NWCOHS

Casino Women

2012-01-26T14:32:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jill Jones, University of Nevada School of Social Work Emeritus Professor, visited Seattle in January 2012 to discuss her new book, Casino Women: Courage in Unexpected Places, co-authored with colleague Dr. Susan Chandler. With many references to health and safety conditions, the book presents research and provides insight on the work environment of female workers in the casino and hospitality industry in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. Dr. Jones spoke at University Book Store and gave a lecture at the Department of Environmental and Occuaptional Health Sciences Environmental Health Seminar.

Guest Post | Asbestos Exposure and Occupational Safety

2011-12-12T14:24:00.001-08:00

The naturally occurring mineral, asbestos, has been used as a manufacturing material for its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. Asbestos has been incorporated into an estimated 5,000 types of products. Occupations that have a strong history of using asbestos-containing products include those in shipyards, power plants, chemical plants, construction, manufacturing and automotive industries. According to the World Health Organization, at least 200,000 people die from cancer related to the work place and about 125 million are exposed to asbestos at work.

Due to the widespread use of asbestos, most workers within these industries may have been exposed to the toxic mineral at some point during their employment. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. While there are no immediate health effects after experiencing asbestos exposure, symptoms of these conditions can arise between 10 and 50 years from the time of someone’s initial exposure to asbestos. Recently, it has been found that being exposed later in life reduces the chances of developing mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the organs. The three main forms of mesothelioma affect the pleural lining of the lungs, the peritoneal lining of the stomach, and the pericardial lining of the heart.

There are very few treatment options for these conditions and early detection may offer patients a greater chance of survival. Since asbestos-related conditions are typically diagnosed during the later stages of development, prognosis is often poor. The average mesothelioma life expectancy ranges between 4 and 18 months following diagnosis.

If you suspect asbestos is present, treat the material in question as if it was asbestos and notify your supervisor. The only way to know if asbestos is present is by taking an air sample at your home or workplace. The air sample needs to be analyzed by a professional using polarized light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy.

Ben Leer is an outreach coordinator with the Mesothelioma Center. He has worked toward the education and awareness of mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases since 2009. The Mesothelioma Center is dedicated to provide the most up-to-date information regarding mesothelioma and asbestos.

Pesticide Exposures in the Yakima Valley

2011-11-07T10:46:00.000-08:00

Armstrong setting up passive air samplers
Originally posted on UW SPHA blog. Yakima Valley, Washington is one of the most productive and diverse agricultural regions in the country. Tree fruits and vegetables are have been stable crops, but unfortunately, the application of numerous toxic organophosphate pesticides (OPs) has become a common way to combat regional pests like the coddling moth. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected this area as one of ten Environmental Justice Showcase Communities due to multiple environmental health concerns of contaminated drinking water and air. Over the course of the last few years, my own research has been to identify cheap and safe air sampling methods for quantifying residential exposures to aid rural community-based health projects.

Scientists argue that the amount of OP pesticide use cannot go unnoticed because of the numerous health effects resulting from exposures. Data on residential exposures are important to look as associations with long-term health outcomes such as asthma, cancer and neurological disorders. Young children, genetically susceptible individuals, and farm workers and their families in the region may be particularly vulnerable– even if they are not involved in farm activities. They can be exposed to pesticides in outdoor and indoor environments if pesticides drift from nearby fields or family members bring home contaminated work clothing or materials.

During my field work experience, I had the chance to speak with many local residents who rely heavily on agricultural and food manufacturing industries to support jobs and sustain local livelihoods. Farmworkers often dream of transitioning to higher ranks and purchasing their own farmland, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation have been cultivating and leasing farmland for generations. In fact, the role of a pesticide applicator is usually one of the highest paid jobs on the farm.

Our research team recognized it was difficult to collect good air quality data in rural and remote areas. There are unstable electricity sources, variable housing quality, free-ranging farm animals and pets, and in homes with high residential density. Some farmworker families are surrounded by the constant anxieties of legal/non-legal status. They have busy lives with large families to support. It is important to develop new air quality measurement methods that are easy to deploy, inexpensive, and inconspicuous. Our prototype air samplers are not that glamorous– they don’t use electricity or high-tech equipment. These are called “passive air sampling” techniques.

It is our top priority to explain to local farmworkers and their families about their air quality and informing them of simple steps to improve what they are breathing indoors and outdoors. The use of passive air sampling techniques is a great way to cut costs and invasiveness for future air monitoring projects. With time and patience, we can only hope that better data on air quality will be well connected to health outcomes, especially in rural areas.

About Jenna Armstrong: I have always had a strong interest on the environmental health impacts of agriculture. Currently my research involves designing air monitoring projects to examine rural air quality, including: pesticide use and drift, agricultural occupational health and safety issues, bio-aerosols, and combustion byproducts. Outside school, I love to run– just qualified for my first Boston Marathon next year.

2011 NOHC Student Research Forum Winners

2011-10-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

(Pictured Above from left to right: Marie-Anne Sanon, Janessa Graves, Allison Crollard, Caitlin Demsky)
NWCOHS is pleased to announce the 2011 NOHC Student Research Forum Winners!

Premier Award
Graves, Janessa M. University of Washington
Co-authors: Fulton-Kehoe, D., Jarvik, J. G., Franklin, GM. "Washington
State workers with low back pain: one-year health and disability outcomes associated with early imaging".

Honorable Mentions
Sanon, Marie Anne. University of Washington
Co-author: de Castro, A. B.
"Nurses take home exposure: what can their scrubs tell us to help prevent the spread of infection into communities?"

Crollard, Allison. University of Washington
Co-authors: de Castro, A. B., and Tang, J.
"Occupational downgrading among immigrant workers"

Travel Award
Demsky, Caitlin. Portland State University
Co-authors: Ellis, A., and Fritz, C.
"The big five as moderators of the relationship between work-family
conflict and life satisfaction"

About the NOHC Student Research Forum
The Northwest Occupational Health Conference (NOHC) is held yearly in the fall by the Industrial Hygiene (IH), Occupational Medicine (OM), and Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) communities. An event organized by PNSAIHA, the NOHC is among the largest and most successful regional multidisciplinary conferences, attracting 250-300 attendees from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia.

Each Year, the Northwest Center for Occupational Health & Safety (NWCOHS), in collaboration with the NOHC, hosts a 'Student Research Forum' open to graduate students and recent alumni of the northwest regional institutions and within the professional categories of IH, OM, OHN, OS and other related disciplines such as epidemiology, engineering, occupational health psychology, policy, and management. Graduate students and recent alumni are invited to submit research papers for presentation at the conference. Three exceptional papers are chosen to receive an award and scholarship to attend and present their work at the conference. All submissions are judged by a panel of OH&S professionals.

Record UW turnout at 2011 NOHC Conference

2011-10-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Pictured above: Back row from left to right - Janessa Graves (OHSRT), Marie-Anne Sanon (OHN), Vanessa Galavez (IH/ES), Lindsey Banks (IH/ES), Molly Halverson (IH/ES), Andrew Forbes (IH/ES), Steve Jeka (IH/ES). Front Row - Lea Duffin (IH/ES), Allison Crollard (OHN), Abigail Sutphen (IH/ES).
The University of Washington had a record turnout at the annual Northwest Occupational Health Conference (NOHC). The 2011 NOHC was held in Pasco, WA and along with award-winning papers being presented, current and former UW ERC trainees took part in many of the sessions and activities.

Secretary Solis Comments on Decline in 2010 Workplace Injuries and Illness

2011-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis recently released comments on the decline in workplace injuries and illnesses in 2010. As reported in the 2010 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers declined in 2010 to a rate of 3.5 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, down from a total case rate of 3.6 in 2009. Nearly 3.1 million injuries and illnesses were reported among private sector industry employers in 2010, down from 3.3 million reported in 2009.

Solis stated,

"We are encouraged by the reported decline in incidence rates for workplace injuries and illnesses, which is reflective of the joint effort of government, business, unions and other organizations. Nevertheless, 3.1 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace is too high. Serious injuries and illnesses can knock a working family out of the middle class. Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a paycheck.

We remain concerned that more workers are injured in the health care and social assistance industry sector than in any other, including construction and manufacturing, and this group of workers had one of the highest rates of injuries and illness at 5.2 cases for every 100 workers. The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will continue to work with employers, workers and unions in this industry to reduce these risks.

Illness and injury rates for public sector workers also continue to be alarmingly high at 5.7 cases for every 100 workers, which is more than 60 percent higher than the private sector rate. We must continue to work with state and local governments to ensure the safety of our public employees.

A report like this also highlights the importance of accurate record keeping. Employers must know what injuries and illnesses are occurring in their workplaces in order to identify and correct systemic issues that put their workers at risk. We are concerned with poor record-keeping practices and programs that discourage workers from reporting injuries and illnesses. That’s why OSHA is working hard to ensure the completeness and accuracy of these data, which are compiled by the nation’s employers.

As our economy continues to rebound and grow, we must ensure that safety and health are a part of that growth. Let’s all remember that no job is a good job unless it is also a safe job.”

NIOSH Releases OHS Workforce Assessment

2011-10-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) recenty commissioned a National Survey of the Occupational Safety and Health Workforce to respond to growing concern and debate over the supply and demand for occupational safety and health professionals in the United States. The final assessment, released in October 2011, found that based on current trends, future national demand for occupational safety and health services will significantly outstrip the number of professionals with the necessary training, education, and experience to provide such services. The full report provides the findings of the assessment in detail, and discusses the methodology and process used in the assessment. Refer to the Executive Summary section of the Westat report for key findings.

Through university-based Education and Research Centers (ERCs), like the NWCOHS, NIOSH supports the development of occupational safety and health professionals. ERCs offer academic degree programs short-term continuing education (CE) programs for occupational safety and health professionals and research training opportunities in the core areas of industrial hygiene, occupational health nursing, occupational medicine, and occupational safety, plus specialized areas relevant to the occupational safety and health field. For more information on ERCs, go to http://www.niosh-erc.org.

