The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50835

Clifford Mitchell, MS, MD, MPH¹, Peter Orris², and Denny Dobbin, CIH¹. (1) AOEC, 1010 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 513, Washington, DC 20005, 202-347-4976, kkirkland@aoec.org, (2) Cook County Hospital, 1900 W. Harrison, Chicago, IL 60612

Workers have a limited right to refuse to work in areas where there are reasons to fear for their safety. Occupational safety and health professionals attempt to quantify risk so that workers can make informed judgements about the hazards of an environment. However, recent events connected with terrorism raise a troubling question. What are the ethics of asking people to work in workplaces where we can't readily asssess or control the safety of the site? Do we treat volunteers differently, particularly if they feel compelled to be there? Even in more controlled situations, what right should and do workers have to refuse work where risks are difficult to quantify? The moderators of this panel represent the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC), a network of clinical facilities and clinicians specializing in occupational and environmental medicine. Members are prevention-oriented, and dedicated to research and education.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the ethical consequences of occupational and environmental decisions; understand the problems of decision-making in an emotional environment; understanding the legal implicaitons of some occupational and environmental clinic decisions.

Keywords: Decision-Making, Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.