Resources

  • This section provides links to online resources and websites of various government agencies and other organizations that may help you solve occupational safety and health problems.
    Also see the links listed below for OSH publications from the state and federal governments.

Links

Film Resources: Are you interested in workplace and environmental health and safety film clips? Click here for an online collection of more than 500 historic film clips on a wide range of workplace and environmental health and safety topics including asbestos, lead, emergency response, and labor history classes. Click here for a flier about this collection.

Government Agencies

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  • California
    • DIR – Department of Industrial Relations
      This Department houses units related to labor.

    • CDPH – California Department of Public Health
      This Department houses several units involved with occupational safety and health.

        • DEODC – Division of Environmental & Occupational Disease Control
        • EHIB – Environmental Health Investigations Branch
        • Cal-IAQ – Indoor Air Quality Section
      • OHB – Occupational Health Branch
        This branch is the focal point in the Department of Public Health for surveillance, evaluation, and public education about occupational disease and injury among California workers.

          • HESIS – Hazard Evaluation System & Information Services
            The Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS), a joint program of the California Department of Health Services and Department of Industrial Relations, reviews and evaluates the scientific literature and provides up-to-date, practical answers to these questions. A multidisciplinary team of toxicologists, physicians, librarians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational health professionals provides a wide range of expertise. HESIS has enlarged its program with the addition of the SHARPS Injury Control Program , working with stakeholders throughout California to reduce bloodborne infections among workers exposed to blood and blood products, particularly in hospitals, home health care agencies and nursing homes.
            Click here for HESIS publications including fact sheets, training materials and other useful OSH tools.
          • OLPPP – Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
            The OLPPP provides information and services designed to prevent and control lead poisoning in California workplaces. Activities are directed towards workers, unions, employers, industry groups, health professionals and the general public.
          • OHSEP – Occupational Health Surveillance and Evaluation Program
            OHSEP conducts occupational disease and injury surveillance on: Occupational tuberculosis: A NIOSH-sponsored program, Occupational Asthma: a NIOSH-sponsored program, Occupational Fatalities in Los Angeles County, Workplace violence, Health effects of low-level ionizing radiation: a Department of Energy-funded program. A multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational health professionals provides a wide range of expertise.
      • CBDMP – California Birth Defects Monitoring Program
      • CA EPA – California Environmental Protection Agency
        Many OSH issues, especially those having to do with toxic or hazardous materials, can fall in one way or another under the purview of the California EPA.

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Labor Organizations

  • National and International Councils
    • AFL-CIO – American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations
      This national council has affiliates from most unions throughout the US and is the main national voice of organized labor. The website has many valuable links related to occupational safety and health, union affiliates, international organizations, etc.

    • BCTD – Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
      This national council has affiliates from the 15 international unions that comprise the building trades (see listings below under International Unions) and is the main national voice of the building trades. Click here for a listing of BCTD affiliates.
    • CLC – Canadian Labour Congress
    • CPWR – Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (also known as the Center for Construction Research and Training)
      This is the non-profit arm of the BCTD that focuses on construction worker occupational safety and health. The CPWR has an electronic library (link: http://www.elcosh.org/ ) which is geared towards construction hazards. It is easily searchable by trade and by type of hazard, among other things.
    • ICFTU – International Confederaton of Free Trade Unions
      This is a Confederation of national trade union centres, each of which links together the trade unions of that particular country. Membership is open to bona fide trade union organisations, that are independent of outside influence, and have a democratic structure.
    • ICEM – International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions
      The ICEM is a rapidly growing industry-based world labour federation dedicated to practical solidarity. It unites trade unions in its sectors on all continents. Its aim is to become a truly global trade union.
    • ILO – International Labour Organization
      The International Labour Organization is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. It was founded in 1919 and is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles which brought the League of Nations into being and it became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.
    • TUC – Trades Union Congress (Britain)
      The TUC is the voice of Britain at work. With 70 affiliated unions representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, they campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.
    • VTHC – Victorian Trades Hall Council (Australia)
      The VTHC is the Victorian branch of the ACTU. It grew from the historic winning of the 8-hour day by the Melbourne building trades in 1856.

