Pam Dannenberg says farewell as the CSAOHN Board Director for Government Affairs as newly-elected Katy Lind Evelyn begins her two-year term on 1/1/2013. Pam says “thanks so much for being with me in this marvelous journey in Government Affairs” and please also “Welcome and support Katy as she begins her term”.
CSAOHN had an exciting conference this year in San Diego, and the Government Affairs Happy Hour discussion was well attended. OHNs filled out a survey to indicate what they would like to help with during 2013. If you did not have the opportunity to fill out the survey, please go to www.csaohn.org to get a copy and email it to Katy Lind Evelyn at katylindevelyn@gmail.com or you may fax it to Pam Dannenberg at 415-643-6775.
In December CSAOHN sent comments to the Dept. of Workers’ Compensation as they have been promulgating the regulations to implement SB 863, California’s Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill. We commented on the Independent Medical Review (UR, RFA, IMR) and Independent Bill Review sections of SB 863. Various parts of this bill are going into effect on 1/1/2013, 7/1/2013 and 1/1/2014. More information is available at the Division of Workers’ Compensation under Workers’ Comp at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwc_home_page.htm. Members who participated in these discussions include Mary Hale, Mary Gene Ryan, Julie Rochefort, Susan Hazy, Lori Douglass, Anna Reilly, Katy Lind Evelyn, Margie Matsui, and Pam Dannenberg. Thanks to each of you for taking the time to study SB 863 and to prepare comments. Additionally CECRAOHN held an educational talk on SB 863 at their November member meeting. This presentation is posted on the CSAOHN website.
We have also begun a working group for the Cal/OSHA discussions on Housekeeping in the Hotel and Hospitality Industry. One conference call was held and more work will be done by this group to give feedback to Cal/OSHA. If you wish to participate in these discussions and were not on the first conference call, please let Katy Lind Evelyn know.
The home page for Cal/OSHA is now under Workplace Safety at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh1.html
The Cal/OSHA Advisory Committee info is at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/doshreg/Cal_OSHAAdvisoryCommittee.html
The Cal/OSHA Rulemaking Committee meetings are at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/DoshReg/advisory_committee.html
As of 1/2/2012 no Cal/OSHA meetings are scheduled for 2013, but sometimes this changes suddenly so we will try to keep you posted, and you may also check the schedules by accessing the above websites.
The CSAOHN Legislative/Regulatory Agenda for 2013 includes these items:
SB 863 – Workers’ Comp Reform Bill – Regulations being developed; some are finalized; give further input as needed
Cal/OSHA Lead Standard Revisions
Cal/OSHA First Aid Standard Revisions
Cal/OSHA Regulations for the Safe Patient Handling Standard
Cal/OSHA Discussions on Housekeeping in the Hotel and Hospitality Industry
Bisphenol A (BPA) – we have an informational piece on the website and have suggested that Cal/OSHA put this on the agenda of the Health Expert Advisory Committee
Hepatitis B and C – we have informational links on the website
Cal/OSHA Advisory Committee and Subcommittee meetings
Future of Nursing Campaign for Action
Inadequacy of Ergonomics Standard 5120
Safe Cosmetics Legislation
ACA and Health Exchanges – access to nurses (NPs) for health care
Pipeline for Occupational Health Professionals and Mentoring for CSAOHN and GA Activities
Continuing Battle for Funding the ERC’s and Ag Centers – need funding for 2013
Other Items
Heat Stress Illness Survey Monkey – do this in Jan/Feb? Information on the Heat Illness Standard and Multi-lingual Educational Pieces are on the Cal/OSHA website.
CSAOHN is continuing to partner with WOEMA (Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association). When WOEMA or CSAOHN has a concern about a legislative or regulatory item, we share it with our partner and when possible present a collaborative position to the appropriate legislative or regulatory body. We also invite each other to our annual conferences.
The CSAOHN Gov’t Affairs Committee encourages OHNs to build relationships with your Senators and Assembly Members in Sacramento and Congressional Reps. in Washington DC with periodic contact via email, letter, fax and phone calls. “In person” visits with member anecdotal stories are the best, most influential thing we can do. Then when topics come up, you will know your congressional leaders and they will also know you so your visits/calls will help influence the legislator. To find your federal legislators, go to http://capwiz.com/aac/dbq/officials/ and this link will list your Senators and US Representative. For your California state legislators go to http://senate.ca.gov/senators and http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers.
When the state legislature is in session, video streaming is available at www.calchannel.com
Info is also available at http://www.workcompcentral.com/
When legislators are in their home districts, this is a good time to visit and get acquainted or to update them. Make it a group effort when possible. Then when we have important information to give them or send by email, they will remember CSAOHN and our information will be given more consideration and influence future legislation.
The CSAOHN Gov’t Affairs Committee encourages OHNs to provide educational seminars for workers and the community/public. Here are some topics to consider:
- Hepatitis – lots of info on the CSAOHN website, such as www.hepc.tv and http://www.youtube.com/hepctv#p/c/BB44534E27D1F38E/0/Zl_kw8qHGTI
Hepatitis C Made Simple: The Basics – an educational video in easy to understand format. Hep C is curable based on type and with new medications they are seeing cures (it is not 100%). There is an initiative to screen the baby boomer population for Hep C so those who may be positive could receive potential treatment before the disease affects the liver. Need to tell people to ask for screening from their medical provider. Mary Gene Ryan sits on a national board and is our resident expert on hepatitis.
- b. Bone Health – “Fit to a T” on CSAOHN website
- c. Looking for other articles to put on CSAOHN website – send your educational articles to Katy Lind Evelyn. If you do a seminar or educational workshop at your worksite or in your community, consider sharing it with all of us.
Gov’t Affairs Conference Call DATES:
January 18 and 19, 2013
March 15 and 16, 2013
May 17 and 18, 2013
July 19 and 20, 2013
Sept. 20 and 21, 2013
Nov. 15 and 16, 2013
All CSAOHN Chapter Government Affairs Representatives and the Chapter Presidents are encouraged to attend one of these conference calls every other month so that you can give input and pass information onto your chapters. CSAOHN Board members are also encouraged to attend.
Cal/OSHA Advisory Committee Dates: None scheduled so far for 2013. Watch the website. Most meetings are held at the Elihu Harris Building at 1515 Clay Street in Oakland, CA and usually start at 9:30 or 10 a.m.
Let Katy Lind Evelyn know if you are able to attend or wish to attend any of these meetings please!
Other Dates to Remember:
April 15-18, 2013 – AAOHN Annual Conference with Pre-Conference Workshops April 13-14, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV
October 18-19, 2013 – CSAOHN Annual Conference in Sacramento, CA with possible Pre-Conference on October 17, 2013
If you have questions about any of the information in this newsletter, please contact Pam Dannenberg at pamdannenberg@msn.com or 415-999-2855, Katy Evelyn at katylindevelyn@gmail.com or contact your local chapter representative who is on the Government Affairs committee.
