MORA Meeting Minutes

December 10, 2008:

Minutes:

MINUTES MORA December 10, 2008

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

Call to Order. Carol Eckert called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.

Approval of November 12th Minutes. Peter Doran made a motion to approve the November 12, 2008 minutes as written. Ivan Most seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

PDAG Update – Leslie Walleigh. Brian Doe, Hannaford, has drafted a letter to Hannaford requesting them to do the self-insured study of Medical Only (M.O.) reports, similar to the MEMIC study. John Rioux gave an update on the follow-up survey regarding web-based training on the Small Business Survey. This was a smaller survey sent only to those employers who provided identification and stated that they did not use web-based training. Discussion followed.

Also at the last PDAG meeting, Bill Peabody had reported on the State Public Sector plan. Leslie M. added that the public safety enforcement (Safetyworks!) program has been funded by the general fund is pursuing meeting Federal reporting requirements for their monies. Now, there will be an accurate accounting of the Federal monies. Discussions with Federal OSHA to fund our program so Maine can double our program (with additional funding).

Leslie W. also said that the EISA (Expedited Informal Settlement Agreement) program evaluation, where OSHA fines employers and gives them options for payment. Employers can reduce their fine by 50 percent by calling Safetyworks! for training and/or consultation services.

Maine Asthma Workplace Group Meeting Update – Ruth Lawson-Stopps. Ruth stated that she is pleased that MORA has taken on a role with this program and the Maine Asthma Council. The first meeting took place just prior to the MORA meeting. The first couple of meetings will be to determine the scopes of what the group will get to in time. There are two areas of focus: Common workplace triggers for occupational asthma and identifying “at risk” occupations and other partners. The next meeting of the Maine Asthma Workplace Group will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Frances Perkins Conference Room A, Maine Department of Labor, Central Maine Commerce Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, just prior to the MORA meeting at 10:00 a.m..

Workers’ Compensation Research Institute Meeting Update – Ivan Most. Ivan attended the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute Meeting in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, November 14 – 15, 2008. He circulated a notebook of the Conference and has to get permission to copy the information. Ivan was the only member from Maine who attended this conference. He stated that it was very worthwhile.

MIOHE Grants – Carol Eckert. On behalf of the Grants Committee (Jonathan Lepoff, Carol Eckert, and Leslie Manning), Leslie Manning made to motion that MORA approve funding for Ivan Most to do a pilot phase research work with lean manufacturing to see how work can be done at a reduced cost and an increase in productivity. Jonathan Lepoff seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous. Ivan will provide an update at the February 11th MORA meeting.

Review of MORA Priorities – All. All members attending the meeting received a hand-out of MORA’s priorities as posted on the Maine Department of Labor web site. The purpose of reviewing the MORA priorities is to re-focus on what MORA should study. Leslie will send out a link to MORA so that members can view the publication. Kim suggested that MORA priorities should be changed to reflect NORA priorities. MORA needs to be an advisory board to the Department of Labor regarding occupational research. Ivan suggested that MORA look at data and change priorities accordingly rather than review. MORA will also receive the link to the research and fatality data from the Maine Department of Labor. Peter suggested identifying priorities and focus on them. Further discussion took place. Leslie M. reminded the group that Labor could get an intern from Margaret Chase Smith Institute to work on a Maine Toxic Project (similar to the one David Skinner did for New Hampshire). Colby and Bates both have internship programs.

At the January 14th meeting, MORA will further discuss the priorities.

Next Meeting – Wednesday, January 14, 2009. The next regularly scheduled MORA meeting for Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, Frances Perkins Conference Room, Maine Department of Labor, Central Maine Commerce Center.

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

/tmh