• allows students to find training

providers, course dates and locations

• provides free access to the training materials

• lists the award holders• links to the global OH

community• has Community pages for your

own projects

www.OHlearning.com

10

Sponsors and supportersAll time and effort is provided by volunteers and supporters. Operating costs are funded through sponsors and organisations that share our aims

Supporters

Sponsors

ThermoFisher/Honeywell

11

The Intent

12

Senior hygienists

Hygiene professionals

Hygiene technical staff

Safety specialists, engineers etc.

Managers and employees

Leadership skills

Advanced qualifications

Intermediate modules

Principles module

Awareness

Available Now

13

Professional

Intermediate

Foundation

Advanced modules

Intermediate modules

Principles module

• Available through university postgraduate study leading to masters degree

• Specialist modules under development

•Seven 1-week modules based on practical aspects of occupational hygiene

•One module for each topic area•Leads to international certificate

•1-week module•Covers the whole breadth of occupational hygiene at an introductory level

QualificationsTraining

Achievements so far (Nov 2011)

• Over 60 courses run in 19

countries

• Over 650 International

Occupational Hygiene Module

examinations taken of which:• 223 W501 Measurement of

Hazardous Substances

• 164 W201 Basic Principles of

Occupational Hygiene (only

launched in Oct. 2010)

• 130 W505 Control of Hazardous

Substances

• Over 20,000 website

visitors from 164 countries

14

Where Next?

15

OHTAGoals

Leadership

Advanced

Intermediate

Principles

Awareness

Development Level

Professional bodies

Grow professional capabilities

Bring hygiene to a wider audience

Developing countries

Developed countries

16

Bring hygiene to a wider audience

• Developing countries

• WHO engagement

• Engage with

• Government

• Companies

• Local professional institutes

• Translations

17

Course Development

• Awareness courses

• Silica

• Asbestos

• Foundation course – silica

• Advanced courses

• Control banding

• Oil and gas

• Volunteers

• Planned review of modules

• Course authors;

• Translators;

• Exam markers;

• Training

18

Grow professional capabilities

• Develop website

• ELearning platform

• OHlearning collaboration centre

• Obtain charitable status in UK

• Develop sponsorship and donations

Financial

Approximate overheads pa:Website maintenance $6600

Financial administration $3700

Confirmed donations and sponsorship 2012 $10000

Opportunities for enhancements are challengedModest promotion / banners / business cards $1700

Collaborative system $6700

E-learning $6700

Leaflet Translations $900

19

Q1. How is the scheme going?

• Your experience so far

• Recommendations for improvement

20

Open Discussion- Your thoughts

Q2. What are the priorities?

• Awareness courses or advanced and leadership courses?

• Professional development or outreach to developing countries?

• Something else?

21

Q3. What opportunities do you see for maintaining and growing?

• Funding, sponsorship or other?

• Volunteer support?

22

23

• W501 – Measurement of

Hazardous Substances

• W502 – Thermal Environment

• W503 – Noise

• W504 – Asbestos

• W505 – Control

• W506 – Ergonomics

• W507 – Hazards of

Chemicals

• 5-day taught modules to meet industry needs

• Interactive teaching methods questions, workshops and practical “hands-on” exercises

rated very important by students and employers

• International syllabus based on good hygiene practice

• Student assessment process

Intermediate Level Scheme