Control Banding: Bridging the gap between occupational physicians and occupational hygienists for an integrated risk management

Introduction
Occupational hazards are omnipresent at workplaces all over the world with a significant impact on workers´ safety and health. ILO estimated that in 2005 nearly 2.3 million people have died as a result of occupational risks. Even in industrialised countries significant gaps in compliance with OSH regulations can be still observed, especially in small and medium enterprises (SME). The global development strategy 2010 - 2015 of the International Technical Group (ITG) "Control Banding" of WHO and ILO supports solutions, that will help to bridge the gap between occupational physicians and occupational hygienists, to integrate their occupational health roles and to strengthen prevention.

Methods
Control banding (CB) offers tools for risk assessment, which can be applied without specific expert knowledge. With easy available information an appropriate control strategy for a working situation or task can be selected. Two-page Control Guidance Sheets (CGS) describe adequate control measures. Starting with booklets and files for internet download 10 years ago, the second generation of CB tools offers practical gadgets, like the EMKG pocket disk, and mobile applications for direct use at workplaces. More and more Control Banding becomes part of training units and tertiary education for OSH professionals.

Results
Gadgets and mobile applications can help to make risk assessment and management more transparent for all "players" in occupational safety and health. This also covers the necessary communication of occupational physicians and occupational hygienists to integrate generic and individual needs into well balanced and accepted solutions to prevent workers´ safety and health.

Discussion
Control Banding tools can help to strengthen an interdisciplinary approach in OSH practice. They offer crystallized expert knowledge on specific risk factors for being applied by non-experts. In future risk management toolboxes that cover relevant risk factors at work, will hopefully further reduce risks from work and strengthen prevention.