Attending: Carol Eckert, Leslie Walleigh, Ivan Most, Desi-Rae Severson, Peter Doran, Ruth Lawson-Stopps, Jonathan Lepoff, Linda Huff, and Terry Hathaway

Guests: Bill Peabody (Director, Bureau of Labor Standards), Lauralee Raymond (Bureau of Labor Standards), David Skinner (Health Statistics and Data Management Division, Public Health Services, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services), and by phone, Karla Armenti (Chief, Health Statistics and Data Management Division, Public Health Services, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services).

Call to Order. Carol Eckert called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. in the Frances Perkins Conference Room, Central Maine Commerce Center. Introductions were made as we had a couple of guests from the Bureau of Labor Standards (Bill Peabody, Director, and Lauralee Raymond, Outreach and Education Coordinator) and our presenter, David Skinner (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Health Statistics and Data Management).

Approval of October 8, 2008 Minutes. Peter Doran made a motion to accept the October 8, 2008 minutes as written. Jonathan Lepoff seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

Presentation – Analyzing and Prevention Unintended Occupational Poisonings – David Skinner. Mr. Skinner did a power-point presentation entitled, “Extended Use of New Hampshire NNEPC (Northern New England Poison Center) Data: Analyzing and Preventing Unintended Occupational Poisonings”. The main goals are: to seek data-driven knowledge regarding the characteristics of unintended industrial poisonings occurring in New Hampshire workplaces; use of this knowledge to enhance prevention strategies by targeting at-risk populations, processes, and practices; and develop recommendations for good chemical substance operating practice.

This presentation was based on calls to the NNEPC regarding unintended industrial poisoning in New Hampshire. Mr. Skinner went on to explain methods, provide examples, present results, identify circumstance clusters, discuss future activities, and propose prevention recommendations. Discussion followed, including input from MORA. Peter asked if Mr. Skinner would be willing to do a presentation at the annual Maine Indoor Air Quality Conference to be held in March 2009.

PDAG Update – Peter Doran. At the last PDAG meeting, Kathy Schulz of the Maine Workers’ Compensation Board did a presentation on “An Employers’ Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Maine”. Brian Doe of Hannaford is willing for Hannaford to do a “self-insured study regarding Medical Only (M.O.) reports.

Leslie Manning also added that according to Workers’ Compensation, M.O. reports require medical treatment, but no lost time. Maine wants to get “near miss” to assist prevention activities.

Leslie Manning added that the Bureau of Labor Standards (Maine Department of Labor) and the Maine Center for Disease Control (Maine Department of Health and Human Services) have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to do more analysis of occupational injuries and illnesses.

Jackson Lab Conference Update – Ivan Most. Ivan stated that there was a conference call with Jackson Lab last month. Jackson Lab does not want to go ahead with the Genetics Conference without support from MORA and the Maine Department of Labor.

Training Needs for SafetyWorks Classes – Lauralee Raymond. Lauralee is looking for feedback on training and safety classes for Spring 2009. Ruth suggested an indoor air quality.

MIOHE Grants – Carol Eckert. Carol said that the grant advertisement has been sent out. Lauralee will take some to the MEMIC Conference for handouts.

Maine Asthma Program – Ruth Lawson-Stopps. Ruth asked for MORA’s input regarding being part of the Workplaces Group, which resulted from the Maine Asthma Program’s Phoenix Event held last May. The Workplaces Group will be meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Frances Perkins Conference Room, Central Maine Commerce Center. This is just prior to the next regularly scheduled MORA meeting.

Peter suggested that as MORA’s history is identifying priorities that MORA should make asthma in the workplace one of its priorities for the coming year so that the group can put its time and energy into this process to get it started. Leslie Manning suggested that 40 minutes be set aside at the December MORA meeting to revisit the priorities.

Other. Ivan will be attending the Workers’ Compensation Research Group Meeting, November 14-15, 2008, in Hopkinton, MA. He handed out the agenda.

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

Adjournment. Carol Eckert adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

/tmh