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Clinical Education: Environmental and Occupational Health


Wildfire smoke poses a significant health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations such as farmworkers, given the nature of their jobs and their extended exposure to outdoor environments. This guide provides clinicians and community health workers (CHWs) with an overview of the effects of exposure to wildfire smoke, the reasons why farmworkers are more vulnerable to wildfire smoke, specific considerations for farmworkers, and practical strategies for preventive measures.

FECHA: 11 de Octubre de 2017 @ 1 PM (ET)

PRESENTADORES: 

Alma R. Galván, MHC, Migrant Clinicians NetworkRichard Rabin, MassCOSHRossana Coto-Batres, MSW, Northeast New York Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (NENYCOSH)

 

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Crédito de educación continua

Para recibir credito de Trabajador/a de Salud Comunitaria o Educacion de Continua de Enfermera después de ver alguno de estos seminarios usted debe hacer lo siguiente:

Completar la evaluación participante asociado a cada webinarEnviar un correo electrónico con su nombre y apellido indicando que ha completado a malvarado@migrantclinician.org

 

Descripción

Conforme las familias regresan a sus hogares en Houston, una vez que las inundaciones causadas por los Huracanes Irma y María se van retirando, esto se convierte en una carrera contra el tiempo. Un olor sofocante llena los cuartos de las casas, los charcos permanecen en los pasillos, y el moho se multiplica rápidamente. En cuestión de días, los patios ensopados de los vecinos se convierten en tiraderos de basura, conforme los trabajadores empiezan a quitar de las casas las paredes con moho, los pisos y los cielos destruidos, así como los muebles dañados. En este proceso, los trabajadores y muchos residentes se exponen al agua contaminada con químicos y basura, materiales de construcción peligros y alimañas dañinas. Pero hay otros riesgos adicionales, estructuras inestables y posibles intoxicaciones por monóxido de carbono de los generadores que trabajan incansablemente en espacios con poca ventilación. La exposición a asbestos, sílice y plomo son también peligros comunes para estos trabajadores.

Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Irma y ahora Maria: son nombres de tormentas que nos indican las diferentes comunidades que terminaron bajo el agua, pero muchas de las historias emanadas de ellas, sobre la limpieza -- y los peligros involucrados-- son las mismas. Con resiliencia y determinación, las comunidades se tratan de reconstruir, pero la reconstrucción necesita una fuerza de trabajo inmediata, lista para este trabajo peligroso y extenuante.

Las operaciones de recuperación después del desastre, limpieza y reconstrucción presentan muchos riesgos y peligros para los trabajadores. Muchos de ellos realizan este trabajo sin el equipo de seguridad o el entrenamiento de mitigación de peligros adecuado.

En la recuperación de una supertormenta, ¿cuáles son las vulnerabilidades que los trabajadores enfrentan y qué significa eso para la seguridad y la salud del trabajador? Las siguientes preguntas surgen para los proveedores y trabajadores de salud comunitarios que cuidan y se preocupan por estos trabajadores: ¿cuáles son los puntos claves que necesitamos entender para poder cuidar de aquellos involucrados en estos esfuerzos de limpieza y reconstrucción? y ¿qué podemos hacer para que ellos mismos prevengan las lesiones y las enfermedades?

Este seminario en línea recupera experiencias obtenidas de desastres naturales anteriores y ofrece recursos que le pueden guiar en su trabajo. Ofreceremos casos reales para ilustrar los peligros y revisaremos formas en que los trabajadores se pueden proteger a sí mismos, incluyendo el entendimiento de sus derechos y responsabilidades.

 

Objetivos de aprendizajeLos participantes identificarán los peligros más comunes y críticos que los trabajadores y residentes encuentras cuando se involucran en la demolicion y reconstruccion despues de un desastre.Los participantes articularán las mejores estrategias para educar a los trabajadores y residentes sobre como prevenir lesiones y enfermedades durante las actividades de limpieza y reconstrucción después de huracanes y supertormentas. Los participantes enlistarán al menos tres recursos que pueden usar para guiar a los trabajadores y residentes durante la demolición y reconstrucción después de un desastre. 

 

Este proyecto cuenta con el apoyo de la Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud (HRSA) del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos bajo el acuerdo de cooperación número U30CS09742, Asistencia Técnica a Centros de Salud Comunitarios y Migrantes y Personas sin Hogar por $ 1,094,709.00 con 0% del total Proyecto NCA financiado con fuentes no federales. Esta información o contenido y las conclusiones son las del autor y no deben ser interpretadas como la posición o política oficial de, ni cualquier endosos deben ser inferidos por HRSA, HHS o el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos.

Offers basic screening questions, common occupations and ailments associated with them, as well as recommended treatment. Also includes sample letters from clinicians to employers for restricted work.

