Occupational Disease
in Connecticut, 2000
This report covers data for 1998
and was prepared under contract for the
State of Connecticut
Workers' Compensation Commission
John A. Mastropietro, Chairman
as part of the Occupational Disease Surveillance Program
operated in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of
Labor and the Connecticut Department of Public Health
by
Tim Morse, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center
and Department of Community Medicine
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, CT 06030-6210
i
Contents
List of Tables and Figures ................................................................................... ii
Executive Summary .............................................................................................iii
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics/Connecticut OSHA Surveys .............................. 2
3. Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury Data................................... 4
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD).............................................................. 8
Infectious Diseases.................................................................................... 10
Acute Respiratory, Central Nervous System, and Poisonings .................. 10
Chronic Lung Conditions .......................................................................... 13
Skin Conditions ......................................................................................... 14
Stress and Heart Conditions ...................................................................... 14
Physical Hazards (Hearing Loss and Temperature).................................. 15
4. Occupational Disease Surveillance System (Physicians' Reports) ............. 17
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)............................................................ 20
Skin Conditions ......................................................................................... 23
Lung Diseases ........................................................................................... 24
Poisonings ................................................................................................. 26
Infectious and Other Diseases ................................................................... 27
5. Summary of Diseases ...................................................................................... 28
Appendix 1: Databases and Methods ................................................................ 29
Appendix 2: Occupational Disease Detail by Type and Year ......................... 31
Appendix 3: Occupational Safety and Health on the Internet........................ 33
Appendix 4: Who's Who: Resources in Connecticut on Job Safety............... 36
and Health
i
List of Tables and Figures
Table 1: Reports of Occupational Disease in Connecticut, 1998...........................iii
Figure 1: Occupational Illness, BLS/ConnOSHA, 1979-1998 ............................... 2
Figure 2: Rates of Occupational Illness, BLS/ConnOSHA, 1994-1998 ................. 3
Table 2: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1995-1998................................................... 4
Figure 3: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1998........................................................... 5
Figure 4: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1998........................................................... 5
Figure 5: Age of Claimants, WC, 1998................................................................... 6
Table 3: Occupational Illnesses by Industry, WC, 1998......................................... 7
Table 4: Rates of Occupational Illness by Sector with over 20 cases, WC, 1998 .. 7
Table 5: State of Connecticut Reports, Fiscal Years 1995-98 ................................ 8
Table 6: MSD's by Type, WC, 1998 ...................................................................... 9
Table 7: Causes of MSD's, WC, 1998.................................................................... 9
Table 8: Infectious Diseases by Type, WC, 1998 ................................................. 10
Table 9: Acute Respiratory, CNS, and Poisoning Cases, WC, 1996-1998........... 11
Table 10: Causes of Respiratory Conditions, WC, 1998 ...................................... 11
Table 11: Central Nervous System (CNS) Conditions, WC, 1998 ....................... 12
Table 12: Poisonings by Type, WC, 1998 ............................................................ 12
Table 13: Chronic Lung Diseases by Type, WC, 1998......................................... 13
Table 14: Skin Conditions by Cause, WC, 1998................................................... 14
Table 15: Heart Conditions by Age, WC, 1998 .................................................... 14
Table 16: Causes of Stress, WC, 1998.................................................................. 15
Table 17: Types of Hearing Loss by Cause, WC, 1998........................................ 16
Table 18: Other Disease Conditions, WC, 1998 ................................................... 16
Figure 6: Age Ranges, ODSS, 1998...................................................................... 18
Figure 7: Gender by Disease Type, ODSS, 1998.................................................. 18
Table 19: Occupational Disease by Type, ODSS, 1996-1988 .............................. 19
Figure 8: Disease by Type, ODSS, 1998 .............................................................. 19
Figure 9: Disease by Type, ODSS, 1998 .............................................................. 20
Table 20: Industry Sector, Occupational Diseases, ODSS, 1998.......................... 20
Table 21: Musculoskeletal Disorders by Type, ODSS, 1998 ............................... 21
Table 22: MSD's by General Industry Sector, ODSS, 1998................................. 22
Table 23: Specific Industries with over 10 MSD's Reported, ODSS, 1998 ......... 22
Table 24: Occupations with over 10 MSD's Reported, ODSS, 1998................... 23
Table 25: Skin Conditions by Type, ODSS, 1998 ................................................ 23
Table 26: Causes of Skin Conditions, ODSS, 1998.............................................. 23
Table 27: Skin Conditions by Industry, ODSS, 1998 ........................................... 24
Table 28: Lung Diseases by Type, ODSS, 1998................................................... 24
Table 29: Industrial Sector for Lung Disease, ODSS, 1998 ................................. 25
Table 30: Poisoning Cases by Type, ODSS, 1998................................................ 26
Table 31: Lead Cases by Level of Blood Lead, Laboratory Reports, 1998.......... 26
Table 32: Lead Cases by Industry, Laboratory Reports, 1998.............................. 27
Table 33: Infectious and "Other" Diseases, ODSS, 1998 ..................................... 27
Table 34: Summary of Diseases Reported by System Reported, 1998................. 28
ii
Executive Summary
Background
This report focuses on occupational diseases (such as lung diseases like occupational
asthma and musculoskeletal conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome), rather than
occupational injuries. Occupational disease tends to be more difficult to track than
injuries since they can be caused by multiple exposures, and tend to result from longer-
term exposures. These injuries are difficult to diagnose as work-related. Because of these
difficulties, this report uses several different data sources (including the Bureau of Labor
Statistics/ConnOSHA survey, Workers' Compensation First Reports of Injury, and
Physicians' Reports to the Occupational Disease Surveillance System). Since these data
sources have different reporting patterns, strengths and weaknesses, they may have
different patterns of disease and reporting trends. The effect of variable reporting patterns
is substantial. How these data systems differ is detailed in this report.
Table 1: Reports of Occupational Disease in Connecticut, 1998
Type of Disease BLS/ConnOSHA WC ODSS
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) 3,398 1,634 754
Hearing loss 51 7
Lung 469 563 176
Poison 45 40 30
Lead 203
Skin 989 270 237
Physical Agents 92 21 6
Other 517 23 15
Infectious 653 13
Mental 117 3
Heart 184
Total 5,510 3,556 1,444
Sources: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics/ Connecticut OSHA
WC: CT Workers' Compensation Commission, First Report of Injury database
ODSS: Occupational Disease Surveillance System, Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Labor
Musculoskeletal conditions (also known as cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive
strain injuries) dominate the reporting of occupational diseases, with over 3,000 reported
to BLS (including a small number of hearing loss cases), 1,600 to Workers'
Compensation, and 750 from physicians. Skin conditions are the second most frequent,
with nearly 1,000 based on BLS (270 and 237 from the other respective systems). Lung
conditions (including acute respiratory disease from chemical exposure), asthma and
asbestos-related disease account for approximately 500 other reported cases for 1998.
Reports for 1998 increased for both the BLS and workers' compensation systems, but
declined for the ODSS system. The increase was only 2% for the BLS system; this was
accounted for by a similar rise in employment levels, leaving the rate of occupational
iii
disease unchanged at 3.45 cases per 1,000 workers. Reports increased in 1998 for
respiratory conditions (60% increase), skin conditions (60%), and musculoskeletal
disorders (2%). Reports decreased for "other illnesses" (-45%), physical agents (-39%),
and poisonings (-36%).
Reports increased by 85% overall in the workers' compensation system; however, part of
that increase appears to be a result of a change in the reporting system for the State of
Connecticut. Reports increased for poisoning (567%), infectious disease and exposure
(170%), heart and hypertension (159%), lung disease (149%), hearing loss (112%), MSD
(74%), skin disease (34%), and mental illness (30%). Reports declined for central
nervous system disorders (-56%) and temperature-related conditions (-14%).
There was an overall 7% decline in occupational disease in the ODSS physician reports.
Declines were seen in lead poisoning (-42%) MSD (-20%), and poisoning (-6%). There
were increases in lung disease (50%), and skin disease (18%).
Causes of Conditions
Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body were most commonly attributed to (in
order): computer use, lifting, tool use, machine use, assembly, and standing/walking. The
highest rates were reported from State of Connecticut, local government, trucking, social
services, primary metal manufacturing, education, heavy construction, and rubber and
plastics manufacturing (based on workers' compensation reports). The most common
types of MSD reported by physicians were tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and
epicondylitis.
Lung disease primarily occurred from respiratory conditions caused by inhalation of
fumes, smoke, cleaning and other chemicals (including solvents), as well as indoor air
quality. The most common cases were in services and manufacturing. Occupational
asthma and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) cases were the next most
commonly reported condition, involving a wide number of exposures and occupations.
There was a reported outbreak of 17 cases of hypersensitity pneumonitis (HP) from a
single factory resulting from exposure to bioaerosols from machine coolants.
Other Sources of Information
Appendix 3 is the contact information for the primary agencies relevant to occupational
illness in Connecticut, as well as a list of websites. The Connecticut Department of Labor
publishes an annual report on injuries and illnesses in Connecticut, now available on their
website. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has just recently published a
review of occupational disease over the last 10 years that includes information on
agencies and resources, and needs for the future.
iv
1. Introduction
With data from 1998, this report provides an overview of what is known about
occupational disease in Connecticut. It is one of a series of annual reports on
occupational disease developed for the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission
under the Occupational Disease Surveillance System. By monitoring trends, this system
helps prevent occupational disease by targeting prevention activities such as education,
encouragement of effective safety and health committees and programs, and
investigations of clusters of disease. The system is a cooperative venture by the
Department of Public Health, Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation
Commission, and a number of occupational health clinics (Connecticut General Statutes
31-396 to 31-402). Occupational diseases are required to be reported by physicians under
Connecticut General Statute 31-399.
This report combines available data from a number of systems, including:
?Bureau of Labor Statistics/Connecticut Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (BLS/ConnOSHA) Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
?Connecticut Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology Surveillance System (ABLES)
?The Connecticut Occupational Disease Surveillance System (referred to as
Physicians' Reports in this report)
?Connecticut Workers' Compensation Employer First Report of Injuries (referred to as
Workers' Compensation, 1998 in this report)
Acknowledgements
Several people have contributed data and other help to this report. We would like to
thank especially Joe Weber of the Department of Labor; Mary Nevius, Bob Artus, and
Peter Miecznikowski of the Workers' Compensation Commission; Carolyn Jean Webb
and Juanita Estrada, of the Department of Public Health. Colleagues at the Division of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health
Center have contributed ideas and resolved questions.
