The sixth presentation for a workshop in Singapore and AIOH2013

1. Making it happen
John Cherrie
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INSTITUTE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE . Edinburgh . UK
www.iom-world.org

2. Summary…
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We need to convince key stakeholders
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to identify important control technologies
to change ingrained attitudes
plan to monitor progress, etc.
We need to campaign for change
We need clear and realistic goals
We need a good plan

3. It won’t happen without a
campaign!
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Organised actions around the
issue seeking to bring about
changes in the policy and
behaviours of institutions and/or
specific public groups
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It won’t happen unless you are
part of the campaign!

4. Analyse the issue and landscape
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Building robust supporting evidence, so that
you have good information on:
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Who are the decision makers
Which “players” are likely to be supportive of
your campaign, who may oppose it and who may
be persuaded
Is public opinion supportive
What resources for campaigning are available,
and what constraints you face
What solutions are needed
Why others should support your suggested
solutions

5. Set SMART objectives…
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We need to be:
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Specific about what has to be achieved
Provide a way of Measuring progress
Goals should be Attainable
Relevant to all stakeholders and
Time-bound

6. Specific goals…
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Well defined description of the final
position we want to achieve
Clear to anyone that has a basic
knowledge of the issues
Developed on the basis of a well
researched position
For example…
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Reduce exposure to respirable crystalline
silica for most workers (90%) to below the
exposure limit
Eliminate all new uses of asbestos

7. Measureable…
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So that we know what has been
achieved and what is still left to be
done
For example…
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We can “measure” progress towards
better compliance with the TLV
How can we measure progress towards
|elimination” of new uses of asbestos?

8. Tracking progress…
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The best way of tracking progress is
periodic surveys of exposure by transnational and national authorities
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Exposure intensity (including contextual
information)
Prevalence of exposure
Estimates of occupational cancer burden
Routine reporting by health and safety
professionals through national
associations

9. Attainable…
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Realistic goals are essential for success
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Don’t set goals that are so simplistic that they do not
bring about any change
Don’t set goals that are so idealistic that one can
never realistically achieve them
When setting a “distant” goal then it is
important to have milestones along the way
For example…
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Every painter should wear a coverall and gloves
while painting
In the next year asbestos cement should be
banned in construction

10. Relevant…
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The goal has to be relevant to the
overall objective to eliminate
occupational cancer
Focus on the agents that create the
greatest occupational cancer burden
For example…
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Ban the use of vinyl chloride in the
plastics industry
Promote the use of control measures that
can reduce exposure to wood dust below
1 mg/m3

11. Time bound…
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Write goals that includes a timeline for
accomplishment
A goal without a deadline is a goal that will
most likely never be achieved
For example…
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Within the next five years increase awareness
amongst workers and managers in the
transportation sector of the cancer risks from
diesel engine exhaust particulate

12. Devise a strategy and make it
happen!
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What’s the best route to influence
How should I organise to do this?
Who should I be talking to?
Who can help?
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H&S professionals
Politicians
Civil servants
Industry
Worker groups

13. Some tips for success…
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Compile strong and compelling evidence
Understand who can make the changes and
who can influence them
Be clear what you want to achieve
Use a range of tactics
Involve workers
Find and work with useful allies
Communicate well and often
Stick with it to the end

14. Summary…
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To achieve a change it is
necessary to campaign
Your targets need to be
SMART
Understand who can bring
about change
Keep up the pressure