OHS Programs and Activities:
2010 APHA Annual Meeting:
Scholarship Opportunity:
The Occupational Health and Safety Section will be awarding another round of scholarships covering registration for the 2010 APHA Annual Meeting in Denver, CO (November 7-11, 2010), a one-year APHA membership and $300.00 for conference-related expenses.
Last year we had outstanding winners who participated in the conference, our section meetings and special events, and a special session on bringing students into the field. Both the students and their section mentors reported a very positive experience.
The scholarship program's goal is to strengthen the participation of students and union representatives in APHA. We recognize that we need the involvement of workers and new health and safety professionals to make our workplaces and communities healthy and safe.
Students:
Please copy and distribute the student application form to interested students and encourage them to apply for the scholarship. (See the application for eligibility requirements.)
Union Representatives:
This year, we are asking Section members to apply on behalf of a Union representative who has been active in health and safety. We would like to give scholarships to local union officers, health and safety committee members, shop stewards, district-level officers and representatives. These awards are NOT intended for international union health and safety staff. Instructions are described on the union representative application form.
All applications must be submitted to Karen Mulloy at the address provided on the forms by June 30, 2010.
If you have any questions, contact Karen B. Mulloy [(303)436-3888].
2009 APHA Annual Meeting:
Policy Resolutions:
The OHS Section proposed and saw the adoption of three new policy resolutions:
Scientific Sessions and Social Activities:
Along with advocating for these policy changes, the OHS Section had a robust program of scientific sessions and social activities:
Scholarships:
The OHS Section awarded scholarships to the following graduate-level students and local labor H&S representatives:
- Homero Harari, U Mass-Lowell
- Diego Castanada, UC Berkeley
- Alberto Juan Caban-Martinez, University of Miami
- Jennifer Krenz, University of Washington
Congratulation to our winners, and thanks to the other outstanding student applicants. The Keogh scholarship program's goal is to strengthen the participation of students and union representatives in APHA. We recognize that we need the involvement of workers and new health and safety professionals to make our workplaces and communities healthy and safe. Previous scholarship awardees here.
Farmworkers Feed Us All Tote Bag is available for a $20 donation to the James P. Keogh Student Scholarship Fund. Contact Amy Liebman or Celeste Monforton.
Letters and Briefs:
Letters to key Obama Administration officials on H&S priorities for 2010, following up on their participation at the 2009 APHA Annual Meeting:
Letter from APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP urging support of existing policies on respiratory protection for healthcare workers from H1N1.
Letter expressing concern about the insensitive manner in which CBS morning show's hosts addressed a worksite forklift incident.
Issue brief in response to latebreaker resolution offer at APHA annual meeting on Nov 8, 2009.
Collaborations:
National Council for Occupational Safety and Health:
In January 2009, the OHS Section released the "Protecting Workers on the Job" agenda, a collaborative project with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. The agenda highlights seven priorities for federal action to improve our nation's worker health and safety programs. They are:
- Put worker health and safety first
- Ensure health and safety protection for all workers
- Count all occupational injuries and illnesses
- Increase worker participation
- Eliminate disparities
- Reform workers' compensation programs
- Reduce or eliminate widespread use of toxic chemicals
Members of the OHS Section and the 90 organizations that endorsed the platform will be working together to advance worker health and safety as part of a larger effort to improve the health of communities and our environment.
The platform is also available in Spanish.