Overview of Report
This report covers occupational disease data for 1998. It is divided into three primary
sections based on the data source. It begins with the BLS/ConnOSHA time trends,
followed by data from the Workers' Compensation First Reports of Injury, followed by
data from the Physicians' Reporting system.
All three data sources provide somewhat different information. For example, the BLS/
ConnOSHA provides time trend data, but is based on a survey rather than all reports.
Workers' compensation data includes all lost-time cases for all employers, but does not
include physician diagnosis. Physicians' reporting system has more precise diagnoses,
but a number of physicians do not report into the system. Prior studies of cumulative
trauma reports in Connecticut have found that there is only a small overlap between the
workers' compensation reports and the physicians' reports.
1
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics/Connecticut Occupational
Safety and Health Administration Surveys
In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ConnOSHA conducts an annual
survey of employers for job-related injuries and illnesses. ConnOSHA issues an annual
report that focuses on the injuries, acknowledging that the survey under-counts
occupational diseases, particularly chronic diseases.
Figure 1: Occupational Illness, BLS/ConnOSHA, 1979-1998
Occupational Illness by Type and Year,
BLS/ConnOSHA, CT
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000 Pois/Phys/Other
5,000 Lung/Resp
MSD
4,000
Skin
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
79
81
83
85
87
89
91
93
95
97
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
Source: BLS/ConnOSHA Survey
Reported occupational illnesses increased slightly in 1998, following four years of
decline. Most of the changes are driven by reports of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD,
also called RSI or CTD), that account for 62% of all reported illnesses. MSD increased
2% in 1998.
Increases were the largest for skin conditions (rising 60% from 620 to 989 cases) and
respiratory conditions (60% rise from 287 to 459 cases). "Other" illnesses declined (45%
decrease from 936 to 515 cases). Declines were also seen for "Illnesses due to physical
agents" (39% decrease from 150 to 92 cases) and poisonings (36% decrease from 70 to
45 cases). A detailed table for the BLS survey is in Appendix 2, page 31.
2
Figure 2: Rates of Occupational Illness, BLS/ConnOSHA, 1994-1998
Rates of Occupational Illness, 1994-1998, CT, BLS/
ConnOSHA
35.0
30.0
Skin Rate
25.0
MSD Rate
20.0
15.0 Resp/Lung Rate
10.0 Poison/Phys Rate
5.0
0.0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Source: BLS/ConnOSHA Survey
The rate of occupational illness remained at 3.45 cases per 1,000 workers for 1998,
indicating the increase in illness cases was due to increases in employment. Rates of
reported occupational illness have declined over the past five years, from a high of 4.87
cases per 1,000 employees in 1994 to 3.45 cases in 1998 after many years of increases.
3
3. Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury Data
Table 2 shows the numbers of occupational diseases, by type that were reported through
the Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury system for 1995-98. Reported cases
almost doubled in 1998, rising by 85% (these increases must be viewed with caution
since they are possibly the result of all-inclusive reporting, rather than higher actual
numbers). In addition, the State of Connecticut is utilizing a different insurer (third party
payer) who now includes non-lost time cases, dramatically increasing the number of state
reports. This follows a more gradual increase over the prior two years. Reports are
dominated by muskuloskeletal disorders with 1,634 cases in 1998 for 46% of the total,
followed by infectious diseases (653 cases, 18%), lung disease (includes acute respiratory
diseases and chronic lung diseases; 511 cases, 14%), skin conditions (270 cases, 8%), and
heart disease and hypertension (184 cases, 5%). In reported cases, the largest increases
were in cumulative trauma disorders (CTD; 698), infectious (411), lung (306), and heart
and hypertension (113). Percentage increases were largest in poisoning (567%),
infectious (170%), heart (159%), and lung (149%). While "other" had the highest
percentage increase, this is based upon a small absolute number and from a wide variety
of categories.
Table 2: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1995-1998
Illness Type 1995 1996 1997 1998 % Change,
1997-98
Central Nervous System (CNS) 73 60 118 52 -55.9%
Musculoskeletal (MSD) 793 807 936 1,634 74.6%
Hearing 63 18 24 51 112.5%
Heart 64 85 71 184 159.2%
Infectious 118 249 242 653 169.8%
Lung 179 188 205 511 149.3%
Mental Illness 64 60 90 117 30.0%
Poison 0 1 6 40 566.7%
Skin 124 136 202 270 33.7%
Temperature 22 21 22 19 -13.6%
Other 0 6 2 25 1150.0%
Total 1,500 1,631 1,918 3,556 85.4%
Central nervous system, acute respiratory, and poisoning are categories that are often
quite similar, and are typically caused by an acute exposure to a toxic chemical in the air
(see below for further information). These cases are mainly classified as "poisonings" by
the BLS/ConnOSHA system.
4
Figure 3: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1998
Occupational Disease by Type, WC,
1998
Poisoning
1%
Skin CNS
Mental Ill
8% 1%
3%
Lung
CTD
14%
47%
Temperature
1%
Infectious Hearing
Other Heart
18% 1%
1% 5%
All categories of disease except for central nervous system and temperature increased in
1998. The patterns for the past four years can be seen in the chart below.
Figure 4: Occupational Diseases, WC, 1998
Occupational Disease by Type, WC,
1995-98
2000 Nervous System (CNS)
Musculoskeletal (MSD)
1500
Hearing
Heart
1000
Infectious
Lung
500
Mental Illness
Skin
0
Poisoning/Temp/Other
1995 1996 1997 1998
5
Where gender was identified, 54% of 1998 reports were women. The proportion of
women was highest for CTD (65%), CNS (56%), and infectious (52%), and lowest for
poisoning (14%), heart and hypertension (30%), skin conditions (35%), and hearing loss
(36%).
Figure 5: Age of Claimants, WC, 1998
Ag e of Occu patio nal D isease C laim an ts,
W C , 1998
35% 30% 30%
30%
25%
18%
16%
20%
15%
10% 4%
2%
5%
0%
Under 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 and
20 over
The largest number of reports were for workers in their 30's and 40's (30% for each),
followed by those in their 50's (18%), 20's (16%), 60's or older (4%), and under 20
(2%). A higher proportion than average of older workers (50 years old and above) was
seen for mental illness (37%), hearing loss (36%), heart and hypertension (34%), and a
lower proportion of older workers for poisoning (11%), infectious diseases (12%), skin
diseases (14%), and central nervous system disorders (15%).
Table 3 shows those industry sectors that reported over 50 cases of occupational illness.
The State of Connecticut had the highest number of cases (1,082), followed by health
services (409), local government (not schools; 242), business services (120), insurance
(105), fabricated metal manufacturing (98), industrial machinery manufacturing (91),
transportation equipment manufacturing (90), and electronic equipment manufacturing
(76). The employment figures for those sectors are noted, since sectors employing large
numbers of workers are more likely to have higher numbers of cases.
6
Table 3: Occupational Illnesses by Industry, WC, 1998
Sector SIC Employment Cases
State of Connecticut 91 57,900 1,082
Health Services 80 157,400 409
Local Government (not schools) 92 33,200 242
Business Services 73 105,600 120
Insurance 63 59,000 105
Fabricated Metal Manufacturing 34 35,400 98
Industrial Machinery Manufacturing 35 34,900 91
Transportation Equipment 37 50,200 90
Electronic Equipment Manufacturing 36 28,300 76
Amusement Services 79 34,700 70
Education 82 18,200 64
Trucking 42 12,100 57
Special Trade Contractors 17 40,200 55
Miscellaneous Retail 59 45,100 51
Wholesale Non-Durable 51 33,800 51
Total 2,661
Table 4 shows the rates per 10,000 employees for those sectors with 20 cases or more of
occupational illness. State and local government have the highest rates, followed by
trucking, social services, primary metal manufacturing, education, heavy construction,
and rubber & plastics manufacturing. The overall rate was 21.9 cases per 10,000 workers.
Table 4: Rates of Occupational Illness by Sector with over 20 cases, WC, 1998
Sector Rate Sector Rate
State of Connecticut 186.9 Instruments Manufacturing 18.8
Local Government, not schools 72.9 Transportation Equipment 17.9
Trucking 47.1 Insurance 17.8
Social Services 43.3 Membership Organizations 16.4
Primary Metal Manufacturing 38.7 Wholesale Non-durable 15.1
Education 35.2 General Merchandise Stores 14.0
Heavy Construction 34.3 Special Trade Contractors 13.7
Rubber & Plastics 30.8 Banks 12.4
Fabricated Metal Manufacturing 27.7 Business Services 11.4
Electronic Equip Manufacturing 26.9 Miscellaneous Retail 11.3
Industrial Machinery Manufacture 26.1 Communications 10.8
Health Services 26.0 Engineering services 10.4
Local Transportation 25.0 Printing & publishing 10.0
Electric, Gas, Sewer 22.0 Wholesale Durable 9.1
Chemical Manufacturing 21.4 Food Stores 7.6
Amusement Services 20.2 Restaurants 5.3
7
State of Connecticut Reports
Reports for the State of Connecticut rose sharply in 1998, and the state had both the
highest numbers and highest rates of any industry sector. Both the increase and the rates
need to be viewed in relation to changes in reporting for the state. The state started using
a new third-party payer in 1998, who is reporting all occupational injuries and illnesses,
including medical-only claims. Despite this fact, figures supplied by the Connecticut
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) show relatively stable reports for the last
several years. Table 5 shows the DAS illness figures for fiscal years 1995-98, compared
to the calendar 1998 figures from the Workers' Compensation First Report database.
These figures are not directly comparable: the DAS figures are for fiscal years rather than
calendar years, and use somewhat different methods for disease definition. Infectious
disease reports (including exposures to blood and TB) are not included in the DAS
reports. It should also be noted that the specific agency for the state reports was not
included in the workers' compensation reports, and so all are included under the state
heading. The other systems in this report (BLS/ConnOSHA and the ODSS/physicians'
reports) use a coding system that includes state health care institutions under "health
care," and education under "education."
