Active in prevention for 40 years 1970–2010

International Section for Electricity, Gas and Water Active in prevention for 40 years

Table of Contents

Greeting from the ISSA President ...... 4 Greeting from the ISSA Secretary General ...... 5 Taking the High Road ...... 6 Section Members’ Greetings ...... 7 The History of the Section ...... 9 The International Film and Multimedia Festival ...... 19

Appendix The Board ...... 21 Membership ...... 21 Ordinary Members ...... 22 Corresponding Members ...... 23 International Events ...... 24 Publications ...... 26

Imprint

Publisher: ISSA Section for Electricity, Gas and Water c/o BG Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 130, 50968 Cologne, Germany www.issa.int/prevention-electricity

Editor: Waldemar Becker, Redaktionsbüro für Wirtschaft & Soziales, 42799 Leichlingen, Germany

Photos: ISSA Section for Electricity, Gas and Water, www.istockphoto.de – Igor Smichkov (Titel), Gabriel Bobes (S. 22), Siegfried Boes (S. 24), David Iliff (S. 28), ictor (S. 28)

Layout: bleydesign, Cologne, Germany

Printed by: Warlich Druck Meckenheim, Meckenheim, Germany

All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher.

3 Active in prevention for 40 years

Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo President of the International Social Security Association

Greeting from the ISSA President

Over decades, the ISSA’s Special good occupational safety and health technical advice provided to ISSA Commission on Prevention with its (OSH) practices in the electricity, members and to the international 11 International Sections has been a gas and water supply industries, occupational safety and health pillar for the prevention of occupa- contributing to ISSA’s overall man- community. I am convinced that the tional risks worldwide. By providing date to promote and develop social ISSA’s new focus on proactive and good practice, information, research, security worldwide. preventative social security provides expert advice and platforms for ex- a unique window of opportunity to change the Special Commission and As the Section’s membership continue these successful activities its Sections contributes significantly includes both social security organi- and to further promote the ISSA’s to the ISSA’s dynamic social security sations, sector organisations and prevention activities worldwide for concept, in particular with regard OSH-experts, it provides a unique many more years. to social security policies that foster platform of knowledge exchange preventative approaches in a com- and expert advice, which is, on the prehensive, integrated and multi- one hand beneficial for ISSA mem- sector manner. ber institutions and, on the other, focussed on practical solutions to The International Section of the improve safety and health directly ISSA for Electricity, Gas and Water at the workplace with a view to is a highly appreciated part of the reducing occupational accidents ISSA’s prevention activities in social and diseases. security, which is coordinated through ISSA’s Special Commission I would like to congratulate and on Prevention. The Section has thank the Section and its members always been a valuable promoter of for 40 years of committed work and

4 Active in prevention for 40 years

Greeting from the ISSA Secretary General

Safety and health at work lies at tricity, Gas and Water has demon- the heart of social security. The strated its capacity to promote prevention efforts rendered by social prevention and to provide technical security organisations to society advice and assistance to its diverse have over the past led to a significant membership in the sector. It has also decrease in occupational accidents published numerous guidebooks on Hans-Horst Konkolewsky and diseases. This has not only how to manage occupational risks Secretary General of the International saved millions of lives and prevented and has organised important ISSA Social Security Association enormous human suffering, it has events. A special highlight is the also helped social security institu- Section’s organisation of the Film- tions to better anticipate and manage and Multimedia Festival during the risks and reduce costs for compen- triennial World Congress on Safety sation and rehabilitation. and Health at Work, organised by the ISSA in cooperation with the ILO The prevention of occupational and a national host organisation. The safety and health (OSH) risks has Festival is widely cherished by the consequently been at the centre of numerous safety and health policy ISSA activities for many decades makers, experts and practitioners led by the Special Commission on attending the World Congress and Prevention and its International has developed into a main ISSA Prevention Sections. These unique event, contributing to the promotion sector-specific OSH-networks have of a prevention culture on a global contributed significantly to the scale. development of prevention world- wide due to the wide range of inter- Let me once again congratulate and national prevention events and thank the Electricity, Gas and Water know ledge exchange. It therefore Section for 40 years of committed gives me great pleasure on the occa- work in the interest of the safety, sion of its 40th Anniversary to thank health and wellbeing of workers in the International Section for Electric- the sector. ity, Gas and Water for its important contribution to the ISSA’s prevention activities over the past four decades.

As part of the Special Commission on Prevention, the Section for Elec-

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Olaf Petermann Rafael Torres Tercero Serge Curlier Martina Hesse-Spötter President Vice-President Vice-President Secretary General

Taking the High Road

To contribute and gain experience, to gather and pass The high road – or best approach – in modern social on knowledge, to obtain and offer solutions: This was policy, particularly in the area of occupational safety the way that the Section’s founders formulated the and health, is prevention. Along this road, the Section operational principles of their work 40 years ago. Today, will certainly encounter new challenges presented by the we are able to conclude – with no small amount of pride global processes of technological and socio-economic –that our consistent adherence to these “guidelines” change. The knowledge and experience gathered in has led to the tangible, beneficial application of the 40 years of preventative work, a resource pool of tried Section’s work for thousands of businesses and millions and tested strategies, and the commitment of the actors of employees worldwide. in the Section give us the assurance that the Section and its supporting members will be able to master the Above all, we can attribute the Section’s success to the challenges that the future brings. dedication of the specialists and leaders of its member organisations. This group of people believed and con- Thanks and recognition is due to all of those people tinue to believe in the vision of the Section’s founders who founded the Section and to those who have for a humane and safety-oriented working world. They accompanied it and moved it forward. To those who have worked tirelessly on the realisation of that vision, are preparing and travelling on this road toward the and continue to do so to this day. globalisation of preventative thinking, we wish you courage, confidence and many comrades-in-arms. Thanks to a network of communications that extends Safety and health for working people all over the world beyond borders and continents, and through its inter- is our goal. national conferences, colloquia, seminars, workshops, roundtables and publications, the Section has become If you wish to accompany and support us on this a “stock exchange” for knowledge and experience from journey, we cordially invite you to become a member all over the globe in the area of occupational safety and of the Section. health in the electricity, energy, gas and water industries.

