EUROPEAN WEEK FOR HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK 'TURN AROUND YOUR BACK...' CAMPAIGN

The Ministry for Social Policy in conjunction with the Malta-EU Information Centre will be organising a half-day seminar as part of the European Week for Health & Safety at Work. The Seminar will mainly deal with the identification of Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSD) and with strategies of prevention which can reduce the risks for MSD related injuries or disorders.

The Seminar will amongst others provide information on the new regulations relating to Visual Display Units which will come into force in June 2001. Ms. Romina Reich Zahra from MIC will speak about the importance which the European Union gives to Health & Safety at Work and how this is translated into directives and regulations in the acquis communautaire. Industrial Engineer Chris Farrugia will elaborate on the nature of Muscolo-Skeletal disorders and will give an in-depth understanding of how such disorders may arise and what needs to be done to prevent their occurrence.

Mr. Lawrence Zammit from MISCO will do a presentation on the experiences of EU member states in transposing the acquis on OHS. A study performed by the Occupational Health and Safety Unit within the Ministry for Social Policy with the intention of identifying the prevalence of Musculo-Skeletal Disorders in the Construction Industry will be presented by Dr. Noel Vella, a Consultant on Occupational Health & Safety.

During the Seminar, a number of local companies will also be providing a show-case of good-practice through company presentations into strategies for the prevention of MSD. Maltacom plc., Simonds Farsons Cisk, Playmobil and the Central Bank of Malta shall all be presenting their Health & Safety initiatives in this respect.

The Seminar will take place on the 12^th October at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Participation is free of charge and requests for attendance might be made on 2590 3446 or 243677, fax number 250143 or by e-mail on: info.msp@magnet.mt. Invitations will be issued on a first-come first-served basis.