ORAU Team Worker Outreach Program for NIOSH
W.E. Murray (Oak Ridge Associated Universities)
The ORAU Team Worker Outreach Program for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) provides both a framework for communicating with workers and an opportunity for workers to have input into the development and revision of Site Profiles. Work on Site Profiles began early in 2003 for 15 Department of Energy (DOE) sites and four Atomic Weapons Employers (AWE) sites. Additional Site Profiles have been started since. The Worker Outreach Program began in late 2003. Because several Site Profiles were completed, a phased approach was taken: in the research stage; as a review step following completion; and in the revision process as new information becomes available. For the first Site Profiles, the program was implemented in the review phase. For Site Profiles initiated later, worker involvement began in the research stage and continues through the development process. The meetings focus on the ORAU Team's role in processing EEOICPA claims for radiation-related cancers, the dose reconstruction process, and the development of the Site Profiles. Additional doses are added for the occupational environmental dose, the occupational medical x-ray dose, and any missed dose. Considerable technical information is needed about site activities, the occupational medical, the environmental monitoring, and the internal and external dosimetry programs. This information is compiled and described in the Site Profile which serves as a technical handbook for Health Physicists who reconstruct doses for claims at that site. Since much information is taken from DOE, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the Manhattan Engineer District (MED) reports, the workers can provide information that confirms or challenges information in these Site Profiles. Minutes are taken at all meetings and the approved minutes are posted on the NIOSH Website. We are still receiving and evaluating information from worker representatives at many of the sites. Information from unions has made a difference in individual Site Profiles as well as in our overall approach. Work supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under Contract No. 200-2002-00593.