Olaf Petermann Rafael Torres Tercero Serge Curlier Martina Hesse-Spötter President Vice-President Vice-President Secretary General

6 Active in prevention for 40 years Section Members’ Greetings

workshops that we have attended work with the over many years of membership ISSA over the have provided a great opportunity coming years to learn lessons and share good to address new practice with colleagues from all health and safety over the world. The expert techni- risks affecting cal publications produced by the our sector as ENA would like to congratulate Section have proven very useful technologies and David Smith, Chief the ISSA Electricity Section for 40 to our member companies. ENA work practices Executive of ENA successful years. The meetings and looks forward to continuing to change.

KOREA association will greatly contribute ISSA in 2008. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH AGENCY to the improvement of occupation- Furthermore, al safety and health not only in I look forward Europe but also across the globe. to closer cooper- On behalf of all the members of The ISSA’s pioneering activities for ation and more the Korea Occupational Safety and occupational accident prevention active technolog- Health Agency, I send my sincerest in the areas of electricity, gas and ical exchanges in congratulations. Based upon the water, as well as information ex- the future. Noh, Min-Ki, ISSA Electricity Section’s rich changes in safety and health, have President of the Korea experience for the last 40 years, I been a valuable help to our agency, Occupational Safety have no doubt that your esteemed which gained membership in the and Health Agency

the most important activities. Our interests are focussed on concrete examples of preventative measures with verifiable results, as well as on early recognition of new hazards. We would like to express our thanks Sharing experience with our partner for the valuable contacts we have Dr. Robert Odermatt, organisations is particularly crucial made in the ISSA’s Electricity Sec- Head of Occupational Safety, Schweize- for Switzerland since, given our tion and wish all our partners great rische Unfallversicherungsanstalt limited resources in the area of pre- success in the mutual advancement (Suva – Swiss National Accident Insurance vention, we need to concentrate on of occupational safety and health. Organization)

achieving 40 years of very valuable We look forward and beneficial work in the area of to working with electrical safety. ETCI representa- you again into tives have had the pleasure of work- the future and ing with ISSA subgroups in the area wish all our of competency, and in particular, colleagues at the competency for live working. We ISSA Electricity The Electro-Technical Council have attended and contributed to Section well for Gerard J.M. Buckley, of Ireland (ETCI) congratulates many conferences, seminars and another 40 years. Chairman ETCI the ISSA Electricity Section on workshops organized by the ISSA.

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a recognized professional and social The presidium partner of the state administration, of the CSZE Parliament and the trade unions. congratulates Through its membership in the the Electricity ISSA, the association not only Section of the The Czech Association of Energy gained the opportunity to be in- ISSA on its 40th Sector Employers (CSZE) was formed about current international anniversary, established in 1991 and currently events in the field of occupational wishing for Jaroslav Neužil, comprises 33 affiliate organisations health and safety, but its experts the further Executive Director, with approximately nineteen thou- also had the opportunity to share in continuation Czech Association sand employees. The members are the processing of certain specific of its successful of Energy Sector companies in the field of electricity documents. Membership in the activity and Employers (CSZE) and heat production and distribu- ISSA is regarded very highly by the counting on tion, survey and assembly compa- professional energy sector public, further active nies and technical schools focussing in particular as a platform for cooperation. on electro-technology. Within the obtaining current information and Czech Republic, the Association is for valuable exchanges of experience.

shops, training sessions and inspec- and the tions in the areas of occupational Caribbean in the safety and health in the production future as well. and distribution of electrical energy. One particular The results of this international focus of our exchange of experience were – and cooperative continue to be – especially helpful projects will be to Latin American organisations the training of Vicente de la and companies in the prevention of young people O Levy, Engineer Following the UNE’s initial contact work-related health and safety risks. in working General Director, with the ISSA’s Section for Electricity As a member of the ISSA’s Section practices that Union Electrica de in 1997, an international cooperative for Electricity, the UNE will continue promote safety Cuba (UNE – Cuban effort developed through the organi- its commitment to supporting the and health on Electrical Union) zation of symposia, seminars, work- Section’s activities in Latin America the job.

knowledge further and making it available to its members in a concentrated form. Thus, as members of the Section, both Congratulations on your 40th an- Electrosuisse and I have been able niversary! ISSA’s Electricity Section to reap its benefits and establish Jost Keller, Head of has succeeded in assembling a wide numerous valuable contacts. Professional Devel- spectrum of knowledge about the Many thanks! We wish you many opment Team, electrosuisse – SEV Associa- safe usage of electricity from many more successful years of valuable tion for Electrical Engineering, Power and different countries, to developing practice in prevention! Information Technologies

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The history of the ISSA Section for Electricity extends back as far as the 1920s.

The History of the Section

The roots of the ISSA Section for purpose of developing and strength- Electricity, Gas and Water lie in ening sickness insurance through out mutual insurance, the collective the world. response of 19th-century European industrial workers to illness, un- The International Conference of employment, disability and old age. National Unions of Mutual Benefit Following the First World War, Societies and Sickness Insurance social insurance schemes developed Funds was launched in Brussels rapidly in several regions, and social in October 1927. Delegates from protection was included on the 17 organizations came together, agendas of the newly-established representing some 20 million in- international organizations. In May sured persons in Austria, Belgium, 1927, for the first time, represen- Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, tatives of mutual benefit societies Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland and sickness insurance funds were and the United Kingdom. A Secre- included among the national dele- tariat was established in Geneva. gations at the tenth International Labour Conference, meeting in In 1947, the organization became Geneva. The agenda included the the International Social Security introduction of international regu- Association (ISSA). Today, the ISSA lations for the economic and health has expanded into a truly worldwide protection of workers by means of Association, now bringing together social insurance schemes. A group over 330 organizations in 145 coun- of delegates decided to form an tries. The key actors in prevention international association for the of occupational risks today are the

