The Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety is the centerpiece of the SafeWork Bookshelf, an authoritative source of on-line information on all aspects of the multidisciplinary field of occupational safety and health. The Fourth Edition was produced with the collaboration of thousands of recognized experts from over 50 countries; the private and public sectors, academia and industry, labour and management, researchers and practitioners are all represented. This latest edition consists of over 1,000 articles, complemented by over 1,000 illustrations and easy-to-read tables. Thousands of references are cited. Sources are listed at the end of each chapter, along with other relevant readings.

The Encyclopaedia is also available on the Internet with an excellent user interface, in French as well as English, at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Copies of the original print and CD-ROM editions can be obtained from the ILO's Publications Bureau. (Those who already own the CD-ROM should consult our page for users of the Windows XP operating system here.)

This on-line resource follows the four-volume organization of the printed Fourth Edition.

Volume I is made up of four parts which comprehensively address health and management issues. The Body contains chapters which take a medical approach in their discussion of disease and injury. Health Care provides information on health promotion and protection and occupational health services. Management and Policy addresses the ethical, legal and social policy aspects of the field of occupational safety and health. It also covers educational, informational and institutional resources. Tools and Approaches covers occupational health and safety applications and areas of study. It provides insight into disciplines including epidemiology, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, statistics and toxicology.

Volume II focuses on hazards and is likewise divided into four parts. Psychosocial and Organizational Factors discusses issues such as job stress, job security, career development, prevention and interpersonal, individual and macro-organizational factors. General Hazards covers a wide variety of health and safety topics, such as barometric pressure, biological hazards, heat and cold, hours of work, indoor air quality, noise, radiation and violence. The Environment addresses hazards and policy questions relating to work and the environment, as well as pollution control. Accidents and Safety Management provides information on hazard recognition, evaluation and control.

Volume III looks at the activities and substances involved in the major industries. Chemicals explores safe handling and transport, minerals and agricultural chemicals and metals. Industries Based on Biological Resources covers animal-related and farming industries, food and beverages, and wood-based products. The chapters in Industries Based on Natural Resources discuss industries such as mining, iron and steel, oil exploration and drilling and power generation. Chemical Industries provides an overview of chemical processing and its applications in the oil and natural gas, pharmaceutical and the rubber industries. Manufacturing Industries covers basic manufacturing industries, while Textiles and Apparel Industries focuses specifically on clothing, textile goods and leather, fur and footwear. Transport Industries covers the manufacture and repair of transport vehicles. Construction contains a chapter with sections covering health and safety, prevention and management; major sectors and their related hazards; and the tools, equipment and materials used in the industry. Services and Trade provides information on a wide variety of services industries and occupations.

Volume IV contains useful Guides and Indexes. The Guide to Occupations provides samples of an innovative hazard-card system for presenting information on occupation and their related hazards. The Guide to Chemicals supplies information on over 2,000 chemicals. Physical and chemical properties and hazards are presented in hundreds of consistently organized tables. The Guide to Units and Abbreviations summarizes the international system of units of measurement and lists the abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the Encyclopaedia. Three indexes facilitate access to information by subject, chemical substance name and author cited.