The global paper industry and its many individual workplaces face a large number of risks and dangers in the area of health and safety for workers. In addition to that, the industry also knows many environmental challenges, some of which are well known, such as the impact on the environment from forestry.

At the ICEM World Conference for the Pulp and Paper Industry, in Brussels, on 15-16 November 2005, a comprehensive overview of these risks and challenges was presented by Reg Green, ICEM officer for Health, Safety & Environment.

His presentation, entitled ‘Sustainability in the Pulp and Paper Sector’, deals with the many hazards and dangers in this sector. Amongst other things, it discusses some of the key health and safety issues, such as the different problems related to the paper making equipment. Other issues include acute and chronic respiratory disorders and cancer.

The presentation also discusses the main causes of injury in the pulp and paper sector. Towards the end, it suggests to increase the use of global framework agreements as a partial solution to the problem.

Click here for the complete presentation.

For more information on this conference, including background documents and presentations, click here.