fig leaves

The newsletter of the Fire Information Group UK (FIGUK)

www.figuk.org.uk

No. 27
October 2003

Edited by Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

This Newsletter contains:

• Notice of 2004 FIGUK meeting
• News from the FIGUK network and around the world
• Minutes of the FIGUK Meeting held on 10 September 2003

News from the FIGUK Network and around the world

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 3rd December Christmas Lunch
Contact Sally Walsh to book a place.

NEXT FIGUK MEETING

This will be held at 10.30 on Wednesday 17th March 2004 at the London Burgoyne office. Remember to send Agenda items to Sally Walsh at Burgoynes.

FIGUK WEBSITE

Some Members have asked for the FIGUK web site name it is www.figuk.org.uk

It is also listed under the heading of this newsletter.

European Week For Safety and Health: EW2003 13-20 October 2003

European Week will take place throughout the month of October 2003, with each country deciding precisely which week is designated. However, the campaign will run throughout 2003.

Across Europe, millions of employees are exposed to dangerous substances in their workplaces. Failure to control the associated risks can harm people's health in many different ways including: asthma; skin irritation or dermatitis; cancer; reproductive problems and birth defects. It can also result in damage to the nervous and immune systems, affecting vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver.

In turn, organisations can suffer through lost productivity and increased liability to prosecution and claims for compensation from employees.

European legislation sets out the obligations of employers to prevent the exposure of workers to harm from dangerous substances in the workplace. These include risk assessment, the prevention of risks associated with dangerous substances, arrangements for dealing with accidents and emergencies, and information and training for workers. In addition, employers are required to involve workers in the development of their safety and health policies.

According to recent European research, 22% of EU workers report being exposed to toxic vapours for a quarter or more of their working time. In addition, 16% of employees have to handle dangerous substances as part of their daily work. Such exposures can harm workers' health in a variety of ways, with effects ranging from mild eye and skin irritations to chronic lung disorders and cancer. That's why this year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work is focusing on reducing the health risks of using dangerous substances.

The European Week 2003 is an information campaign aimed at making Europe a safe and healthy place to work by promoting activities to reduce the risks of working with dangerous substances. With the backing of all Member States and enlargement countries, the European Commission and Parliament, trade unions and employers' federations, this annual initiative has become the largest workplace safety and health event in Europe. It provides a unique opportunity to focus attention on the importance of safety and health at work.

It is being co-ordinated by the Bilbao-based European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and will run in all 15 EU Member States, the candidate countries, and beyond. The Agency is the European Union organisation responsible for occupational safety and health information.

The Week is aimed at people in organisations, companies and workplaces of all sizes and sectors. Everybody involved in occupational safety and health matters is invited to take part, especially safety and health institutions and occupational insurance organisations, trade unions and employers' organisations, companies, managers, employees and safety representatives.

What can be done?

The ideal situation is to stop using a dangerous substance altogether, or if this is not possible, to substitute the substance for a less dangerous one. The key to minimising the risks of dangerous substances lies in risk assessment and following through the requirements of the various EU directives that cover the use of dangerous substances at work. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the European Week website at http://ew2003.osha.europa.eu. Member States have also produced their own practical guidelines and preventive tools.

Reducing the risks of working with dangerous substances is not just a moral and legal imperative. There is a strong business case as well. More effective controls can lead to improved staff morale and improved productivity by reducing the amount of raw materials used. The most successful businesses usually have the best safety and health performance. Good health is good business.

For more information visit the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work's website at http://osha.europa.eu, or website of the Health & Safety Executive, www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns

Judy Rebbeck writes......

Another one bites the dust ...

Dear all,

From 14th October I will no longer be working at FRS, BRE. After 18 years of continuous service working in the risk management/fire/crime information sector, my post has been made redundant. However I hope to remain in contact with you all, this change will hopefully be the start of new opportunities and new beginnings.