Table 5: State of Connecticut Reports, Fiscal Years 1995-98
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Calendar
Category 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 1998*
Skin Disease 86 62 91 72 75
Dust Disease 21 3 6 2
Respiratory 124 115 24 55 265
Poisoning 9 4 1 1 9
Non Toxic Agent 14 2 0 0
Repeated Trauma 211 261 280 216 282
Heart Attack 16 11 9 7 61
Mental Disorder 25 33 38 25 37
Other Illness 377 253 216 184 20
Infectious 333
Total 883 744 665 562 1,082
Source: Department of Administrative Services
* Source: Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury database
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders is the currently-used term for conditions also known as
cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive strain injuries. MSD's account for almost half
(47%) of the reported occupational diseases to workers' compensation. Reported MSD's
continued to increase in 1998, up 75% from 1997.
8
Table 6: MSD's by Type, WC, 1998
Category Cases % of All % of Known
Arthritis 3 0.2% 0.5%
Carpal Tunnel 439 26.9% 77.4%
Epicondylitis 12 0.7% 2.1%
Ganglion 14 0.9% 2.5%
Tendonitis 93 5.7% 16.4%
Trigger finger 6 0.4% 1.1%
Other/unknown 1,067 65.3%
Total 1,634
MSD's were categorized by either their type (where given) or by the text description of
the condition. Diagnoses are less specific in workers' compensation first reports than in
physicians' reports; the employer submits them soon after the injury. Types of MSD's
reported to workers' compensation are detailed in Table 6. Most of the cases (1,067 of
the 1,634) did not list a specific diagnosis, with just a listing of such terms as "cumulative
trauma" or "repetitive motion" or "sprain due to repetitive motion." Of those cases where
a specific condition was stated, carpal tunnel syndrome was by far the most common
condition, with 439 cases reported, or 77% of the total. This was followed by tendonitis
(93 cases, 16%), ganglion cysts (14 cases, 2%), and epicondylitis (tennis elbow; 12 cases,
2%).
Causes were also not typically listed, but were listed and categorized where available in
the description of the injury. Of the 944 cases of MSD's that had some identification of
cause, the general category of "repetition" was the most common (243 cases, 26%),
followed by computer-related activities (221 cases, 23%), lifting activities (97 cases,
10%), use of tools (83 cases, 9%), and use of machines (67 cases, 7%). Other causes
included assembly tasks, standing or walking, kneeling, dealing cards, and various types
of motions. Very specific tasks that were mentioned included dealing cards (at casinos)
and assembling boxes.
Table 7: Causes of MSD's, WC, 1998
Cause Cases Percent Cause Cases Percent
Repetitive 243 25.7% Pull/push 15 1.6%
Computer 221 23.4% Twisting 12 1.3%
Lifting 97 10.3% Cleaning 11 1.2%
Tool use 83 8.8% Gripping 11 1.2%
Machine use 67 7.1% Packing 10 1.1%
Assembly 34 3.6% Clerical 10 1.1%
Stand/walk 27 2.9% Boxes 9 1.0%
Kneeling 17 1.8% Driving 9 1.0%
Dealing cards 15 1.6%
9
Infectious Diseases
Infectious disease reports include both actual disease and exposure to infectious agents.
Recent court decisions have broadened the definition of compensable disease to include
exposures, particularly where exposure requires medical treatment such as prophylactic
treatments such as for tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS (HIV) exposures. Reports of
bloodborne diseases increased by 170% in 1998 from the 242 reported in 1997. There
was a large increase in reports of exposure to infectious disease rather than actual active
disease, particularly in the state sector.
Table 8 shows the infectious diseases by type. Bloodborne disease and exposures is the
most common reported condition, consisting of 430 reports or 66% of overall infectious
disease reports. This is followed by TB exposures or conversion (84 cases, 13%), tick
bites or lyme disease (62 cases, 10%), and other infectious diseases.
Table 8: Infectious Diseases by Type, WC, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Bloodborne 430 65.8%
TB 84 12.9%
Tick / Lyme 62 9.5%
Other Infectious 61 9.3%
Scabies 11 1.7%
Rabies 5 0.8%
Total 653
Of the bloodborne reports, 292 (67%) were associated with blood exposure, 59 (14%)
were human bites, 63 (14%) were exposure to spit or other body fluids, and 19 (4%) were
exposure to urine. Over one-third (37%) of the blood exposures specifically mentioned
that they were due to needlesticks or other sharps such as scalpels.
The most common "other infectious" conditions were chicken pox (16 cases), meningitis
(5 cases), conjunctivitis (5 cases), pertussis (3 cases) and the flu (3 cases).
The most common industries associated with infectious diseases were health care (47%),
state government (41%), and local government (6%).
Acute Respiratory, Central Nervous System, and Poisonings
There is considerable overlap between the categories of acute respiratory, central nervous
system, and poisoning. They tend to be from exposure to some acute toxic agent, often
through the lungs. The acute respiratory category tends to include cases that affect
primarily the lungs, while central nervous system emphasizes solvent exposures that
cause headaches and similar effects (including solvent neurotoxicity), and poisonings
include carbon monoxide and lead. Many of the reports include a mix of symptoms and
often a mix of chemicals, making it difficult to sort these into neat categories. This
section focuses on these three diseases.
10
Table 9: Acute Respiratory, CNS, and Poisoning Cases, WC, 1996-1998
Category 1996 1997 1998 Change
Respiratory 164 160 392 144%
Central Nervous System (CNS) 43 108 52 -46%
Poison 18 16 40 150%
Total 242 308 484 57%
There was an overall increase of 155% in these categories, primarily due to a large
increase in acute respiratory conditions.
Acute Respiratory Conditions
There were 392 acute respiratory conditions reported in 1998, more than double the 160
reported in 1997 (there were 164 in 1996). Table 10 shows the most common causes
(with five or more cases). Of those with at least five cases, the most common cause was
fumes (27%), followed by smoke, cleaning chemicals, chemicals, indoor air quality,
solvents, gas, dust, acid (sulfuric and hydrochloric), animal hair and bird droppings,
and epoxies.
Chemicals
?developer solution, air freshener, fungicide, insecticide, ozone, drain opener, pepper
spray, fire extinguisher, saccharin used in a respirator fit test, salon chemicals
Cleaning chemicals
?bleach, toilet cleaners, wax strippers, carpet cleaners, ammonia, bleach/ammonia
combinations, dish detergent
Dust
?fiberglass insulation, soot from a furnace being cleaned, carpet removal, silicate,
toner, paint powder, copper dust, paint chips, street sweeping
Gas
?gas leaks and propane, likely to include exposures to carbon monoxide (where carbon
monoxide was specifically noted, cases were classified as "poisoning," below)
Indoor air quality
?poor ventilation, perfumes, carpeting, lack of oxygen in a manhole (2 cases)
Solvent
?formaldehye (3 cases), perchlorethylene (4 cases), paint thinner, fingernail polish
remover, xylene, paint (6 cases), turpentine, and MIBK
There were two cases due to welding fumes. Respiratory conditions caused by smoke
included 16 people at one workplace exposed to smoke from a fire in an industrial oven,
five in a municipality, and several other smaller clusters.
Table 10: Causes of Respiratory Conditions, WC, 1998
Cause Cases Percentage
Fumes 96 28.9%
Smoke 55 16.6%
Cleaning 36 10.8%
11
Cause Cases Percentage
Chemical 33 9.9%
Indoor Air Quality 25 7.5%
Solvent 23 6.9%
Gas 20 6.0%
Dust 17 5.1%
Acid 16 4.8%
Animal/Bird 6 1.8%
Epoxy 5 1.5%
Total 332
Central Nervous System (CNS), Solvents, Respiratory
There were 52 cases of central nervous system disorders reported in 1998, down 46%
from 96 cases in 1997 (and 35 in 1996). These are cases usually caused by toxic agent
inhalation resulting in nervous system effects of dizziness and headache. Fumes (22%),
chemicals (20%), and gas (18%) were the most frequent causes. Specific substances
included bleach, moldy carpeting, an adhesive, cement fumes, tile cleaner, hydraulic
fluid, paint fumes (3 cases), disinfectant spray, and smoke.
Table 11: Central Nervous System (CNS) Conditions, WC, 1998
Cause Cases Percentage
Fumes 11 21.2%
Chemical 10 19.2%
Gas 9 17.3%
Smoke 5 9.6%
Solvent 4 7.7%
Cleaning 3 5.8%
Odor 3 5.8%
Gases 2 3.8%
Mold 1 1.9%
Other 4 7.7%
Total 52
Poisonings
There were 40 cases of poisonings in 1998, up 150% from the 16 reported in 1997 (and
18 in 1996). The most common poisoning was from mercury (57%), followed by carbon
monoxide (CO). Ten of the mercury exposures were from a single municipality that had
exposures at a waste treatment plant. Seven others were from the State of Connecticut.
Table 12: Poisonings by Type, WC, 1998
Cause Cases Percentage
Mercury 21 56.8%
CO 8 21.6%
Chemical 5 13.5%
Solvent 3 8.1%
12
Cause Cases Percentage
Pesticide 2 5.4%
Cleaning 1 2.7%
Total 37
There were 8 cases that specifically mentioned carbon monoxide poisoning, a slight
decline from the 10 cases reported in 1997 (and 17 in 1996). There were also 20 cases of
respiratory conditions and 3 CNS cases attributed to "gas," discussed above, that may
have included carbon monoxide exposure.
Other poisonings include 2 cases exposed when pesticides were being applied at their
workplace, two cases who drank solvents by mistake, and a liver injury from solvent
exposure. There were no reports of lead poisoning through the workers' compensation
reports; however, a more detailed lab reporting of lead cases in the Occupational Disease
Surveillance System follows.
Chronic Lung Conditions
Asbestos
There were 76 reports of asbestos exposure in 1998, approximately triple the 21 reports
in 1997. These reports appear to be only a recording that there was a recent exposure, not
an incidence of disease from the exposure. The vast majority of these reports were for
State of Connecticut workers who were exposed in building maintenance and demolition.
Asbestos exposure is known to increase the risk of lung disease and cancer. If disease
occurs as a result, it often appears between 10-40 years after exposure.
