Report of the Task Group on cooperation with International Ergonomics Association (IEA)

By Barbara McPhee and Kazutaka Kogi
(on behalf of the Task group, November 22 2001)

The cooperation between the ICOH and IEA has been developing rather slowly but steadily from the end of last year. Based on the Memorandum of Agreement, ICOH and the IEA have agreed to exchange information through their Secretaries General regarding the dates and locations of conferences, inputs for newsletters and homepages and plans for joint sponsorship of meetings. It was also agreed to undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest.

The future development of mutual cooperation between ICOH and the IEA was discussed on the occasion of an IEA/ICOH/ILO/WHO meeting held in San Diego on 3 August 2000 during the IEA 2000 Congress. The meeting agreed to joint efforts in developing ergonomics research and practice with a view to promoting the safety and health of working populations worldwide. The meeting discussed the means of cooperation in developing ergonomics guidelines and training programmes particularly for industrially developing countries. Following this meeting, ICOH and IEA representatives who attended the meeting agreed to jointly develop the guidelines on ergonomics application in occupational health practice in industrially developing countries. In subsequent e-mail exchanges, it has been agreed to form a working group comprising experts designated by the two organisations for preparing the draft guidelines. It is anticipated that the working group will include B. McPhee, K. Kogi, P. Scott, J.F. Caillard and a few other members.

The IEA has raised the question of avoiding the clash of the dates of the Triennial Congresses of ICOH and IEA. This will need a careful review. Previously until 1996-1997, these Triennial Congresses used to be held in different years. Since both ICOH and IEA held the latest Triennial Congresses in 2000, the future Triennial Congresses will be held in the same years. In 2003 ICOH will be held in February in Brazil and in August in Korea so the problem does not arise. However, in 2006 the IEA will be in Amsterdam probably in the late summer. This may well clash with the ICOH conference venue and time, which has yet to be announced.

There are various ICOH Scientific Committees and IEA Technical Committees dealing with similar areas. It could be useful to explore possible collaboration between these Committees. Potentially very useful collaboration can be sought in developing guidelines in areas of common interest. This happens to some degree through personal contacts at international conferences, seminars and meetings. These informal but harmonious contacts are providing a valuable bridge between the two organisations.

It is expected that the cooperation between ICOH, IEA and International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) will grow, together with their increased involvement in the activities of the United Nations agencies. We are hoping that exchange of information about various activities and active cooperation will continue to grow. This can be done within the framework of existing Memorandum of Agreement between these organisations.