On another positive note, Margaret Fuller and I recently distilled the best of the fire book stock from the remaining LPC library currently held in BRE Scotland. A number of pure gems were found, as well as some very useful textbooks and research reports. These will now be housed in the Fire Service College library - which is officially recognised as a Centre of Excellence .

Judy Rebbeck

Judy's new home email is judy.cr@ntlworld.com. She is organising another e-mail address for the FIG directory

Website Design - comments by members of the Fire Information Group (FIGUK)

This topic was discussed at the meeting and the following will be of interest to Members.

1. When a series of documents is given on a website it is very helpful to have a "master" page which lists all of these on 1 page with individual details for every document of

• the date of last publication,
• the date this document was last updated on the web (if this differs from the above)
• the version number or edition number where relevant

What we all find time-consuming is to have to open the actual documents themselves to confirm the date of publication and/or version details - it is much more useful to see these on the publications lists on the websites).

2. Ideally we'd like a fuller version of the above list of publications with full bibliographical details available alongside the above shorter list as an alternative (this could include ISBN/ISSN if applicable, format, no of pages, authors etc)

3. It is valuable to see on the "master" publications list an indicator as to whether the accompanying document (e.g. as a PDF) is "read only" or "cut and paste".

4. We find it very useful for organisations to include the following on their web architecture:

• A "What's New" on this website page which includes dates new material was added (for an example see www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/whatsnew)
• A separate "What's new in our Publications" page
• A Publications page which brings together all documents from an organisation in one place (chronologically or in series order or in alphabetical order by title or by document number) (for example see the range of alternatives offered in "COIN" - www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/LettersAndCirculars/fs/en?ReadForm) (one FIG member commented that numerical listing are particularly good.)
• A "Contact us" page with address, email address, phone/ fax number etc
• Details of how to contact the web designer by email (or phone)
• A "Links" page to find other, related, organisations

5. It is excellent when a document is presented in a variety of formats (for an example the ODPM document "MPG 2" is presented in alternative Word and PDF formats - see www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/mineralsplanningguidance

6. When long documents are split up into parts, (e.g. to improve the speed of downloading) it is convenient to have a URL from which to access the full document as a whole as well.

7. When organisations publish or recommend documents but they do not actually post those documents on their own websites themselves, we think it is good practice for those organisations to tell the user exactly where copies of those documents can be obtained. (suppliers of hardcopy or CD/DVD etc)

8. It is handy to be informed of changes in documentation that are "in the pipeline" - at best such a list can be attached to the list of all the current documents. Some organisations give pdfs of these review/consultative documents and this is really useful.

9. Where organisations put copies of consultative documents on their sites we'd like the referring web pages to give a final review date and a contact person, rather than having to read through the full document for this information.

10. Some organisations send out automatic emails of publications updates and this is very handy. Where such a service is provided there could be an easy set-up/remove from list web-page (e.g. http://baldwin.butterworths.co.uk/search/content/email_main.asp)

11. We do appreciate organisations that allow "text only" views as well as "full graphics". (Compare www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/275292/?version=1&lang=_e&textonly=on&format=1005 and www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/275292/?lang=_e&version=1)

12. Website designers can make sites more accessible to blind/partially sighted users by making use of technology that allows speech to be added reading out text.

13. It is really very annoying to find that organisations have so constructed their websites that it is impossible to return to a previous search (e.g. a Google search) by left-clicking the "back" button in Internet Explorer. An important example until recently was ClickTSO, www.tso.co.uk/bookshop/bookstore.asp though they now seem to have allowed "back surfing")

14. Website designers may not realise that they can inadvertently cause "spurious" triggering of web spiders if they include some aesthetic devices. The CITB designer has incorporated a place for a photo in the left hand corner and this photo is randomly selected from a group of monochrome photos at regular intervals. Each time this changes the website date changes and automated spiders pointed at that page send out emails about "a change in the website".

