Occupational Safety and Health Data Collection and Injury Prevention Work Group

  • December 19, 2007:

Minutes:

Occupational Safety and Health Data Collection and Injury Prevention Work Group

Minutes

Bureau of Labor Standards Central Maine Commerce Center Frances Perkins Conference Room A December 19, 2007

Present: William Peabody, Chair (Maine Department of Labor); John Rioux, (Maine Department of Labor); Jeff Levesque (Workers' Compensation Board); Al May (Maine Center for Disease Control); and Leslie Walleigh (Workplace Health).

Absent: Brad Brown (Maine Bureau of Insurance); Brian Doe (Hannaford); Peter Doran (Maine Occupational Research Agenda); Stephanie Jazlowiecki (McTeague-Higbee); Kim Lim (Maine Department of Labor); Steve Minkowsky (Workers' Compensation Board); Kathy Schulz (Workers' Compensation Board); Vanessa Santarelli (Maine Department of Labor); and Louise Morang (Maine Association of Occupational Nurses).

Staff Present: Terry Hathaway and Ted Bradstreet.

Call to Order: Bill Peabody called the meeting to order at 10:13 a.m.

November 28, 2007 Minutes: Jeff Levesque made a motion to accept the November 28th minutes as written. John Rioux, seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

2007 Report ? Bill Peabody. Bill handed out an updated draft of the 2007 report, which incorporated changes discussed at the last meeting as well as changes Bill received via e-mail. The group discussed the report.

The work group is recommending that the Workers? Compensation Board consider rulemaking. Jeff would like, from the work group, a list of folks who are willing to testify.

Bill asked Leslie Walleigh and Al May to review the section on the Maine Health Data Organization. Bill will send the electronic version to Leslie and Al today.

Leslie Walleigh suggested that the work group and MORA hold a joint meeting with Al Prysunka, Maine Health Data Organization, to discuss their data.

Discussion continued on the Prevention section, which consists of a summary of the Small Business Needs Assessment survey. Al will write a paragraph on the Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (MBRFSS). Also, Al will write a paragraph regarding lead.

Bill will incorporate all the changes discussed at today?s meeting and send out an updated electronic version of the legislative report to the work group.

2008 Start-up ? Bill Peabody. The work group discussed a pilot project profiling Medical Only (M.O.) claims. John and Jeff will discuss further. Does the group really need to go with a rule mandating all M.O.?s?

Bill suggested work group members e-mail suggestions before the next meeting. John suggesting the work group brainstorm ideas for 2008 at the next meeting.

Membership. Bill tabled this agenda item until the next meeting. Bill is looking for names of potential members.

Maine Health Data Organization. Leslie Walleigh will contact the MHDO for a joint meeting with the work group and MORA.

Other. Leslie said that if funding comes through for the Occupational Disease Reporting Program, then work can start on improving the collection of data.

Next Meeting. The next meeting of the Occupational Safety and Health Data Collection and Injury Prevention Work Group is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., Frances Perkins Conference Room A, Central Maine Commerce Center.

Adjournment ? Bill Peabody adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Terry M. Hathaway, Recording Secretary