The Internet and OHS. Part 3: networking the global OHS community

Abstract

OHS practitioners and organisations using computer mediated communication and the Internet are forming a virtual OHS community on a global scale. The tools and resources of the Internet are increasingly being applied to enhance professional communication and facilitate information exchange in digital format. A worldwide virtual OHS community will assist practitioners in developing countries and overcome some of the geographical and time barriers experienced by those in Australia and New Zealand. Although the local membership of the virtual community is currently relatively small, there is considerable scope for development of communication mechanisms, including the provision of OHS specific mailing lists, chat channels and interactive web resources. Initiatives in this area will need to have clearly defined objectives, but at the same time be flexible to accommodate advances in technology.