HAMILTON, ON (October 13, 2004) - Each year occupational diseases cause hundreds of deaths in Canada, and pain and disabling illnesses for many thousands more. On March 3-4, 2005, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will host a national event in Toronto to focus attention on this under-recognized workplace issue that has such an important human and economic impact on Canadians. With "New Strategies for Recognizing and Preventing Occupational Diseases" as its theme, this first of its kind pan-Canadian forum will not only bring together government, employer and labour representatives - but also provide an opportunity for researchers, health and safety practitioners, healthcare personnel, and others to exchange ideas, discuss how to improve recognition of occupational diseases, and recommend strategies to prevent disease and control exposures to hazardous agents. Topics on the agenda include work-related respiratory illness, cancer, and infectious disease, as well as musculoskeletal and stress-related disorders. Leading experts in a variety of occupational disease fields will share their expertise and discuss: Canadian occupational disease recognition and compensation International developments, such as stress as an occupational disease Emerging occupational diseases of the 21st century Lessons learned from SARS as a workplace occupational disease In addition there will be a "Mock Judicial Inquiry", workshops on recognition, prevention and control strategies, plus a tripartite - government, employer and labour-led panel that will discuss where Canada should be heading, where to focus efforts, as well as to identify knowledge gaps and goals for the future. When the Forum concludes, all Canadians will be invited to participate by providing feedback to the CCOHS Forum website which will report on the ideas and recommendations from the workshops and panel discussions. It is hoped that the Forum will be the start of what will continue to be an ongoing discussion about occupational disease - one that will eventually lead to the eradication of work-related illness in Canada. Information about the CCOHS Forum 2005 can be found on the website: http://forum05.ccohs.ca/ - 30 - For further information contact: Eleanor Irwin Manager - Marketing, Sales and Communications CCOHS Tel.: 905.572.2981 X4408 Email: eleanori@ccohs.ca http://www.ccohs-cchst.gc.ca About CCOHS The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), formed in 1978, is a Canadian federal government agency based in Hamilton, Ontario. CCOHS provides Canadians with unbiased, relevant information and advice that supports responsible decision-making and promotes safe and healthy working environments. CCOHS makes a wide range of occupational health and safety information readily available, in language that is appropriate for all users, from the general public to the health and safety professional. Internationally, the Centre is renowned as an innovative, authoritative occupational health and safety resource. CCOHS partners and collaborates with agencies and organizations from Canada and around the world to improve the quality and quantity of resources and programs, as well as expand the breadth of usage of occupational health information to many different segments of society.
