YOU ARE NOW CONNECTED TO THE TOXLINE (1981 FORWARD, NON-ROYALTY) FILE. ==OCAW - HEALTH AND SAFETY== 12 AUTHOR Savitz DA AUTHOR Harley B AUTHOR Krekel S AUTHOR Marshall J AUTHOR Bondy J AUTHOR Orleans M TITLE Survey Of Reproductive Hazards Among Oil, Chemical, And Atomic Workers Exposed To Halogenated Hydrocarbons SOURCE American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Vol. 6, No. 4, pages 253-264, 26 references, 1984 ABSTRACT An epidemiological study of reproductive hazards among oil, chemical, and atomic workers exposed to halogenated hydrocarbons was conducted. Two groups of Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers (OCAW) Union members were surveyed: employees of 7 factories engaged in the production and use of halogenated hydrocarbons (exposed) and employees of 11 establishments that did not allow any opportunity for exposure (non exposed). Overall response rates to a mailed questionnaire were 41 percent among exposed workers and 29 percent among non exposed workers. A total of 1280 completed questionnaires were returned. The incidence of diagnosed cancer was higher among exposed workers. There was no significant correlation between infertility, fetal loss rate, congenital defects, or low birth weight offspring, and degree of exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons. The infant mortality rate was significantly elevated among the offspring of exposed workers. The authors conclude that there is an association between exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons among OCAW employees, the prevalence of reported cancer among workers, and the risk of infant mortality in their offspring. Additional studies are proposed to pinpoint the specific carcinogen or mutagen. 2 AUTHOR Merrill M TITLE Trust in Training: The Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union Worker-to-Worker Training Program SOURCE Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, Vol. 9, No. 2, pages 341-354, 25 references, 1994 ABSTRACT An innovative worker to worker training program (WWTP) used by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers (OCAW) started in 1987 was discussed. Since most companies did not have much credibility with their hourly employees on matters of safety and health, the union had resisted company efforts to play a direct and substantive role in its WWTP, so the program was not a joint one. The need for union based safety and health training was discussed with statistics from the OCAW which represented about 100,000 workers in the United States, and who were covered by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. OCAW members were at high risk from explosions, releases, and other incidents involving hazardous substances, which often had fatal consequences. Workers reported seeing incidents in which injuries and worse traumas were only narrowly avoided. The possibility of life threatening emergency was never far from workers' minds. A 1990 survey by the OCAW's department of health and safety to assess workplace hazards and training needs revealed that most members did not receive the training to which they were entitled. A Department of Energy report found similar neglect of OCAW members in eight facilities. Worker comments on a comparison of company provided versus OCAW programs found mistrust in the former, and distinct advantages in the latter which used interactive procedures as well as more acceptable time slots. Company programs usually used instructors who were too technical and workers felt lost. Also, these programs discouraged worker participation. The WWTP was intended to serve as a model for industry. The small group activity method with reliable, readable, and relevant materials was used. Both positive and negative aspects of a WWTP experiment at Martin Marietta were discussed. Participant evaluations, worker/trainer evaluations and reactions, company evaluations, and impact evaluation were addressed. The author concludes that the success of the OCAW WWTP lies in that workers and management approach each other as equals, and that trainers are themselves experienced workers. 11 TITLE Hazardous waste workbook SOURCE Apex Press, Council on International and Public Affairs, Inc., 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA, 5th edition, 1991. 2 vols. Illus. 18 ref. Index. ABSTRACT This training manual is designed for use by worker-trainers teaching courses for hazardous waste workers and chemical emergency responders. It uses a non-lecture approach called the Small Group Activity Method. Twelve activities are covered: job fear (relationship between job security and the protection of health, safety and the environment); assessing hazardous waste problems; tackling toxic chemical myths; use of Material Safety Data Sheets; evaluation of exposure monitoring reports; control of toxic hazards; respiratory protection; evaluation of company medical surveillance programmes; legal aspects; strenghtening the Health and Safety Committee; evaluating emergency response plans; relating to the community. An accompanying document provides an 8-hour refresher course.