General Comments

We wonder about the higher levels of security now being placed on Adobe PDFs of Government documents (for example the recent addition of password protection to PDFs that were previously freely useable). We completely understand why commercial publishers have to do this, but is there the real need for this if it is intended that these documents be fully freely available? For example we've noticed it is becoming impossible to "stitch together" different chapters of a long volume that has been deliberately split up into parts so each part can be separately downloaded - since password protection has been put on each part it is now impossible to recreate one single pdf from the bits.

Most of us, as information specialists, found splitting up websites by topics, each holding different groups of documents, can be very awkward to use for a comprehensive documents search. (e.g. for examples of difficult sites - see the Environment site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/?lang=_e the Historic Scotland site at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk, and also the HSENI site at www.hseni.gov.uk)

Some organisations have an obvious "publications" site but then unfortunately tuck many of their documents away in less obvious places. There are numerous examples - for example the HSE "Bookfinder" site is excellent when it works, but not all HSE publications are listed there. In particular organisations distinguish between "Free" and "Paid-for" publications and have no consolidated list covering both types of publications. We like organisations to have consolidated lists - these make much easier our work of keeping our organisations up to date.

Any further comments send to John Roy, Email: jroy@techindex.co.uk

News from around the World

Flame Retardants 2004 Tackles Legislative Pressures

Looming legislation and the effect on the flame retardants industry should be a major concern if you are a stakeholder in this important field. The 2004 Flame Retardants conference - the major international gathering of all those involved in the flame retardants and plastics industries - will tackle these concerns and much more in a 2-day programme to take place at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London. (27-28th January 2004)

2004 will be the 21st anniversary of the conference organised by the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and Interscience Communications and will feature an impressive line up of experts in plastics and fire. Backed by the Association of Plastics Manufacturers Europe (APME) and the European Flame Retardants Association (EFRA), speakers from both sides of the Atlantic, governmental authorities, research institutes and the major commercial players in the industry will all play a part in assessing the current state of play.

Flame retardants is a fast moving field in terms of the regulatory environment, product development and industry structure, and the conference provides an unrivalled opportunity to get a snapshot of this. Manufacturers are having to push the polymer property boundaries further under mounting pressure from customer and governmental requirements during a time when the world needs flame retardants more than ever before. This strong environmental theme will run throughout the conference addressing the EU's evolving Chemicals Policy and issues raised by waste management directives including Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

The popular Environmental Forum, which made it's debut in 2002, will return providing a strategic forum for debating high level global environmental issues concerning plastics in fire. The conference also maintains its role as a showcase for leading edge technologies, with a focus on product and application developments.

FR2004 will offer opportunities for networking, a conference dinner at the historic Royal College of Surgeons and an accompanying exhibition supported by:

• Akzo Nobel Phosphorus Chemicals
• Budenheim Iberica
• Ciba Speciality Chemicals
• Clariant GmbH
• DSBG
• Fire Testing Technology Ltd
• FM Global
• Great Lakes Chemicals Ltd
• Italmatch Chemicals Spa
• Joseph Storey Ltd
• Luzenac Europe SAS
• Nabeltec GmbH
• Nordmann Rasmann GmbH
• Omya UK
• SP, Fire Technology
• Tin Technology Limited

"This conference has a great tradition of strategic debate. External pressures are running fast and companies need to pause to consider how apparent threats can be turned into opportunities." commented Conference Chairman Steve Grayson of Interscience Communications. "FR2004 will provide the flame retardants and plastics industries, original equipment manufacturers and commentators on the industry with a unique insight in the future of fire safety through the use of flame retardants."

Further details from

(1) All registration and payment enquiries to: The British Plastics Federation, 6 Bath Place, Rivington St, London, EC2A 3JE. Telephone Doreen Greenaway on +44 (0)20 7457 5047 or email conferences@bpf.co.uk or visit the BPF website: www.bpf.co.uk

(2) Conference and Exhibition Enquiries to Conference Secretariat, Interscience Communications, West Yard House, Guildford Grove, Greenwich, London, SE10 8JT, UK. Tel: 020 8692 5050 or email intercomm@dial.pipex.com

Title you must not miss......

