Back to Annual Meeting

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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, Primary Care, Ambulatory & Community Health Network of Cook County, 627 S. Wood, Chicago, IL 60612, 312/863-0719, lindarae.murray@gmail.com

The most basic of workers rights is the right to return home safely from a day's work. This presentation will focus on the importance of occupational health and safety and the connection between union representation and health and safety on the job. The current situation will be addressed. The statutory mandates of both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) ensure workers have safe workplaces. The Secretary of Labor has the responsibility for ensuring that happens. Yet under the Bush administration, OSHA and MSHA seem to be abdicating their responsibilities to protect workers, instead choosing to the implement voluntary programs favored by its corporate allies. In fact, in agencies and departments across the administration, policies and actions put corporate interests above the public interest. Administration actions with regard to ergonomics, MSHA, FAA/OHA coverage, indoor air quality, the withdrawal of training grants are among those that have negatively affected worker safety and health.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will

• Recognize and discuss the connection between union membership and occupational health and safety.
• Discuss specific examples of the negative impacts of Bush Administration actions on occupational health and safety and union efforts to combat them.

Keywords: Workforce,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No