WHO WE ARE
About ICOH
The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) is an international non-governmental professional society whose aims are to foster the scientific progress, knowledge and development of occupational health and safety in all its aspects. It was founded in 1906 in Milan as the Permanent Commission on Occupational Health. Today, ICOH is the world's leading international scientific society in the field of occupational health with a membership of 2,000 professionals from 105 countries.
The WDPI Scientific Committee
The ICOH Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Integration (WDPI) was established in 2006. The primary function of the SC has been to host and organize a biennial international conference focusing on the scientific study and practice of work disability prevention. Conferences have been held in Angers, France (September, 2010), Groningen, The Netherlands (October, 2012), Toronto, Canada (October, 2014), Amsterdam, The Netherlands (September, 2016), Odense, Denmark (June, 2019) and Bengalaru, India (September, 2023).
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Objectives of the Scientific Committee
The scientific committee has established four objectives:
To be a forum for scientific and professional knowledge exchange in the field of work disability prevention and integration, addressing issues in both developed as well as developing countries.
To address work disability prevention and management that impact labour market entry, work re-entry, work retention, and career advancement.
To promote scientific and professional advancement of optimal methods to promote work participation and work ability of workers with a range of health conditions and work situations.
To highlight the complexity of stay-at-work and return-to-work through a transdisciplinary and evidence-based perspective, in particular: individual, workplace, and other determining factors, effective prevention and rehabilitation practices, personal, social, legal, and cultural aspects.
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Chair and Secretary
The president and secretary are the official office bearers of the Scientific Committee, appointed by an election process every 3 years, co-inciding with the global ICOH Congress.
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Executive Committee
In April 2017 an Executive Committee was established that aims to enhance engagement of the SC with the work disability community, and to provide consultation and guidance to the Chair and Secretary of the SC on an as-needed basis.
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Early/Mid Career Working Group
In November 2022 a working group comprised of early and mid career (EMCR) WDPI researchers was estalibhed that aims to support the career development of EMCR researchers and foster collaboration and engagement across nations, research centres, disciplines and sectors.