 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Amy Squibb, George Meany Center for Labor Studies-National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903, 301-571-4226, amy@pivot.net
This study documents the legislative effort of the State Painter Certification Program. Understanding health hazards faced by painters is essential because what painters do routinely, in their everyday work, is often harmful and a "silent killer." This study, reveals the importance of understanding health risks of painting and suggests steps to create certification legislation to reduce risks. Painters are at a higher risk of lung cancer and leukemia than the allied trades. One important way to combat the health risk of solvents is through education and training. Emphasis on worker training, including the use and maintenance of appropriate respirators, protective gear and fans, helps in reducing the risk of cancer among the IUPAT population. One state in particular, Alaska, has been successful in implementing mandatory training, through the State Painter Certification Program. Data were collected from documents and personal interviews. Document analysis focused on: the sequence of creating a bill; the roles of labor, industry, and others; and components of state training programs. The central argument of my study drew on two different sources of data: interviews with key individuals who influenced the legislative process and historical documents. The institutional component comprises information from different District Councils within the IUPAT who have tried to promote the program to law. The interpretive component is the historical record obtained through interviews and published materials.
Learning Objectives:
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.