The International Labour Office (ILO) is the oldest Specialized agency of the United Nations, founded in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles. The ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety is an internationally respected standard reference, used: in preparation of policy and programme planning; and for industrial hygiene, occupational medicine and workplace safety training and education. No one else has done this job with the accuracy, history of objectivity and international mission that has been the hallmark of the ILO since its founding in 1919 and since the first Encyclopaedia in 1930.

The ILO Encyclopaedia reflects the best thinking and collective knowledge of experts who have written down their information for the benefit of all people, available free of charge, in order to improve occupational safety and health and reduce costs. The 5^th Edition of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety will provide a completely electronic, up-to-date, accurate and user-friendly information resource that is understandable by millions of people, anywhere in the world. The 5^th edition of the Encyclopaedia will be located on the ILO internet site starting December 2009. Worldwide participation will be emphasized, following the principle of tripartism, with the goal of having at least Ten Thousand Experts join the Encyclopaedia network as article authors, chapter editors or peer reviewers.

One of those Experts can be you!

Ilise talks about the ILO

Director of Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork)

Dr. Sameera Al-Tuwaijri

Message of Welcome to the Encyclopaedia (Video Windows Media)

Illise Feitshans ILO In San Antonio Texas (Video)
San Antonio Safety 2009 Professional Development Conference and Exposition

(Article: Why A 5th Edition PDF)

Text Version: Why A 5th Edition

As the first year of the 5th edition project closes, in 2008, the need for our work is greater than ever before.

Amid a mushrooming global economic crisis, it is imperative that we recall the importance of occupational health and safety programs—as a tool for saving the life of Industries and the large corporations that need those programs in order to carry out their economic Mission--- as well as saving human lives.

Occupational health and safety management systems, well-honed and time tested prevention strategies, and their conscientious implementation do much more for the economy than merely reduce the costs of accidents and the overall burden of disease in society.

Not merely the avoidance of lost downtime, replacement costs, displacement of families who lose a major or primary wage-earner with the attendant social problems for family survival and the reduction of misery from preventable death. These savings are merely the tip of the iceberg. Rightly prioritized, at the top of the CEO or any employer’s agenda, occupational health management systems can save the life of a company from the brink of bankruptcy by avoiding loss as well as preventing liability.

Applying the best practices and well understood methods of reducing risks through a clear occupational health management program prevents needless waste, saves money and therefore is a lifeline that keeps marginal employers afloat in turbulent economic times.

More importantly, the lessons learned about preventing widespread occupational disease such as silicosis and asbestosis can provide amazingly effective prophylaxis for embryonic industries, such as the rapidly expanding work of nanotechnology and related end-user consumer distribution systems. The role of the 5th Edition of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety is formidable but exhilarating in this context.

5th Edition FAQ article Word Document | PDF

Dr. Howard's interview regarding the 5th Edition Video (Real Player Required)