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11 International Prevention Sections of the ISSA. Their activities cover a range of economic activity sectors and fields: agriculture, the construc- tion industry, electricity, the chemi- cal industry, mining, machine and Press conference with Jean Bessou, system safety, the iron and metal Dr. Hermann Pültz, Dr. Leo Wildmann industry, health services, informa- and Prof. Franz Maresch after the tion, research and education and inaugural meeting training.

action and initiative which made engineer from Électricité de France, The Founding this inaugural meeting possible. and Prof. Franz Maresch of the of the Electricity Section The growing importance of elec- Allgemeine Unfallversicherungs- tricity in industry, business and anstalt Österreich (Austrian Work- On 20 June 1970, the inaugural the home has prompted the Inter- ers’ Compensation Board) as well as meeting of the ISSA Section for national Social Security Association from the Section’s first secretary, the Prevention of Accidents and to grant priority to the founding engineer Hans-Heinrich Egyptien Occupational Illnesses Caused by of an ‘Electricity Section’ in order of the Berufsgenossenschaft der Electricity was held at the hospital to promote occupational safety Feinmechanik und Electrotechnik of the German Social Accident measures in this sector.” and the other founding members Insurance Institution in Frankfurt of the Section: am Main. The minutes of the The Secretary General of the ISSA meeting state unemotionally: in Geneva, Dr. Leo Wildmann, had G Mr. Amir, Engineer, International “Dr. Pültz greeted the meeting recognized the necessity of creating Labour Office, Geneva participants on behalf of the host a solid basis for the concept of pre- G Dr. Diego Andreoni, E.N.P.I. – organization, the German institution vention in the ISSA. Professionally- National Accident Prevention for statutory accident insurance oriented Sections, supported by Institute, Rome and prevention in the precision skilled members, should take on G Louis Cloquet, Association engineering and electrical industry. this important humanitarian task. Nationale pour la Prévention des He thanked Dr. Wildmann for his Accidents du Travail, Brussels Dr. Hermann Pültz, Chief Executive G José Manuel Elósegui, Association Officer of the Berufsgenossenschaft for the Prevention of Accidents, der Feinmechanik und Elektro- San Sebastian technik (German institution for G Svetislav Smiljanic, Engineer, statutory accident insurance and Zajednica Zavoda za Zastitu na prevention in the precision engi- Radu, Niš neering and electrical industry) who G René Troxler, Engineer, Suva – was known for his outstanding Swiss National Accident Insurance commitment and creativity in the Organization, Lucerne. field of prevention, laid the ground- work for the Section’s founding and Time did not stand still. In the past assumed the office of President. He 40 years, the world has changed to served in this position until 1980. a degree that none of the founders The Section’s successful beginnings could have imagined. Every aspect and the phase of development and of life – from technology to society, expansion that followed are thanks politics and economics – has been to Dr. Pültz’s initiative. affected by this change. And of course, the Section has been affected Excerpt from the minutes of the inaugural He received crucial support from his as well. meeting first vice-chairmen, Jean Bessou, an

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Providing and applying prevention in the gas, district solutions heating and water supply sectors) joined the Section, prompting the Despite some difficulties, the Section change of its name to “ISSA Section dauntlessly continued its work in the for Electricity, Gas and Water”. internationalization of prevention measures in the electricity sector. In addition to the traditional tech- nical problems, organizational Under the leadership of Presidents and psychological aspects of occu- Ewald Siller (1980-1994), Christian pational safety and health have Leichsenring (1994-2001), Dr. Klaus increasingly been included in the Renz (2001-2005) and Olaf Peter- Section’s scope, such as: throughout the world in a number of mann (since 2005) the Section has different languages. This publication continued to follow the course its G occupational safety and health was the result of a meeting of experts founders set, based on the following management held in Madrid in 1979 to address principles: G management responsibilities the issue of educating laypeople G management techniques about the hazards involved in work- G To contribute and gain experience G basic and advanced training ing with electrical currents. The G To gather and pass on knowledge G influencing human behaviour engineer Hans-Heinrich Egyptien G To provide and apply solutions G the role of the human factor in was instrumental in its production. accident prevention Interaction between its members was – and continues to be – the Cooperation with Scientists motor that drives the Section’s activ- Results of the Section’s Work ities. The members contributed their Internationally recognized resear - knowledge and experience in occu- In the beginning, there was the chers and experienced industry pro- pational safety and health protection journal “Bulletin”. In the first years fessionals supported the Section’s in the electricity sector. Their prob- of the Section’s existence, this was work by studying and evaluating lems were the starting point the medium for the exchange of workplace accidents and health for the creation of new approaches ideas – between the members of the hazards. Prominent among them and solution models. The members Section on the one hand, and with were Prof. Hans Schaefer, former learned from each other, engaged the professional world on the other. director of the first Physiological in constructive discussions, and everyone benefited from the results. Since the mid-1980s, the Section has released brochures, safety regu- Originally, the Section’s activities lations, guidelines and even films concentrated mainly on conven- which summed up its knowledge tional electrical risks such as electric and its findings. These materials shock and arcing. Later, it gradually were produced in working groups extended its interest to other areas assembled by the board of directors such as electromagnetic fields and to focus on particular subjects and ionising and non-ionising radiation. tasks. The brochure “The Golden Rules for Electrical Safety for the Protection from risks in the usage Layman” was widely distributed and distribution of gas, heat and water became an additional field of activity in 1994, when the Be- In 1989, an international working group rufsgenossenschaft der Gas-, Fern- made up of physicians, physicists and wärme- und Wasserwirschaft electrical engineers compiled the results (BGFW – German institution for of the most recent research on the possible statutory accident insurance and biological effects of magnetic fields.

