The use of safe products at the workplace contributes substantially to the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases, and therefore also to the quality of work. The globalization of markets and the corresponding internationalization of standards must not result in the prevailing level of safety in Europe being sacrificed. The formation of a European network of occupational health and safety experts enables the position of European OH&S to be strengthened in the international arena.

The conference was held on 11/12 October 2001 in the BG Academy for Occupational Health and Safety in Dresden. It was hosted by the French institutions EUROGIP and INRS and the German HVBG and KAN. The 150 participants came from 21 different European countries, including seven Eastern European countries wishing to join the European Union.

The European conference “Standardization, testing and certification – a contribution to occupational health and safety” (see also Page 6) saw the launch of a European network of OH&S experts active in standardization, testing and certification. The participants discussed, in six workshops, the network’s structure and mode of operation and subjects which the network should begin by addressing.

The flagship of European standardization in the area of machine safety is, as before, EN 292 “Safety of machinery – basic concepts and general principles for design”. The first issue of this two-part standard, which describes the strategy for risk reduction, was published in 1991. It is currently undergoing revision, one purpose of which is to transpose it into an international standard.

Germans with professional contacts abroad cannot always assume that interpreters will be provided. English is generally the language of choice at international events. But how can non-native speakers improve their proficiency effectively? ”Learning by doing” is certainly a successful method. The process can however be supported to good effect by purposeful training and by raising awareness of certain mechanisms.

The second international conference was held in Bonn in November 2001. It was organized by the BG Institute for Occupational Safety (BIA) in conjunction with the ISSA sections ”Research” and ”Machine and System Safety”. 250 participants from 16 states addressed the opportunities and risks presented by new technologies, the role of human beings in relation to automated systems, and future areas of development and trends. The most important conclusions of the conference are: