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International gong for occupational health and safety expert

Tuesday 6 May 2008

A Professor of Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Newcastle has been honoured for his extensive body of research by the World Safety Organization (WSO) - his second international award in as many years.

Professor Derek Smith, from the School of Health Sciences, has been awarded the WSO Award for Achievement in Scientific Research and Development.

This annual award is presented to an individual or group that has made significant and internationally relevant contributions towards improving safety through research and development.

In 2007, Professor Smith was named Environmental/Occupational Safety Person of the Year by the World Safety Organization for his international contribution to research in these fields.

Although Professor Smith's Australian research has encompassed many topics, some of his most recent work has highlighted the need for policy and programs to focus more on the workplace and the occupational factors that potentially contribute to smoking.

His other research has focused on public health and tropical medical science, and the need for greater collaboration with occupational health.

Professor Smith is a recent appointee at the University and is Director of the WorkCover NSW Research Centre of Excellence, based at the University of Newcastle's Central Coast campus.

He has previously worked for Japan's National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Institute of Industrial Health. He has also been based at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.