DATE: May 24, 2017, 1 pm (ET)

SPEAKERS: Juliana Simmons, MSPH, CHES

 

Recorded WebinarParticipant EvaluationPresentation SlidesResources

 

Continuing Education Credit

To receive CME* or CNE credit after viewing this webinar, you must:

Complete the Participant Evaluation associated with this webinarSend an email with your first and last name stating which webinar you completed to contedu@migrantclinician.org

 

Description

​José Navarro was excited for his new career after landing a job in the poultry industry. After five years on the job, 37 year-old Navarro began coughing up blood. He died soon after when his lungs and kidneys failed. His death triggered a federal investigation raising questions about the health risks associated with the use of toxic chemicals in poultry plants.

Millions of workers are exposed to chemicals everyday on the job. All workers have the right to know about the chemicals they work with and community health workers can be an important source of information and support for workers. This workshop will teach community health workers how to explain what happens when someone is exposed to chemicals and how workers can best protect themselves

 

Learning ObjectivesRecognize how workers become exposed to chemicals and illnessesDescribe basic safety practices when working around chemicalsUnderstand the role of community health workers in identifying and preventing work related illnesses and hazards

 

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under cooperative agreement number U30CS09742, Technical Assistance to Community and Migrant Health Centers and Homeless for $1,094,709.00 with 0% of the total NCA project financed with non-federal sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

 

Available in English and Spanish!

 

Created by MCN, medical student Rachel Kelley of UCSF, and collaborators at East Tennessee State University, this guide is intended to be a reference for health care providers who work with people employed in the U.S. tomato industry. It aims to prepare providers with a more detailed understanding of hazards, health issues, and work processes associated with different tomato industry jobs.

This guide draws on published research, experienced health professionals’ advice, and information gathered from interviews and focus groups conducted with 36 tomato workers from diverse backgrounds and 14 community leaders familiar with tomato workers’ health in multiple states. It is important to note that health and safety conditions at any particular farm or company may vary from what is described here. Furthermore, individual workers may experience the same set of conditions differently.

The first section of the guide focuses on health hazards and health conditions commonly encountered in tomato production. The second section consists of detailed descriptions and illustrations of different tomato production tasks. The third section covers “human resources” information and policies that apply to U.S. agricultural workers generally. The appendices contain a Spanish-English glossary, further detail about different types of pesticides, information about agricultural occupational health policies and regulation, and a list of resources and readings.

 

DATE RECORDED: August 17, 2016 at 1 pm ET

PRESENTED BY: Amy Liebman, MPA, MA and Wilson Augustave, member of MCN’s Board of Directors and Senior HIV Case Manager at Finger Lakes Community Health

 

Recorded Webinar Participant Evaluation Presentation Slides (PDF)

 

Continuing Education Credit

To receive CME* or CNE credit after viewing this webinar, you must:

Complete the Participant Evaluation associated with this webinar Send an email with your first and last name stating which webinar you completed to contedu@migrantclinician.org Description

Milton “Tito” Rafael Barreto Hernandez was 22 years old when he died. He was killed when he was pulled into a machine at the concrete crushing facility where he worked.  This work-related death could have been prevented and would likely never have happened had the right safety procedures been followed.  Low-wage workers like Tito often work in dangerous jobs and immigrants are more likely to die or get hurt at work.  In spite of dangers on the job, all workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace. This training for community health workers will equip you with the knowledge you need to empower people to advocate for their rights on the job. Additionally, participants will come to understand how to seek help in case of a dangerous work environment and to be familiar with resources to assist workers.   

Learning Objectives Identify worker safety and health rights and responsibilities in the United States Describe the role of government agencies in protecting workers Recognize resources to assist workers in addressing workplace hazards Identify worker safety and health rights and responsibilities in the United States Describe the role of government agencies in protecting workers Recognize resources to assist workers in addressing workplace hazards Further Reading Workers' Comp Hub.org Workers' Comp Hub- Navigating the System MCN's Pesticide Reporting and Workers' Compensation in Agriculture Map Comic Book- Safety and Health on the Farm- It's your Right and it's the Law MCN's Immigrant Dairy Worker Health and Safety webpage OSHA's Workers' Rights Webpage NCOSH - Know Your Rights to a Safe and Healthy Workplace Hesperian Foundation's "Workers Guide to Health and Safety"

This material will be produced under grant number SH-27640-15-60-F-48-SH5 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It will not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

DATE RECORDED: Wednesday, June 17, 2014
PRESENTED BY: Matthew Keifer, MD, MPH, Dean Emanuel Endowed Chair/Director National Farm Medicine Center

MCN’s Environmental and Occupational Health Programs

Learn more about MCN’s training and technical assistance programs to help clinicians and health centers improve the recognition and management of pesticide exposures and other environmental/occupational health conditions.

