1963 - Madrid
16-21/09/1963
14th International Congress of the Permanent Commission and International Association on Occupational Health (PCIAOH)
The number of presented contributions has been remarkably increasing: 280 in Helsinki, 258 in New York and 620 in Madrid. Most participants are medical doctors, but also other professionals like engineers, chemists, health assistants, sociologists, managers, psychologists, jurists, etc. are attending. Countries from all continents are represented and 104 out of 192 Commission members are present. The Commission holds two meetings where 46 new members are admitted. Another special Committee is established on nitro glycol. The committee in charge had prepared a draft of a new constitution – mostly based on mail correspondence – that is discussed and approved.
Relationships with international bodies
It is decided to ask for support by WHO and ILO for organizing a seminar. Such seminar is to be followed by a Symposium for exchange of experiences concerning methods and techniques applied to study of upper nervous functions in occupational health to be held at the Institute of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases in Prague.
As regards relationships with UN organizations in the field of health and work, official relationships were established and greatly acknowledged during the Congress.
From the speech by M.O. Shoib, the WHO delegate:
"particularly as this is the first Congress to be organized since the Permanent Commission and International Association for Occupational Health were admitted into official relations with the World Health Organization………
Realizing the real contrib ution the Permanent Commission and International Association for Occupational Health are making and are expected to make in this direction, the WHO follows with keen interest the work of the Commission and its standing Subcommittee and has always endeavoured to be represented in their meetings".
Opening and closing cerimonies addresses.
Structure of ICOH
Prof. S. Forssman reports on election to the Bureau: re-election General Secretary-Treasurer Prof. E. Vigliani; re-election of Vice-presidents: Prof. L. Greenburg, Prof. R. Lane, Prof. A.A. Letavet.
Election of the new Vice-presidents: Dr. N. Perales, Prof. H. Desoille.
During the first General Assembly of the Permanent International Commission on Occupational Health, the Commission new Constitution and Bye-Laws are discussed: Profs. Vigliani, Basteiner, Dantin-Gallego, Guenburg and Truhart are in charge with this issue.
Prof. Vigliani informs on the election of 14 new members to the Commission. A serious loss is the death of Prof. L. Carozzi, secretary for nearly 50 years of the Commission and Honorary President from 1957.
Short report on activity and meetings of the Scientific Committees established from 1957: Absenteeism, Constitution, Respiratory diseases in textile workers (President Prof. Schilling) e Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC’s).
In addition to meetings and symposia along the triennium, the committee members have worked also by correspondence (for example Constitution Committee).