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Struggle for tighter wood dust standards

Helsinki (20.06.2001 - Juhani Artto) "About 6,000 cases of occupational illness are discovered in Finland every year, but there is very little public debate on the problem", professor Jyrki Liesivuori stated last year at a seminar organised by the Wood and Allied Workers' Union. There has been no change in the situation since that time.

One example of an underestimated risk mentioned by prof. Liesivuori was wood dust, which in Finland mainly originates from birch, pine and spruce processing. The wood dust problem focuses on the furniture, board and joinery industries, and at sawmills employing almost 30,000. According to the Centre for Occupational Safety, roughly half of these workers are exposed to wood dust.

The presently wood dust standard in Finland is 5 milligrams of dust per cubic meter of air. However, studies suggest that concentrations of as little as 1 milligram per cubic meter already cause symptoms in the eyes, nose, throat, skin and lungs. The most serious consequence is cancer, while other serious diseases caused by wood dust include asthma, allergies and persistent rashes.

Although the Wood and Allied Workers' Union has long fought for a tightening in the standard to 1 milligram per cubic meter, the employers have so far managed to resist such reforms.

The Union's occupational health and safety secretary Pirkko Heikura told Trade Union News from Finland in May that a working group of experts and representatives of public authorities, employers and organised labour is once again examining the standard. "Rank and file pressure for an improved standard has steadily increased as details of the latest findings have reached workplaces," she noted.

Especially dangerous are jobs in which workers are exposed to a combination of risks such as wood dust, solvents, paints, hardeners and lacquers.

Pirkko Heikura reports that larger enterprises have invested more heavily than small businesses in technical protection against wood dust. One further problem is that young male workers often neglect to use protective masks.

The other large Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway and Denmark, currently apply a wood dust standard of 2 milligrams per cubic meter. Even here the trade unions are campaigning for the 1 milligram per cubic standard.

 
Other sites on economy and working life:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Documents of the SAK 16th Congress 28-30.5.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement  SAK 15.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Economy
and State Finances

Ministry of Finance
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) European working time conference held in Helsinki
eironline

More on
and in Finland:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Etusivu - The Finnish Link Resource
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsinki Camera - Views over the city
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Virtual Finland - Information about Finland - Facts about Finland
provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland - World Fact Book entry - tons of links!
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - News from Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Need a reliable lawyer - The Finnish Bar Association can help
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Moving to Finland? - Directorate of Immigration
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ministry of Labour Migration affairs page
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Equal Opportunities Network - Fighting discrimination