11 Active in prevention for 40 years

This was a very rewarding experi- ence, as it allowed me to apply my expertise in contributing to Dr. Jens Jühling, the maintenance of safety of live Technical Eamon O’Flynn, working methods used on electricity Secretary of the Chartered Engineer networks. When the Guideline was ISSA’s Section Chairman ETCI produced in 2003, this method of for Electricity Safety Committee working was expanding across Eu- rope due to regulatory pressure for improvements in supply con- tinuity, and contractors were be- Institute at the University of Heidel- Under the chairmanship of Dr. Jens coming increasingly involved in berg and Dr. Dieter Kieback, the Jühling, representative of the German the activity. This is a potentially long-time head of the Institute for Institution for statutory accident hazardous work activity, but per- the Study of Electrical Accidents at insurance and prevention in the pre- fectly safe once the appropriate the German Institution for statutory cision engineering and electrical management systems are in place. accident insurance and prevention industry (BGFE), the Section’s board I believe that this Guideline made in the precision engineering and convened a working group entitled a significant contribution to main- electrical industry in Cologne. “Guideline for the selection of per- taining the high standards of safety sonal protective clothing when ex- in live working during this time of posed to the thermal effects of an rapid expansion.” Section Guidelines electric arc” which focussed on work clothing with reinforced electric arc The “Guideline for Assessing the Beginning in 1999, special working resistance properties. Competence of Electrically Skilled groups compiled concrete guide- Persons” was developed under the lines for industrial practice based Together with experts from Austria, leadership of engineer Dieter Seibel, on findings from science, research Canada, Finland, France, Germany, BG ETEM (German Social Accident and the working world. Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic Insurance Institution for the energy, and the USA, the group’s main task textile, electrical and media products was to carry out comparative tests of sectors). This was the first time electrical arc action on work clothes that requirements for professional The Guideline is currently being revised used in the different countries for qualification had been compiled at to include the most recent findings. the execution of electro-technical the international level. work and to evaluate the results. At the end of the study, the working group published a “Guideline for the Selection of Personal Protective Clothing when Exposed to the Thermal Effects of an Electric Arc”.

Eamon O’Flynn, representative of the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI) at the ISSA Section for Electricity, explains why he highly appreciates the working groups: “I was a member of the working group which developed the ‘Guideline for Assessing the Competence of Persons Involved in Live Working’ under the chair- manship of John A. McLean, HSE (Health and Safety Executive UK).

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Members of the working group “Portable Electrical Equipment” Top row, left to right: Al Beattie, Canada; Heiner Kehne, Germany; Mihai Budan, Romania; Hartmut Oelmann, Germany; Jost Keller, Switzerland; Dr. Jens Jühling, Germany Bottom row, left to right: Joydeep Mukherjee, Germany; Josef Fornusek, Czech Republic; Raúl Arenas, Spain; Ger Buckley, Ireland; Wolfgang Pechoc, Germany; Zdenek Václavek, Czech Republic; Eamon O´Flynn, convenor of the working group, Ireland

More recently, Eamon O’Flynn be- responsibilities with regard to Guides for Small and Medium-Sized came the convenor of another expert worker safety. Enterprises working group, charged with the task of developing an international In Eamon O’Flynn’s opinion, these Many prevention tasks have relevance guideline on “Managing Safety in guideline documents generally deal for a number of different Sections. the Use of Portable Electrical Equip- with areas not directly covered by Therefore, for some years now, the ment in the Workplace”. The Guide- current technical standards; thus, in Electricity Section has been working line was issued in April 2009 and time, they become the basis for new together with other sections on the pro- represents another significant con- standards. O’Flynn believes that his ject “EU 27” to develop special guides tribution to safety in the workplace interaction with technical experts covering multi-section subjects such by the Section for Electricity. in working groups, as well as his as, for example, the “Guide for Risk attendance at the many useful Management in Small and Medium International guideline documents seminars and workshops organized Enterprises – Identification and Evalu- such as those described provide by the Electricity Section, has ex- ation of Hazards; Taking Measures – essential information and guidance panded his own understanding and Noise ”. A list of the Section’s publica- to employers in fulfilling their knowledge of safety issues. tions can be found on page 26.

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In addition to technical subjects, the Second International Colloquium in Cologne in 1972 As with many of the Section’s other events held in dealt with medical issues such as cardiological and neurological problems resulting from Spain, long-time Vice President Florencio Muñoz of electrical accidents. the Asociación para la Prevención de Accidentes

Passing on Knowledge The first International Colloquium took place in Vienna on 12-13 May, The Section’s most important func- 1971, parallel to the World Congress tion was – and continues to be – to on Occupational Safety and Health disseminate the knowledge compiled at Work. Over 300 participants and represented by its individual focussed intensely on the issue of committees internationally, and to accidents involving electric currents. provide the impetus for its practical Specifically, they studied ways of application. To this end, the Section examining this special type of acci- has organized colloquia, symposia, dent, how to record such accidents workshops and roundtable discus- statistically, and how they can be sions, whose results have been dis- prevented. tributed in the form of brochures, and later as CDs and DVDs. All of In the years that followed, colloquia the Section’s events owe their success were held in Cologne, Marbella, not least to the commitment of the Rome, Paris, London, Lucerne, local member organizations. Madrid and Dublin. The tradition Whereas the Section contributes of large colloquia with up to 500 its expertise and its connections to participants ended with the twelfth internationally recognized experts, International Colloquium in Dublin the local member organizations in 1997. Worldwide, the demand provide the professional component for large events dedicated to the in their respective countries and issue of safety had changed; interest assume the major responsibility for was now focussed on smaller events organization at the local level. This consisting of approximately 100 cooperative approach continues to professionals, in which every parti- prove successful. cipant could make an active contri-

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(APA – San Sebastián) was an influential figure at Safety experts from member organizations of the Section for Electricity at the German the Ninth International Colloquium in Madrid in Social Accident Insurance Institution’s Training Centre in Linowsee, near Berlin 1987.

bution to the discussions. The who were particularly interested in Section’s board and membership the range of documents available for recognized this trend and reoriented download in PDF format. In 2009, their international communications the individual Section websites were strategy accordingly. integrated into the redesigned portal of the ISSA in Geneva.

