Documents Morse, Tim 6 results

"Custodians represent one of the largest occupational groups using cleaning agents, and yet their voices are infrequently heard in relation to the introduction of "green" cleaners and the laws regarding environmentally preferable products (EPP). This study reflects worker voices on use and effectiveness of chemicals, as well as incentives and obstacles for green cleaning programs. Sixty-four custodians and staff participated in 10 focus groups. Data were entered into Atlas Ti and the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis was used to identify themes. Themes included satisfaction in a "well-done" job, more effort required for job, lack of involvement in EPP selection process, EPP's ease of use for workers with English as a Second Language (ESL), misuse of disinfectants, health complaints, and need for training. This study shows that custodians have a voice, and that improved communication and feedback among all the stakeholders are needed to make the transition to green cleaning more effective."

"In contrast to theories of “moral hazard,” it appears that workers under-report cases to Workers' Compensation. In a population-based phone survey of work-related MSDs, it was found that cases were more likely to be reported if they were called work-related by a doctor, had surgery, or took time off from work. Higher rates of filing were found for lower education, having a union at the workplace, working in manufacturing, and for blue-collar occupations. Fear of the consequences of filing was significantly related to filing, but was not a strong association. A lack of perceived management support and lower decision latitude was associated with a higher rate of filing. Perceived knowledge of the Workers' Compensation system was not associated with filing. In general, a broader perspective of looking not just at reported claims but also unreported work-related illnesses is important for understanding both the magnitude of the problem as well as the impact of changes in Workers' Compensation laws. "

"The history of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard is presented, with the implications for the role of government in regulation of job health and safety. The gaining of the Right-to-Know about chemical exposure was a significant achievement for labor, although it took fifteen years to gain a national standard. Labor and community group coalitions, divisions between chemical producers and chemical users, economic forces, third-party lawsuits, and the difficulties in NIOSH/OSHA obtaining chemical identities were all important factors in gaining a standard. Chemical producers shifted from an ideology of "everything is safe" to "everything is dangerous," and finally had to mount a campaign to get the Reagan administration to issue a national standard as a way to pre-empt state and local laws. The case illustrates the relatively greater power of industry, but that workers were able to gain increased control over their work through organizing."

"Background: Bureau of Labor Statistics figures have shown declines in injury and illness rates over the past 25 years. It is unclear what factors are contributing to that decline.Methods: Connecticut injury and illness data was industry-adjusted to account for the shifts in employment by industry sector for the 25-year period from 1976 to 2000. Additional adjustment was made for manufacturing sub-sectors, since declines in manufacturing employment accounted for the largest proportion of the shift in injuries over that period. Results: Approximately 18% of the decline in injury and illness rates was associated with a shift in employment from more hazardous to less hazardous industries. Shifts in manufacturing sub-sectors accounted for an additional 5.7% of the decline. Conclusion: A significant proportion of the decline in injury and illness rates appears to be due to demographic shifts in industry composition. "

"Although Health and Safety Committees (HSCs) are widely used, there is very little empirical information on what specific characteristics of HSCs (structure, activities, and resources) are associated with effectiveness in lowering injury and illness rates. An exploratory study was conducted in Connecticut, a state which requires HSCs in all workplaces with at least 25 employees. The study included analysis of administrative data (including HSC meeting minutes) of 29 committees. Lower injury rate companies were found to have a higher ratio of hourly workers to managers on the HSC, a larger committee compared to size of the employer, and reviewed a larger average number of worker complaints and suggestions. "

"Health care workers have the highest musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and incidence of any occupational/industry group, and patient handling tasks are so biomechanically demanding that they cannot be made safe through the commonly used, technique-oriented methods such as "back school" training programs. Although there is standard-setting activity for "no-lift" programs in some states, there is still no federal standard. Health care worker unions and nurses' associations have begun to take action through training members in equipment need, use, and acceptance in programs to encourage adoption of no-lifting programs. Acceptance of lifting equipment is increasing due to recognition of the high human and economic costs of MSD, consistent documentation of cost savings from no-lift programs, major improvements in lifting equipment, and shortages of health care staff. An action-oriented training program for health care workers is described that provides knowledge about the 1) Scope of the current problem of back injuries in health care, 2) Costs of injuries, both to workers and to the hospital, 3) Elements of a safe patient-handling program, and 4) Success stories. The program also builds skills through: 1) Hands-on experience with safe lifting equipment, and 2) Assessing organizational and union readiness and planning for action at the workplace. "