Toru Itani

'Participatory approach improving occupational safety and health in small enterprises and the informal economy'

Thursday 22 October, time: 14.00-14.45, location: Conference hall.

See PowerPoint presentation

Participatory approach has been widely accepted as an effective approach to improve occupational safety and health conditions in small enterprises and the informal economy. The method has become a main stream for improving their occupational safety and health conditions in both developing and developed countries.

In the approach, importance is put on showing local good examples of low-cost and practical improvements to protect and promote workers’ safety and health. It is also essential to increase entrepreneurs’ and workers’ capability of checking and improving their working conditions and work environment by themselves.

Participatory approach has come to be widely recognized as an effective means not only for improving occupational safety and health in small enterprises and the informal economy but also for improving their productivity and other working conditions.

CV

▪ Born 1947

▪ Director, Labour Protection Department, International Labour Office (ILO)

▪ Doctor of Medical Science, Okayama University

Prior to joining the ILO, Mr Itani held several positions at the Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (1991–2006), most recent that of Professor in the Department of Health Sciences of Life, Work and Environment.

He has served as Chairperson of the Scientific Committee on Occupational Health in Small Enterprises and the Informal Sector of the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH), and as Executive Board Member of the Japanese Society of Occupational Health and a member of the Editorial Board of Scientific Journals.

Dr Itani's teaching and research areas include work-related musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics of shift work and the methodology for work improvement in small enterprises. He also contributed to a study evaluating the effectiveness of an ILO Work Improvement in Small Enterprises (WISE) in the Philippines.

Selected publications in English

Ebara, T; Khuvasanont, T; Krungkraiwong, S; Itani, T. et al.: Impact of ISO/TS 20646-1 'Ergonomic procedures for the improvement of local muscular workloads' on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Industrial Health, 45 (2): 256-267, April 2007.

Itani, T; Tachi, N; Takeyama, H; et al.: Approaches to occupational health based on participatory methodology in small workplaces. Industrial Health, 44 (1): 17-21, January 2006.

Takeyama, H; Itani, T; Tachi, N; et al.: A case study on evaluations of improvements implemented by WISE projects in the Philippines. Industrial Health, 44 (1): 53-57, January 2006.

Krungkraiwong, S; Itani, T; Amornratanapaichit, R: Promotion of a healthy work life at small enterprises in Thailand by participatory methods. Industrial Health, 44 (1): 108-111, January 2006

Kogi, K; Kawakami, T; Itani, T; et al.: Low-cost work improvements that can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 31 (3): 179-184 March 2003.