The Internet Training by safety professionals At around the same time, the Internet was opening up an entirely Since 2003, the training of safety new direction in worldwide com- engineers at the German Social munications. It offered outstanding Accident Insurance Institution’s opportunities for the Section and Training Centre in Linowsee, its partner Sections to distribute near Berlin, Germany has been knowledge and information. Be- an important instrument for inter- ginning in the year 2000, under the national advanced training. By the aegis of the Section for Electricity, end of 2009, a total of 140 employees a unified Internet presence was from Section member organizations introduced for the 11 Sections as in Cuba, Peru, the Czech Republic, well as for the ISSA’s Special Com- Mexico, Turkey, Canada and Korea mission on Prevention, with a link had attended these several days-long Practical exercises using to the homepage of the ISSA in seminars on occupational safety at ladders and scaffolding Geneva. the Training Centre in Linowsee.

From the beginning, the Section’s websites attracted many visitors,

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In 1988, a professional group from the Section, including Dr. Klaus Renz (left) and Section President Ewald Siller, led an informational event on safety in the use of laser radiation with local professional committees in Beijing.

In Nairobi in 1989, under the leadership of Hans-Heinrich Egyptien, the Section Activities worldwide advisor to the authorities in charge advised authorities responsible for of monitoring workplace safety and monitoring workplace safety in Kenya. In Like many other Sections, the Sec- for the Kenya Power and Lighting 1994, the Section tested and modified the tion for Electricity was founded by Company. Based on this experience, training programme “Train the Trainers”, European institutions. Its origins can the Section developed a training which it had developed for supervisors in be attributed to the special value that programme for supervisors in elec- electrical engineering plants, at a seminar has been placed on occupational trical engineering plants which was in Nairobi which included representatives safety and health in Europe for over tailored to the local conditions. of monitoring agencies, investigating or- 100 years. Logically, the activities The programme, called “Train the ganizations and supervisors from industrial of the Section and its member or- Trainers” was tested in a seminar in plants. ganizations were initially limited to Nairobi. the European region. The European Union’s expansion Expansion to other continents began toward the East presented the Sec- in 1988, with an event focussing on tion with a new task: The new EU safety in the use of laser radiation in members needed information and Beijing. In 1991, a follow-up event, support in implementing the EU in the form of a symposium, was directives related to workplace safety. held in Xi’an, China. The Section took on this responsi- bility in the special area of electrical Under the presidency of Christian engineering, holding a symposium Leichsenring (1994-2001), the Sec- in Prague in 2003 and another in tion intensified its cooperation with Vilnius, Lithuania in 2006. occupational safety institutions in China. Turkey is also showing increasing interest in the safety standards of It was a stated goal of the ISSA the EU countries. A conference held Sections to make their knowledge by the Section at the Ministry for of occupational safety and health us- Employment and Social Services in able in countries which had not yet Ankara in 2005 was enthusiastically achieved the standards of the West- attended by members of the industry ern industrialized countries. Thus, and the ministerial bureaucracy. Christian Leichsenring, President of the for example, in 1989, the Section In succeeding years, the Section Section from 1994 to 2001 for Electricity served in Kenya as an followed up on this event with work-

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Ankara 2005: Lecture-Symposium on Oc- cupational Safety and Health Protection in Germany in cooperation with the Elec- tricity Section and Turkish Ministry for Labour and Social Security

Engineer Máximo De la Cruz Hernándes of Luz del Sur S.A.A. hosted the Second shops for Turkish electrical power Ibero-American Symposia, held in Lima, Peru in 2003. supply companies in cooperation with Turkish Section member TEDAS.

With the first Ibero-American Symposium, held in Cuba in 2001, the Section expanded its activities to include Central and South America. Additional symposia were held in Lima, Peru in 2003 and in Santiago de Chile in 2008. The fourth Ibero- American Symposium was held in April 2010 in Bogotá. Vilnius 2006: Prof. Jiri Silny of the RWTH’s Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction in Aachen reports on the results of the latest research.

What’s next?

The Section was formed on the initiative of European prevention organizations connected with the energy supply and electrical engi- neering industries. The expansion of the European Union and the globalization of many firms led to the extension of the Section’s activities throughout Europe and on other continents. IV International Symposium on Electrical Safety – SISE – 2010, April 2010, Bogotá, In the future, the Section will conso- Colombia. On the podium left to right: Olaf Petermann, Dr. Jens Jühling, Dr. Andrés lidate its strengths better than ever, Taboada from the Colombian Ministry of Mining and Energy, Dr. Sonia Montoy, work in closer cooperation with other National University of Colombia, Favio Casas Ospina of Seguridad Eléctrica as co- Sections and concentrate on the the- organizer of the Symposium matic focal points of its activities:

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G High- and low-voltage facilities G Electrical arcs G Electrical equipment G Electromagnetic fields G Laser radiation G Ionising radiation G Electrophysiology of electrocution G First aid for electrical accidents and medical treatment of electrical injuries G Epidemiological studies of injuries G Accident statistics G Usage and distribution of gas, water and heat G Occupational safety management G Modern safety training Olaf Petermann, President of the ISSA Section for Electricity, Gas and Water at the G Safety rules for professionals opening of the Film and Multimedia Festival at the XVIII World Congress for Safety and and laypeople Health at Work in Seoul in 2008 G Occupational safety in small and medium-sized companies G Practical application of EU guidelines … Recognizing that improving safety and health at work has a positive impact on working conditions, productivity and The Section’s expertise enables it to economic and social development, Recalling that the right to a identify new problems in these areas safe and healthy working environment should be recognized as resulting from new developments a fundamental human right and that globalization must go and changes in technology. Thus, hand in hand with preventative measures to ensure the safety it constantly adapts its scope to new and health of all at work, … requirements and challenges. Excerpt from the preamble of the Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work