NIOSH has plans to continue to work with partners and stakeholders to identify and pursue ways to meet this critical training need in occupational safety and health for the 21st Century. The need for an adequate supply of trained professionals is particularly great as we anticipate that growing numbers of older professionals will retire over the next decade. As new technologies continue to enter the workplace, occupational safety and health professionals will require specialized skills and knowledge to meet the OSH needs of workers in new work environments. In addition to providing the survey instruments on this webpage, NIOSH plans to make this unique database publically available, to help guide action and policy development in occupational safety and health.

Related Stories

10.24.11. Montgomery, D. Looking for a Career: How about industrial hygiene?. CROET Blog.

10.25.11. MAPS ERC. Universities in Colorado Work to Address Projected Significant Shortfalls of Occupational Health and Safety Professionals. CSU News & Information Website.

2011 OEM Grand Rounds Series Opener

2011-09-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

"OSHA at 40"

Presented by: Dr. Rosemary K. Sokas, MD, MOH, Director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor.

Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011
Time: 6:00pm Networking | 6:45p Dinner | 7:30p Lecture
Location: University of Washington Club
Cost: $50 dinner & lecture | $25 lecture only

REGISTER HERE

***Save now by purchasing the entire series in advance for only $125 - discount available until October 6, 2011!

2011 NOHC Student Forum

2011-08-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

INVITATION TO SUBMIT
REGIONAL INTERDISCIPLINARY - STUDENT RESEARCH FORUM
THE 2011 NORTHWEST OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Pasco, WA – October 19-21, 2011

The Northwest Occupational Health Conference (NOHC) is held yearly in the fall by the Industrial Hygiene (IH), Occupational Medicine (OM), and Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) communities. NOHC is among the largest and most successful regional multidisciplinary conferences, attracting 250-300 attendees from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia.

The Northwest Center for Occupational Health & Safety (NWCOHS), in collaboration with the NOHC, will host a “Student Research/Scholarly Project Forum” open to graduate students and recent alumni of the northwest regional institutions and within the professional categories of IH, OM, OHN, OS and other related disciplines such as epidemiology, engineering, occupational health psychology, policy, health physics, and management. Graduate students and recent alumni are invited to submit research papers for presentation at the conference. Three exceptional papers will be chosen to receive an award and scholarship to attend and present their work at the conference. All submissions will be judged by a panel of OH&S professionals.

Awards and Scholarships

A premier award of $500 will be given for the overall best paper

Two $250 awards will be given for papers receiving honorable mentions

Plus! Awardees will be reimbursed for conference costs up to $500 (registration, hotel, food, etc.)

To be eligible for the Student Research/Scholarly Project Forum, you must be:

a current student, or

submit a paper based on work done as a student within two years of completion

able to present your paper at the conference

To apply, submit your paper by September 23, 2011 and include:

A minimum of two authors: you as the author & your research mentor

The title of the research paper

A 250 word abstract

Submit your materials via email to:
Sean Schmidt - sgs1(at)uw.edu

Questions? Call 206-543-2837

KUOW's 'Danger at Work' series

2011-07-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Seattle's KUOW is launching a five-part investigation of workplace safety in Washington state. Titled "Danger at Work", the series explores the causes and consequences of unsafe working conditions in the region and found that safety laws are poorly enforced, leaving many workers exposed to unsafe, even violent, workplaces. "Danger at Work" was reported, produced and photographed by John Ryan and edited by Jim Gates.

CROET Symposium: Innovative Communications & Messaging - June 3rd

2011-05-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Friday, June 3, 2011 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
NECA/IBEW Training Center
16021 N.E. Airport Way, Portland, Oregon

Symposium Description

This symposium offered by CROET will examine effective innovations in training, messaging and education within occupational safety, health and wellness. Topics will relate to innovations within traditional face-to-face training, as well as the strengths and challenges of social media and the internet to share and track the effectiveness of our messages.

Agenda

* 8:00 - 8:30 Registration & Refreshments

* 8:30 - 8:40 Welcome
Ryan Olson, Ph.D., Assistant Scientist, CROET, OHSU

* 8:40 - 9:30 Relative Effectiveness of Training Methods: Comparative Results from Meta-analyses of the Workplace Safety Training Literature
Rommel Salvador, Ph.D., Milgard School of Business, University of Washington at Tacoma

* 9:30 - 9:45 Break

* 9:45 - 10:45 Building our Community of Practice: Is My Space Really our Space?
Max Lum, Ed.D., M.P.A., Consultant Communication and Reseach Translation, Office of the Director, NIOSH-CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

* 10:45 -11:30 Safety Communications and Mobile Devices
Dr. Ryan Olson, CROET, OHSU

* 11:30 -12:15 Lunch (provided)

* 12:15- 1:00 Science Messaging in the Internet Era: A Case Study
Dede Montgomery, MS, CIH, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, CROET, OHSU; Melanie Mesaros, Public Information Officer, Oregon OSHA

* 1:00 - 1:45 Diffusion of Occupational Safety and Health Innovations
James Dearing, Ph.D., Institute for Health Research, Co-Director, Center for Health Dissemination and Implementation Research, Director, CRN Cancer Communication Research Center, Denver, CO

* 1:45 - 2:00 Break

* 2:00 - 3:00 Case Studies

o Successes with Twitter
Lise Harwin, Communications Director, American Red Cross - Oregon Trail Chapter
o Challenges, Rewards and Messages in Training Construction Pre-Apprentices
Steve Hecker, Senior Lecturer, Director of Continuing Education, University of Washington
o Communication within a Construction Firm: A collaboration between Colorado State University and Temp-Control Mechanical
Tony Barsotti, Corporate Safety Professional, Temp-Control Mechanical

* 3:00 - 3:30 Panel Q and A's and Summary
All speakers

Registration and Fees:

Fee includes refreshments, lunch and parking.

$60 by June 2, 2011 ($75 the day of the symposium)

$30 reduced registrations for Oregon government agencies (city/county/state), educational institutions, labor unions, companies with fewer than 25 employees, non-profit organizations and students.

$20 for live webinar only

Continuing Education

This symposium has been approved by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) for 0.5 point per 0.5 day, 1.0 Industrial Hygiene points. It has also been approved for continuing education points by the Oregon State Association of Occupational Health Nurses for occupational health nurses.

Webinar & Live Audience Polling

CROET intends to again provide this symposium as a webinar. They will provide details by email to those registering for this option or contact you may contact them directly.

CROET also intends to utilize live polling during the event for live attendees using Turning Point technology and software. This will allow polling through i-pods and some telephones. We will provide more details on this to those who register for the event.

brochure available here.

Online Registration now available here.

Holding Mother Earth Sacred Exhibit coming to Pacific Northwest

2011-04-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

Image: Red Willow oil and gas company employees learn how to change out a filter on a natural gas pump. Photo copyright 2010: Earl Dotter

In partnership with the Mountains and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC), the NWCOHS is pleased to help bring a very special exhibit to the Pacific Northwest, "Holding Mother Earth Sacred". The exhibit features the images of photojournalist Earl Dotter and the research of Cindy Becnel on the work of four Tribal communities in the US and Canada to advance energy resource development, job creation, and worker safety within their communities. The Tribal communities include the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in southwest Colorado, the Dine' (Navajo) communities in Arizona and New Mexico, the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, and the Wings of Change project in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Permanent Link to this post: http://tinyurl.com/holdingmotherearthsacred

Exhibit Dates

The exhibit will travel to several venues throughout the Northwest, a list of confirmed events is below:

April 8, 9, 10 - UW Spring Pow Wow, Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Ed Pavillion
April 11-16 - Duwamish Tribe Longhouse
April 20 - May 1 - NW Indian College
May 16-27 - UW Bothell - Center for University Studies & Programs
June 15 - August 15 - Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library and Research Center

Additional Information & Resources

October 2010 "Synergist", American Industrial Hygiene Assocation (AIHA)

First Nations at UW Spring Pow Wow
There was a great turnout and a lot of interest in the exhibit at the 40th Annual First Nations at UW Spring Pow Wow. Special thanks to First Nations at UW members Helen Fillmore, Autumn Thomas, Brittany Berrett for their help in preparing for the exhibit. Thanks to Ken Scott, Jessica Witenstein-Weaver, Steve Hecker, Susan Inman, and Chrissie Chang for set up and to Ken Scott, Steve Hecker, Rory Murphy, Janice Camp, and Paul Anderson for helping with break down.

Duwamish Longhouse
The exhibit at the Duwamish Longhouse coincided with their annual Earth Day celebrations that included the dedication of a new Canoe launch site near the Longhouse and a day of storytelling. Read more about the weekends events at the West Seattle Herald and the West Seattle Blog. Many thanks to Linda Dombrowski, Ken Scott, and Paul Anderson for assistance with setup and to Paul Anderson, Susan Hurst, and Michelle May for breakdown.

Northwest Indian College
The exhibit at Northwest Indian College also coincided with NWIC's Earth Day celebrations. Among many other activities scheduled for Earth week, Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation and a Chief of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Haudenosaunee or "People of the Long House, presented a special lecture "Indigenous Views on Climate Change: Business as Usual is Over." The Holding Mother Earth Sacred exhibit can be seen in the background of the lower left image. Many thanks to Meghan McCormick, Ane Berrett, Trisha Lane, Eric Lewis, Jessica Ortez, and Charlotte Penn for assistance with the exhibit setup and take down.

