A Challenging Life: 60 Years in Occupational Health

This is a unique personal account of Richard Schilling's distinguished role in the evolution of occupational medicine. Over six decades he witnessed its transformation from industrial medicine into a respected discipline concerned with the healthe and safety of everyone at work. He has also seen the advantages of health care at work swept aside by market forces in the 1980's and as the century draws to a close Schilling issues a challenge specifically to British government, management and trade unions, but his challenge is equally applicable to societies around the world. In 1956, Schilling was appointed Director of a new Unit of Occupational Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and in the following years he built it up to become an institute of international standing. He remained in the forefront of occupational health, often being called upon as an expert witness in cases of workers' compenstation until his death in September 1997. This volume which includes everything from factory inspections to the dangers of deep sea fishing, is inspiration to everyone in preventative medicine.