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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4246.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 3:00 PM

Abstract #117881

Involving workers in environmental decisions: A link to improving occupational health

Marian Flum, ScD, Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, 978-934-2534, Marian_Flum@uml.edu

This presentation focuses on worker participation in pollution prevention and other environmental planning and implementation, and the role this can play in not only reducing plant emissions, but also in improving the work environment. Worker participation is widely accepted as beneficial and even necessary in dealing with workplace health and safety issues. This form of participation is recognized by union contracts, by some employers, and by state legislation. Worker participation in environmental issues, however, is not nearly as well recognized. Examples of joint labor management environmental committees are rare, as are instances of links between occupational and environmental health at the plant level. In many cases chemicals that affect workers' health are also environmental hazards, yet they are often dealt with separately, since separate regulations and agencies cover occupational and environmental aspects. This presentation will report on qualitative research data from case studies at three different manufacturing plants in the US and Canada that involve workers in decision-making regarding environmental concerns. A graded typology, developed by the author for assessing levels of worker environmental participation, will be presented. This matrix will be used to compare data from the three case studies. The matrix is a tool that can be widely used to evaluate and implement worker environmental participation programs.

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will

    Keywords: Occupational Health, Environmental Exposures

    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.

    [ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

    Linking Occupational and Environmental Health Policy: A Public Health Framework

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA