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

Abstract #105524

Ruth Ruttenberg, PhD, Ron Dunkle, BA, Emmanuel Blackwell, BA, Michael Wiebel, BA, David Maxwell, BA, and Michael Ripoll, BA. National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903, 301-571-4226, rruttenberg@nationallaborcollege.edu

Five recent alumni of the National Labor College, with majors in occupational safety and health, present their senior thesis research. These students have unique access to the attitudes and activities of rank-and-file trade unionists, as they are members of trade unions themselves: Asbestos Workers, Firefighters, Roofers, and Steelworkers. Each of these papers is both activist-oriented and scholarly – a unique blend of advocacy and original research meant to improve safety and health for themselves and their union brothers and sisters. Proposed for the 2005 meetings is a panel of five student papers, moderated by a member of the college faculty.

Emmanuel Blackwell discusses improvements in the safety and health of asbestos workers.

Ron Dunkle discusses prospects of forming an Injured Workers Union in Missouri.

David Maxwell discusses the results of his survey with roofers on challenges and disincentives for having and using proper fall protection.

Mike Ripoll discusses the needs for first responders in New York City to have additional and adequate PPE and emergency response training for chemical disasters.

Michael Weibel discusses the results of his survey on existing cancer at his tire manufacturing plant.

Ruth Ruttenberg, the panel moderator, is one of the faculty at the National Labor College responsible for advising students during the research and writing of their theses. She has worked and written in the field of occupational safety and health for 30 years.

Learning Objectives:

• >> To better understand health and safety issues facing trade unionists from across the country and across trades
• >>to better understand cutting edge research being done by trade unionists themselves
• >>to strengthen the work and knowledge of those who advocate for workers rights

Keywords: Occupational Health, Occupational Safety

Related Web page: www.nationallaborcollege.edu

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.