Principles of health and safety at work: back to basics

Sometimes the basics of health and safety are forgotten and it is good to remind everyone at work that they have a responsibility to others to work in a safe and healthy way. New workers are starting out on their working life and need to be instructed, new supervisors and managers also need reminding of their duties to help secure a safe and healthy working environment.

As an introduction to health and safety, Principles of Health and Safety at Work: international edition is widely recognised as the authoritative one-stop summary of basic material. Written by acknowledged safety expert Allan St John Holt, Principles has established itself as the standard introductory text for the trainee health and safety practitioner. The publication also provides an excellent reference source for line managers and supervisors who have day-to-day responsibilities for health and safety at work.

For this third international edition, the author provides coverage of key topics and recognises that good health and safety practice is not merely about achieving legal minimum standards, but seeking improvements on a continuous basis.

The book is in four main parts:

• Safety management techniques
• Workplaces and work equipment
• Occupational health and hygiene
• Compliance

The topics covered range from risk assessment, safe systems of work, training, accident investigations, recording and analysis, techniques of inspection, mechanical and manual handling, working at heights, fire, construction safety to occupational health and hygiene - monitoring, noise and vibration, to radiation and ergonomics. Written and presented in an easy-to-use format, the text has been substantially revised and enlarged to 172 pages since the last edition.

It has useful checklists to remind people of what should be checked etc and there are examples to amplify the text. It should be useful to anyone seeking to improve conditions at work, giving a solid foundation for learning, and an introductory guide to understanding complex topics with ease. There is not much on information sources, but readers linking into portals such as OSHWORLD www.oshworld.com will be swiftly led to a wealth of worldwide validated and authoritative sources.

The new edition will be a useful text for the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety( IOSH) 'Managing Safely' course and a recommended primer for the latest National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health ( NEBOSH) International and other Certificate syllabus.

Principles of Health and Safety at Work: International edition
by Allan St John Holt, IOSH, 2003 ISBN 09013 5733 2
is available from Institution of Occupational Health (IOSH), The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 1NN | Tel: +44 (0)116 257 3100 | Fax: +44 (0)116 257 3101 | www.iosh.co.uk

International Certificate

Those wishing to find out more about the International Certificate can see details in a presentation given by Dr Sara Lumley at the ILO Health and Safety Centres' Annual Meeting 2003 see www.sheilapantry.com/cis/cis200306.html or

should contact Dr Stephen Vickers, Chief Executive, National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health ( NEBOSH), Chief Executive, Dominus Way, Meridian Business Park LEICESTER LE19 1QW UK | Tel: +44 (0) 116 263 4717 | Fax: +44 (0) 116 282 3300 | sv@nebosh.org.uk | www.nebosh.org.uk

New Legislation to note

Fireworks Act 2003
2003 ISBN 0105622036
www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030022.htm#aofs

The Management of Health and Safety at Work and Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
2003 No. 2457 7 pages ISBN 0110476654
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20032457.htm
These Regulations may be cited as the Management of Health and Safety at Work and Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force on 27th October 2003.

Rhodia PROBAN® licensees offer new soft handling flame retardant fabrics

Rhodia's Phosphorus and Performance Derivatives (PPD) introduces PROBAN® STi - a flame retardant solution for cotton and cotton rich fabrics that provides both peace of mind and softer handling.

Gerard Lenotte, Market Manager PROBAN®, explains "PROBAN® is an established textile flame retardant used in the manufacture of protective clothing. In the past protective clothing has been limited to outer garments such as coats and overalls. With the new PROBAN STi, fabrics are softer and can be used to manufacture garments like sweatshirts and t shirts. We are very excited about this new range and hope it will broaden our target market beyond protective clothing."

