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The National Safety Council (NSC) has announced that the World Congress on Occupational Safety and Health will be held for the first time in the United States in 2005.
The 17th World Safety Congress will be held in Orlando in September, 2005, just before the NSC''s World Congress & Expo.
The World Congress, organized jointly by the United Nation''s International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA), is held every three years.
"The NSC is thrilled and honored that the ILO and ISSA have accepted our invitation to host the 17th World Safety Congress," said NSC president Alan McMIllan. "This influential gathering of the world''s foremost experts on occupational safety and health will mark the culmination of a number of cooperative activities over the next four years aimed at enhancing the safety and health of workers around the world.
"Besides offering a unique forum for the international sharing of technical information and good safety and health practices, the 2005 World Congress will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous strides that have been made in occupational safety and health in the United States and throughout the world."
McMillan said the NSC will work closely with U.S. governmental, labor and management organizations and the World Congress'' international organizers to conduct a variety of cutting-edge research, demonstration and information-sharing programs over the next four years.
"We will report on the results of those activities at the 2005 World Congress and take advantage of this important forum to build on the programs already in place and to identify needs for additional work," he said. "Our ultimate goal is to make the world''s workplaces as safe and healthy as possible for workers in every country and in every occupation."
The 16th World Congress will take place May 26-31 in Vienna, Austria. More information can be found at www.safety2002.at.
by Melissa Martin