UW Bothell
The exhibit was installed at the UW Bothell - Center for University Studies in conjunction with the UW Bothell Master of Arts in Policy Studies and Master of Arts in Cultural Studies. Thank you to Brittany Allyn, Annie Brelsford, Deanna Kennedy, Lukia Macaffree, Vy Nguyen, Lisa Olason, Lionel Garcia, and Ron Carnell for their assistance in setting up and taking down the exhibit. (Note: first image is of the sculpture, Ancestors, by Michael Dennis on the UW Bothell campus.)

Squaxin Island Museum Library and Research Center
The final stop for the Holding Mother Earth Sacred exhibit is at the Squaxin Island Museum Library and Research Center. Thank you to Herb and Sharon Johns, Ehra Francis, Ryan Mesa, Ruth Whitener, Tom and Mandy McCullough for helping with the exhibit set up!

Special Seminar to Commemorate 100th Anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

2011-03-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

Image: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) has organized a special seminar to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. The tragic fire killed 146 garment workers and sparked a new era in regulation and labor activism focused on worker rights, health, and safety. The seminar is co-sponsored by the Harry Bridges Labor Center and the UW-Bothell Master of Arts in Policy Studies program.

Special Seminar
"Responding to Disasters in the Workplace: Lessons from the Past, of the Present, and for the Future. A symposium marking the 100th anniversary of The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire"

Date: Thursday, March 31st
Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
Location: South Campus Center, Room 316
Post Event Reception: South Campus Center, Room 354 (Crow's Nest)
More info: contact Sean Schmidt, 206-543-2837, sgs1@uw.edu
Fee: This event is free and open to the public. Parking fee may be required.
Link to this Page: http://tinyurl.com/traingleshirtwaistfire

Speakers:

The Past: Gerald Markowitz. "The Revolution in Workplace Safety and Health: The Triangle Fire and its Aftermath." Gerald Markowitz is Distinguished Professor of History at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Together with David Rosner he has authored books and articles on the history of public health, environmental health, and occupational safety and health, including Deceit and Denial: The Deadly Politics of Industrial Pollution (University of California Press, 2002).

The Present: Tom O'Connor. "Confronting the Anti-Regulatory Agenda: Current National Advocacy Campaigns to Advance Worker Health and Safety Protections." Tom O’Connor is the Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, the umbrella organization for 20 state and local “COSH” groups, or Coalitions on Occupational Safety and Health. He has over 20 years of experience working as an advocate for workers’ health and safety. He has been involved with the “COSH” groups since 1994. He also coordinates the national policy advocacy efforts of the Protecting Workers Alliance, a broad-based group of worker health and safety advocates.

The Future: Interdisciplinary panel of students from across UW, including DEOHS and the Harry Bridges Labor Center.

Additional Resources

Article - Symposium marks 100th anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Article - Triangle Fire: A Century Later, Workers Still Need Protection

Infographic - How Labor Reshaped Buildings after Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Brochure - Fighting Factory Fires 100 years after the Triangle Fire

Booklet - Don't Mourn, Organize - Lessons from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Report - 1911 to 2011: In memory of The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Video - 100 Years After Triangle Fire, Clock Turning Back on Workers' Rights

Website - Cornell's "Remembering the Triangle Factory Fire"

Website - PBS's "The Triangle Fire"

American Experience: Triangle Fire on PBS

2011-02-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

Tonight PBS's American Experience discusses the horrific blaze that occurred 100 years ago and the political actions that were demanded in the aftermath.

On March 25th, 1911, a fire broke out due to a dropped match on the a higher level floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York's Greenwich Village. The fire blazed through the loft; enormous piles of trimmings feeding the flames. Scared workers tried to make their way downstairs, but the factory owners kept the doors on the 9th floor locked and the inadequate fire escape soon crumpled. Hundreds of horrified on-lookers watched as young men and women jumped from the windows. 146 were dead by the time the fire burned out. All but 17 of the dead were women, and many were teenagers.

Watch it tonight on your local PBS station @ 9:00 pm.

Visit PBS's Triangle Fire page for more information on the event and the special is now available to watch here.

National Public Health Week: Worker Safety Day

2011-02-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

Did you know that April 4-10 is National Public Health Week?! That's right, five whole days dedicated to public health. While each day focuses on something a little different, here over at the NWCOHS we're most excited for Tuesday's focus on Worker Safety!!

With employers and employees working together, a safer work environment can be built. While its great to look at the big picture, starting off small can make it easier to implement safer practices at work on a daily basis.

Here are a few tips from APHA:

Employers start small...

Understand and follow all workplace safety regulations and best practices. Go beyond the minimum required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Educate employees about workplace regulations and train employees to recognize unsafe or unhealthy settings. Create an employee reporting system to allow workers to report hazardous working conditions.
Create safe work environments by identifying and fixing workplace hazards such as unstable surfaces and malfunctioning vehicles.
Promote workplace safety by offering tips on your company bulletin board, website or newsletter.
Conduct personal safety training programs that teach employees how to recognize, avoid or diffuse potentially violent workplace situations.

Employees start small…

Wear all personal protective equipment required or recommended for your occupation.
Participate in worksite safety trainings programs and follow all workplace laws and safety rules.
Ensure vision is not obstructed when operating heavy machinery.
Hold a brown-bag lunch at work to focus on workplace safety.
Use your rights to advocate for safety and health.

Think big…

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about the importance of preventing workplace injuries during National Public Health Week (NPHW) and beyond.
Invite local policymakers and others to a community roundtable to discuss injury prevention in the workplace and follow-up with specific actions.
Support your family, friends and neighbors when they try to improve health and safety at their workplace.

For more information on National Public Health Week go here.

*image from: NPHW

APHA's Occupational Health & Safety is Now on Facebook!

2011-02-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Check out APHA's Occupational Health & Safety page on Facebook. They offer up to date info on the world of health & safety, scholarships, internships and conferences.

APHA wants to provide a place for OHS students and professionals to network and share valuable information. Click here to check it out.

Worker Health in the Nail Salon Industry

2011-01-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

The popularity of manis and pedis are on the rise. But as the demand for salon services grows, little attention is being paid to the health of the salon workers. The chemicals the workers com in contact with on a daily basis have limited federal regulation little guidance is provided by the company on how to handle the products.

Three chemicals of concern that have been dubbed the “toxic trio” are toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). "Toluene creates a smooth finish across the nail and keeps the pigment from separating in the bottle, and is a common volatile solvent that can impact the central nervous system, cause irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs, and is also a possible reproductive toxin. Formaldehyde, a nail-hardening agent, is also a volatile chemical that evaporates into the air of salons and is known to cause cancer. Exposure to DBP, added to polishes to provide flexibility and a moisturizing sheen, can affect thyroid function has been linked to reproductive problems".

The good news is that nail salon workers and owners and scientists are coming together to reduce the occupational exposure of these chemicals. Even some large manufacturers have begun to reformulate their products without the use of the toxic trio.

For more information visit The National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.

Student dispatch from 23rd Annual Semiahmoo Conference

2011-01-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

On January 6th, 7th, and 8th of 2011, students, faculty, and staff from the University of Washington School of Public Health, the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health, and the Simon Fraser University Faculty of Health Sciences met at Semiahmoo in Blaine, WA for the 23rd Annual Occupational & Environmental Health Conference and the 6th Annual Public Health Symposium.

The conference was a great opportunity for students, program directors, and faculty from the United States and Canada to share their research and ideas with one another.

The highlight of the conference was when the Dean of the UW School of Public Health, Howard Frumkin, gave a very inspirational speech about planning for environmental public health in the future. He discussed some of the largest challenges facing new environmental health professionals in future years, and I would like to share some of his thoughtful insights:

Demographic Changes: The population is expected to dramatically increase and peak at 10 billion people worldwide. This could lead to public health issues regarding crowding, security, resources, and access to food. There will be new challenges regarding unemployment, job security, and income inequality. The world’s population is also becoming more diverse, as we are witnessing shifts to a population with no major ethic group. For example, in the United States, Spanish has been, and will be—a second language. As health care and living conditions improve, we will also see an increase in the aging population, and people will begin to retire at later stages in their life.
Scientific Advances: New ideas in information technology have made it possible to do electronic data management, share databases, and allowed personal access to information over the internet. This will allow researchers and professionals to rapidly report and collaborate on large projects. With rapidly advancing medical technology and the genomics revolution, we will see many advances in biomedical processes. For example, it has become possible to pin point the early life origins of late life disease (e.g. early chemical exposures, hygiene hypothesis). A new mindset has encouraged the development of green technologies, such as green chemistry, solar power, LED lights, composting/recycling, and plug in vehicles. However, each new technology should be evaluated for its safe use, production, and environmental impacts.
Environmental Change: Although previously debated, the issue of climate change is now very much a reality. This will lead to changes in atmospheric concentrations of CO2, O3, and other compounds, rising temperatures, and increasing sea levels; and the spread of pathogens and heat related disease to new locations. People will continue to relocate to the cities, as more than 50% of the world’s population will become urbanized. In addition, resource scarcities could increase as the weekly per capita energy consumption and demand for energy, water, food, and money increases.
Disease: Primary prevention will be the most important tool in fighting the diseases of the future. Although infectious disease will be a concern, the shift to chronic disease and injuries. It will be important to track health disparities.

Jenna Armstrong is a PhD student in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington. Jenna was a NIOSH-supported trainee of the NWCOHS during the 2009-2010 academic year. Find more information on Jenna, as well as some of her other posts here.

Health and Safety trees at BCCCF Festival of Trees

2010-12-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

The 19th annual BC Children's Hospital Fund (BCCCF) Festival of Trees at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC features two trees that will warm the hearts of any OHS professional.

BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association Holiday Tree

Work Safe BC Holiday Tree

2010 Lighted Truck Parade, Victoria, BC

2010-12-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Deck the haulers! Each holiday season, the Island Equipment Owners Association (IEOA) of Victoria, BC organizes the Lighted Truck Parade to raise awareness and food donations for the Mustard Seed Food Bank and the West Shore Service Clubs Christmas Hamper Fund Society. NWCOHS Manager, Sean Schmidt, contributed this short video of the 2010 parade. Apparently, in Canada Santa arrives in an 18 wheeler. Ho, Ho, Ho, eh?

Painting & Welding Courses: December 1 and 2

2010-11-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Join The Northwest Center for Occupational Health & Safety's Continuing Ed Painting and Welding Courses being offered December 1st and 2nd at South Seattle Community College's Georgetown campus.

December 1 - A Base Coat of Painting Hazards: What Every Painter Should Know

Course Objectives
* Name three or more common components
of paints and coatings
* Describe why the common components
are in the paints and coatings
* Discuss the hazards associated with the
common components of paints and coatings
* List measures to control the hazards of
paints and coatings
* State how to chose paints and coatings
that are safe for painters and for the
environment
* Outline how to safely dispose of paint and
coating waste.

Course Director
Jay Herzmark, CIH, RN, Environmental Health
and Safety, University of Washington (UW)

December 2 - Your Weld as Your Signature: Advances in Research & Practice to Lay it Down Safely

Course Objectives
* Name the welding/hot work processes as-
sociated with the highest fume and
non-ionizing radiation exposures
* Discuss the health hazards associated with
exposure to welding fumes
* List and describe effective measures to
control exposures to welding fumes, noise,
and non-ionizing radiation
* Outline regulations pertaining to welding
health and safety exposures

Course Director
Annie Bruck, MN, RN, COHN-S.
Assistant Director, Continuing Education,
Northwest Center for Occupational Health
and Safety, DEOHS, UW

Who Should Attend?
Industrial hygienists, safety professionals,
safety committee members, and risk managers.

Accreditation
Professional credit will be available for safety
and environmental health professionals and
industrial hygienists.

Location
South Seattle Community College
Georgetown Campus
Building E-Department of Finishing Trades
6737 Corson Ave South, Seattle, WA 98108

directions to SCCC - Georgetown

Information
Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety
http://nwcenter.washington.edu
Phone: 206-543-1069 or 800-326-7568
Fax: 206-685-3872
E-mail: ce@u.washington.edu

more information, course schedule and registration form is available here.

Registration
PAINTING COURSE—DECEMBER 1, 2010
$150 on or before November 19, 2010
$175 after November 19, 2010

WELDING COURSE—DECEMBER 2, 2010
$150 on or before November 19, 2010
$175 after November 19, 2010

BOTH PAINTING & WELDING COURSES
$250 on or before November 19, 2010
$275 after November 19, 2010

Tuition includes course handouts, lunch, and beverage breaks.
We accept checks or Visa/MasterCard.

Advance registration is required and accepted in the order
received. To save a place, register on-line, by phone or fax,
or mail a copy of the registration form to us and to your
accounting office.

Autumn 2010 ERC Research Seminar

2010-11-17T09:12:00.001-08:00

The NWCOHS offers a quarterly seminar that features the work of ERC faculty and trainees. The Autumn 2010 quarter, held on November 12, 2010, featured 2009-2010 pilot projects that included faculty or projects from all four of the States served by NWCOHS - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Dr. Noah Seixas, UW Professor and NWCOHS Director opened the seminar.

"Development & Evaluation of a 'Master Mercury Checklist for Schools'
(NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools)"
Danielle Long, Boise State University
Advised by Dr. Kai Elgethun

"Development and Evaluation of a Safety Surveillance Tool for Homecare Workers"
Robert Wright, Portland State University and Layla Garrigues, Oregon Health & Science University
Advised by Dr. Ryan Olson and Dr. Brad Wipfli

"Organophosphorus pesticide oxygen analogs and worker exposure during and following agricultural spraying: are they present in air or an artifact of sampling"
Jenna Armstrong, University of Washington
Advised by Dr. Richard Fenske and Dr. Michael Yost

"Using new technologies to characterize and reduce whole body vibration exposures". Research conducted in Alaska and results presented at 29th Annual Alaska Governor's Safety and Health Conference.
Ryan Blood, University of Washington
Advised by Dr. Peter Johnson

2010 NOHC Student Research Forum Winners

2010-11-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

(Pictured Above from left to right: Wenqi Gan, Dan Sarkany, Jenna Armstrong)

NWCOHS is pleased to announce the 2010 NOHC Student Research Forum Winners!

Premier Award
Wenqi Gan, School of Environmental Health, UBC
Gan, W. Q., H. W. Davies, and P. A. Demers. “Exposure to occupational noise and cardiovascular disease in the United States: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004”.

Honorable Mentions
Dan Sarkany, School of Environmental Health, UBC
Sarkany, D., C. McLeod, H. W. Davies, K. C. Lyons, and M. Koehoorn. “Injury rates and British Columbia Faller Training Standard”.

Jenna Armstrong, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, UW
Armstrong, J. L. and R. A. Fenske. “Presence of organophosphorus pesticide oxygen analogs in air samples”.

About the NOHC Student Research Forum
The Northwest Occupational Health Conference (NOHC) is held yearly in the fall by the Industrial Hygiene (IH), Occupational Medicine (OM), and Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) communities. An event organized by PNSAIHA, the NOHC is among the largest and most successful regional multidisciplinary conferences, attracting 250-300 attendees from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia.

Each Year, the Northwest Center for Occupational Health & Safety (NWCOHS), in collaboration with the NOHC, hosts a 'Student Research Forum' open to graduate students and recent alumni of the northwest regional institutions and within the professional categories of IH, OM, OHN, OS and other related disciplines such as epidemiology, engineering, occupational health psychology, policy, and management. Graduate students and recent alumni are invited to submit research papers for presentation at the conference. Three exceptional papers are chosen to receive an award and scholarship to attend and present their work at the conference. All submissions are judged by a panel of OH&S professionals.

University of Washington at APHA

2010-11-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

Plan on attending the American Public Health Associations's (APHA) annual meeting, November 6-10th in Denver, CO? Then please join the University of Washington School of Public Health for a networking reception for UW Public Health graduates.

You will also have the opportunity to meet our new dean, Howard Frumkin, formerly an agency director at the CDC.

When
Monday, November 8, 2010 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Where
Hyatt Regency Denver, 650 15th Street, Room 406

Cost
Free, but RSVP is requested.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Tamara Burdic at
mailto:tamarab@u.washington.edu//or 206.221.6343

There are a variety Scientific Sessions featuring DEOHS faculty, staff, students, and alumni during the conference.

*Monday, November 8, 2010*

*8:30 AM-10:00 AM - Oral
3055: Blue/Green #1: Producing green and working safe
Special intersectional track on environmental and occupational justice
Green jobs, safe jobs – more than a buzz word
Hecker S, Delp L, Riley K, Willis M

*10:30 AM-11:30 AM
3085: Student Achievement Poster Session for the Environment Section
Association between urban street noise and neighborhood crime: A pilot
study
McAlexander T, Neitzel R, Gershon R

*12:30 PM-1:30 PM – Poster
3177: Occupational health and safety posters IV
Early versus late diagnostic MRI for low back pain among Washington
State Workers: Evaluation of one-year health status
Graves J, Fulton-Kehoe D, Wickizer T, Franklin G

*Implementation of a portable cholinesterase monitoring kit in a clinical
setting: A normalization process approach
Treadwell R, Keifer M

*Give me a test and I'll give you a diagnosis: Why we should have diagnostic tests to for pesticide overexposures
Keifer M, Liebman A

*12:30 PM-2:00 PM–Oral
3232: Updates in Occupational Epidemiology
Associations of occupation, job control, and job demands with
intima-media thickness: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Fujishiro K, Diez Roux A, Landsbergis P, Baron S L, Barr G, Kaufman J,
Polak J, Hinckley-Stukovsky K

*Tuesday, November 9, 2010*

*10:30 AM-12:00 PM
4104: Best practices: Strengthening the public sector and integrating care to improve health in low-income countries
Next generation of PEPFAR supports an Ethiopian University and a US University partnership to design a state-of-the-art outpatient care and teaching facility in Gondar, Ethiopia
Barnhart S, Keifer C,Feleke G, Downer A

*12:30 PM
4141: The Many Shades of Social (In)Justice - Taking a Closer Look
Public health in the Northwest: Looking at history to look to the future
Allan S, Hall K

*4176: Partnering with communities to address environmental and occupational justice concerns
Building sustainable partnerships with migrant farmworkers in rural Washington state
Keifer M

*4178: Health impact assessment: A decision making tool to enhance social justice
Use of health impact sssessment (HIA) to help inform decision making regarding natural gas drilling permits in Colorado
Witter R, Rada J, Stinson K, Scott K, Adgate J, Newman L

*2:30 PM
4239.3: Medical Care Section Poster Session X: Students
Evidence-based guidelines for advanced diagnostic imaging: Prediction and assessment of costs and utilization among Washington State workers with low back pain
Graves J, Fulton-Kehoe D, Wickizer T, Franklin G

*4264: Partners in research: Strengthening and evaluating models for equitable participation in environmental public health research and action
Well-being and health of migrant agricultural workers and their families
Keifer M

*Wednesday, November 10, 2010*

*10:30 AM-12:00 PM
5124.0: Updates on states: State-based occupational health surveillance roundtable
Moving from evidence to collaboration and action: Identifying and addressing causes of pesticide over-exposure in Washington state agricultural employees
Benavides R, Borges O, Jansen C, Keifer M, Morrissey B, Murphy H, Nicola B, Prado J

*12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
5177: NIOSH ERCs - Next Steps for Advancing Health and Safety
Addressing worker health disparities: NIOSH education and research centers' approaches and outcomes
Newman L, Conroy L, Gerberich S, Kotelchuck D, Seixas N

Hair Blowouts & Formaldehyde

2010-11-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

On a trip to the salon our health is usually the last thing on our minds. What could be wrong with a simple blowout? Especially one that's claims to be natural and uses keratin-based ingredients to help keep the hair straight. Brazilian Blowout has become on of the more popular choices for straightening at salons. With claims that there's no damage, no harsh chemicals and no formaldehyde who wouldn't want smooth straight hair?

