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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
Best practices to prevent silicosis -- a disabling,
sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to silicia dust -- will be
the focus of a conference March 25 and 26, 1997, sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Labor, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) and the American Lung Association. At least 100,000 workers in
construction, mining and other "dusty trades" are at high risk of silica dust
overexposure. Each year more than 250 workers die with silicosis.
The "1997 National Conference to Eliminate Silicosis,"
will be held at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Conference hours are 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both days.
Acting Labor Secretary Cynthia Metzler will deliver the
keynote address on Tuesday, March 25, at 8:30 a.m. The luncheon speaker
on Wednesday, March 26, will be Herb O'Connor, producer of ABC's Nightline.
Other speakers include J. Davitt McAteer, assistant labor secretary for
mine safety and health; Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H., director of NIOSH;
Gregory R. Watchman, acting assistant labor secretary for occupational safety
and health; and Leo W. Gerard, international secretary-treasurer of the United
Steelworkers of America.
The 20 scheduled workshops will cover best practices for
workers, using medical surveillance to target silicosis prevention efforts,
respiratory protection, the benefits of silicosis prevention, profiles of
successful prevention programs, and much more. Several hundred business and
labor representatives are already registered and will participate in the
workshop discussions.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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