PROBAN® is both a chemical and a quality controlled technical process giving natural fibres flame resistant properties durable to modern day living. Licensees manufacturing PROBAN® treated fabrics undergo strict quality control regulations of which durability to washing is one. As PROBAN® treated fabrics are used to protect a range of users from children's sleepwear to army engineers and racing drivers it is essential PROBAN® provides guaranteed protection.

Rhodia's Phosphorus & Performance Derivatives (PPD) enterprise is a dynamic technology-driven and market focused business serving customers in the agriculture, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, textiles and water treatment markets. By working closely with clients and possessing detailed understanding of their processes, PPD develops new products and provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

Rhodia is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals. Providing a wide range of innovative products and services to the consumer care, food, industrial care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, automotive, electronics and fibers markets, Rhodia offers its customers tailor-made solutions based on the cross-fertilization of technologies, people and expertise. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated net sales of EUR6.6 billion in 2002 and employs 24,500 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.

Contact: Katie Wells | Tel: +44 (0) 1923 485676

Rhodia PROBAN® at A & A - Health and Safety at work exhibition, Dusseldorf, October 27- 30 2003

Rhodia will be presenting their PROBAN® range of textile flame retardants for the protective clothing industry, including NEW PROBAN® Soft Touch. PROBAN® Soft Touch has all the flame retardant properties and quality control guarentees of PROBAN®, but offers superior comfort and can therefore be used on a wider range of garments such as T-shirts and sweat shirts.

Düsseldorf Exhibition Grounds, Halls 1 -9, Entrance: North Stand number 5N24
Contact: Katie Wells | Tel: +44 1923 485676 | mobile 07748 766 863 | Email: katie.wells@eu.rhodia.com

AirSense Technology achieves UL Listing at BRE

AirSense Technology Limited has been awarded the prestigious Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Listing on two aspirating smoke detection systems, the market leading Stratos-HSSD-2 and Stratos-MICRA 25.

AirSense achieved the UL Listing by testing their products at FRS, the fire division of BRE, with help and support from the Security and Signalling Conformity Assessment Services at UL. FRS is the only organisation outside of North America that offers testing services in support of UL Listing of fire detection and fire alarm systems.

Peter Fox, Managing Director at AirSense said, 'Being the first UK manufacturer of aspirating fire detection products to gain UL Listing outside of the USA is an incredible achievement for us. It gives us a major competitive edge over our competitors and marks a major milestone for all parties involved.'

Underwriters Laboratories Inc (UL) is the world's largest conformity assessment organisation. Many products sold in North America and in other parts of the world require UL Certification. For more information: http://www.ul-europe.com

AirSense Technology Ltd is a world leader in the design and manufacture of High Sensitivity Smoke Detection (HSSD) systems. For more information on Stratos-HSSD 2 and Stratos MICRA 25: www.airsense.co.uk

Contact: Pauline Aitchison at FRS: Tel: +44 (0)1923 664973 | Email: aitchisonp@bre.co.uk

Fire Worldwide ......continues to expand .....Free 30 day trial

The September 2003 edition of Fire Worldwide has just been issued and continues to expand bringing new sources of information.

• FIRE Worldwide, published by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd., is available on subscription at a price of £535 for standalone use, and is accessible via Internet or on CD-ROM.
• Fire Worldwide is a premier collection of validated, authoritative information and contains two major collections - the Full Text Collection and the Bibliographic Collection.
• The September 2003 contained a further large batch of Dear Chief Fire Officer Letters and Fire Service Circulars, plus of course other new items.

To take a free 30-day trial of Fire Worldwide - either via the Internet or on CD-ROM, please contact :

Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | email: sp@sheilapantry.com | web: www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com

Diary of Events

4-5 November 2003 - EUROSHE 2003: European Occupational Safety, Health and the Environment 2003 Conference (MAJOR EVENT) Aiming for a Healthier and Safer European Workscene, will be held at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London, UK

This conference, organised by Angel Business Communications Ltd and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd looks at the major themes of the European Commission's Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community Strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006. Eminent speakers with backgrounds in government, industry, research and education will discuss future ways of working and training, the need for risk assessment for all aspects of everyday and work life, corporate killing, fire safety, managing road risks, fitness for work. Speakers will also cover researching for tomorrow's workplace, enabling the disabled in the workplace and the roles of the social partners in securing a healthier and safer workplace.

