MORA Meeting Minutes

January 14, 2009:

Minutes:

MINUTES MORA January 14, 2009

Attending: Carol Eckert, Leslie Walleigh, Peter Doran, Ruth Lawson-Stopps, Jonathan Lepoff, Kim Lim, Leslie Manning, Peter Crockett, and Terry Hathaway

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

Approval of December 10th Minutes. Jonathan Lepoff made a motion to approve the December 10, 2008 minutes as written. Peter Doran seconded the motion. Vote, unanimous.

PDAG Update – Leslie Walleigh. Leslie had no update as the PDAG December PDAG meeting was cancelled due to a snowstorm.

Maine Asthma Workplace Group Meeting Update – Ruth Lawson-Stopps. Ruth appreciates MORA’s interest in the Occupational Asthma Work Group identifying the common workplace triggers and the most at-risk occupations. The work group will also develop educational materials, including public awareness and identifying partners.

Review of MORA Priorities – All. MORA will seek help from other sources regarding focus on the priorities. Leslie Manning suggested that MORA follow the NORA priorities. OSHA, NIOSH, and NORA are all “on the same page” so it would make sense to follow NORA. MORA’s responsibility is to advise BLS regarding education and outreach research.

Further discussion of MORA priorities, including cost drivers as well as several indicators to guide MORA. MORA will be looking at change in the workforce, effect of increased use of computers, occupational asthma in schools, Maine Cancer Registry, Leslie spoke of the publication, “Healthy Maine 2010”, which is posted on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) web site. Leslie added that “Health Maine 2020” is being prepared and will be including MORA.

Carol added the relevance of the New Hampshire Poison Control data presented by David Skinner. Leslie Manning stated that interns are available through the Margaret Chase Smith Institute. Perhaps the Bureau of Labor Standards and Department of Health and Human Services could hire an intern, who would work four days a week at Labor and one day a week at Health and Human Services. Carol will check with Colby College regarding a summer intern and will send the information to Leslie Manning.

Other. Carol reminded the group that at the February 11th meeting, she will turn over the Chair responsibility to Leslie Walleigh. The group then needs to vote on a vice-chair.

Ruth asked about inviting someone from the Bureau of Labor Standards to the MORA meeting. Leslie Manning suggested Mike Laplante, Supervisor for Enforcement and Voluntary Compliance. Leslie also explained EISA (Expedited Informal Settlement Agreement) where employers are inspected by OSHA and have the option to reduce the amount of their fine by voluntarily calling SafetyWorks! for a free consultation. Kim Lim and Linda Huff will be evaluating the effectiveness of this program.

Ruth also added that the Maine Asthma Program is looking for someone who can work for six months, approximately 12 hours a week, helping staff develop a program for school staff and focus groups with parents of children with asthma. This person would be able to work from home, but would need to travel for meetings in Aroostook and Washington Counties. .

Next Meeting – Wednesday, February 11, 2009. The next regularly scheduled MORA meeting for Wednesday, February 11, 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 11:56 a.m.

/tmh