Discovering Global Networks for Occupational Health: Insights from ANROEV 2011 Conference

I had the opportunity to attend the Annual Conference of the Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational and Environmental Victims (ANROEV) in Jaipur from November 14th to 18th, 2011. This opportunity was made possible mainly because of citeHR. One of our forum members, Mr. Jagdish Patel, who is participating under the name of PTRC, kindly invited me to attend this conference. I would like to express my gratitude to him as well as to citeHR.

Before this conference, I was not even aware of networks like ANROEV, OEHNI, ABAN, etc. These networks mainly consist of many NGOs, Trade Unions, etc. I have attached a brief introduction about ANROEV. Members from across the world participate in this conference.

The Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India (OEHNI)

The Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India (OEHNI) is a network of victim groups, trade unions, civil society groups, and other labor groups across India. The main focus is on the upliftment of victims of occupational diseases and accidents in the unorganized sector. PTRC (Peoples Training and Research Center) is one of the active members of OEHNI, led by Mr. Jagdish Patel. I appreciate all these initiatives aimed at helping the less fortunate for a noble cause. I extend my congratulations to the individuals driving these initiatives in India and around the world.

During the conference, I attended workshops on Silicosis, Asbestosis, and OHS Issues in Mines, which helped enhance my knowledge about these topics.

I am sharing this information to make other forum members aware of these networks. For more information about these networks, you can visit the following websites:

- Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India: www.oehni.in
- Search for ANROEV: Search on Cite | Search on Google

Thank you.

First of all, I heartily thank you for sharing a good message with us through the CITEHR EHS forum. When I read your thread, this proverb came to mind: "A fully filled pot (a knowledgeable person) is silent." It perfectly matches Mr. Jagdish Patel (PTRC).

Occupational and Environmental Health Network of India ANROAV

This is very new to me and, I believe, to 90% of our members. You are so lucky to have had the chance to attend such conferences. I just visited the link you shared in the message above; the global support for our EHN network is truly amazing.

Many times, I have asked this question on our forum: "When will we reach overseas standards in our EHS field?" I was wrong; we are almost at that standard. Within a couple of years, we will be a prime example for others in the EHS field. Most of our safety professionals don't know what's going on in our EHS field (like me).

Hats off to the noble work of the people, especially those involved in the EHN team.

Dear PTRC,

Thanks for inviting our member Mr. Dipil to the conference.

Mr. Dipil, again, thanks for sharing good information regarding our EHS field.

Keep up the good work.

I must thank CiteHR for providing an opportunity to meet so many EHS professionals on one platform. Dipil caught my attention with his active participation, and when I realized he was in Jaipur, I decided to take the chance to visit him. I planned my travel itinerary accordingly. He was kind enough to take out time to meet me even on a Sunday. I must thank the conference organizers for allowing me to invite Dipil, and I thank Dipil too for attending both days.

Raghu, thank you for all the compliments. CiteHR members are also welcome to visit the PTRC website About Us. Due to a lack of time, we are not able to update it regularly, but it may still give you some idea of our activities.

Regards,

Dear Raghu, thanks for your comments. If people like Mr. Jagdish Patel take up issues in the field of OHS seriously and engage with Government Departments, we can expect visible changes in India very soon.

Dear Jagdish Patel, it was a pleasure to meet you and attend the conference. Thank you, and let's keep in touch.

Thank you.

Though I appreciate Raghu's optimism, I am skeptical about the current situation in our country. We are far behind industrialized nations, though we may be ahead of many Asian and African countries. It is the economic situation and people's will that can lead us to where we want to go. More participation from people like us is the need of the day. Mere daydreaming will not take us anywhere. I look forward to more Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professionals working beyond their official duties. OHS is a significant social issue, and we will have to address it at various levels.

Dear Friends,

First of all, let me thank Mr. Dipil for initiating this thread, which brought the existence of ANROEV, OEHNI, and ABAN, as well as the noble service of our member PTRC (Hats off to you, Mr. Jagdish Patel), into the limelight. We were not aware of these organizations because, initially, our Indian economy depended on the agricultural sector. It then transitioned into the services sector, where there is no threat of chemical allergies or occupational diseases. In fact, individuals working in the agricultural sector benefit greatly from exposure to sunlight and natural unpolluted air, which helps them maintain good health. After the introduction of the services sector in India, we started our white-collar jobs and subsequently experienced hypertension, stress, strain, high levels of blood cholesterol, diabetes, and other stress-related syndromes.

Therefore, we never felt the necessity of such organizations to take care of the individuals mentioned in this thread. However, nowadays, the Indian government is focusing on industrialization, leading to the development of numerous diseases. We have already begun addressing health and environmental issues and are just at the beginning stages in our country.

As industrialization continues to grow, the EHS department must also take the lead in safeguarding the health and safety of workers, as well as ensuring environmental protection.

Thank you.

Thank you for your compliments. Somehow, I differ with your views. Agriculture is considered by the ILO to be one of the most hazardous industries. Working in the open has its own hazards. They work in extreme environmental conditions without any protection. Hundreds of agricultural workers die of heat stroke. In winter, they are exposed to low temperatures. The use of chemicals like pesticides can lead to acute poisoning. In Punjab, they say that the use of a high amount of chemicals has led to a high proportion of cancers in that area. Many plants cause allergies. Many of the organic dusts can cause respiratory problems like allergic alveolitis or asthma. In Gujarat, every monsoon, on average, 200 agricultural workers die of leptospirosis—an occupational disease. They are exposed to other biological hazards too, like anthrax and others. They are vulnerable to animal bites or attacks by animals and accidents such as injuries from implements, tractor overturning, electrical accidents, falls from trees, or falling objects. Thrashers are known to cause serious accidents—chopping off hands; chef cutters also pose a great hazard. Postural problems and MSD are also huge problems for millions.

I can give a long list of hazards in the service sector like this. We would be glad to organize a one-day sensitization session anywhere.

ESH professionals need to look at this issue from a new angle and prepare themselves to serve the working class better.

Thank you, CiteHR, for the opportunity to share ideas.

Can you let us know how a Safety Professional like me or others participating in this forum can be a part of this kind of movement? You have written "Work beyond their official duty." How and what type of involvement are you expecting?

Thank you for sharing your views regarding the thread. Please continue sharing your insights with us.

Thank you for highlighting the health hazards in the agricultural sector. It was a new learning experience for me. Please continue sharing your expertise with us.