MORA Meeting Minutes

February 8, 2006:

Minutes:

MINUTES MORA February 8, 2006

Attending: Jonathan Lepoff, Carol Eckert, Sharon D’Orsie, Peter Doran, Jeff Levesque, Kim Lim, Ivan Most, Mike Rowland, Kathy Schultz, Leslie Walleigh, Ted Bradstreet, Leslie Manning, and Terry Hathaway

Jonathan Lepoff called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. in the Bureau of Labor Standards, 3rd floor conference room, Hallowell.

Minutes:

Minutes of January 11th were amended. On Page 2, line 90, add “Maine Indoor Air Quality Conference 2006,” and Page 2, line 93, add “MIHEC regional workshops for contractors”. Motion made by Peter Doran to approve the minutes as amended. Seconded by Carol Eckert. Vote, unanimous.

Committee Meetings:

Leslie Manning reported on the Finance Committee meeting. The Finance Committee has committed to review the EPA document forwarded to MORA by Desi-Rae to see if it is appropriate for MORA and if there is sufficient interest in the State. Also, they held an informal discussion regarding being consistent with MORA principles and what our process would look like. The Finance Committee will make recommendations to the larger group.

Jonathan reported on the Program Committee meeting. The Program Committee also discussed the EPA document. Sharon reported on the National Children’s Prospective Study. There was general networking with Sharon and Ivan.

Ivan suggested MORA check into occupational asthma to see what is out there and send a proposal to the EPA for funding (BAA Conferences e-mail) and should do a call for papers. There will be further discussion at a future MORA meeting. Jeff said New Brunswick has a complete data set and would be curious to know what it looks like). Also, the American Lung Association of Maine (ALAM) has contacts. Jonathan suggested that other state agencies work together. At the next Program Committee meeting, Desi-Rae and Ginger could be included in the discussion.

PDAG Update:

Leslie Walleigh said that PDAG had its last meeting on January 25th and Bill Peabody handed out a marked-up copy of the Legislative Report. The report is being printed at this time. The report will be sent to the Labor Committee, Insurance and Financial Affairs Committee, Health and Human Services Committee, the Legislative leadership, and PDAG and MORA membership.

The Data and Prevention subgroups met jointly to discuss the review of workers’ compensation forms and to make recommendations for improvements. Jeff added that the Workers’ Compensation Board is going through transition. Jeff advised MORA to be a stakeholder as there are significant data quality issues as Maine is pioneering EDI along with West Virginia. Peter suggested Jonathan and Carol, along with BLS, talk to Bill and get on PDAG’s agenda.

Leslie Manning suggested that the workers’ compensation data quality issue needs to be made clear at the highest level at the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Other Business:

Recommendation for Research Priorities to be forwarded to NIOSH-NORA. Peter received a letter from David Christiani, Harvard School of Public Health, regarding an invitation to a town meeting at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell on March 20th. Harvard School of Public Health is co-hosting with NIOSH. Peter would like an opportunity to make a presentation. Ann Backus will be sending an invitation to MORA. Does MORA agree with the presentation and, if so, how do we want to proceed?

Jonathan said yes that MORA agrees with the presentation and MORA needs to decide what the presentation will be as it is a chance to influence the development of their program. The members were in agreement concerning “homegrown research and grass roots efforts”. Leslie Manning suggested a model on homegrown research and education and outreach to reach nonpopulous partnerships. She also said that research from other New England states is needed at Lowell.

Peter explained that there are five-minute slots. Both Peter and Ivan will register separately for a five-minute slot. He also stated that MORA is the only substantial organized occupational safety and health research agenda, which is a point that needs to be made.

Questions to be considered are what are the most significant priorities that we want to convey and how can we more effectively do that? The Harvard School of Public Health has established an educational research center for outreach and to bring specialists to outlying areas.

Jonathan suggested the cost driver study that was done. He also suggested that MORA encourage NORA to implement a state-based system.

Ivan suggested MORA design two presentations for the two five-minutes slots. These will be included in the March 8th agenda. Peter will follow up with David Christiani.

Sharon asked about State internship programs for one of her advisees. Leslie Manning suggested the Margaret Chase Smith Center as a possibility for the advisee to check into this.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 8th.

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 11:27a.m.

/tmh