Globalisation of the world's economy is one important factor that influences the working life across the borders of "developed" and "less developed" nations. Globalisation seems to be the single force that more than others will define the conditions of work for a large part of the world's population in the next century. Globalisation is an important part of the challenges of a new era and will be a keyword for the opening session of the conference.

IOHA Cairns 2000 focused on working conditions in developing countries. IOHA Bergen 2002 wants to make a good connection to "down under" by bringing up occupational health consequences of globalisation. 

In year 2002 we know a lot about different hazards in the workplaces, and we also know how to protect the workers, but still there is a lot of people that is getting ill or killed at work. The occupational hygienist and the physicians in the health services do not always use a language that is easily understood by the workers, to improve this we will focus on risk communication.
Another actual theme is re-use of waste in building materials, use of chemicals from cradle to grave. This session is being planned by the Dutch OHA.

We also want to focus on different trades, especially trades connected to the North Sea since because Occupational Hygienist from countries around the North Sea knows a lot about the hazards in the petroleum industry, fishing, shipbuilding and transport of different chemicals by ship.
Other well-known era for people in the different parts of the world is the working conditions; High and low temperatures, Diving and Shift work. This is all themes that we want to discuss in Bergen.
As an occupational Hygienist will there always be new methods and new strategies that we have to learn and discuss, and we have planned this. Other themes will be organic solvents, Chemical allergens and dermal exposure.

Organisation of the Conference

The Conference will be organised with plenum lectures and parallel section. As an introduction to each of the main sessions key note speakers are
invited. In addition there will be arranged PDC and excursions to local industries.

Social programme 

Sunday evening a get together party will be arranged in the medieval Håkonshall built in 1261 by king Håkon Håkonsson for his son's coronation and wedding.

The conference dinner will be held in the Grieg concert hall where also the conference will be arranged.

A trip by boat to a party at the western isle Oksen will be arranged at extra cost. Enjoy this evening at Oksen.
In 1930 a fish processing plant was established. The coastal fishermen delivered salted cod for trimming and drying. Once the fish had been processed and dried on the rocks, it was exported to international markets by Norsk Klippfisk Export Company.
At that time, about 40 people earned their living on Oksen. They took home NOK 1 a day, which was good pay in those days. When the workload peaked, assistance was required from the mainland. The need for extra labour on the island was announced by putting up a flag made from two stitched-up sacks, and after a while people came rowing to the island for assistance.
Due to a shortage of fish, the industry was closed down in 1966. The plant was converted and has since been used as a summer restaurant.

Welcome to the historical surroundings at Oksen!

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