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    • State Councils
      • California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
        This statewide council has affiliates from most unions throughout California and is the main statewide voice of organized labor.
      • SBCTC – State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
        This statewide council has the California affiliates from the 15 international unions that comprise the building trades
    • Local Councils
      The California Labor Federation features a listing of Californias Local or Central Labor Councils. These councils also may have links to their own affiliated unions at each geographical level and this may help you find your own international union website as well as your particular local union website.
      The national and statewide councils and some of the local councils may have information about specific occupational safety and health issues on which they are working. Your own international union may well have information about specific occupational safety and health issues that affect your craft or trade, and some of that information may also be available on a local union website.
  • Specific Trade Unions
    • ALPA – Air Line Pilots Association
    • AFA – Association of Flight Attendants
    • AFGE – American Federation of Government Employees
    • AFM – American Federation of Musicians
    • AFSCME – American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
    • AFT – American Federation of Teachers
    • APWU – American Postal Workers Union
    • ATU – Amalgamated Transit Union
    • BLE – Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
    • BMWE – Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
    • BRS – Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
    • CWA – Communications Workers of America
    • GCIU or Print Trades – Graphic Communications International Union
    • GMP – Glass Molders Pottery Plastics and Allied Workers International Union
    • IAFF or Firefighters – International Association of Firefighters
    • IAM or Machinists – International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
    • IATSE – International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
    • IBT – International Brotherhood of Teamsters
    • IFPTE – International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
    • OPEIU – Office & Professional Employees International Union
    • PACE – Paper Allied Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers (includes former OCAW and UPIU)
    • SIU – Seafarers International Union
    • SEIU – Service Employees International Union
    • TCU – Transportation Communications Union
    • TWU – Transport Workers Union
    • TNG – The Newspaper Guild
    • UNITE HERE – Union of Needletrades Industrial and Textile Employees, Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union
    • UAW or Auto Workers – Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America International Union
    • UFW or Farm Workers – United Farm Workers of America
    • UFCW – United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
    • UMWA or Mine Workers – United Mine Workers of America
    • USW – United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Service Workers International Union
    • UWUA – Utility Workers Union of America
    • WGA – Writers Guild of America, East

    The Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO (BCTD) has 13 affiliates which are listed below for your convenience. For more information see the BCTD Affiliates Page.

    • Insulators – International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
    • Boilermakers – International Union of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
    • BAC or Bricklayers – International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
    • IBEW or Electrical Workers – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
    • IUEC or Elevator Constructors – International Union of Elevator Constructors
    • Iron Workers – International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
    • LIUNA or Laborers – Laborers’ International Union of North America
    • OP&CMIA or Plasterers & Cement Masons – Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association of the United States and Canada
    • Roofers – United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers
    • SMWIA – Sheet Metal Workers International Association
    • IBT or Teamsters – International Brotherhood of Teamsters
    • UA or Pipe Trades or United Association – United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada
    • IUPAT or Painters – International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

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Worker Advocacy Organizations

  • COSH Groups (Committee/Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health)
    These organizations are coalitions of labor unions, occupational health and safety professionals, and labor and community activists. They exist around the country, and originally began with the purpose of advising and advocating with respect to occupational safety and health issues.Federal OSHA provides a complete list of COSH groups. To access this list, click here and scroll down to Appendix F.

      • National COSH – the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health is a federation of non-profit organizations around the US that advocate for worker safety and health. Their website a variety of resources on worker health and safety. It also features a listing of COSH groups.

    Also see the groups listed below.

    • Protecting Workers Alliance
    • Worksafe
      A COSH group covering all of California, Worksafe works on legislation, impact litigation, provides support for legal services, monitors OSH agencies and more. Their website features current OSH campaigns, available trainings and other resources.

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    • Injured Workers Resources

        • Injured Worker Groups
          • Injured Workers’ Alliance (Oregon) – A grass-roots organization. Members include injured workers, their families, and concerned Oregonians. Their website provides a great deal of information regarding the Oregon workers’ comp system.
          • Injured Workers of New York, Inc. -Assists injured workers in getting proper medical, legal, and financial compensation, advocates for workers’ rights in the media, and actively assists in passing pro-worker legislation.
          • Voters Injured at Work – A California-based non-profit focused on improving the workers’ compensation system for working people in California and on providing resources for workers, especially those who have been injured on the job.

        • Asbestos Disease and Cancer Groups
          Asbestos Support Groups can help members cope with asbestos related disease. Some groups are composed only of asbestos or cancer victims while others include family members or friends. Some are led by professionals, although most are self help groups led by patients. Whatever the format, a support group can help its members explore the fears and problems posed by severe diseases.Finding an Asbestos Support Group. Doctors, nurses, or hospital social workers often have information about local cancer and asbestos support groups. A medical center that treats occupational diseases often has support groups specifically geared for patients with asbestos related diseases. One might also find groups through a union or workplace.These organizations are a source for asbestos support groups:

          • Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support & Education – A national non-profit which works to provide patient support and advocacy for people living with or at risk for the disease.
          • American Cancer Society – A nationwide health advocacy organization which conducts many programs revolving around cancer research and support for cancer victims. It sponsors local programs to help with early detection, prevention and treatment, as well as with support for cancer victims.
          • Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) – A national advocacy organization focused on raising public awareness, protecting asbestos victims, changing legislation, and providing support to asbestos victims and their families.
            • ADAO contributed to the 138th annual American Public Health Association meeting and expo in Denver, CO. Click here for a link to videos and resources about asbestos from presentations given at the meeting and expo.
          • Gilda’s Club – A national support networks for cancer victims and their families.
          • KazanLaw– An Oakland-based plaintiffs’ asbestos law firm.
          • National Cancer Institute – A Federal Government program designed as a resource for cancer victims and their families.
          • White Lung Association – This website serves as an archive of older information–legal, media and other–concerning asbestos and asbestos related disease.