Recently Portland area salon worker complained of eye irritation, nose bleeds and difficulty breathing after using Brazilian Blowout's solution. Dede Montgomery, an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at the Center for Research in Occupational and Environmental Toxicology (CROET) at Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU) and a NWCOHS External Advisory Board member, and her colleagues began investigating the matter.

Tests showed that the solution labeled “no formaldehyde” contained more than .1% which is required to be listed on the MSDS. Upon further testing with the assistance of Oregon OSHA, the OSHA lab analyzed the sample using five different test methods, each of which concluded that formaldehyde was present above regulated levels around 8.5%.

Due to the lack of information available to the stylists and the company's prominent "formaldehyde free" marketing, CROET has posted a warning on their site and Oregon OSHA has issued a case study on air sampling in salons during the use of the solution.

Brazilian Blowout continues to back their product and claims that their product is safe.

If you are thinking of getting this process done, consider the health risks of you and of the salon worker.

For more information:

OSHA's case study and press release

An extensive amount of resources from CROET's site including the FDA's response and similar issues found in Canada.

OEM Grand Rounds | 11/18/10 | Craig J. Tillery, JD

2010-10-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

"Environmental Law and Prince William Sound after Exxon Valdez: Implications for the Gulf of Mexico"

Craig J. Tillery, JD
Deputy Attorney General, Alaska Department of Law, Anchorage, Alaska

Join us as we explore:

-The historical background of the Exxon
Valdez oil spill (EVOS)

- Know about critical resources in Occupational Health
Psychology

- Familiarity with the short and long term consequences
of the EVOS

Schedule
6:00pm | Networking
6:45pm | Dinner
7:30pm | Presentation

Location
The UW Club, E Stevens Way
University of Washington Seattle Campus
Directions

Registration
$50 - Please register by the Friday before
$25 - Lecture only
Special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $45
Register here

Join us LIVE online!

If you have already attended online, and will be using the same computer as for previous sessions, then you should be set for logging directly onto our URL (see address as follows) and joining the Grand Rounds Session.

Northwest Center (NWC) Staff will be logged onto the URL at least 20 minutes before the start of the presentation. When you log on, please send a message in the chat box to NWC staff to announce your presence.

The URL to access and enter the GRAND ROUNDS (OHS) PROGRAM is:
http://uwconnect.na6.acrobat.com/ohs/

For instructions on how to connect for the first time, click here.

Accreditation

The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Each event: 1 hour Category 1 CME / .17 ABIH CM points

Provider Approved by the California Board of Nursing. Karen Bowman, MN, RN, COHN-S Provider Number CEP14441 for 1 Contact Hour each session.

The Puget Sound Occupational and Environmental Medicine Grand Rounds sessions have received approval by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. CM Points: 0.17 per session, 1.0 Industrial Hygiene CM Points. Approval#: 10-3799

HPRG Forum | 10/14/10 | Dr. Frumkin

2010-09-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Why are the health impacts of the built environment important? What can be done to stimulate and move health and the built environment projects forward in our region?

Dr. Howard Frumkin speaks on opportunities in health and the built environment at the Seattle Healthy Places Research Group Forum

When
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
3:30pm-5:00pm

Location
UW Foege Building
Room S060
Southeast Corner of 15th Ave NE and NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98105
Map and Directions

It's time to begin the second year of the popular monthly series that stimulates thought, discussion and highlights innovative programs that address key public health issues involving the built environment. Seattle Healthy Places Research Group is excited to have the new Dean of the School of Public Health speak on October 14th at 3:30pm.

*Howard Frumkin, MD, DrPH, MPH* is the new Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Washington.

The Northwest Center for Public Health Practice and the Department of Urban Design and Planning invite you to attend the monthly meeting of the Seattle Healthy Places Research Group (HPRG). This group welcomes public health and planning faculty, researchers, students, practitioners, and others interested in exploring the relationship between the built environment and the health of communities.

Event details on NWCPHP's web site & flyer

OEM Grand Rounds | 10/09/10 | Dr. Gary Greenberg

2010-09-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

"Deep, Hidden & Expert Internet Resources for Occupational Health"

Gary Greenberg, MD, MPH
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Health, Division of Public Health Leadership Program, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina

Schedule
6:00pm | Networking
6:45pm | Dinner
7:30pm | Presentation

Location
The UW Club, E Stevens Way
University of Washington Seattle Campus
Directions

Registration
$50 - Please register by the Friday before
$25 - Lecture only
Special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $45
Register here

This series of evening dinner and lecture sessions focuses on issues encountered by occupational and environmental health physicians and their colleagues in local, regional, national and international settings. It provides the framework for education and networking with peers as we gather, learn, and share information on current, state-of-the art topics in the field.

Join us as we explore:

-New developments in occupational and environmental medicine practice, including application of scientific discoveries in genetics, molecular biology and epidemiology

-Best practices and means for evaluating best practices in occupational and environmental medicine

-Current trends in evolving occupational and environmental medicine practice, including personnel and training needs, and future issues that will need OEM attention

UW Professor to head National Farm Medicine’s new Dairy Workers Institute

2010-09-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

UW Professor Mathew Keifer has been hired to head the National Farm Medicine Center's Wisconsin Dairy Workers Safety and Health Initiative. His role will include research into the ergonomics of dairy tasks and training for language-limited workers, education and training in the use of protective equipment, as well as on-farm injury prevention consultation services. This initiative will partner with the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin and those who are involved in the State's dairy industry.

More info here.

Occupational Health and the Renewable Energy Industry: Research and Policy Implications

2010-08-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

The First Annual Mountain & Plains ERC Occupational Health & Energy Summit
April 13th-15th, 2011
Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO

What will renewable energy mean for worker health and safety?

The 1st Annual MAP ERC Energy Summit will address the occupational health and safety issues of the rapidly expanding renewable energy industry. The aim of the conference is to identify gaps in knowledge to address research and policy needs. The conference will address the following questions:

What do we know about the occupational health and safety implications of energy production - renewable and otherwise?
How do we ensure that "sustainable energy" is necessarily safe, healthy and sustainable for workers?
What research needs to be done on renewable energy's potential occupational health risks?
What are the lessons that we've learned from occupational health research in extractive energy industries? How can we use those lessons to promote worker health in emerging renewable energy production?

The conference will include invited speakers, submitted papers and submitted poster presentations

Their site will have more information as the conference date approaches. Periodically check here for updates.

Transforming Global Health: The Interdisciplinary Power of Universities

2010-08-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

The Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) will be hosting their 2nd annual meeting on The University of Washington's campus. Transforming Global Health: The Interdisciplinary Power of Universities will take place September 19th to the 21st.

The CUGH's mission is to -

Define the field and discipline of global health;
Standardize required curricula and competencies for global health;
Define criteria and conditions for student and faculty field placements in host institutions;
Provide coordination of projects and initiatives among and between resource-rich universities and less-developed nations and their institutions

for more information on the meeting visit CUGH's website.

OSHA Turns 40

2010-08-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

OSHA has had an enormous positive impact on the working community since the program began in 1971. Countless lives have been saved thanks to their efforts, but more needs be done. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels sent a letter to OSHA staff outlining strategies to protect worker health and safety in the years to come.

Michaels discusses new, as well as reinventing old, ideas to work with OSHA's limited resources. These are some of the areas the agency will focus on:

Stronger Enforcement: Some Employers Need Incentives to Do the Right Thing
Ensure Workers Have a Voice
Refocus and Strengthen Our Compliance Assistance Programs
Change Workplace Culture: Employers Must "Find and Fix" Workplace Hazards
Develop lnnovative Approaches to Addressing New (and Old) Hazards: Improve Intra-Agency Collaboration
Improve and Modernize Workplace Injury and Illness Tracking: Strengthen our Focus on Accurate Recordkeeping
Strengthen OSHA's Use of Science
Strengthen State OSHA Plans
Conduct Our Work with Transparency, Openness, Integrity and Humility

Read the original article at ScienceBlogs for an in depth look at OSHA's future goals.

Health & Safety Issues in Superman's Hometown

2010-08-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Union workers are striking in the nation's only uranium plant, in Metropolis, Ill. Union workers believe that long term exposure to uranium is causing a higher rate of illness among plant workers, but the company running the plant doesn't think its a long term problem.

Should these workers be offered better medical coverage while they're working at the plant? And should it continue into retirement?

Read the full story here.

From the New York Times.

Research Symposium on Occupational Health and Safety Research, Practice and Policy

2010-06-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

The Dept of Labor and Industries present the SHARP 20th anniversary symposium. The research symposium on Occupational Health and Safety Research, Practice and Policy will be held July 1st, 2010 from 9am-4pm.

Keynote Speakers:

Use of Research in policy
Dr. John Howard, Director NIOSH
Dr. Joel Kaufman, University of Washington, Director,
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program

Occupational Health Surveillance
Dr. Terri Schnorr, Director, Division of Surveillance, Hazard
Evaluations and Field Studies, NIOSH

Partnerships in Research and Practice
Larry Hansen- Oak Harbor Freight Lines
Leslie Pickett- Swedish Medical Center

Policy and Research
Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health

Research Needs
Jeff Johnson- WA State Labor Council
Randy Loomans- Director of Government Affairs International
Union of Operating Engineers #302

SHARP is located at:
WA Labor & Industries Auditorium
7273 Linderson Ave. SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Trainee Life - Ergonomics Platform Research in the Central Valley

2010-06-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

This week, as a graduate student I had an amazing opportunity to join some research staff in conducting an investigatory study on ergonomics in related agricultural occupations. According to the Berkeley Lab and the IEA, Ergonomics is “the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker.” Proper design or equipment or processes are necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries. Although I had learned about the importance of ergonomics in our industrial hygiene courses—namely on repetitive and strenuous industrial work--this was my first experience in the field and with technical equipment measuring the movements of workers. While much research has been done in the industrial and office work settings, fewer ergonomic studies have focused on agriculture. The goal was to use input measurement devices and current computer data logging programs to record movement and range of motion data over the course of a typical eight hour work period for an agricultural worker.

