{"id":11875,"date":"2025-06-19T16:48:27","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T20:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jordanbarab.com\/confinedspace\/?p=11875"},"modified":"2025-06-19T15:34:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T19:34:13","slug":"who-cares-for-injured-and-sick-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jordanbarab.com\/confinedspace\/2025\/06\/19\/who-cares-for-injured-and-sick-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Cares For Injured and Sick Workers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

W<\/span>ith the spectacle of Trump\u2019s military parade and the massive nationwide NO KINGS protests behind us, it\u2019s a good time to spotlight our attention on the health and safety of our nation\u2019s workers and the organizations that support and advocate for them.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that the needs of working people are not high (or visible at all) \u00a0on our President\u2019s priority list, which you can read about here<\/a>.\u00a0 So, we look elsewhere for support.<\/p>\n

Where?<\/p>\n

To unions, of course!\u00a0 And especially to the AFL-CIO<\/a>, which produces the annual Death on the Job<\/em><\/a> report. And to COSH groups<\/a> that train workers, support whistleblowers and injured workers, conduct community outreach, host events like Workers\u2019 Memorial Day,<\/a> and publish the annual The Dirty Dozen<\/a> report.<\/p>\n

And to non-profit organizations, like the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)<\/a>, Public Citizen<\/a>, and the International Labor Organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And to networks and alliances<\/a>, like the Protecting Workers Alliance, the National Domestic Workers Alliance<\/a>, and the Food Chain Workers Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And to volunteer newsletters like Confined Space<\/a>, that keeps us updated on important OSH news and provides the weekly toll<\/a> of work-related fatalities.<\/p>\n

And to professional organizations with occupational health and safety experts, like the American Public Health Association<\/a>, the American Industrial Hygiene Organization<\/a> (AIHA), the National Safety Council<\/a>, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses<\/a>, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine<\/a> (ACOEM) and the Association of Occupational and Environment Clinics<\/a> (AOEC \u2013 more on that one below).\u00a0 And wistfully, to our government agencies (OSHA, NIOSH, MSHA, EPA), currently hamstrung by the Administration\u2019s anti-regulatory and anti-science mindset.<\/p>\n

The Importance of Organizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As individuals, there\u2019s only so much we can only do to influence government policy.\u00a0 We can vote.\u00a0 We can call, write, and\/or visit policy makers. We can write opinion pieces and LTEs in our local newspaper. We can march or post signs.\u00a0 We can urge our family members, friends and neighbors to get involved. And we can keep at it \u2013 discouragement be damned!<\/p>\n

But organizations add fire power.\u00a0 Aside from providing a sense of community to its members and supporters, organizations \u2013 like those mentioned above — often have the people, power, experience, and resources to have a significant impact on an issue.\u00a0 And with fire in their bellies for public health and worker health and safety, some of the smaller ones fight well above their weight.<\/p>\n

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) <\/strong><\/h2>\n

I \u00a0want to tell you about one that is rather unique. Full disclosure: I was one of the original founders and am currently a member of its Board of Directors.<\/p>\n

Perhaps readers of Confined Space are aware of and are even members of AOEC. It was founded in 1987 by a small group of OSH providers and advocates to support communication among clinics and clinicians dedicated to providing high-quality, worker and patient-centered care<\/em> to people with work-related injuries and illnesses or with exposures to environmental hazards.<\/p>\n

This small group wanted to create an alternative to employer-based clinical services, basically an avenue available to workers beyond the company doctor. (<\/em>This is not meant to attack the reputation or integrity of the many dedicated company-employed doctors who put the worker\u2019s health before the company\u2019s interests.) \u00a0AOEC member clinics meet rigorous criteria to ensure that patients receive the best care in a respectful, collaborative environment and adhere to\u00a0AOEC\u2019s Patient Bill of Rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AOEC shares its goals on its website<\/a>.\u00a0 They include:<\/p>\n