Grand Rounds | Season Opener: Work-related Asthma | October 4, 2012 | Seattle, WA

Work-related Asthma: An Overlooked Asthma Trigger

Presented by: Ken Rosenman, MD

Course Description:
Occupational and environmental health exposures cause thousands of illnesses each year. This Grand Rounds series will address the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of disease related to environmental and occupational exposures. Attendees will leave with an enhanced understanding for identifying and managing occupational and environmental illnesses and injuries
When: October 4, 2012

Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012
Time: 6:00pm Registration & Networking | 6:45pm Dinner | 7:30pm Lecture
Location: University of Washington Club
Cost: $50 dinner & lecture | $25 lecture only

View the brochure here & register for the lecture here.

National Public Health Week: Worker Safety Day

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