At the international level, the Section will focus its work outside of Europe in regions where it is The ISSA’s Special Commission to ban the production, trade and supported by active members, for on Prevention usage of all types of asbestos and example, in Central and South products containing asbestos as America. The ISSA Section for Electricity, quickly as possible. Gas and Water provides intensive The most important task of the support for the international work At the meeting in Heidelberg on Section in these countries is to in this Special Commission of the 12 December, 2008, Olaf Petermann, improve electrical safety standards ISSA. The “Special Commission on President of the Section for Elec- by providing advice on efficient Prevention” is a commission of the tricity, Gas and Water, took over prevention strategies and developing ISSA board of directors. It is made the chairmanship of the Special training programs tailored to the up of the presidents and secretaries Commission from Jean-Luc Marié needs of the countries concerned. general of the eleven Sections and of of the ISSA Section for Research. the Secretary General of the ISSA in As ever, the interests of its members Geneva. It serves as a coordinating will continue to guide the Section’s body for the combined and individual work. In the process, the humanitar- activities of the Sections. Thus, in its ian aspect will always be kept at “Declaration on Asbestos” presented the forefront, as is so aptly stated at the ISSA’s General Meeting in in the preamble of the Seoul Decla- Beijing, the Special Commission on ration on Safety and Health at Work: Prevention called upon all countries

18 Active in prevention for 40 years

TV journalist and film producer Peter von Zahn was the most The 2nd Film and Video Festival was held in New Delhi in 1993 influential juror at the first Film and Video Festival in Hamburg in and enjoyed wide international participation. 1990. Next to him on the podium is Dominik Galliker of the Swiss National Accident Insurance Organization (Suva).

The International Film and Multimedia Festival

Every three years, the Interna- partner in the organization of the “Film and Multimedia tional Labour Organization Festival”. (ILO) and the ISSA organize a World Congress on Occupa- Today, the festival provides influential safety and health tional Safety and Health in coop- experts from all over the world with an overview of all eration with a host country. The the communications media resources that are available Congress is the major interna- on the subject of occupational safety and health: films, tional forum for all issues related to occupational health plays, documentaries, animated films, TV commercials, and safety, regularly hosting over 3000 participants. social media, multimedia, web-supported or computer- supported training exercises and virtual reality applica- In connection with the XII World Congress in Hamburg tions. The 7th International Film and Multimedia Festi- in 1990, the Electricity Section first organized a Film val, held during the XVII World Congress in Seoul in and Video Festival featuring occupational safety films 2008, included 115 films and 50 multimedia presenta- from all over the world. The German institution for tions from approximately 20 countries. statutory accident insurance and prevention in the precision engineering and electrical industry has many years of positive experience in using films in its work on prevention prompted the section to call international attention to this medium. Thanks to the support of the well-known German television journalist and film producer Peter von Zahn, the first event was such a great success that the ILO and the ISSA decided to make the Festival a regular part of the World Congress.

In keeping with the developments in today’s media, beginning with the XV World Congress in Sao Paolo in 1999, the Festival has been expanded to include multi-media products. The Information Section, Madrid 1996: The winners of the international competition for the with its base in Brussels, has since become a valued best film dealing with the subject of occupational safety and health

19 Active in prevention for 40 years

The Working Group “Film” during preparations for the 8th Film and Multimedia Festival to be held in Istanbul in 2011 Left to right: Im Young-Hoon (KOSHA, Korea), Toni Röösli (Suva, Switzerland), Holger Zingsheim (Electricity Section), Peter Rimmer (Chairman, UK), Laurie Jones (ISSA), Françoise Moulin (INRS, France), Vincent Aubert-Jacquin (INRS, France), Martina Hesse-Spötter (Electricity Section), Andrew Smith (European Agency, Bilbao), Nicole Schulz (Electricity Section), Dr. Wilfried Friedl (AUVA, Austria), Dr. Klaus Renz (Electricity Section), Gülcan Miyanyedi (Electricity Section), Berrak Atyla and Mustafa Birbenli (Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Turkey).

Dr. Klaus Renz (left), President of the ISSA Section for Electricity, Today, modern electronic presentation media set the tone at the Gas and Water, and Marc de Greef, President of the ISSA Section International Film and Multimedia Festival. for Information, opened the International Film and Multimedia Festival in Vienna in 2002.

At the opening of the Festival, Olaf Petermann, The film jury consists of participants from eight President of the ISSA Section for Electricity, Gas and different countries as one representative each from the Water stressed the importance of modern media in ILO and the ISSA. The jury is headed by Peter Rimmer, prevention work: “Pictures say more than words. In who served as Director of Information at UK Health prevention, they help us encourage people to behave and Safety Executive (HSE) for sixteen years. safely.” Particularly in countries with emerging economies, the medium of film with its clear, pictorial The next International Film and Multimedia festival will messages is a very useful tool for prevention. take place in connection with the XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Istanbul in 2011.