Table 13: Chronic Lung Diseases by Type, WC, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Asbestos Disease 5 4.2%
Asbestos Exposure 76 63.9%
Asthma 34 28.6%
Other Chronic Lung 4 3.4%
Total 119
There were also five reports of asbestosis in 1998, slightly higher than the four reports
in 1997. These reports included one fatality. Asbestosis is scarring of the lungs
characterized by shortness of breath.
Asthma
There were 34 cases of occupational asthma reported in 1998, an increase of 42% over
the 24 reported in 1997 (there were 17 reported in 1996). Causes of the asthma included
chemicals (including chlorine, spray disinfectant, floor stripping, and tear gas), fumes,
indoor air quality (including perfume), paint, cleaning chemicals (including citrus
cleaner), dust (including sandblasting), smoke, and latex gloves.
13
Other Chronic Lung Conditions
There were four other chronic lung diseases reported. Two were caused by exposure to
insulation, one was for emphysema, and one was bronchitis from mold/mildew.
Skin Conditions
There were 270 reported skin conditions in 1998, an increase of 34% over the 202 cases
in 1997 (and 136 in 1996). The most common cause was poison ivy (35% of all cases),
followed by gloves and latex allergies (15%), various chemicals (6%), cleaning
chemicals (3%), coolants and oils (3%), and exposure to plants (3%).
Table 14: Skin Conditions by Cause, WC, 1998
Category Cases Percentage
Poison Ivy 95 35.2%
Gloves/ Latex 41 15.2%
Chemical 15 5.6%
Plants 10 3.7%
Cleaning 8 3.0%
Coolant/ Oil 7 2.6%
Other 30 11.1%
Unknown 64 23.7%
Total 270
Stress and Heart Conditions
Heart and Hypertension
There were 184 cases involving heart conditions, stroke, or hypertension reported in
1998, an increase of 159% from the 71 reported in 1997 (and 84 in 1996). Forty-one
specifically mentioned "heart attack" or "myocardial infarction," 118 that described heart
symptoms (such as severe chest pain), 19 hypertension reports, and 6 stroke reports.
Of all the heart and hypertension cases combined, 25 cases (14%) described significant
physical exertion at the time of onset (such as "picking up large trees"), 22 (12%)
specifically mentioned stress as a cause, 1 mentioned heat stress, and the rest did not
specify a cause (such as "doing normal duties"). Of all cases, 61 (33%) were State of
Connecticut employees, 39 (21%) were employed by a municipality. Table 15 shows the
age range by decade of the reported cases. Only 8% were 60 or older, and 18% were 50-
59 years old. The most common age range was 40-49 (22%), followed by 30-39 (20%).
The case of the worker under 20 was a firefighter with high blood pressure.
Table 15: Heart Conditions by Age, WC, 1998
Age Cases Percent
Under 20 1 0.5%
20-29 15 8.2%
30-39 36 19.6%
40-49 41 22.3%
50-59 33 17.9%
14
60 and over 14 7.6%
Sub-Total 140 76.1%
Missing 44 23.9%
Mental Stress
There was a total of 117 reports of mental stress claims in 1998, up 30% from the 90
reports in 1997 (and 60 in 1996). The majority of these reports appear to be "mental-
mental" claims: mental stress resulting in mental illness. Of all reports, 37 (32%) were for
the State of Connecticut, with many appearing to be related to the lottery shooting in
March 1998. There were 10 cases (8%) from municipalities. Other sectors over five
include health care (9 cases), insurers (7 cases), and transportation equipment
manufacturing, eating and drinking places, and amusement and recreation services, each
with 5 cases.
Table 16: Causes of Stress, WC, 1998
Cause Cases Percent
Supervisor/ Co-Worker 14 26.4%
Violence 12 22.6%
Normal Duties 9 17.0%
Harassment 6 11.3%
Demands/ Evaluation 6 11.3%
Auto 3 5.7%
Client 3 5.7%
Unknown 64
Total 117
Table 16 shows the causes where they could be determined. The most frequently cited
cause was stressful relationships with supervisors or co-workers (26%), followed by
exposure to violence (23%), "normal duties" of the job (17%), harassment, including
sexual harassment (11%), the demands of the job or poor evaluations (11%), involvement
in auto accidents (6%), and client-related stress (6%).
Physical Hazards (Hearing Loss & Temperature)
Hearing Loss
There were 51 reports of hearing loss in 1998, a 112% increase over the 24 reports in
1997 (and 18 in 1996). This consisted of 13 cases of tinnitis (ringing in the ears), and 38
cases of hearing loss. Most of the cases (46%) of tinnitus were caused by an acute noise
such as an explosion, while most of the hearing loss cases were caused by long-term
noise exposure (52%). The other categories include cases of hearing problems caused by
diving. Of all the cases, 12 (23%) were for the State of Connecticut, and 9 (18%) were for
municipalities.
15
Table 17: Types of Hearing Loss by Cause, WC, 1998
Cause Hearing Loss Tinnitis Total
Acute Noise 16 6 22
Chronic Noise 20 4 24
Other 2 3 5
Total 38 13 51
Temperature
There were 19 reports of temperature-related conditions in 1998, down slightly from the
22 reported in 1997 (and 21 in 1996). All but 1 of the reports was for heat-related
conditions, principally heat exhaustion.
Other Disease Conditions
There were 25 other disease conditions reported in 1998, an increase from the 2 that were
recorded in 1997 and 6 in 1996.
Table 18: Other Disease Conditions, WC, 1998
Category Cases Percentage
Allergic 11 44.0%
Chemical Exposure 9 36.0%
Cancer 3 12.0%
Radiation 2 8.0%
Total 25
There were 11 descriptions of allergic conditions. Although these probably belong in the
respiratory or skin conditions category, the description was inadequate to determine the
proper category. There were 9 reports of chemical exposure that lacked resulting health
effects. There were 3 cases of cancer reported, and two reports of radiation exposure.
16
4. Occupational Disease Surveillance System
(Physicians' Reports)
Physicians are required to report known and suspected occupational disease to the
Occupational Disease Surveillance System that is maintained by the Departments of
Labor and Public Health. Although all physicians are required to report, most reports are
received from the occupational health clinics and industrial medicine programs.
In 1998, 96 physicians from 35 different clinics or offices reported at least one case into
the ODSS system, an increase of 10 physicians from 1997, but a decline of five clinics.
Although it is a state law that known and suspected occupational diseases are reported to
this system, the primary reporters are the occupational health clinics and auxiliary
occupational health clinics. Therefore, these reports should be viewed as just a fraction of
physician-diagnosed occupational diseases in Connecticut.
The reporting physician reported that the exposures causing the condition were
continuing for 32% of the patients (where this was known). In 28% of the cases it was
reported that other workers were likely to be exposed to the same hazard. 76% of the
cases were classed as "high certainty" for being an occupationally-related disease, 21%
were "moderate certainty," and 3% "low certainty."
Thirty percent of the cases were hispanic, and 8% were black. For age, the largest
number of cases were in their 30's (31%), followed by 40's (27%), 50's (20%), and 20's
(16%).
17
Figure 6: Age Ranges, ODSS, 1998
Age of Reported Cases, ODSS, 1998
400
300
200
100
0
Under 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
20
Figure 7: Gender by Disease Type, ODSS, 1998
G ender by Disease Type, O DSS , 1998
80.0
60.0
P ercent Fem ale
40.0
P ercent M ale
20.0
0.0
in
us
ng
SD
l
g
is r
ta
Po the
in
Sk
io
To
Lu
on
M
O
ct
fe
In
Overall, cases were virtually even for gender, with women comprising 50.2% of the
reported cases. There were 12 more cases of women with infectious disease than men,
and 58% more women had MSD's. In all other categories, men had higher proportions.
Reported cases declined by 277 cases in 1998 (1,241 cases). Part of this decline was
caused by a change in recordkeeping in the ODSS, where bloodborne pathogen exposures
such as needlesticks were no longer included in the database in 1998, that accounts for
18
approximately 100 cases. In addition, eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, were not
included in 1998; this accounts for 68 cases in 1997. These two changes in recording
would account for approximately 170 of the 277 case decline from 1997 to 1998,
resulting in a 7% real decline from 1997 levels.
Most of the reported cases were musculoskeletal conditions, followed by skin conditions,
lung conditions, poisonings, and infectious diseases.
Table 19: Occupational Disease by Type, ODSS, 1996-1988
Category 1996 1997 1998 % Change, 97-98
MSD 990 948 754 -20.5%
Skin 151 201 237 17.9%
Lung 168 117 176 50.4%
Other 55 101 31* -69.3%*
Poisoning 8 32 30 -6.3%
Infectious 178 119 13** -89.1%**
Sub-total ODSS 1,550 1,518 1,241 -18.2%
Lead (Lab) 375 350 203 -42.0%
Total 1,925 1,868 1,444 -22.7%
*Does not include eye conditions.
**Does not include bloodborne pathogens exposure.
Figure 8: Disease by Type, ODSS, 1998
Occupational Disease by Type,
ODSS, 1998
Other
Skin
2%
19%
Poison
2%
Lung MSD
14% 61%
Infectious
1%
Cases of MSD, poisoning, and lead declined in 1998. Since other and infectious had
different definitions in 1998, direction is unclear. Skin and lung conditions increased in
1998.
19
Figure 9: Disease by Type, ODSS, 1998
Occupational Disease by Type, 1996-
1998, ODSS
1200
MSD
1000
Skin
800 Lung
600 Other*
Poisoning
400
Infectious**
200
Lead (Lab)
0
1996 1997 1998
*Does not include eye conditions, 1998.
**Does not include bloodborne pathogens exposures, 1998.
Cases were predominately from the manufacturing (36% durable and non-durable
combined), service sector (27%), and retail (11%). Some State of Connecticut and local
government cases are grouped under services (such as education and health care).
Table 20: Industry Sector, Occupational Diseases, ODSS, 1998
Sector Cases Percent
Agriculture, Mining 23 1.9%
Construction 47 3.8%
Manufacturing, Durable 344 27.7%
Manufacturing, Non-durable 98 7.9%
Transportation/ Utilities 37 3.0%
Wholesale 38 3.1%
Retail 133 10.7%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 43 3.5%
Services 334 26.9%
Local Government 82 6.6%
State Government 37 3.0%
Unknown 25
Total 1,241
Musculoskeletal Disorders
The most common specific diagnosis for MSD's was tendonitis (24%), followed by
carpal tunnel syndrome (22%), and epicondylitis (17%).
