Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117342

Jeanne Cisco, Benefits Representative/WHPP Staff, PACE Local 5-689, P.O. Box 467, Piketon, OH 45661, 740-289-2405, jeannecisco@yahoo.com

PACE Local 5-689 in Piketon, Ohio assist veterans of the cold war in several ways. Preparation of Subtitle B claims involves retrieving medical information, proof of employment and other necessary documents to file for cancer, silicosis or beryllium disease. Approximately 600 of these claimants have come to our union hall for help. Eighty percent of these have been awarded and the remainder referred to NIOSH for dose reconstruction. As part of this process, lengthy questionnaires are completed in advance of the telephone interview with NIOSH. Our group has prepared a site profile for dose reconstruction, based on workers' knowledge of the facility.

Subtitle D claims required similar paper work to be submitted. We assisted an attorney in preparing over 200 claims for compensation with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation prior to the enactment of Subtitle E.

Although we work out of the union hall, all claims are processed through the DOL Resource Center in a collaborative effort to provide the best customer service. We also have outreach events with the DOL Resource Center.

A retiree and two union officers staff the Worker Health Protection Program which provides a physical examination, a beryllium test and a helical CT scan for the early detection of lung cancer in workers who qualify. We assist in completing occupational disease questionnaires, scheduling and educational workshops. The Worker Health Protection program has serviced at total of 3,139 workers since May 1999.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Articulate the essential role of local unions in advocacy for EEOICPA claimants
• Recognize the volume of technical assistance work involved in each claim
• Discuss the application of helical CT scan technology for certain nuclear workers

Keywords: Radiation, Workers' Compensation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.