          These books may provide support for those learning to cope with asbestos related disease:

        • Ergonomics or Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Support Groups
          • CTD Resource Network – This site can be hard to navigate but contains a good deal of OSH information and links regarding RSI issues. Use it to find other sites of interest to injured workers.
          • East Bay RSI Support Group – This group provides monthly educational meetings to help those dealing with RSI. Contact phone is (510) 466-5814.
          • Los Angeles RSI Support Group – This group provides information and sponsors monthly meetings to help those with RSI. Contact asklarsi@yahoo.com. Meetings are on the third Saturday of every month from 10-12pm at the Sherman Oaks Hospital and Burn Center, 4929 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks (Doctor’s Conference Room). Click here for the meeting schedule.
          • SF RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury Support Group – This site lists monthly meetings in San Francisco generally on the 1st Monday (sometimes the 2nd Monday). Their leaflet states that all those with disabilities are welcome. The purpose of the group is to share ideas, information, provide mutual support, develop strategies and to get active. For scheduling or to contact, call Gil at (415) 644-8744.

        • Legal Resources for Injured Workers
          • CAAA – California Applicants Attorneys Association
            Started in 1966, this group of attorneys focuses on workers’ comp cases. The website is updated regularly with examples of workers’ comp cases and related materials. It can also be used to obtain an attorney referral.

            • Click here to get a list of workers’ comp attorneys who are members of the CAAA in your area. At the top of the webpage is a box for an attorney search. Enter your zip code or a nearby zip code (the system seems to produce the names of attorneys with offices in the zip code that begins with the same first 3 numbers – for example, you can enter 94000 and get every attorney with an office with a zip code that begins with 940, or enter 94100 and get every attorney with an office with a zip code that begins with 941).
          • CAOC – Consumer Attorneys of California
          • John Burton’s Workers’ Compensation Resources – Offers access to workers’ compensation data and research as well as some information regarding benefits and some injured workers resources.
          • Legal Information Institute (LII) of Cornell Law School: Workers’ Compensation Law – The LII is a leading provider of public legal information. This link is directed specifically towards the LII section on workers’ compensation. However, the site offers all opinions of the United States Supreme Court handed down since 1992, together with over 600 earlier decisions selected for their historic importance, over a decade of opinions of the New York Court of Appeals, and the full United States Code.
          • Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group – A non-profit association of attorneys who advocate for workers’ rights. Their website provides resources such as a “Find an Attorney” section and a section which provides links to many different workers’ compensation and worker support organizations and websites.

        • Workers’ Compensation Policy Advocacy Organizations
          • CHSWC – Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation
            CHSWC is a joint labor-management body created by the workers’ compensation reform legislation of 1993 and charged with overseeing the health and safety and workers’ compensation systems in California, and recommending administrative and/or legislative modifications to improve their operation.
          • National Academy of Social Insurance (worker advocate) – A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the nation’s leading experts on social insurance. The research section of their site features a workers’ compensation portion.
          • National Association of Insurance Commissioners (insurance advocate) – The mission of the NAIC is to assist state insurance regulators, individually and collectively, with the goals of: protecting the public interest, promoting competitive markets, facilitating the fair and equitable treatment of insurance consumers, promoting the reliability, solvency and financial solidity of insurance institutions; and supporting and improving state regulation of insurance.
          • NESRI (worker advocate) – National Economic and Social Rights Initiative
            In partnership with communities, NESRI works to build a broad movement for economic & social rights, including health, housing, education and work with dignity.

      • Disability Resources

 

 

      • Job Accommodation Network – A service of ODEP, JAN is one of several ODEP programs. JAN’s mission is to facilitate the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities and related subjects.

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University & Scientific Organizations

    • Technical and Professional
      • ACGIH – American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists Inc.
      • AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association
      • ANSI – American National Standards Institute
      • APHA – American Public Health Association
      • EHS Today – Magazine with weekly Occupational Hazards E-News
      • CPHAN – California Public Health Association, North
      • NFPA – National Fire Protection Association
      • NSC – National Safety Council
      • OMB Watch – A nonprofit government watchdog organization that publishes news on the federal budget, non-profit issues and regulatory issues.

 

      • Haz-Map
        A searchable database which links hazardous agents, occupational diseases and job types.
      • TOXNET, National Library of Medicine
        Databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases.
      • Tox Town, National Library of Medicine
        A resource for researching environmental health concerns.
      • The Pump Handle
        A public health blog with frequent updates and plenty of OSH content.

 

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