229169 Occupational Health Surveillance in Wyoming 2001-2005

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Karen B. Mulloy, DO, MSCH , Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center, Denver Health Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Denver, CO
Kaylan Stinson, MSPH , Colorado School of Public Health, Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center, Aurora, CO
Yvonne Boudreau, MD, MSPH , NIOSH Office of the Director, NIOSH Western States Office, Denver, CO
Lee S. Newman, MD, MA , Colorado School of Public Health, Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center, Aurora, CO
James Helmkamp, PhD, MS , NIOSH Western States Office, Denver, CO
Each year, thousands of workers in Wyoming (WY) are exposed to workplace conditions that result in occupational illnesses and injuries. At present, there is no comprehensive, state-wide system in WY that provides routine data collection, analysis and the development of intervention and prevention strategies for a variety of work-related health outcomes. In recognition of the need for state-based occupational health surveillance programs, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) developed a list of occupational health indicators (OHIs) for the purpose of describing worker demographics, measures of work-related health and factors that influence worker health. Using the CSTE/NIOSH OHI framework, the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) in collaboration with the NIOSH Western States Office, Denver, analyzed OHI data to describe the baseline health status of WY workers. The target objectives of this project were to build capacity for occupational health surveillance in WY and determine priorities for workplace prevention of injuries and illnesses. For the years 2001 to 2005, rates of work-related fatalities in WY were higher than overall US rates per 100,000 workers (average annual rate for the 5 years was 14.9 vs. 4.1, respectively). The percent of workers employed in industries and occupations at high-risk for occupational mortality was higher than national rates. Priorities and future directions for prevention and intervention should focus on industries and occupations experiencing a disproportional rate of fatal work-related injuries and illnesses.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess the use of the NIOSH/CSTE Occupational Health Indicators to develop a state-based occupational health surveillance program in Wyoming. 2. Discuss the baseline health status of Wyoming workers 3. Describe the partnership between the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) and the NIOSH Denver regional office to build the infrastructure for occupational health surveillance in WY.

Keywords: Occupational Surveillance, Occupational Injury and Death

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to presnt because I oversee occupational health and safety programs and involved in research in occupational health surveillance.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.