I traveled with two other women research staffers to Central Washington, where we had a debriefing meeting over the technical equipment and computer programs at the hotel before our early departure at 4:00 AM. Although I take pride in the fact that I am originally a small town girl who grew up in Southern Missouri, I have spent the last 5 years of my life in the city. I was shockingly brought back to my own rural upbringing when I remembered the crazy hours that farm workers wake up everyday to start their work. Needless to say, it is quite opposite the 9-5 “dream job” working environment that we all dream of as students! However, work in the fields is invigorating and lively. It turns out (with great appreciation for Washington State’s higher latitude) that the sun rise begins around 4:30 AM during the month of June. Once I got into the flow of things and adjusted to the hours, it was refreshing to feel like we were the only ones awake as most of the population still slept soundly in comfort of their own beds. The sun rising during a crisp summer morning over Mount Adams and the Cascade Range to the west was definitely a view to remember. But reflection time ended as there was work to be done!

I learned that in the orchards, most of the tree fruit thinners are women. They work with the utmost speed and finesse, removing whole branches of baby fruits in the blink of an eye. Most fruits, such as apples, grow as baby fruits in “bunches” of 3 or 4. The goal of fruit thinning is to remove all apples from the bunch expect for one in order to maximize energy supply and allow it to grow to a fuller, appealing size for consumption. Although most fruit thinning occurs through the use of special ladders, there has been a recent shift to relying on specially made, mechanical “platforms”. Although more expensive, these platforms speed up the work process and is extremely beneficial for large fruit growers. However, there is very little knowledge on the ergonomics and work load required for the women to stay in pace with the machine. As research scientists, we kept track of productivity (e.g. speed of the platform) and conducted personal observations that included our own notes about observed motions and habits; as well as recording video and taking photos.

As a student, I was really thankful for the chance to do interesting work. I think that results from this project will really allow the development of recommendations and ways to make the tree fruit thinning process more productive and safe! Most of all, I really enjoyed working with the women workers, and even got the chance to use some of the Spanish I had studied all those years. They were extremely cooperative, and willing to show us the ropes. Due to the fact that most of our research staff was also women, there was a unique sense of camaraderie and friendship. This was best displayed when we were recording measurements on a worker, and she quickly jumped down from the platform mid-day and started running back to her car. She had just received a phone call from her family in the hospital, as her eldest daughter had been in labor all day and was having a baby. She was going to become a grandmother-- what exciting news! We had to quickly and carefully remove all her monitoring equipment, and wish her the best of luck. It was a perfect example of how occupational field work may never go as planned. Sometimes it is for reasons that we scientists can no longer “control” for.

To end the trip, I got to try some freshly picked Rainer cherries straight from the tree and took home a bundle of picked asparagus. Needless to say, I will never taste anything quite as good in Seattle. I have become more deeply appreciative of the hard work that agricultural workers put forth for us to enjoy our food and hope to get back to the valley as soon as my research allows!

Photo Credits: Jenna Armstrong

Trainee Life - A Trip to Friday Harbor

2010-06-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Harbor seals getting some sun on a rock, as seen from my Whale watch/wildlife tour.

One of the things I love most about living in the Pacific Northwest is the unlimited number of day and weekend trips that I can take to areas throughout the region. Recently, I spent a weekend in Friday Harbor, WA, which is a small town (population 2,130) located on San Juan Island.

Friday Harbor is accessible only by water or air, and for the average person is most easily accessed by Washington State Ferry departing Anacortes (about 75 miles north of Seattle). The ferry to Friday Harbor is a relaxing 1.5 hour ride that provides views of the San Juan Islands and natural wildlife of the area. For a Seattleite, it was interesting to see the scarcely populated islands, with large homes sitting in the cliffs and sea planes docked around the island for access to the mainland. I learned on my trip that San Juan County has the highest number of per capita pilots in the United States.

Docking at Friday Harbor, I was immediately excited by the visible charm and quaintness of the small town. There is no need to bring a car to Friday Harbor, because aside from parking being scarce and the ferry prices for bringing a car being very high, Friday Harbor also has a compact downtown area with all the amenities and attractions within walkable distance.

Some of the most popular activities in Friday Harbor besides relaxing and eating delicious seafood are sea kayaking, and whale and wildlife watching. The San Juan Islands are a prime location for spotting orca whales (particularly between May and October) in addition to seals, porpoises, sea lions, bald eagles, and numerous sea birds. On my trip I went on a whale watching tour and while unfortunately I did not see any whales that day (I went slightly too early in the season), I got to spend the afternoon seeing porpoises, seals, bald eagles, and other animals in addition to learning about the unique character of each of the islands we went by. The company gave me a voucher to come back again for another whale watching tour since I didn’t see any orcas on my trip, and I am already getting excited about my return to Friday Harbor.

In addition to whale watching, sea kayaking, and sea plane tours, Friday Harbor provides a quaint downtown area with small artisanal shops, delicious cuisine, live music, and the quintessential candy and ice cream shops. One can easily spend an entire day leisurely walking through the shops and relaxing by the water on a sunny day. The Friday Harbor Whale Museum is another attraction not to be missed, where one can learn about the natural history of marine mammals, learn about the orca pods in the San Juan area and listen to “songs” specific to San Juan whales.

A weekend trip to Friday Harbor is a trip I encourage others to take. Even without seeing whales, my time spent in Friday Harbor was relaxing, educational, and filled with great nature and good food. Now that we are in the midst of orca season, I am making plans to return and try whale watching again, in addition to taking in all the nature and attractions that make Friday Harbor such a special place in the northwest.

Spieden Island--which is owned by the found of Oakley Sunglasses. You will notice the foliage looks a lot different from the rest of the islands--but on the other side it has evergreen trees and looks like the other islands, this is due to unusual climate patterns. In the 1970s the island was used for big game hunting, and animals from all over the world were imported. If you look closely at the picture you will see Sika Deer from Asia, which are not native to this area and not found elsewhere in the islands or the Pacific Northwest.

Downtown Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor as seen from the Washington State Ferry

Sea plane at a private dock, which is a pretty regular things to see in the San Juan Islands.

Photo Credits: Marissa Baker

Oil Spill in the Gulf

2010-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

There have been many oil response workers and volunteers devoting their time to clean up the BP oil spill. But the wildlife are not the only thing in danger. The workers are too. They're at risk to chemical exposure, biological hazards, physical danger and psychological danger.

The CDC reported on NIOSH's efforts in the clean up:

NIOSH is protecting workers and volunteers responding to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with the following efforts:

* Providing information to British Petroleum (BP), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal and state partners about protecting workers and volunteers from potential safety and health hazards.
* Assisting OSHA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) with information about tools for training workers including health hazard risk assessment and personal protective equipment selection
* Conducting a voluntary survey of workers to obtain a record of those who have participated and a mechanism to contact them about possible spill-related symptoms of illness or injury, as needed.

For more information click here.

Dangerous Teen Jobs

2010-05-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Summer is approaching and that means many teens will begin looking for a job. The National Consumer League coordinated with the Child Labor Coalition to compile the five worst teen jobs. Some of the jobs could be potentially hazardous but some on the list may surprise you.

2010's Five Worst Teen Jobs

* Traveling Youth Sales Crews

* Construction and Height Work

* Outside Helper: Landscaping, Groundskeeping and Lawn Service

* Agriculture: Harvesting Crops

* Driver/Operator: Forklifts, Tractors, and ATV's

For more details visit Workers Comp Insider.

Safety Havards

2010-05-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

WorkSafe Magazine has a monthly photo that stages safety hazards in the workplace.

Can you find the 6 hazards in the photo? Click here if you want to enter the contest.

*Click on the photo to see the whole thing.

Report from the NORA Young/New Investigators Symposium

2010-05-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

A dispatch from the Annual Regional National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators Symposium by ERC-supported trainee, Janessa Graves, a doctoral student in Health Services.

Annual Regional National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators Symposium

Co-Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health and the Department Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah

In April of both this year and last, I attended the Annual Regional National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators Symposium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The conference offers a venue for undergraduate and graduate students to present their occupational health research in a formal, yet convivial atmosphere. This not only gives the students an opportunity to hone their presentation skills, but also to network with other occupational health students from around the mountain state region. Although Washington is not part of the mountain state region (Colorado, Montana, the Dakotas, Utah, and Wyoming), UW students have been welcomed at the symposium. Last year, Sarah Veele-Brice, a doctoral student in the Department of Health Services, presented on “Demographic and occupational characteristics associated with workplace violence victimization.” This year, I presented preliminary research for my dissertation.

What are the best things about attending the NORA Symposium? I can name a few (in no particular order):

Learning about cool research from other students and researchers, including industrial engineering to reduce noise hazards, musculoskeletal disorders in a variety of professions (including sewing machine operators), unique aerosol monitoring techniques, and impacts of stress on a variety of work-related conditions.

Fruitful conversations. It’s a chance to get outside the UW bubble and learn about new research ideas and approaches.

Visiting beautiful Salt Lake City in the spring. In April, you would be crazy to turn down the chance to trade out rainy Seattle for a weekend in Salt Lake, where it can be sunny and 60 degrees, yet there may be 2-3 feet of new Utah powder in the canyons. SLC marathon.

Experience. The NORA Symposium provides an encouraging, low stress environment for students to improve their presentation skills. It is also an experience that we can report on our CV’s or resumes.

Students and presenters are eligible for up to $600 reimbursement for all expenses associated with symposium attendance. So yes, you can attend this conference for free.

Interesting keynote speakers. In 2009, Maury Nussbaum, Professor at Virginia Tech, spoke about decision support systems for construction design. He and his team developed software to position wood panels to lessen ergonomic stresses. This year, David Deubner, Vice President of Occupational and Environmental Medicine for Brush Wellman, Inc (the worlds leading producer of beryllium containing materials), gave the keynote address. His lecture delved into the history of the protection of beryllium workers, both the struggles and successes.

http://medicine.utah.edu/rmcoeh/upcoming/NORA/index.htm

Photo credits:
above: Lecture auditorium (2010 symposium): Janessa Graves
below: Fort Douglas Officers’ Club (where the conference is held): www.universityguesthouse.com

Puget Sound OEM Grand Rounds | 5/13/10 | Dr. Butch de Castro

2010-05-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

"Work Stress and Allostatic Load: Explaining How Work Experiences of Immigrant Workers Contribute to Disparate Health"

Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN
Assistant Professor, Dept of Psychosocial and Community Health
School of Nursing, University of Washington

Topics:
1. Basic concepts of allostatic load in relation to experiences of work-related stress

2. Ecological model applied to characterize how work and social stressors contribute to disparate health among immigrant workforces

3. Strategies to effectively conduct research with immigrant day laborers

Schedule
6:00pm | Networking
6:45pm | Dinner
7:30pm | Presentation

Location
The UW Club, E Stevens Way
University of Washington Seattle Campus
Directions

Registration
$50 - Please register by the Friday before
$25 - Lecture only
Special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $45
Register Here

Decline in Workplace Deaths may not be caused by Safety

2010-05-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Alberta's workplace death toll may have decreased last year, but some are saying its due to the recession.

The Albertan government claims workplace deaths have dropped from 166 in 2008 to 110 in 2009 due to tougher government regulations. While its easy for the government to put these figures out, others have noticed that the employment rate has dropped in some of the more dangerous industries.

Its easy to argue for both sides, but both are probably contributing factors to the decrease in workplace deaths.

To find out more about Alberta's health and safety debate here.

Canada's Steps for Life: Walking for families of workplace tragedy

2010-04-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

The Steps for Life Walk to honor and support Victims of Workplace Tragedy is scheduled to be held Sunday, May 2, 2010 across Canada. PNS-AIHA members Stephanie Carter and Mary Ellen Flanagan will be walking in the Steps for Life event in Victoria, BC.

It’s not too late to support Team PNS-AIHA. . . You still have time to click on the link below and make an on-line donation to support this event and victims of workplace tragedy.

You can make a donation on-line for Team PNS-AIHA by clicking on the link below:

click here

For more information about the walk, visit the Steps for Life website at: www.stepsforlife.ca

Workers Memorial Day

2010-04-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

April 28th is Workers Memorial Day and marks the 39th anniversary of the creation of NIOSH.

Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH, released a statement about commemorating those who have had job-related suffering:

Today we honor men and women who have suffered job-related injury, illness, and death. We recognize the immense toll that a loved one’s impairment or death imposes on families and communities. We rededicate ourselves to our national mission of eliminating dangerous conditions in the workplace.

Although we have made great strides collectively since the passage of historic safety and health laws in 1969 and 1970, we are still far short of victory, as the nation was reminded this month by the deaths of 29 men in the catastrophic explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine. On average, more than 5,000 workers die each every year across the U.S. from fatal injuries. Some 49,000 workers are estimated to die every year from occupational illnesses that may take decades to develop after first exposure.

* We must work to eliminate, once and for all, the hazards that still persist in the industries on which our economy is built. No one should suffer a job-related injury or illness.
* We must anticipate and engage the health and safety needs of the changing workplace. A rising generation of strong, capable workers is vital for America’s economic recovery and prosperity.
* We must develop and use new technologies and methodologies that will shape more rapid, more effective workplace interventions.

Read Dr. Howard's full statement here.

Earth Day!

2010-04-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and more than a billion individuals across 190 countries will come together to work toward a healthier and more sustainable planet (CDC). The movement started with one man organizing a group of students. Without the efforts of Gaylord Nelson; Earth Day and many health and safety acts wouldn't have been introduced to legislation in the 1970s.

Find out more information on the history of Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day.

Robot OHS

2010-04-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

The future of OHS has arrived. Robonaut 2 or "R2" for short, a joint project between NASA and GM is set to start clocking hours in September on the International Space Station. Read more at OHSOnline and on NASA's R2 website. What health and safety issues will R2 face? We'll have to wait and see but R2 is already undergoing vibration, vacuum, and radiation testing that may also help improve conditions for humans in space.

Global Occupational Health and Safety - Japan

2010-04-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Occupational Health and Safety is just as important in other countries. This month we are showcasing Japan's efforts to keep their working environment safe.

JNIOSH is actively conducting scientific research in order to contribute to administration of the government and for workers in industry, by eliminating industrial accidents and diseases, promoting workers health, and creating a safe and comfortable working environment.

JNIOSH's main principles:

1) To conduct comprehensive and interdisciplinary research on industrial safety and health based on the long history of the NIIS and the NIIH.

2) To contribute to governmental activities in their efforts to prepare laws, regulations, technical standards, guidelines, etc., and to investigate and prevent industrial accidents.

3) To promote collaborative studies with universities and public institutions, in order to perform effective and efficient research, to maintain an advanced research and technical level, and to innovate research activities.

4) To actively collect research needs from workplaces, disseminate research findings to academic and professional societies, and provide developing countries and organizations with technical support.
(From JNIOSH)

For more info:
Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA)
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan (JNIOSH)
Japan Advanced Information Center of Safety and Health (JAISH)
Japan Society of Occupational Health (Journal)
University of Occupational and Environmental Heath, Japan (UOEH)

Oregon Safety Health's Video Finalists

2010-04-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

Check out the Oregon Safety Health's PSA Challenge!

YouTube link

Puget Sound OEM Grand Rounds | 4/8/10 | Dr. Stephen Hunt

2010-03-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 8

"Bringing the Troops Home: Post-Combat Health Assessment Using an OEM Model"

Stephen C. Hunt, MD MPH
Director, Deployment Health Clinic
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, WA

Learning objectives:
1. Characterize the risk matrix of the combat environment
2. Describe the common health concerns of returning combat veterans
3. Apply OEM models of assessment and care to services provided to returning combat veterans

Schedule
6:00pm | Networking
6:45pm | Dinner
7:30pm | Presentation

Location
The UW Club
E Stevens Way, University of Washington Seattle Campus
directions

Registration

$50 - Please register by 4/2/10
$25 - Lecture only

Special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $45

Menu choices: Please let us know when you register your choice by Friday 4/2/10:
1) Seared Alaskan Halibut over herbed risotto with English peas, grape tomatoes and chevre topped by fresh Oregon pink shrimp
2) Hazelnut-crusted pork loin topped with roasted asparagus and tarragon salsa over brandy-spiked dijon cream
3) Smoked paprika roasted cauliflower over local braising greens with roasted peppers, wild mushrooms, and pecorino romano accompanied by smashed purple potatoes (vegetarian)

NEW! We now have been approved for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

REGISTER: 206-543-1069 or on line http://nwcenter.washington.edu/

Don't forget our special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $5 off!

Industrial hazards, Hollywood style

2010-03-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

In Tim Buron's new Alice in Wonderland, Johnny Depp plays the mad, mad hatter indeed. It is well known that chronic occupational exposure to mercury caused many a hatter to exhibit slurred speech, tremors, irritability, shyness, depression, and other neurological symptoms. Read more on mercury, mad hatters, and mercury's occupational health risks on the NIOSH website: NIOSH Backgrounder: Alice's Mad Hatter and Work-Related Illness.

OSHA/NIOSH Latino Safety Summit | April 14-15 | Houston

2010-03-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Fore more information on the summit, click here

Who Will Attend: Workers and representatives from employer associations, labor unions, the faith community, community organizations, worker centers, the medical community, safety and health professionals, educators, government officials, Consulates, the entertainment community, the advertising industry, and other non-traditional partners.

The Goal: Reducing injuries and illnesses among Latino workers by enhancing knowledge of their workplace rights and improving their ability to exercise those rights.

The Scope: The Summit will target the construction industry and other high risk industries that employ large numbers of Latino workers.

The Action Agenda: The Summit will develop a working agenda to prevent injury and death among Latino workers. It will showcase innovative partnerships, demonstrate successful education and training strategies, and develop effective enforcement and communication strategies.

Where: Hilton Americas Hotel, Houston, Texas

Co-Sponsored with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

In partnership with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Special Issue of American Journal of Industrial Medicine: Occupational Health Disparities

2010-03-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

The February 2010 issue of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine features a special subject matter: occupational health disparities. Several UW- and ERC- associated authors are contributors to the issue including: Saman Arbabi, Hillary Blecker, David Bonauto, Janice Camp, Butch de Castro, Steven Hecker, Sarah Lowry, Tessa Rue, Noah Seixas, David Takeuchi, Neal Traven, Jenny Hsin-Chun Tsai.

