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7. Precautionary Principle is
now being used in many environmental situations. It is rooted
in the old health saying "be safe, rather than sorry".
The principle says that if there is a significant risk (to
health or environment), then you do not have to wait for the
scientific evidence to come in.
e.g
asbestos is now banned in the EU - a 100 years after evidence
first emerged of it's dangers.
8. Eco-efficiency
is the drive to reduce the amount of resources used to make
any particular product or service. Good practices include
schemes for waste minimisation, energy efficiency and water
conservation.
e.g
One company reduced its annual water consumption between 1995
- 2000 to a third, despite increasing production levels. This
was achieved by developing Pureprint®, a waterless and
alcohol-free printing process.
9. Environmental Management sets
out procedures to follow, based on quality systems, in order
to organise personnel to control environmental impacts more.
The new EU EMAS (link) scheme encourages workers' involvement
and training.
e.g.
Over40,000 companies have certified to ISO 14001 worldwide,
while nearly 4,000 are registered with the Eco-Management
and Audit System.
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10. Integration of H, E & S has
various forms, placing variable emphasis on the different
elements. HESSME starts from a health agenda, recognising
the best of the recent environmental initiatives, and longer
standing safety safeguards.
e.g.
Many larger companies have SHE committees
11. Social Partnership is
when employers and employees, through their representatives,
work together for common goals to improve conditions at work
and beyond. Social management implies social partnership.
Good practice considers wider social considerations down the
extended supply chain.
e.g.
Works Councils
12. Sustainable Development is
the balance of social, environmental and economic concerns
to make sure that our next generation's well-being is not
jeopardised by the way we act now. The UN Convention promoting
sustainable development is Agenda 21.
e.g. Waste collectors in Denmark wanted
to live and be fit beyond the age of 55. They decided that
it would be better if they became "green ambassadors".
So instead of chasing bin wagons, they talked with their householders,
helping them with advice on how best to minimise waste Their
union, SID, negotiated for funding and time off for training.
This arrangement proves it is possible to make developments
that are good for the environment, good for people's health,
the environment and healthy for the local economy.
See
how HESSME pulls together the social, health, economic and
environmental elements.
©World
Health Organisation 2002
Authors: Dr Charlie Clutterbuck & Dr Bogdan Baranski
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