[Algorithms for the evaluation of chemical risk: the Piedmont Region's experience]. / Gli algoritmi per la valutazione del rischio chimico: l'esperienza della Regione Piemonte.

The programme InfoRisk, proposed by the Piedmont Region in 2002, has been an important reference point for the evaluation of chemical risk, both for companies and the regional prevention system alike. Nowadays, it is still considered necessary to take advantage of simple methods for the evaluation of this risk. However, the Piedmontese model requires some modification so as to keep it in line with the national and international rules and regulations governing the question and to find some solutions to problems that have arisen in its practical application. Most of these problems are tied to the use of the section of the evaluation technique, which is base on the estimate and not on the measurement of the exposure. Indeed, it has been confirmed in some cases that it is not possible to discard a more accurate evaluation which is not only able to make a correct application of the scientific evidence available in a correct manner, but also one that is supported by environmental monitoring campaigns. The main modifications proposed to the model are herein presented. The Work Group has endeavoured to maintain, whenever possible, the previous logic processes of the algorithm, so as to conserve its "user friendly" aspects and clarity that have so often been reported and appreciated by the operators who applied it.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of occupational safety and health inspections of construction sites in the Piedmont region from 2001 to 2005]. / La valutazione di efficacia delle attività di vigilanza in regione Piemonte: i progetti "sicurezza nei cantieri edili" anni 2001-2005 e "prevenzione per le grandi opere" (la valutazione di efficacia delle attività di vigilanza).

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of safety inspections in the construction industry in Piedmont in terms of exposure to risk and injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the surveillance activities carried out in Piedmont between 2001 and 2005: to this purpose, we used a logical framework and we identified indicators to evaluate the process and its impact on exposure and injuries. PROCESS: fixed standards involving the number of safety inspections and the type of constructions under control were respected; there was always sufficient diversity among the public works under control, although local health units used different working methods. Impact on exposure and injuries: injury rates in the construction industry in Piedmont showed a decreasing trend and systematically lower values compared to national rates. Injury rates in the "roads and railways" sector showed an increasing trend owing to the great number of public works under construction. In this case, the effect of preventive measures seems less noticeable, but this mainly depends on methodological limits, such as mismatch between numerator and denominator, difficulties in estimating the number of workers actually present on the sites, underreporting of minor events. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of a retrospective analysis, the Piedmont safety inspection programme for the construction industry showed coherence with the objectives and had a positive impact on injury rates.