20 Active in prevention for 40 years The Board Membership

President The mission of the Section for Ordinary members Olaf Petermann, Electricity, Gas and Water is the pro- Members of the ISSA as well as all Berufsgenossenschaft Energie tection of workers against accidents non-profit organizations who have Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse, and occupational illnesses due to competence in the subject matter of Cologne, Germany electricity and the distribution of the Section are eligible for admission gas, heat and water. The Section to the Section for Electricity, Gas Vice-Presidents brings together institutions and and Water as ordinary members. Serge Curlier, individuals who are engaged in the Also admissible are the safety de- Electricité de France, Paris, France promotion of occupational safety partments of commercial enterprises Rafael Torres Tercero, and health in these sectors. It has which are engaged in occupational Fraternidad Muprespa, Madrid, member organizations in various safety and health activities on a Spain European and other countries, non-profit basis. which actively support the Section Member of the Board in all of its activities. Ordinary members are responsible Dr. Klaus Renz, BG ETEM for the Section’s functions and de- The Section is eager to increase its cide on its programme of activities Secretary General membership in order to develop its in the General Assembly. The con- Martina Hesse-Spötter, BG ETEM international support and fulfil its tribution for ordinary membership international mission. Institutions amounts to EUR 650 per year. Technical Secretary which are interested in the Section’s Dr. Jens Jühling, BG ETEM work and able to contribute actively Corresponding members to the realization of its tasks are The category of corresponding Traditionally the general manager welcome to join as members. member is open to organizations and a senior officer of the “Berufs- whose objectives are consistent genossenschaft” (German Social Advantages with those of the Section for Elec- Accident Insurance Institution) are Membership in the Section for Elec- tricity, Gas and Water and who are elected, respectively, as Chairperson tricity, Gas and Water includes the not qualified to become ordinary and Secretary General of the Sec- following advantages: members. tion, since the Berufsgenossenschaft provides the personnel and means G Access to 40 years of expert knowl- Individuals who are experts in the required for the functioning of the edge and experience prevention of occupational risks Section's Secretariat. G Free participation by one represen- due to electricity, gas, heating and tative of the member institution in water may also become correspon- Former Presidents of the Section the international symposia ding members. They belong to the Dr. Hermann Pültz (1970-1980) G Free subscription to the Section’s General Assembly in an advisory Ewald Siller (1980-1994) publications capacity. Christian Leichsenring (1994-2001) G Cooperation in the working groups Dr. Klaus Renz (2001-2005) G The opportunity to solve safety Application for Membership problems within the scope of the If you are interested in becoming Section’s working programme. involved in our mandate and activi- ties, please post or e-mail an infor- Types of Membership mal application for membership The Section for Electricity, Gas specifying the main objectives of and Water is composed of ordinary your organization to the Secretariat members and corresponding of the Section. members.

21 Active in prevention for 40 years Ordinary Members

Austria BG ETEM Allgemeine Unfallversicherungs- Branchenverwaltung Druck anstalt (AUVA) und Papierverarbeitung Troger, Christian Boettcher, Michael [email protected] [email protected] Brazil VDE-Ausschuss Sicherheits- FUNDACENTRO und Unfallforschung (SUF) Reis, Jorge [email protected] [email protected] BG ETEM Canada Branchenverwaltung Energie und Electrical & Utilities Safety Wasserwirtschaft Association Apsel, Axel [email protected] Croatia HRVATSKA ELEKTROPRIVREDA RWE Energy AG Caha, Vladimir Nordhaus, Friederike [email protected] [email protected] Cuba Siemens AG Union Eléctrica de Cuba CHR EHS OS Ministerio Industria Básica Dr. Ascherl, Bernhard Lavín Hernández, Jacinto B. [email protected] [email protected] ABB AG Czech Republic Kinzig, Lothar Czech Union of [email protected] Power Supply Employers Ireland Neu˘zil, Jaroslav ETCI Electro Technical Council [email protected] of Ireland France Buckley, Ger eRDF – Electricité de France [email protected] Direction Réseau Israel Curlier, Serge Israel Electric Corporation Ltd [email protected] Blumovich, Adam Germany [email protected] Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Luxemburg Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse Association d'Assurance contre les BG ETEM Hauptverwaltung Accidents – Section industrielle Hesse-Spötter, Martina Service de Prévention des Accidents [email protected] Seywert, Claude BG ETEM Prüf und Zerti- [email protected] fizierungsstelle des Fachaus- Portugal schusses Elektrotechnik Electricidade de Portugal, S.A Mehlem, Martin Manuel, Sérgio A .C. [email protected] [email protected]

22 Active in prevention for 40 years Corresponding Members

Republic of Korea Chile Peru Korea Occupational Safety & Health Consejo Nacional de Seguridad Luz del Sur S.A.A. Agency (KOSHA) Garcitúa Sepúlveda, Guillermo Prevención de Riesgos Park, Jong-sun consejonacionaldeseguridad@ De la Cruz Hernández, Máximo [email protected] gmail.com [email protected] Romania IST Electro Sur Medio S.A.A. Transelectrica S.A. Villagran Calderon, Osvaldo Gamboa Lizarraga, Enrique Pitesti Transmisson Branch [email protected] [email protected] Budan, Mihai Colombia Electro Puno S.A.A. [email protected] Seguridad Eléctrica Ltda. Calderón Yaurí, Abel Spain Casas Ospina, Favio [email protected] Asociación para la Prevención de [email protected] Electro Sur Este S.A.A. Accidentes, APA Cyprus Valencia Delgado, Héctor Raul Silva Casal, Martin Ministry of Labour Inspection [email protected] [email protected] Leandros, Nicolaides Red Eléctrica del Sur S.A. ENDESA S.A. Ecuador Cruz Chalco, Miguel Servicio Prevención Mancomunado Sociedad Ecuatoriano de Seguridad [email protected] Caeiro Ríos, Segundo Salud Ocupacional y Gestión Ambi- [email protected] Uruguay ental S. E. S.O. ADM. NAL. de Usinas y Fraternidad Mupresa Matepss Castro Carrasco, Moises E. Transmisiones Eléctricas UTE Torres Tercero, Rafael [email protected] Catarozzi, Vicente [email protected] Lithuania [email protected] Switzerland Vilnius Gediminas Technical Electrosuisse University Keller, Jost Prof. Radzevicius, Lionginas [email protected] [email protected] Schweizerische Mexico Unfallversicherungsanstalt (Suva) Comisión Federal De Electricidad Röösli, Toni Gerencia De Seguridad Industrial [email protected] Galicia Gama, Ariel Pedro [email protected] Turkey TEDAS Genel Müdürlügü Instituto de Investigaciones Dogan, Irfan Electricas [email protected] Marceo Mijares, Ricardo [email protected] United Kingdom Energy Networks Association Panama Coyle, Peter Autoridad del Canal de Panamá [email protected] Tello Spadafora, Igor R. [email protected]