Puget Sound OEM Grand Rounds | 3/11/10 | Dr. Michael Wilson & Dr. Megan R. Schwarzman

2010-03-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Read their article in Science, New Science for Chemicals Policy.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

"Unintended Occupational Health Consequences of Environmental Health Policies: Making the Case for Systems Thinking"

Michael P. Wilson, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist
Program in Green Chemistry and Chemicals Policy
Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Megan R. Schwarzman, MD, MPH
Research Scientist
Program in Green Chemistry and Chemicals Policy
Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Schedule
6:00pm | Networking
6:45pm | Dinner
7:30pm | Presentation

Location
The UW Club
E Stevens Way, University of Washington Seattle Campus
directions

Registration

$50 - Please register by the Friday before
$25 - Lecture only

Special: Bring a friend who has never been to a Grand Rounds event and you both get in for $45

New developments in occupational and environmental medicine practice, including application of scientific discoveries in genetics, molecular biology and epidemiology

Best practices and means for evaluating best practices in occupational and environmental medicine

Current trends in evolving occupational and environmental medicine practice, including personnel and training needs, and future issues that will need OEM attention

Dates: October 1, 2009, November 5, February 4, 2010, March 11, April 8, May 13

Women in OSH history: Alice Hamilton

2010-03-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

NWCOHS is pleased to celebrate Women's History Month by highlighting important women in the history of occupational and environmental health and safety.

Alice Hamilton (1869 – 1970) is considered to be the founder of occupational medicine and a leader in the field of toxicology. She was the first woman appointed to the faculty of Harvard University and the recipient of many awards and honors.

Read more:

Wikipedia

Distinguished Women Biography

Puget Sound OEM Grand Rounds | Dr. Mark Cullen | 2/4/10

2010-02-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

February 4th
Mark Cullen, MD
Professor, General Internal Medicine
Stanford School of Medicine
"The myth of the great divide: all health is occupational health"

This series of evening dinner and lecture sessions focuses on issues encountered by occupational and environmental health physicians and their colleagues in local, regional, national and international settings. It provides the framework for education and networking with peers as we gather, learn, and share information on current, state-of-the art topics in the field. Join us as we explore:

New developments in occupational and environmental medicine practice, including application of scientific discoveries in genetics, molecular biology and epidemiology

Best practices and means for evaluating best practices in occupational and environmental medicine

Current trends in evolving occupational and environmental medicine practice, including personnel and training needs, and future issues that will need OEM attention

Dates: October 1, 2009, November 5, February 4, 2010, March 11, April 8, May 13

8th Annual NORA Young/New Investigators Symposium | April 15-16, 2010 | Salt Lake City

2010-01-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Professors/Colleagues/and Friends:

I am pleased to announce a call for papers for the 8th Annual Regional
National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators
Symposium scheduled for April 15-16, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The first
seven symposiums, held in 2003-2009 were great successes. The symposiums have
averaged over 45 attendees with 20 presenters representing 8 universities in
6 states, as well as Alberta, Canada. Senior faculty reviewed the conference
research papers and peer-reviewed proceedings will be published on the web.
Would you please forward this information to any students and faculty who would be interested in attending and/or presenting? This is a great opportunity for young/new investigators and students to meet and exchange ideas. Please note that students and presenters are eligible for reimbursement for expenses associated with symposium attendance (up to $600).

Roanna Keough
Administrative Assistant
Ergonomics & Safety
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
50 S CENTRAL CAMPUS DR RM 2110
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84112-9208
801 581-4160 (voice)
801 585-5261 (fax)
_____

Symposium Description:

The 8th Annual Regional National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators Symposium will be held at the University of Utah, April 15-16, 2010. The goal of this conference is to assemble interested students (undergraduate and graduate) and young/new investigators from the region (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) and other interested parties in a forum where NORA-related research can be presented and discussed. Senior regional faculty will review research submissions. A full paper will be requested from selected participants and will be due one month after the symposium. A peer-reviewed proceeding of these papers will be published on the web. There is a minimal registration fee of $50 for all symposium attendees. Students and presenters are eligible for up to $600 reimbursement for expenses associated with symposium attendance.

Interested presenters should submit a one-page abstract to Donald Bloswick via email (bloswick@mech.utah.edu) by March 19, 2010. Abstracts will be reviewed and information on presentation format will be provided upon acceptance of the abstract. Full papers will be requested and paper format guidelines will be provided after the symposium.

Please contact Donald Bloswick at 801-581-4163 or bloswick@mech.utah.edu for further information regarding abstracts.

Please contact Roanna Keough at keough@mech.utah.edu for further information regarding the symposium and application for travel expense reimbursement.

Sustainability efforts at NWCOHS

2009-12-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

At NWCOHS, we're doing our best to reduce our impact on human health and the environment through our education and training programs, through our operations, and through our efforts in the community. Below you will find some of the efforts we have underway.

Mobility

Many of our faculty, staff, and students - including our Director and Deputy Director - commute to work on bicycle
Many of our faculty, staff and students commute to UW on public transportation
Many of our faculty, staff and studetns participate in the UCar program

Purchasing

Printers/Copiers - we purchase recycled content paper for all printers and copiers
Binders - we purchase non-vinyl binders that are biodegradable
Badges - we purchase non-vinyl name badges that are biodegradable
Other office supplies - whenever possible, we purcahse environmentally and socially responsible products. More about the UW Green Purchasing Program is available here.

Community Efforts

We offer multiple training programs that focus on underserved communities, including workshops for Tribal agencies and immigrant populations

President Emmert's quarterly office hours video "Preserving the Environment", can be viewed here. More information on environmental stewardship and sustainability at UW can be found here.

Global OHS: 25th Anniversary of Bhopal disaster

2009-12-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

December 3rd marks the 25th Anniversary of the Bhopal disaster in which a Union Carbide plant in India released a large amount of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other toxins, resulting in the exposure of over 500,000 people making it one of the largest and deadliest industrial accidents in history.

Read more in EHS Today article.

Image: Jagadeesh Nv/EPA

NIOSH Announces Research Workshop for Designing Worker Safety, Health into Green Jobs and Sustainability

2009-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will hold a national research workshop, Making Green Jobs Safe: Integrating worker health and safety into sustainability, on Dec. 14 – 16, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the workshop is to stimulate and begin planning national research to help make worker health and safety an integral component of the new green economy.

For more information about NIOSH’s Prevention through Design initiative and green jobs activities under the initiative, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/PtD/greenjobs.html.

GAO, OSHA find work-related injuries underreported

2009-11-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

An article in the New York Times, Work-related injuries underreported by Steven Greenhouse, details a GAO report on OSHA data regarding injuries in the workplace. Washington Senator Patty Murray is quoted:

“This report confirms that when it comes to the documenting of workplace injuries, we can’t just take employers at their word,” said Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington and chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety. “The system, to this point, has been all too easy to game.”

Field Notes: OSHA issues largest fine ever to BP

2009-11-16T17:17:00.000-08:00

from Benjamin Wischmeier, IH Program, '08...OSHA recently issued its largest fine ever to BP Products North America Inc. for the company's failure to correct potential hazards faced by employees in relation to the March 2005 Texas City refinery explosion. read more....

Field Notes is a special category on our blog in which we post news and information sent to us from our ERC-supported alumni around the region, nation, and world.

NW Resource - TSWAN

2009-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, NWCOHS wanted to showcase some of the exceptional resources available to the Native American community regarding occupational health and safety issues.

In 1997, several Pacific Northwest Tribes banded together to begin addressing solid waste and environmental issues in northwest Indian Country. Today, Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network (TSWAN) is a nonprofit organization of 32 federally recognized Tribes throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, working to make effective and environmentally responsible solid waste management a priority on our reservations and in our communities. One of TSWAN's primary goals is to work towards sharing technical expertise, information, and opportunities with one another. To date, TSWAN is the only united Indian consortium on solid waste policy and other environment-related matters.

NWCOHS works directly with TSWAN on health and safety issues around hazardous waste and also assists TSWAN with Annual Hazardous Waste Refresher and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training.

NW Resource: Seattle Indian Health Board

2009-11-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, NWCOHS wanted to showcase some of the exceptional resources available to the Native American community regarding occupational health and safety issues.

The Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) has long been a vital health and wellness resource in the Seattle/King county area for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Among the many programs and services SIHB offers, they are a often the first place that agricultural and industrial Native American workers report work-related injuries.

Fall Interdisciplinary Research Seminar

2009-10-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Friday, November 6, 2009 •1:00-3:00 p.m. • 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Room 229

Organophosphorus Pesticide Oxygen Analogs in Air Samples
Jenna Armstrong, PhD Student, Environmental & Occupational Hygiene

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace: An Action-Oriented Training Intervention
Steve Hecker, Director of Continuing Education and Outreach

Concurrent Exposure Pathways and Age-Adjustments: Considerations for Toxics Cleanup
Miyoko Sasakura, MS Student, Occupational & Environmental Exposure Sciences

Gate Gourmet at SFO: The Hidden World of In-flight Catering
Yuh-chi Niou, MS Student, Occupational & Environmental Exposure Sciences

For further information, please contact Dr. Michael Yost: (206) 685-7243 or Sean Schmidt: (206) 543-2837

To request disability accommodations, contact the office of the ADA Coordinator at least ten days in advance of the event at 206-543-6450 (voice); 206-543-6452 (TDD); 206-685-3885 (FAX); access@u.washington.edu.
Questions: call 206-616-7474

NOHC Travel Scholarship Winners

2009-10-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Winners the 2009 PNAISH NOHC Travel Scholarships. Left to right: June Spector (UW), Serena Siow (UBC), Jeanne Spears (UW), Diana Ceballos (UW), Mussarat Nahid (UBC).

Presentations:
Ceballos, D. Developing best glove practices for car painters.

Nahid, M. Occupational noise induced hearing loss and engineered noise control: knowledge and perception in the food products manufacturing insustry in British Columbia (S. Kennedy, A. Nicol, T. Knight, H. Davies).

Sears. J. Nurse practitioners as attending providers for injured workers: evaluating the effect of role expansion on disability and costs. (T. M. Wickizer, G. M. Franklin, A. D. Cheadle, B. B. Berkowitz).

Siow, S. Targeting prevention programs for young and new healthcare workers: what is the association of age and job tenure with occupational injury in healthcare? (J. Guzman).

Spector, J. Associations of blood lead with glomerular filtration rate estimated with serum creatinine and cystatin C-based equations (V. Weaver).