20
Table 21: Musculoskeletal Disorders by Type, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Arthritis 5 0.7%
Bursitis 48 6.4%
Costochondritis 6 0.8%
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 166 22.0%
Cubital Tunnel 8 1.1%
DeQuervains Syndrome 58 7.7%
Epicondylitis 127 16.8%
Ganglion Cyst 26 3.4%
Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome 4 0.5%
Plantar Fascitis 11 1.5%
Rotator Cuff Syndrome 4 0.5%
Tendonitis 180 23.9%
Tenosynovitis 57 7.6%
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 6 0.8%
Trigger Finger 10 1.3%
Other MSD 38 5.0%
Total 754
These conditions include tendon-related conditions, nerve problems, and circulatory or
combined conditions. The specific descriptions of these disorders include:
Tendon Disorders
?Tendonitis: swelling of the tendons
?Epicondylitis: tendon irritation in the elbow area, including "golfer's elbow" and
"tennis elbow"
?Rotator cuff syndrome: tendonitis in the shoulder area
?Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the tendon sheaths, lubricated covers that surround
the tendons, particularly in the hand
?De Quervain's syndrome: tendon sheath disorder of side of wrist and base of thumb
?Trigger finger: a bump on the tendon that catches on the tendon sheath that makes the
finger or thumb difficult to move
?Ganglion cysts: swelling of the tendon sheaths from excess lubricating fluid
?Bursitis: inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs around ligaments and tendons
Nerve Disorders
?Carpal tunnel syndrome: pinching of the median nerve in the wrist, usually by
swollen tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel (the median nerve can also be
pinched in the elbow, shoulder, or neck areas)
?Cubital tunnel syndrome: a pinching of the ulnar nerve in the elbow
21
Circulatory/Combined/Other
?Thoracic outlet syndrome: pinching of the nerves and blood vessels in the neck/
shoulder area
?HAVS, or Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome: finger blanching from the cut off of blood
flow due to vibration (also known as white finger or Raynaud's)
?Plantar Fascitis: swelling of the tissue under the skin in the bottom of the foot
Table 22: MSD's by General Industry Sector, ODSS, 1998
Sector Cases Percent
Agriculture, Mining 8 1.1%
Construction 29 3.8%
Manufacturing, Durable 226 30.0%
Manufacturing, Non-durable 62 8.2%
Transportation/ Utilities 26 3.4%
Wholesale 24 3.2%
Retail 104 13.8%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 40 5.3%
Services 174 23.1%
Local Government 40 5.3%
State Government 13 1.7%
Unknown 8 1.1%
Total 754
The largest number of reports for MSD's were from durable manufacturing (30%),
followed by services (that includes schools and health care, even if run by the state or
local government; 23%), and retail trade (14%).
Table 23: Specific Industries with over 10 MSD's Reported, ODSS, 1998
Sector SIC Cases
Hospitals 8062 67
Surgical and Medical Instruments and Apparatus 3841 51
Catalog and Mail Order Houses 5961 44
Insurance 6311 28
Grocery Stores 5411 20
Nursing Homes 8051 20
Municipalities 9110 20
Schools 8211 16
Musical Instrument Manufacturing 3931 12
Aircraft Engines and Engine Parts 3724 11
Total 289
There were 10 specific industry divisions with 10 or more MSD cases reported. Hospitals
had the largest number with 67, followed by surgical instrument manufacturing, mail
order houses, and insurance. Because of higher employment, larger employers and
sectors are likely to have more reported cases.
22
Since the descriptions tend to vary by who is entering the data, occupations are difficult
to assess. Several occupations showed up repeatedly for MSD's. These include assembly
workers (77 cases), clerical workers and computer operators (38 cases), machinists and
machine operators (35 cases), packers and inspectors (27 cases), and maintenance
workers (10 cases).
Table 24: Occupations with over 10 MSD's Reported, ODSS, 1998
Occupations Cases
Assembly 77
Clerical & Computer 38
Machinist/ machine operator 35
Packing & inspection 27
Maintenance 10
Total 187
Skin Conditions
There were 237 of skin conditions reported in 1998. The largest category were simply
described as dermatitis (38%), followed by plant-related cases including poison ivy
(22%), contact dermatitis (21%), and cellulitis (15%).
Table 25: Skin Conditions by Type, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Cellulitis 35 14.8%
Contact Dermatitis 50 21.1%
Dermatitis 89 37.6%
Paronychia 7 3.0%
Plant dermatitis 34 14.3%
Poison Ivy 18 7.6%
Other Skin 4 1.7%
Total 237
In addition to poison ivy and other plant exposures, causes of skin conditions included
chemicals (10%; includes solvents, acids, cement, glue, foam adhesive, and acrylate),
injury and burn complications (10%), latex and gloves (5%), cleaners and detergents
(4%), and oils and cutting fluids (3%).
Table 26: Causes of Skin Conditions, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Bug/Insect 4 1.7%
Chemical 25 10.5%
Cleaner/Detergent 9 3.8%
Other Skin 103 43.5%
Glove/Latex 12 5.1%
Oils And Fluids 7 3.0%
23
Category Cases Percent
Plants 34 14.3%
Poison Ivy/Oak 18 7.6%
Injury/Burn 25 10.5%
Total 237
Table 27: Skin Conditions by Industry, ODSS, 1998
Sector Cases Percent
Agriculture, Mining 11 4.6%
Construction 8 3.4%
Manufacturing, Durable 59 24.9%
Manufacturing, Non-durable 22 9.3%
Transportation/ Utilities 6 2.5%
Wholesale 10 4.2%
Retail 18 7.6%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 1 0.4%
Services 71 30.0%
Local Government 24 10.1%
State Government 2 0.8%
Missing 5
Total 237
Industries that were the most common for skin conditions were manufacturing (34%;
includes durable and non-durable), service (30%; includes many outdoor occupations),
and local government (10%). There were two clusters of more than 10 cases in specific
industries, in hospitals (31 cases) and local government (17 cases). By occupation, there
were clusters in nurses and nurses assistants (19), machinist/machine operator (15 cases),
maintenance (13 cases), and assemblers (12 cases).
Lung Diseases
There were 176 reports of lung diseases in 1998. The most common reported condition
was acute respiratory disease (40% of cases), typically caused by exposure to chemicals
or fumes. Asthma and the similar Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome was the next
most common category (15%), followed by asbestos-related conditions and exposures
(13%, includes pleural plaques, asbestosis, and asbestos exposure), hypersensitivity
pneumonitis (10%). HP is a serious lung inflammatory response to bacteria or fungus,
such as mold. There were three cases of silicosis reported, all from a single foundry.
Types of lung diseases are shown in Table 28.
Table 28: Lung Diseases by Type, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
Asbestos Exposure 7 4.0%
Asbestosis 8 4.5%
Asthma 20 11.4%
Bronchitis 7 4.0%
24
Category Cases Percent
Central Nervous System 9 5.1%
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis 18 10.2%
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity 2 1.1%
Pleural Plaques 8 4.5%
Reactive Airways Dysfunction 7 4.0%
Syndrome
Respiratory 70 39.8%
Sick Building Syndrome 3 1.7%
Silicosis 4 2.3%
Solvent 13 7.4%
Total 176
Respiratory conditions
?indoor air pollutants, hydrocarbons, exhaust gases, sulfur dioxide, welding fumes,
bioaerosols
Asthma and RADS
?alumbrite, smoke, petroleum, kerosene and diesel fuel, hydrochloric acid, acrylates,
carpet removal, chlorine, isocyanates, solvents, indoor air pollutants, mold, metal
working fluids
Bronchitis
?floor strippers, bleach, volatile organic compounds (VOC), secondhand smoke
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
?bioaerosals and machine coolants
Cases were primarily from services (35%), manufacturing (32%), and state government
(10%). Specific clusters included hospitals (25 cases), industrial machinery
manufacturing (21 cases), schools (17 cases, 5 from one school), and a prison (16 cases).
Table 29: Industrial Sectors for Lung Diseases, ODSS, 1998
Sector Cases Percent
Agriculture, Mining 1 0.6%
Construction 3 1.7%
Manufacturing, Durable 47 26.7%
Manufacturing, Non-durable 10 5.7%
Transportation/ Utilities 4 2.3%
Wholesale 3 1.7%
Retail 5 2.8%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 1 0.6%
Services 62 35.2%
Local Government 12 6.8%
State Government 18 10.2%
Unknown 10 5.7%
Total 176
25
Poisonings
There were 30 cases of poisonings reported through the ODSS, plus an additional 203
cases reported through the lead surveillance system. There were 16 cases of carbon
monoxide poisonings and 8 cases of mercury poisonings.
Table 30: Poisoning Cases by Type, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
CO 16 53.3%
Lead 4 13.3%
Mercury 8 26.7%
Other Poisoning 2 6.7%
Total 30
Eight CO poisonings occurred at a law office, three at a supermarket, and four at a
manufacturing company. The mercury exposures included custodians in a school system
(3 cases) and a light manufacturing company (4 cases).
Table 31: Lead Cases by Level of Blood Lead, Laboratory Reports, 1998
Lead Level Cases Percent
20-29 146 71.9%
30-39 34 16.7%
40-49 16 7.9%
50-59 3 1.5%
60+ 4 2.0%
Total 203
Connecticut requires laboratories to report all blood lead tests of 20 or more micrograms
per liter of blood to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. These cases are
classified into childhood and adult cases, with the adult cases presumed to be
occupational (although some cases are exposures from doing work on one's own house).
There were 203 lead poisonings of 20 micrograms/liter or higher blood lead levels
reported through the laboratory reporting system. There were four cases reported by
physicians to the ODSS.