 

Mistakes can be dangerous. Accurate identification of pesticides responsible for a patient's illness is important to avoid iatrogenic errors with respect to acute treatment.  Join us for an important webinar that will focus on key decision points in the diagnosis of pesticide exposures and emphasize the usefulness of the newly revised resource for clinicians - The Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 6th ed.  Through interactive case studies, this webinar will illustrate effective recognition and treatment of patients over exposed to pesticides. 


The webinar, sponsored by Migrant Clinicians Network, the National Farm Medicine Center and AgriSafe Network features Dr. Keifer, a board certified occupational medicine specialist and internationally renowned researcher regarding pesticides and agricultural health and safety. For over 30 years, Dr. Keifer has focused his clinical practice and research largely on farmworkers. 

SPONSORED BY: AgriSafe Network, Migrant Clinicians Network, and the National Farm Medicine Center

OBJECTIVES: Participants will be able to:

Better recognize the signs and symptoms of pesticide overexposure Identify key decision points in diagnosing pesticide exposures Demonstrate an understanding of how to use The Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 6th ed. in a clinical setting

We encourage all participants to order The Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 6th ed. prior to attending this webinar. Order here. PDF versions are also available at http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/recognition-and-management-pesticide-poisonings
If you have experienced any trouble ordering your copy please contact: kbrennan@migrantclinician.org 

 

 

  CLINICAL TOOLS & RESOURCES   Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings 6th Edition
An essential clinical reference for recognizing and managing pesticide overexposures. Pesticide Reporting and Workers’ Compensation Map
This interactive map provides state-specific pesticide reporting requirements and contact information to facilitate reporting.  It also includes state-specific Workers’ Compensation criteria and agencies responsible for enforcing the Worker Protection Standard. Cholinesterase Testing Protocols for Healthcare Providers and Cholinesterase Testing Protocol Algorithm
These clinical tools provide a concise and simple guide for clinicians in managing care for patients working with Class I and Class II organophosphates (OP) and N-methyl-carbamates. Acute Pesticide Exposures Clinical Guidelines
Important guidelines for health centers outlining how to handle acute pesticide exposures, emergencies and decontamination. Pesticide Exposure Assessment
A user-friendly form and check list for data collection on the acute pesticide exposed patient. EOH Screening Questions for the Primary Care Setting
Three screening questions in both English and Spanish to quickly ascertain work-related and environmental exposures and injuries.   National Pesticide Information Center
Supports a toll-free telephone service and extensive website providing impartial information about pesticides across the United States. Phone: 1-800-858-7378  Email: npic@ace.orst.edu American Association of Poison Control Centers
Offers a listing of regional Poison Control Centers. Poison Control Centers provide information regarding possible or actual environmental or occupational exposures and recommended treatments EXTOXNET
Objective, science-based information about pesticides - written for the non-expert   PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS   Aunque Cerca Sano (Comic Book)
Educational comic book targeting farmworker parents to address children’s risks to pesticide exposure and ways to minimize these risks. Lo Que Bien Empieza… Bien Acaba (Comic Book)
Educational comic book addressing pesticide exposure in women of reproductive age. Poco Veneno… ¿No Mata? (Comic Book)
Educational comic book with a story and messages about risks from pesticide exposure and ways to minimize these risks in the home.   ARCHIVED WEBINARS & TRAINING RESOURCES   Pesticide Health Effects Medical Education Database 
A diverse collection of training materials useful in the training of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The Nuts & Bolts of Cholinesterase Monitoring for Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Workers
Webinar addressing the importance of recognizing and managing certain pesticide exposures with a specific focus on the ways in which cholinesterase monitoring is a key component in clinical care for individuals working in agriculture.
  Workers and Health- How Frontline Providers Make a Difference in the Protection of Migrant Farmworkers and their Families
Webinar focusing on the factors that put migrant workers at increased risk for occupationally related injuries and illnesses and chronic diseases.  Emphasized exposure to pesticides and other contaminants as a particular concern to migrants and their families.
  Caring for the Injured Worker: Effective Partnerships between Clinicians, Health Centers and Lawyers
Webinar offering practical information for using the workers’ compensation system as well as legal avenues available to injured workers through a series of case studies.  Explores how clinicians can work collaboratively with legal advocates to help their patients secure these benefits.
    LOCAL PESTICIDE RESOURCES  

The following will provide information regarding the pesticides used in your areas:

Minnesota’s Agricultural Extension offices
Program team and Extension County Offices Illinois’s Agricultural Extension offices
Program team and Extension County Offices

The importance of clinical diagnostic tools and biomonitoring of exposures to pesticides as well the role of clinicians in pesticide reporting and the challenges clinicians face in accurately diagnosing patients exposed to pesticides are described in a presentation by Matthew Keifer, MD, MPH and Amy K. Liebman, MPA. Click on the link for an APHA policy resolution underscoring the need for clinical diagnostic tools and biomomitoring of exposures to pesticides. This policy supports the information outlined by in the presentation.