23 Active in prevention for 40 years

International Events

International Colloquium 1971 G Information and training events International Colloquium 1976 Vienna in developing countries Rome G Investigation of electrical accidents G Biological effects of intensive G Electronics and safety G Technical protection electrical and magnetic fields G General and specific hazards G Questions related to statistical G Neurological aspects of electrical in the use of electronic building analyses of electrical accidents accidents components and systems G Medical consequences of the International Colloquium 1972 International Colloquium 1978 statistical analysis of electrical Cologne Lucerne accidents G Cardiological/neurological G Safety for professional electricians problems associated with electrical International Colloquium 1975 G Basic and advanced training for accidents Marbella skilled electricians G Psychosomatics and psychology G Effect of electromagnetic fields Expert Meeting 1979, Madrid of accident victims on the body G Information for laymen on the G Forms of treatment for burns G Renal dysfunctions due to dangers of electricity G Safety precautions when working electrical accidents on live parts G Dangers to the organism from International Colloquium 1980 G Practical consequences of the non-sinusoidal alternating currents Vienna statistical analysis of electrical G Safety rules for working in G Electrical and magnetic fields accidents on occupational safety electrical facilities G Arcs and atmospheric electricity: G Practical application of the main G Protective measures for indirect Effects, risks and protective safety principles contact measures G Training of skilled electricians Expert Meeting 1974, Paris Expert Meeting 1981, Dublin G Occupational safety in developing G Technical safety in electrical G Effects of electrocution and countries facilities necessary safety requirements

24 Active in prevention for 40 years

Expert Meeting 1989, Nairobi Lecture Conference 2005, Izmir G Training of authorities responsible G Energy suppliers: Live working, for monitoring workplace safety in ma nagement systems, risk Kenya evaluation International Colloquium 1990, International Symposium 2005, Vienna Dresden G Radiation – Fields – Currents G Safety and health in the electricity G Working safely with ionising industry and non-ionising radiation and Symposium 2006, Vilnius electromagnetic fields G Safety in electrical engineering G Protection against electric shock Symposium 2007, Toronto Expert Meeting 1991, Xi’an G Electricity, Safety and Health G Safe use of laser equipment in research, industry and medicine Conference 2007, Luxemburg G OHS Systems in Europe – International Colloquium 1994, Possibilities for coordination and Paris implementation in SMEs G Management – Organization – Technology Workshop 2007, Suzhou G Measures to ensure safe working G Safety and health at work with electricity, gas and other Symposium 2007, Prague sources of energy G Implementation of the EU Expert Meeting 1994, Rome Framework G Avoiding electrical hazards when G Directive on safety and health working with electrical equipment at work International Colloquium 1997, Conference 2008, Beijing International Colloquium 1983 Dublin G International Functional Safety Cologne G Electricity – Safety and Progress Standardization and Application G Prevention of electrical accidents Technology Forum by altering human conduct I. Ibero-American Symposium 2001, Havana III. Ibero-American Symposium Expert Meeting 1984, Haifa G Safety and health in the electricity 2008, Santiago de Chile G Inspecting electrical facilities sector G Safety and health in the electricity International Colloquium 1985, sector II. Ibero-American Symposium 2003, London Lima Safety Conference 2009, London G Pre-professional training on G Safety and health in the electricity the dangers of electrical energy Workshop 2009, Mumbai sector G Work safety for electrical and In cooperation with the National non-electrical engineering Workshop 2003, Prague Safety Council, India G Protection from electrical arcs G Workplace safety and health in an G Occupational safety and health expanded Europe International Colloquium 1987, IV. International Symposium Madrid Workshop 2005, Ankara on Electrical Safety – SISE – 2010, G Organizational and technical G Workplace safety and health Bogota measures for workplace safety International Colloquium 2005, using electrical facilities and Havana equipment G Occupational health Expert Meeting 1988, Beijing G Safe use of laser radiation

25 Active in prevention for 40 years

DVD* www* Printed Copy* Language Language Language Guides for risk assessment in small and medium-sized enterprises Noise D E GB D E HR ROK D GB Hazards Arising from Machinery and Other Work Equipment D E GB D E GB ROK D E GB Chemical Hazards D E GB CZ D E GB SK GB E D Slipping and Falling from a Height D E GB BG D E GB ROK E GB D Mental Workload D E GB BG CZ D E PL ROK SK GB E D Hazards Arising from Explosions GB GB GB Hazards Arising from Whole-body and Hand-arm Vibrations D D GB D

Guidelines/Recommendations Guideline for Assessing the Competence of Electrically Skilled Persons D E F GB D E F GB D E E F GB Guideline for Assessing the Competence of Persons Involved in Live Working D E F GB D E F GB D E F GB Guideline for the Selection of Personal Protective Clothing When Exposed to the Thermal Effects of an Electric Arc E D GB D E GB E D GB Guideline on Managing Safety in the Use of Portable Electrical Equipment in the Workplace GB GB GB Recommendations to Promote Electrical Safety at Work D F GB The 5 Safety Rules for the Electrical Expert GB The Golden Rules for the Electrical Safety for the Layman GB

Documents The occupational safety management system in a large automobile industry supply company D GB Electrical accidents: Hazards, health effects, first aid and medical care D International Working Group of the ISSA Electricity Section “Guideline on Managing Safety in the Use of Portable Electrical Equipment in the Workplace” GB Research on testing of textiles used in arc flash protection GB ISSA Guideline on Managing Safety in the Use of Portable Electrical Equipment in the Workplace – a brief outline GB Electromagnetic fields – Effects on human beings and regulations D

* The table shows the languages in which each publication is available to read on line or order in print:

DVD: see following page www: PDF file available for download at www.issa.int/prevention-electricity, Button: Resources

Printed copies may be ordered at: http://www.bgetem.de/medien/startseite_medien.html, Menu item “IVSS-Sektion Elektrizität” or contact: Secretariat of the ISSA Electricity Section c/o BG ETEM Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 130 50968 Cologne, Germany Email: [email protected]

26 International Section for Electricity, Gas and Water

International Section of the ISSA for Electricity, Gas and Water

c/o BG Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 130 | 50968 Köln | Germany Tel.: +49 (0)221 3778-6007 | Fax: +49 (0)221 3778-196007 E-Mail: [email protected] www.issa.int/prevention-electricity