Laboratory reports of lead decreased 42% from 1997. Of the laboratory reports, 72%
were in the 20-29 range, 17% in the 30-39 range, and 11% 40 or higher. OSHA medical
removal protections apply at the 40 or above level, although lead can have neurological
and other health effects at much lower levels. One quarter of the cases were in the
construction industry (with concentrations in painting and house construction), followed
by manufacturing with 22% (with concentrations in other non-durable goods, ship
building, electroplating, and explosives manufacturing). The most common occupations
were painters (24 cases), carpenters (7 cases), lead abatement, rackmaker, and welders (5
26
cases each), laborer (4 cases), and ironworkers, lead bonders, and radiator repair (3 cases
each).
Table 32: Lead Cases by Industry, Laboratory Reports, 1998
SIC Industry Cases
1721 Painting and Paper Hanging 22
1521 General Contractors-Single-Family Houses 19
5199 Non-durable Goods, Not Elsewhere Classified 16
3731 Ship Building and Repairing 8
3471 Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring 8
2892 Explosives Manufacturing 8
7839 Automotive Repair Shops, Not Elsewhere Classified 5
3714 Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Manufacturing 5
3356 Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding Of Nonferrous Metals 6
Total 97
Infectious and Other Diseases
As discussed above, bloodborne disease exposures such as needlesticks were not reported
into the ODSS database in 1998. There were 6 tuberculosis-related cases, including 5
positive TB skin tests and a TB exposure. There were 5 cases of scabies reported, 3 at a
hospital and 2 at a hotel. In addition, there was a case of malaria for a seaman, and a
staphylococcus infection for a healthcare worker.
There were 13 cases of allergic conditions, from a wide variety of workplaces. These
included 3 cases of hives, an anaphylactic reaction, and a case of uticaria. There were 7
cases of hearing loss reported, including three for tinnitus. There was a case of prostate
cancer for a firefighter and a case of mesothelioma (caused by asbestos) reported. There
were 5 cases of heat exhaustion among firefighters and a laborer, and a case of keratitis
caused by UV radiation.
Table 33: Infectious and "Other" Diseases, ODSS, 1998
Category Cases Percent
TB infection 6 13.3%
Scabies 5 11.1%
Other infectious 2 4.4%
Allergic Reactions 13 28.9%
Cancer 2 4.4%
Hearing loss 7 15.6%
Temperature and UV radiation 6 13.3%
Stress 3 6.7%
Total 45
27
5. Summary of Diseases
Table 34 shows the totals by disease category for 1998 for the three reporting systems.
Separate systems definitions make comparisons incomplete. For example, workers'
compensation only requires reporting for lost-time or restricted duty cases, while the
other two reporting systems require all cases to be reported. Companies like the State of
Connecticut administrator reports all cases to workers' compensation. Although all
physicians are legally required to report occupational disease, only a small minority
comply. Appendix 1 details differences in the data systems.
Table 34: Summary of Diseases Reported by Systems, 1998
Type of Disease BLS/ConnOSHA WC ODSS
MSD 3,398 1,634 754
Hearing loss 51 7
Lung 469 563 176
Poison 45 40 30
Lead
Skin 989 270 237
Physical Agents 92 21 6
Other 517 23 15
Infectious 653 13
Mental 117 3
Heart 184
Total 5,510 3,556 1,241
Sources: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics/Connecticut OSHA
WC: CT Workers' Compensation Commission, First Report of Injury database
ODSS: Occupational Disease Surveillance System, Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Labor
The major row headings reflect the BLS/ConnOSHA, with components of those detailed
where they are different for workers' compensation and physicians' reports.
The BLS/ConnOSHA gives the overall highest numbers, with 5,510 cases reported,
followed by the workers' compensation database with 3,556, and the physicians reporting
database with 1,241. However, it should be noted that this ordering varies by disease
condition. For example, there are more workers' compensation reports for lung disease,
infectious disease, mental illness, and heart and hypertension cases than for the other two
systems.
Prior studies of MSD's have found very little overlap between cases reported to the
workers' compensation and physician systems, though the extent of that overlap is
unknown for the other conditions. It is clear, however, that none of the systems gather
comprehensive reports on occupational illness, particularly for more chronic conditions.
28
Appendix 1: Databases and Methods
Determining the incidence of occupational illness in Connecticut is difficult. The
problem is two-fold: 1) occupationally-related illness is not consistently recognized as
work-related; and, 2) the cases reported to either the Department of Labor and/or the
occupational health surveillance section of the Department of Public Health are not
complete. Consequently, this assessment of occupational disease looks to a number of
sources of information: the Workers' Compensation Commission's First Report of Injury
database, the Bureau of Labor Statistics/Connecticut Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, the Connecticut
Occupational Disease Surveillance Program, and the Connecticut Adult Blood Level
Epidemiology Surveillance Program. The workers' compensation and physicians' report
databases were provided in electronic form from the Workers' Compensation
Commission and from the Department of Public Health. The BLS/ConnOSHA survey
data was provided in table form from the Connecticut Department of Labor.
Assumptions and Conventions
The Workers' Compensation Commission's First Reports of Injury database and the
Connecticut Occupational Disease Surveillance System (referred to as Physicians'
Reports) were reviewed in depth. A rationale for the data review was developed to
differentiate occupational disease from injuries and to classify the workplace reports by
nature and cause of the illness. Each entry was reviewed for internal consistency and
reasonableness. Specifically, the process employed the following steps:
1) Clear acute injuries were eliminated (approximately 90% of the workers'
compensation database, and 30% of the physicians reports). In assessing the
Workers' Compensation First Reports of Injury, a line by line review of injury
descriptions, nature descriptions and codes, listed causes, and part of body
were used to determine whether an injury or illness was described. The
determination relied most heavily on the injury description and then on the
other data fields in the order listed above.
The Physicians' Reports are organized differently. Numerical "Nature of
Injury or Illness" codes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational
Injury and Illness Classification System (ANSI Z16.2-1995, American
National Standard for Information Management for Occupational Safety and
Health) were used as the primary indicator to evaluate the records. Cause,
certainty, diagnosis, ICD codes, suspected agent and symptom fields were
also reviewed in determining illness or injury. Categories that were eliminated
included all burns, lower back problems (including sciatica), hernias, infected
wounds or burns, insect and animal bites with the exception of tick bites
because of the lyme disease concern, and electrical shocks.
29
2) Validity of remaining records was determined. Records were reviewed to
be sure that the coding of types of disease was consistent with other
information in the record. In addition, diseases were categorized by type of
disease. References used include Occupational Health, Recognizing and
Preventing Work-Related Disease, Fourth Edition; Levy, Barry S. and
Wegman, David H.; Little, Brown and Company; 2000 and Chemical Hazards
of the Workplace; Proctor, Nick H. and Hughes, James P.; J.P. Lippincott
Company; 1978. Physicians at the University of Connecticut Health Center's
Division of Occupational Medicine reviewed specific data records.
3) Fields were either revised or added to the databases: Illness Type and
Nature of Illness. The Nature of Illness was based on the information in the
databases, research, and general information about the illnesses. Then each
entry was categorized by Illness Type. The specific nature categories were
grouped into broader categories to support graphic representation. For the
workers' compensation database, the description of injury was used as the key
description of the illness if it disagreed with the coding for other variables.
4) Employers were coded for industry by the Connecticut Department of
Labor according to SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code based on
employer. Rates were calculated using employment figures as published in
ConnOSHA's Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in Connecticut reports.
5) Data was cleaned, tabulated and put into presentation form using SPSS
for Windows, Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word software.
6) The report is reviewed by the Connecticut Workers' Compensation
Commission prior to publication.
30
Appendix 2: Occupational Disease Detail by Type
and Year
Bureau of Labor Statistics/ConnOSHA
1979-1998
Cases of Occupational Disease, by Type
Year Employment Illness Skin Repetitive Lung-dust Respir Poisoning Phys. Agents Other
1979 1,358,000 3,322 1,716 471 25 317 175 250 368
1980 1,394,000 3,066 1,586 513 88 214 66 199 400
1981 1,409,000 3,214 1,509 701 38 290 89 192 395
1982 1,400,000 2,549 1,130 580 31 223 31 216 323
1983 1,419,000 2,930 1,236 665 20 154 152 176 519
1984 1,490,000 2,735 1,109 665 24 273 65 162 432
1985 1,528,000 2,809 928 727 44 233 51 130 693
1986 1,567,000 2,719 808 761 39 274 65 235 538
1987 1,607,000 4,643 1,352 1,430 31 300 62 704 754
1988 1,637,000 4,364 1,257 405 35 332 56 405 733
1989 1,634,000 5,844 1,248 2,629 57 277 74 468 1,087
1990 1,593,000 5,307 1,032 2,535 93 457 54 496 641
1991 1,518,000 6,094 946 3,454 62 422 113 501 591
1992 1,483,000 6,458 1,084 3,852 37 471 53 349 612
1993 1,487,000 8,369 965 5,526 52 512 166 346 802
1994 1,501,800 7,319 957 4,482 74 410 97 313 986
1995 1,520,000 6,787 884 4,220 80 323 35 349 896
1996 1,538,000 6,021 827 3,711 40 418 34 235 756
1997 1,570,500 5,419 620 3,335 21 287 70 150 936
1998 1,596,900 5,510 989 3,398 10 459 45 92 517
31
Bureau of Labor Statistics/ConnOSHA
1979-1998
Rate per 1,000 Workers of Occupational Disease, by Type
Year Employment Illness Skin Repetitive Lung-dust Respir Poisoning Phys. Agents Other
1979 1,358,000 2.45 1.26 0.35 0.02 0.23 0.13 0.18 0.27
1980 1,394,000 2.20 1.14 0.37 0.06 0.15 0.05 0.14 0.29
1981 1,409,000 2.28 1.07 0.50 0.03 0.21 0.06 0.14 0.28
1982 1,400,000 1.82 0.81 0.41 0.02 0.16 0.02 0.15 0.23
1983 1,419,000 2.06 0.87 0.47 0.01 0.11 0.11 0.12 0.37
1984 1,490,000 1.84 0.74 0.45 0.02 0.18 0.04 0.11 0.29
1985 1,528,000 1.84 0.61 0.48 0.03 0.15 0.03 0.09 0.45
1986 1,567,000 1.74 0.52 0.49 0.02 0.17 0.04 0.15 0.34
1987 1,607,000 2.89 0.84 0.89 0.02 0.19 0.04 0.44 0.47
1988 1,637,000 2.67 0.77 0.25 0.02 0.20 0.03 0.25 0.45
1989 1,634,000 3.58 0.76 1.61 0.03 0.17 0.05 0.29 0.67
1990 1,593,000 3.33 0.65 1.59 0.06 0.29 0.03 0.31 0.40
1991 1,518,000 4.01 0.62 2.28 0.04 0.28 0.07 0.33 0.39
1992 1,483,000 4.35 0.73 2.60 0.02 0.32 0.04 0.24 0.41
1993 1,487,000 5.63 0.65 3.72 0.03 0.34 0.11 0.23 0.54
1994 1,501,800 4.87 0.64 2.98 0.05 0.27 0.06 0.21 0.66
1995 1,520,000 4.47 0.58 2.78 0.05 0.21 0.02 0.23 0.59
1996 1,538,000 3.91 0.54 2.41 0.03 0.27 0.02 0.15 0.49
1997 1,570,500 3.45 0.39 2.12 0.01 0.18 0.04 0.10 0.60
1998 1,596,900 3.45 0.62 2.13 0.01 0.29 0.03 0.06 0.32
Source: BLS/ConnOSHA
32
Appendix 3: Occupational Health on the Internet
This is a partial listing of World Wide Web Sites that may be of interest to Occupational
Health folks. If you have discovered other useful sites, pass them along to Tim Morse
(tmorse@nso.uchc.edu). Addresses on the Internet change fairly frequently, so you may
have to look them up on the search engines (below).
