MORA Meeting Minutes

September 10, 2008:

Minutes:

MINUTES MORA September 10, 2008

Attending: Leslie Walleigh, Kim Lim, Jonathan Lepoff, Ivan Most (via telephone), Desi-Rae Severson, Leslie Manning, Linda Huff, and Terry Hathaway.

Call to Order. Vice Chair Leslie Walleigh called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. in the Frances Perkins Conference Room A, Central Maine Commerce Center. As Ivan joined by telephone, introductions were made. Linda Huff is the Bureau of Labor Standards staff person, replacing Ted Bradstreet.

Approval of June 11, 2008 Minutes. Jonathan Lepoff made a motion to accept the June 11, 2008 minutes as written. Desi-Rae Severson seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

PDAG Update-Leslie Walleigh. Leslie said that PDAG discussed the collection of M.O. (medical only) for Workers’ Compensation. MEMIC (Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company) had done a study on M.O.s, which turned into lost time cases. PDAG would like to do an additional study for the self-insured companies, which Brian Doe, Hannaford, said they would do and Leslie Manning suggested State government. PDAG is supportive for the collection of M.O. and analysis of data by the Maine Department of Labor. This would require more funding and personnel.

The Small Business Survey results came out last year. There will be a follow-up survey to those companies, who gave identifying information and stated they would not use web-based educational services. The purpose of the follow-up survey is to find out what the barriers to using web-based services are.

Presentation-Maine Asthma Phoenix Program-Desi-Rae Severson. This presentation is postponed to the October 10th meeting due to lack of attendees. Leslie Walleigh, Maine Center for Disease Control (ME-CDC) will also be doing a presentation on the ME-CDC.

Jackson Lab Conference Update-Ivan Most/Leslie Manning. Leslie Manning said that due to the poor response to the Conference registration, the Conference is being postponed. Jackson Lab wants to proceed with the Conference, but may need to change the format and perhaps make it a webinar. Ivan agreed. Further discussion included surveying the Maine community to see if there is an interest. Leslie Manning and Ivan will do a conference call with John McCauley, Jackson Lab.

Ivan added that he will be at the NORA (National Occupational Research Agenda) meeting, September 24 and 25, discussing the development of a strategic plan for the manufacturing sector. He will check with them to see how serious they are about this at a national level and will report back to MORA at an upcoming meeting. Ivan will identify someone in NORA who is the “nano” (short for nanotechnology) expert and perhaps a conference call (with Leslie Manning and Ivan) could be arranged with this individual.

MIOHE Grants-Carol Eckert. As Carol was absent, copies of the original and rewritten grant ad for the MIOHE money were handed out. Desi-Rae had edited the ads as MORA members had received copies via e-mail. Carol is asking for MORA to review and get back to her with their suggestions. Leslie Manning agreed that the ad should be run. If the money is not used by Spring 2009, then MORA needs to convene and decide how to spent the money. Grants of $500 to $1,000 could be used to facilitate the development of occupational health research projects or training. MORA members are encouraged to come up with ideas for pilot programs for the available money.

Leslie Manning will send MORA membership a link to the NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) funding sources.

Other. Leslie Walleigh said that at the last MORA meeting, most of the membership became aware of the BOSH (Board of Occupational Safety and Health). Discussion included if BOSH can adopt standards for the protection of fire fighters. Leslie Manning suggested calling the Fire Chiefs Association or Ric Beyler, Chair of BOSH.

Next Meeting-Wednesday, October 8, 2008. The next regularly scheduled MORA meeting for Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, Frances Perkins Conference Room A, Central Maine Commerce Center.

Adjournment. Leslie Walleigh adjourned the meeting at 11:32 a.m.

/tmh