MORA Meeting Minutes

December 13, 2006:

Minutes:

MINUTES MORA December 13, 2006

Attending: Jonathan Lepoff, Ted Bradstreet, Peter Doran, Steve Greeley, Ivan Most, Ruth Lawson-Stopps, Kathy Schulz, Leslie Walleigh, Mike Rowland, Kim Lim, Bill Coffin, and Terry Hathaway

Call to Order. Jonathan Lepoff called the meeting to order at 10:13 A.M. in the Bureau of Labor Standards, 3rd floor conference room, Hallowell.

Approval of November 8, 2006 Minutes: Ivan Most made a motion to accept the minutes of November 8, 2006 as amended. Ruth Lawson-Stopps seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

Discussion of Vice Chair. Jonathan told the group that Carol Eckert is taking a course on Wednesdays and, therefore, would not be able to take over as Chair in February. Discussion involved the options of electing a new vice-chair to take over in February or Jonathan continuing the duties until Carol is able to take over. Jonathan feels that a new chair should take over each February, but would be willing to stay on as chair until Carol can take over. Leslie Walleigh made a motion that Jonathan Lepoff stay on until May. Peter Doran seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous. Jonathan suggested the election of a vice chair at the January meeting. Ivan Most, Peter Doran, and Ruth Lawson-Stopps will be the nominating committee.

PDAG Update – Leslie Walleigh. The Data Subgroup discussed workers’ compensation data.

The Prevention Subgroup has finalized the Maine Small Business Safety Needs Assessment Survey and letter to be mailed to employers with less than 50 employees. Members received a copy of the survey and the letter. The intent of this survey is to find out how employers are using resources and the Department of Labor will analyze the safety and health data and what needs exist that the SafetyWorks! Program can help with. The deadline for the survey is January 16, 2007. The information from the survey is anonymous. About 50 surveys and letters were mailed out to the DART (Days Away Restricted Time) companies.

Bill Peabody is working on a draft of the Legislative Report.

At the next PDAG meeting, Leslie Walleigh and Peter Doran will bring up the issue of lead poisoning and an agreement between MDOL (Maine Department of Labor) and DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services). Peter has spoken with Andy Smith of the Maine Center for Disease Control. Leslie said that DHHS had submitted a proposal for funding to MDOL, but have not heard back.

Health Access Foundation Proposal – Peter Doran & Mike Rowland. Members received a copy of the Migrant Farm Worker Hand-Harvesters in Maine, A digital Photography & Audio Documentation Project Summary. Both Peter and Mike have been in touch with Earl Dotter and Ann Backus. MORA reviewed the proposal and discussed. Mike has connected with Tennesee Watson as an interpreter. Mike has gotten Tennesee funding for this project. Tennessee and Earl will be working together on this project. Ivan proposed that MORA provide $1,000 to sponsor this project. Peter is contacting the Health Access Foundation for funding as well. This project needs approximately $5,000 to purchase materials and supplies for the development and creation of the portable exhibit.

Peter left a message with Leslie Manning, Bureau of Labor Standards, and will check with her.

Mike talked about cholinesterase testing and organophosphates. Leslie Walleigh, Al May, and Carol Eckert will be a part of this group along with Mike Rowland.

Mike is looking for ideas on where and how and when for the exhibits. Ruth will be a part of that. It was suggested that Mike contact Lebelle Hicks, Pesticides Control Board; Beth Edmonds, President of the Senate; Glen Cummings, Speaker of the House; Department of Economic and Community Development; University of New England.

Peter Doran made a motion that MORA supports the Migrant Farm Worker Harvesters proposal as presented by Earl Dotter and will seek funding from the Maine Health Access Foundation for Project for Mike and Peter. Ruth Lawson-Stopps seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

The question was asked where was the money that MORA received from the defunct MIOHE account. Peter stated that MORA funding would be more useful when the exhibit is about to occur.

Discussion turned to other places where Earl’s presentation could occur. Mentioned was the Agricultural Trade Show. Kathy suggested that Mike obtain a schedule of events from the Augusta Civic Center. The Governor’s office handles the Hall of Flags at the State House.

Peter had copies of an article entitled, “Maine’s Most Dangerous Jobs” from the November 2006 issues of Down East Magazine, November 2006.

Ruth announced that she has left her position at OHA and is looking for work. She is willing to stay on as a member of MORA and is interested in helping.

Brainstorming Partnerships. Brainstorming Partnerships came about as a result of discussions with Ann Backus regarding the Harvard Public School of Health. MORA can provide educational outreach. Ruth and Ivan will work on brainstorming partnerships and figure out how to have conversations with partners.

Peter explained the Visiting Scholars Program at the Harvard School of Public Health. It was established in 1988 to do occupational health outreach from a research base to the New England States. Visiting scholars were nominated through universities and colleges and large institutions. They used to meet every other month and then quarterly. Not many left from the original Visiting Scholars Program group. Jonthan Lepoff and Peter Doran worked on the MIAQC (Maine Indoor Air Quality Council), which does not promote research for children.

Next meeting – Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Agenda items will include PDAG update and brainstorming partnerships.

Adjournment. Jonathan Lepoff adjourned the meeting at 11:58 a.m.

/tmh