Search engines
http://altavista.digital.com/
http://www.hotbot.com
http://www.lycos.com/
http://www.aj.com
http://www.yahoo.com
Starting Points for Occupational Safety and Health
One of the best sources of information for job safety and health on the Internet is the
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) homepage, which includes an
ergonomics homepage, a searchable index of standards, safety and health statistics, etc.
http://www.osha.gov
NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) is a good source.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has added hundreds of new
resources to their safety and health Internet resource list. Start at their home page, then
choose Internet Directory.
http://www.ccohs.ca
The Duke Occupational & Environmental Medicine and The Association of
Occupational & Environmental Clinics (AOEC) on-line text resources. The site
includes links to other professional occupational medicine web sites, subscribing
information to the e-mail info service, access to the Duke occupational medicine gopher
with a lot of information, MMWR articles, federal documents, a list of lending library
resources, and more.
http://gilligan.mc.duke.edu/oem/
Christie's Internet Resources Page has an extremely comprehensive list of websites on
safety and health.
http://www.christie.ab.ca/safelist/
The International Labor Organization (ILO) is part of the World Health Organization
(WHO), and has access to many resources, including other languages than English.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/90travai/cis/
33
A list of companies by products, searchable for companies with products to solve safety
and health problems
www.thomasregister.com
Ergonomics
ErgoCenter at UConn Health Center has factsheets and other information.
http://www.uconnhealth.org/diseasewellness/disease/ergocenterindexpage.htm
A download of an interesting ergonomics software program developed by Battelle Labs
for the Department of Energy called ErgoEaser is available for free. The program lets
you input measurements of workstations and operators to help analyze computer
workstations and lifting.
http://nattie.eh.doe.gov/others/ergoeaser/download.html
Ergoweb was originally part of the University of Utah, but is now a commercial site with
a lot of good factsheets, documents, and news.
http://www.ergoweb.com/
ErgoWorld has links and resources on many aspects of ergonomics.
http://www.interface-analysis.com/ergoworld/index.shtml
Typing Injury FAQ is a website designed by people with Cumulative Trauma Disorders
providing resources to people with CTD's.
http://www.tifaq.org/
Federal Government Resources
Federal Government Resources on the Web (listing)
http://www.lib.umich.edu/libhome/Documents.center/federal.html
PubMed, part of National Library of Medicine allows scientific medical literature search.
http://www3.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/
Thomas is the Library of Congress's resource on federal legislation.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov:8080/atsdrhome.html
The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has its Health and Safety Manual
available on the Internet.
http://www.llnl.gov/es_and_h/hsm/llnl_hc.shtml
National Library of Medicine SIS: Quality Information on Environmental Health,
Toxicology, and HIV/AIDS
http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/
34
Connecticut State Resources
State Government: ConneCT (links to all agencies, legislation)
http://www.state.ct.us/index.asp
Department of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Division
http://www.state.ct.us/dph/BCH/EEOH/HPEEOH.html
Connecticut General Statutes
http://www.cslnet.ctstateu.edu/statutes/index.htm
Occupational Safety and Health Association
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/osha/osha.htm
Workers' Compensation Commission
http://wcc.state.ct.us/
Other Organizations
American Public Health Association (APHA) Occupational Health Section
http://staff.washington.edu/oshalert/
CalOSHA is California OSHA with many materials of general interest.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/dosh_publications/INDEX.HTMl
Center for Safety in the Arts
http://artswire.org:70/1/csa
Cornell MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) Archive to look up chemicals.
http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/issearch/msdssrch.htm
The Job Stress Network web page is dedicated to increasing communication among
researchers and others interested in job stress and its impact on health.
http://www.workhealth.org/
New Jersey Department of Health, Hazardous Material fact sheets
http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/rtkhsfs.htm
UMass Lowell Work Environment Deptartment
http://www.uml.edu/Dept/WE/
Vermont SIRI
Includes a tutorial on using the Internet for safety information, also MSDS's, and
maillists.
http://siri.org/
35
Appendix 4: Who's Who: Resources in Connecticut on
Job Safety and Health
Academic Programs
Central Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut Health
Department of Industrial Center, Dept. of Community
Technology Medicine, MPH Program
Undergraduate program in Masters in Public Health program
occupational safety & health with ergonomic/occupational health
Chairman: Dr. Paul Resetarits certificate
Address: 1615 Stanley Rd., New Director: Dr. Holger Hansen
Address: Farmington, CT 06030-1910
Britain, CT 06050
Phone: (860) 832-1830 Phone: (860) 679-3551
Fax: (860) 832-1806 Fax: (860) 679-2374
e-mail: resetarits@ccsu.edu e-mail: mph@nso.uchc.edu
Web: www.st.ccsu.ctstateu.edu/ Web: www9.uchc.edu/grad/mph.html
programs/information/it.html
University of New Haven, Department
Labor Education Center of Occupational Safety and Health
Based at UConn in Storrs, the LEC Management
does education on job health and Undergraduate and graduate
safety, including undergraduate and programs in occupational safety and
master's classes, and a project on health, MS in Industrial Hygiene
Director: Dr. Brad Garber
mine safety.
Director: Mark Sullivan Address: 300 Orange St., New Haven,
Address: 1 Bishop Circle, Box U-13, CT 06516
Phone: (203) 932-7175
UConn, Storrs, CT 06268-4013
Phone: (860) 486-3417 Fax: (203) 931-6054
Fax: (860) 486-5221 e-mail: garber@charger.newhaven.edu
Web:
Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute www.newhaven.edu/unh/academics/
Master of Science degree in departments/graduate/occsafety.html
Occupational Safety Management
Director: David Rainey
Address: 275 Windsor St.,
Hartford, CT 06120
Phone: (860) 548-7830
e-mail: dlrainey@rh.edu.
Web: www.hgc.edu
36
Occupational Health Clinics
Eastern Rehabilitation Network, Yale Occupational and Environmental
Hartford Hospital Medicine Program
Contact: Dr. Michael Erdil Director: Dr. Mark Cullen
Address: 400 Washington St., Hartford, Address: (Office) Occupational
CT 06106 Medicine, 135 College St., Room
Phone: (860) 545-7214 366, New Haven, CT 06510
Fax: (860) 545-7255 Phone: (203) 785-7219 (Clinic); (203)
e-mail: merdil@harthosp.org 785-5885 (Office)
Web: www.easternrehab.net Fax: (203) 785-7391
Web: www.info.med.yale.edu/
Northwest Connecticut Occupational intmed/cardio/occmed/
Medicine (Charlotte Hungerford
Hospital)
Auxiliary Occupational
Contact: Barbara Evans
Address: 333 Kennedy Dr., Suite 202, Health Clinics
Torrington, CT 06790
Phone: (203) 482-4552
CorpCare Occupational Health
Fax: (860) 489-4647
Center
Contact: Brian Downs
St. Francis Hospital and Medical
Address: 1075 Tolland Tnpk.,
Center, Department of
Manchester, CT 06040
Occupational Health and Health
Phone: (860) 647-4796
Promotion
Fax: (860) 646-3945
Director: Dr. David Berube
Address: 114 Woodland St., Hartford,
Eastern Rehabilitation Network
CT 06105-1299
Director: Dr. Kathryn Papadakis
Phone: (860) 714-5662
Address: 1064 East Main St., Meriden
Fax: (860) 714-8068
06450
Web:www.stfranciscare.org/about/cen-
Phone: 860-235-9622
ters/occheal.htm
Fax: (203) 237-4066
e-mail: dplan1888@aol.com
University of Connecticut
Director: Dr. Evangeline Specht
Occupational and Environmental
Address: 9 Research Dr., Milford 06450
Health Center
Phone: (203) 882-5109
Director: Dr. Eileen Storey
Fax: (203) 882-5124
Address: UConn Health Center, 263
e-mail: especht@ohplus.com
Farmington Ave., Dowling North,
Director: Dr. Sheilaja Mittal
Farmington, CT 06030-6210
Address: 127 Washington Ave., North
Phone: (860) 679-2893
Haven 06473
Fax: (860) 679-1349
Phone: (203) 239-1890
e-mail: mcdermott@nso.uchc.edu
Fax: (203) 234-0164
Web: www.uconnhealth.org
e-mail: smittal@ohplus.com
37
Hartford Medical Group, Immediate Middlesex Hospital Occupational
Medical Care Medicine
Director: Dr. Kent Stahl Contact: Gail Brock
Address: 1260 Silas Deane Highway, Address: 534 Saybrook Rd.,
Wethersfield, CT 06109 Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 545-7188 Phone: (860) 343-4627
Fax: (860) 721-9552 Fax: (860) 343-4628
Occupational Health Plus, St. Raphael
Johnson Occupational Medicine
Hospital
Contact: Pat Beckenhaupt RN MS
Director: Dr. Peter Amato
Address: 201 Chestnut Hill Rd.,
Address: 175 Sherman Ave., New
Stafford Springs, CT 06070-0860
Haven, CT 06511
Phone: (860) 684-8271
Phone: (203) 789-3721
Fax: (860) 684-8451
Fax: (203) 789-5174
e-mail: pbeckenhaupt@jmhosp.org
e-mail: parmato@srhs.org
Lawrence and Memorial
St. Mary's Hospital
Occupational Health Center
Contact: Joe Vaccarelli
Contact: Ruth Moreau
Address: 133 Scovill St., Suite 308,
Address: 52 Hazlenut Hill Rd., Groton,
Waterbury, CT 06706
CT 06340
Phone: (203) 597-3544
Phone: (203) 446-8265 x7082
Fax: (203) 597-3741
Fax: (860) 448-6961
Waterbury Occupational Health
MedWorks
Facility
Director: Ralph J. Frank Jr. RPh., MPH
Contact: Kathy Klein
Address: 975 Farmington Ave.
