Occupational Health Strategic Planning in Colorado

Details

• Personal Author:
  Warner A
• Description:
  Occupational health is an important public health issue in Colorado. An average of 2.4 million workers are employed in Colorado and, on average, 117 work-related deaths occur each year. This accounts for approximately one work-related fatality every three days. The individuals and families affected by occupational injury bear substantial burdens that come with loss of life, income and independence. Injuries, illnesses and fatalities also cost businesses millions of dollars each year. During 2001-2008, Colorado paid out more than $802 million in workers' compensation claims each year. Colorado's occupational landscape encompasses some of the nation's highest risk occupations, including mining, construction and agriculture. Colorado is also leading the way in developing new technologies and manufacturing methods in the emerging fields of nanotechnology, oil & gas extraction and "green" technology. Impacts to worker health from these new industries are not well characterized. Occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities are preventable. The overall objective of this project was to develop a strategic plan to guide the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in building a sustainable and comprehensive state-based occupational health surveillance program. In order to achieve this end result, we identified the following specific aims: Aim #1: Gather input from key stakeholders and increase stakeholder support for occupational health surveillance in Colorado. Aim #2: Identify priority areas for occupational health surveillance and assess legal authority and available data systems. Aim #3: Increase support for legislation, regulations, and policies in occupational health and surveillance. Aim #4: Build a sustainable surveillance system that can inform educators, policy makers, and others and that promotes effective prevention programs that decrease occupation related injury, illness, and death. From March through July 2010, the CDPHE conducted six formal planning meetings. These meetings involved a diverse group of over fifty stakeholders from around the state, local, state and federal agencies, research and medical institutions, businesses, insurers, community members, and regulatory entities. By engaging such a diverse stakeholder group in strategic planning, CDPHE was able to increase awareness of occupational health issues and garner internal and external support for occupational health and safety surveillance in Colorado. As a direct result of this conference support, a written Strategic Plan was produced to lay the foundation for a comprehensive state-based occupational health program. Additional meetings were held to implement the plan and these efforts culminated in: Surveillance funding through NIOSH's 5-year Fundamental State-based Surveillance program. Development of Worksafe Colorado, a network of more than 80 occupational health experts, workplace safety organizations, employers, insurers, local health departments, educators, state agencies, and other stakeholders committed to safe and healthy workplaces. Workplace investigations by CDPHE and its partners that were made on behalf of workers and employers. Integration of occupational health and safety into data collection systems such as the Colorado Public Health Indicators and the Colorado BRFSS. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Mortality Occupational Health Public Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Fatalities Information Dissemination Injuries Occupational Health Public Health Surveillance Surveillance Programs
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-38
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059879
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2021-100167
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R13-OH-009748, 2012 May; :1-38
• Contact Point Address:
  Amy Warner, MPH, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive, Denver, CO 80246
• Email:
  Amy.Warner@state.co.us
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado State Department of Public Health & Environment
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20100301
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20120229
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:497f13d09d248ebfee3f9ac96bf53c34f21838adb7f3e5e3980bf6389a4d29f24043580f6b751ec9fd1cf040193f6dcd8778cbc6954138ad9d0fe58417b19ddf
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218987/cdc_218987_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 587.75 KB ]