IOM Evolution
Founded in the 1960s to study the health of mineworkers, the IOM carried out landmark research into the health effects of coal mine dust, paving the way for the setting of workplace exposure standards across the globe, and establishing new standards for the conduct of workplace epidemiological studies. In the years that followed, the IOM extended its research efforts to the study of other dusts and fibres, notably quartz, asbestos and man-made mineral fibres.
Today's IOM provides a range of health and safety solutions encompassing many diseases and risk factors, and drawing upon the expertise of our medical, scientific and technical staff across three streams of work: Research, Consulting and Services.
Explore the diagram and click on the numbers, or the links in the list below to find out more information.
- Paper in Nature on coalworkers' pneumoconiosis (1970)
- Walton Beckett graticule invented (1977)
- IOM inhalable dust sampler invented (1978)
- Landmark IOM paper produced on silicosis (1981)
- IOM awarded the Sir Frederick Bartlett Medal for Ergonomics (1983)
- IOM Research report on lifting aids used in hospitals (1996)
- Thomas Bedford award for IOM paper on fibres (1999)
- IOM publish important paper on ill-health from pesticides (2001)
- IOM ceramic fibre epidemiology study completed (2001)
- IOM wet-work sampler invented (2005)
- New nanotechnology research collaboration formed (2005)