Dennis Davis OBE OStJ QFSM CEng CIMgt FIFireE(Life) MInstE
Dennis Davis is currently HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland. He was appointed to his present position in May 1999. He is the First Delegate of the United Kingdom to the Comité Technique International de Prévention et d'Extinction du Feu (CTIF) and currently chairs the European Union Sub-Commission of the CTIF. It is in this capacity he will speak on "Getting Fire Safety onto the European Agenda"

Contact: Mary Meadows, Angel Business Communications Ltd, 34 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1HE, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1926 512 424 | Fax: +44(0)1926 512 948 | Email: mary@angelbc.co.uk

Minutes of the FIGUK meeting 10 September 2003, held at Burgoynes Ltd

Attendees:

• Monique Barden - LFEPA
• Sue Harris - Consultant
• Sally Walsh - Burgoynes
• Nigel Herring - Stanger
• Amanda Collicutt - FSC
• Norman Simmons - Fire Information Bureau
• Sheila Pantry - Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd
• Liz Riley - RB Hawkins
• Judy Rebbeck - BRE
• Penny Morgan - Consultant
• John Roy - Technical Indexes

Apologies - Ian Jerome - FPA

The minutes of the previous meeting on 20 March 2003 were accepted as a true record.

1. Matters arising - InFIRE. Margaret Fuller seems to be the only FIG member who has regular contact with InFIRE. FIG members are wondering what the criteria is to be a member - are the requirements still as strict? It was decided to ask Margaret Fuller to asked them first and pass the information back to FIG members. Amanda reminded us that the 2004 conference is in Australia.
ACTION - Margaret Fuller to ask InFIRE how FIG members can keep in touch/become members?

2. Accounts. The Accounts were accepted as accurate. It was decided that as of January 2004, a membership fee of £10.00 will be requested from existing members. This is because the funds are getting low. Members will have three months to pay according to the constitution.

3. Treasurers Role. Pam Evans is retiring in February, Monique Barden has accepted the treasurer post for the following year. We questioned who was paying the Data Protection Act fee of £35.00 for FIG and believed that LFEPA's DPA fee included that of FIG, so presumably this is still so if Monique takes over from Judy Seaborne/Pam Evans.

4. FIG membership directory and website - the hardcopy is being compiled, but meanwhile the contacts database is being checked for changes/amendments. Sheila reminded us to use the FIG website regularly. It was decided that a press release would be sent out to fire journals to remind them about FIG and encourage new members.
Action - Sheila to send out a press release to fire journals reminding them about FIGUK

5. Fire statistics working group - This is a special group of the Fire Safety Advisory Board. Sheila has written a paper on the crisis regarding fire information resources. Glyn Evans Chairman of the Fire Statistics user group took this paper to the board and they have acknowledged that there is a problem and have included it as an agenda item. Following the recommendations of the Bain Report, in particular the requirement for risk assessment procedures, this may have important implications for fire information. The FSUG needs a web site, a prototype will be launched in October.

6. Fire Worldwide update - The last 10 years of DCOLs and Fire Service Circulars are now on, apart from the pension circulars. Sheila is looking for validated data especially from the newly set-up Government structures.

7. EurOhse 2003 Conference 4-5 Nov 2003, Royal National Hotel, UK. Sheila circulated a brochure on this.

8. Post Bain Report - Fire Service College Library has been recommended as a Centre of Excellence. The draft document will be circulated to FIG members soon. The library and information research centre will come under the communications directorate and will cover issues such as the Internet and Intranet.

9. ODPM family of web sites - John Roy's job is to update the Technical Indexes web site and tends to use spiders. However the new look ODPM web site does not list dates, although they will be put back on. Other problems include more split documents and more passwords needed for downloading full documents rather than chapters.