Address: 140 Grandview Ave., Lower
Bristol, CT 06010
Level, Waterbury, CT 06708
Phone: (860) 589-0114
Phone: (203) 573-8114
Fax: (860) 589-1936
Fax: (203) 755-3823
e-mail: rfrank@brishosp.chime.org
38
Organizations
American Lung Association, Connecticut Safety Council
Connecticut Associated with the Connecticut
A non-profit public interest Business and Industry Association,
association geared towards the Council offers seminars, training
preventing lung disease, including courses, consulting, and policy
occupational lung disease. discussions on safety and
Director: John Zinn regulations. Includes many of the
Address: 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT major businesses and industries.
Director: Roberta Hublard
06108
Phone: (860) 289-5401, (800) 536-4872 Address: 370 Asylum Ave., Hartford,
Fax: (860) 289-5405 CT 06103
e-mail: alaofct@aol.com Phone: (860) 244-1900
Web: www.lungusa.org/ Fax: (860) 278-8562
Web: www.cbia.com/mgmtsvc/
ConnectiCOSH (The Connecticut safety_c.htm
Council for Occupational Safety
and Health) Ergonomic Technology Center
COSH is a union based non-profit (ErgoCenter)
organization for education and This is a center for prevention of
political action on job safety and repetitive strain injuries sponsored
health. They have a newsletter, by industry, labor, and the state
conferences, fact sheets, and based at UConn Health Center.
Director: Martin Cherniack, MD, MPH
speakers.
Director: Mike Fitts/ Deb Hovey Address: DOEM, UCHC, Farmington,
Address: 77 Huyshope St., Hartford, CT CT 06030-6210
Phone: (860) 679-1285
06106
Phone: (860) 549-1877 Fax: (860) 679-1349
Fax: (860) 251-6049 e-mail: ergotech@nso.uchc.edu
Web: www.uconnhealth.org/
diseasewellness/disease/
ergocenterindexpage.htm
39
OSHA
ConnOSHA OSHA (Occupational Safety and
ConnOSHA is a state agency that Health Administration)
inspects in the public sector, and Federal OSHA inspects workplaces
does consultations in the private in the private sector for violations of
sector. standards, and also has information
Acting Directors: Don Heckler and pamphlets.
Address: Labor Dept., 38 Wolcott Hill
Rd., Wethersfield, CT 06109 OSHA Bridgeport Office
Phone: (860) 566-4550 or (860) 566- (Fairfield, New Haven, and
7184 Middlesex counties).
Fax: (860) 566-1519 Director: Cliff Weston
Address: 1057 Broad St., 4th Floor,
e-mail: director.connosha@po.state.ct.us
Web: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (203) 579-5581; National
Hotline after hours, etc.: (800) 321-
OSHA
Fax: (203) 579-5516
OSHA Hartford Office
Director: Tom Guilmartin
Address: 450 Main St., Room 613,
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 240-3152; National
Hotline after hours, etc.: (800) 321-
OSHA
Fax: (860) 240-3155
Web: www.osha.gov (national)
40
Professional Associations
American Industrial Hygiene Connecticut Air & Waste
Association (AIHA) Management Association
A professional association for A forum for discussing
industrial hygienists. environmental and waste issues.
CT River Section Contact: Mark Chairman: Pietro Catizone
Address: TRC Environmental Corp. 5
Stuhlman CIH
Address: CRV-AIHA, Hamilton Waterside Crossing, Windsor, CT
Standard, 1 Hamilton Rd., MS 1-M- 06095
Phone: (860) 298-6248
5, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Phone: (860) 654-3661 Fax: (860) 298-6399
Fax: (860) 654-4305
e-mail: stuhlma@hsd.utc.com Connecticut Trial Lawyers
Association, Workers'
AIHA NyConn Chapter Compensation Committee
President: Richard Gunn An association of attorneys
Address: 11 Brenner Ridge Rd., specializing in workers'
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 compensation, mostly for claimants.
Chairman: Robert Sheldon
Address: 64 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport,
American Society of Safety Engineers
(ASSE) CT 06604
Phone: (203) 335-5145
A non-profit association for
Fax: (203) 366-8503
enhancing the competence and
knowledge of the safety profession.
Connecticut Valley Chapter CT Bar Association, Workers'
Contact: Marty Lewis Compensation Section
Address : Box 106 This is a professional association of
1131-0 Tolland Turnpike attorneys who concentrating in
Manchester, CT 06040 workers' compensation.
Phone: (860) 688-1151 Chair: Edward Dodd, Jr.
e-mail: lewis15@home.com Address: Dodd, Lessack, Arnandow &
Member Chair: David Gelphe, CSP Dalphin, 700 W. Johnson Ave.,
Phone: (203) 639-2440 #305, Cheshire, CT 06410
e-mail: dgelphe@canberra.com Phone: (203) 272-1883
ASSE Nutmeg Chapter Connecticut Safety Society
Contact: Dick Pfeiffer, CSP A professional association for safety
Phone: (203) 271-2690 inspectors, etc.
e-mail: safety@cyberbury.net President: Joseph Weber
Contact: Tom Schinkel, Treasurer
Student Section (CCSU)
Contact: Dr. George Ku Address: 390 Brook St., Bristol, CT
Address: 1615 Stanley St., P. O. Box 06010
Phone: (860) 584-0477
4010, New Britain, CT 06050-4010
41
Phone: (860) 509-7740
Occupational Health Nurses Assn.
Fax: (860) 509-7717
The association of occupational
Web: www.state.ct.us/dph/BCH/
health nurses, including most of the
nurses working in industry. Five EEOH/HPEEOH.html
chapters in Connecticut.
Hartford: Sue Parker, 24 Colonial, State Emergency Response
Somers, CT 06071 Phone: (860) Commission
749-3391 Oversees plans for response to
Southern: Mary Jane Chase, chemical accidents. Also collects
Phone: (203) 248-2161 chemical information for the public
Fax: (203) 248-0241 under Community Right to Know.
e-mail: mjjchase@aol.com DEP/ Bureau of Waste Management
Western: Dottie Weigold, Administrator: Joseph Pulaski
Phone: (203) 597-3740 Address: 79 Elm St., 4th Floor,
Fax: (203) 597-3741 Hartford, CT 06106-5127
e-mail: occrn@smhosp.chime.org Phone: (860) 424-3373
Fax: (860) 424-4059
Occupational and Environmental
Medical Association of CT
(OEMAC) Connecticut Fire Academy
The association for occupational Commission on Fire Prevention and
medicine doctors, including many of Control
the physicians working for industry. Safety Training & Standards
President: Dr. David Berube Compliance for Business, Industry
Address: Occupational Health, St. and Government
Coordinator: Ron Keane
Francis Medical Center, 1000
Address: 34 Perimeter Road, Windsor
Asylum Ave., Suite 3201, Hartford,
CT 06105 Locks, CT 06096-1069
Phone: (860) 714-4270 Phone: (860) 627-6363 ext. 237
Fax: (860) 654-1889
e-mail: ron.keane@po.state.ct.us
Web: www.state.ct.us/cfpc
State Agencies
CT Department of Environmental
Occupational/ Environmental Protection, Radiation Safety Unit
Epidemiology Director: Edward L. Wilds
Part of the State Department of Phone: (860) 424-3029
Public Health, this group investigates Fax: 424-4065
clusters of occupational diseases, and e-mail: edward.wilds@po.state.ct.us
DPH has separate programs for Web: http://dep.state.ct.us/
radon, asbestos, AIDS, lead, TB
control and infectious diseases.
Director: Mary Lou Fleissner, Dr.PH
Address: DPH/ EEOH , 410 Capitol
Ave, MS #11OSP, Hartford, CT
06134-0308
42
Workers' Compensation Commission
Chairman's Office and Review Board
The Workers' Compensation
Commission oversees workers'
compensation benefits, as well as
providing educational services on
occupational safety and health, safety
and health committees, and workers'
compensation. The Commission also
provides rehabilitation services for
workers injured on the job.
Chairman: John A. Mastropietro
Address: 21 Oak St., Capitol Place,
Hartford, CT 06106-8011
Phone: (860) 493-1500
Information: (800) 223-WORK
Fax: (860) 247-1361
Web: wcc.state.ct.us
Workers' Compensation District Offices
1. 999 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105;
(860) 566-4154; Fax: (860) 566-6137
2. 90 Sachem St., Suite 210, Norwich, CT
06360; (860) 823-3900; Fax: (860)
823-1725
3. 700 State St., New Haven, CT 06511;
(203) 789-7512; Fax: (203) 789-7168
4. 350 Fairfield Ave., 2nd Floor, Bridgeport,
CT 06604; (203) 382-5600; Fax: (203)
335-8760
5. 95 Thomaston Ave., Waterbury, CT
06702;
(203) 596-4207; Fax: (203) 596-4318
6. 223 Main St., New Britain, CT 06051;
(860) 827-7180; Fax: (860) 827-7913
7. 1515 Summer St., Stamford, CT 06905-
5111; (203) 325-3881; Fax: (203) 967-
7264
8. 90 Court St., Middletown, CT 06457;
(860) 344-7453; Fax: (860) 344-7487
Compiled by Tim Morse and Jack Braddock of the Occupational Health Clinics
Advisory Board. Please send additions/ corrections to Tim Morse, UConn Health
Center, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, (860) 679-4720
43
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