141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

284033
An advocate's perspective on the department of labor's incorporation of the institute of medicine's (IOM) recommendations on the site exposure matrix (SEM)


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Terrie Barrie, Energy Employees Claimant Assistance Project, Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups, Craig, CO
BACKGROUND: The SEM is a database containing site-specific information on toxic substances that were or are present at the Department of Energy nuclear weapons facilities. DOL utilizes the SEM as a tool to adjudicate Part E claims filed under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA). DOL contracted with IOM to “review the scientific rigor and organization” of the SEM. IOM's charge was to review “how workplace chemical usage and exposure link to certain diseases…and identify strengths and weaknesses of the SEM.” IOM's report is due to be published in late March 2013.

PRESENTATION: The presenter will discuss the advocacy community's position on the standard of causation under Part E of EEOICPA and issues surrounding the SEM. DOL's status of incorporating IOM's recommendations into procedures for claims adjudication will be reviewed and compared with an earlier contractor's report by Econometrica. The implications of this analysis for ongoing efforts at legislative reform of EEOICPA and DOL implementation will be highlighted.

Learning Areas:

Occupational health and safety
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe the use of site exposure matrix in Part E claims under EEOICPA, with its attendant limitations and potential misuses.

Keyword(s): Workers' Compensation, Occupational Disease

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Founding member of the Alliance of Nuclear Worker Advocacy Groups and Board member of Energy Employees Claimant Assistance Project. Nationally recognized advocate and organizer for sick nuclear weapons workers and their families. Monitors the implementation of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended. Advises the federal agencies, the public and Congress of any issues involved with the implementation of this legislation.
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.

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