We discussed what we could do generally about the bibliographic content of web sites. It was decided that John Roy would write up the notes, put them on the FIG web site, asks members to add comments. The final document would then be sent to SCOOP. Susan Harris said that the Construction Industry Information Group (CIIG) would also be interested. Other contacts on this problem would be CILIP, FreePint, and Managing Information Journal.
ACTION - John Roy to initiate dialogue about the bibliographic content of Web sites.

10. Future of Fire Libraries - we discussed the implications for the future of fire information.

11. Lack of interest in information skills - Discussion centred around low paid workers in the third world displacing skilled professionals. However now that risk assessments on the country of origin are needed for regulatory purposes, this may put a different perspective on the situation. We discussed what we could do - and thought about writing an article called 'its all on the web'. It was thought that the coming of the web was a double-edged sword for the information professional - it was suggested that we seek out an article by Graham Beaston of Soutron about the impact of the World Wide Web on the Library and Information Service.
Other related issues that were mentioned were that CILIP is discussing whether to make CPD a necessary requisite for maintaining membership. Our information skills may need updating from time to time but it is a costly exercise. Also that Marion Barnes has undertaken an MSc about fire resources in the UK.
Action - Amanda is to find out more about the MSc thesis for FIGUK Members

Amanda has now sent the following:

Marion Barnes's Masters dissertation reference is:

Barnes, M. (2003) Burning the books: Library and information services within the British fire services. Birmingham, University of Central England in Birmingham.

I quote the abstract below and there are recommendations which are closely aligned to the interests of FIG UK and your campaign/agenda with the UK Statistics User Group.

This research focussed on libraries within the fire services in Great Britain, and the place and role of the Fire Service College Library in the overall structure. By their nature these library and information services are disparate, operating and often surviving in separate and very different local and central government organisations. Collaboration and cooperation is limited, as these libraries work in isolation from each, and often from their own organisation. Little is known about them, even to the extent of whether they exist or not. This research identifies where, and to a lesser extent what exists.

"The research period encompassed ongoing economic and cultural uncertainties, industrial action by firefighters and fundamental changes to core training and development. In this context the history and development of fire information and library services were studied. The identification of library and information centres within the fire services of England, Scotland and Wales, resulted in a listing of current brigade libraries. The final recommendations suggest a way forward for fire service libraries in light of the Bain Report on modernization and the implementation of the Integrated Personal Development System."

Regards
Amanda Collicutt

Round Table discussion

Monique Barden - Currently acting as Knowledge Manager at LFEPA, putting together a position paper and therefore needs example of KM in the public sector. Wants to put more services online and install new databases. Focussing on online provision to brigades, rebranding and promotional work.

Sue Harris - Confirmed that there is a gap in affordable KM solutions for the smaller business. Sue is also collating photographic images to put on the Hazardview website. (Hazardview.com)

Nigel Herring - Has no library so can sympathise with our concerns.

John Roy - Working on OHSIS; TI has a new search engine.

Amanda Collicutt - The FSC catalogue is now online via FSC web page, the college is now a Centre of Excellence.

Norman Simmonds - The White Paper has resulted in the disappearance of the Inspectorate, he is waiting to hear what the new structure will be.

Sheila Pantry - CILIP has just published a joint publication by Sheila and Peter Griffiths - second edition of your essential guide to career success. A sample of the chapter is available on the Sheila Pantry web site. www.sheilapantry.com/books
Sheila is giving a talk in Prague soon on branding of information services.

Liz Riley - not much to report. RB Hawkins has just opened an office in Birmingham.

Judy Rebbeck - continuing to work in the Crime Risk Management Unit of FRS.

Penny Morgan - Successfully working part-time for IFC - a fire consultancy.

Forthcoming FIGUK dates

Wednesday, 3rd December Christmas Lunch

Wednesday, 17th March 2004, next meeting at Burgoynes.