Maine Occupational Research Agenda (MORA)

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Maine Occupational Research Agenda (MORA)

• Maines Answer to Establishing an Occupational
  Health and Safety Research Agenda

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Beginnings

• Established at the occupational health summit
  called by the Maine Bureau of Labor Standards in
  August 2000.
• A steering committee with 12 members meets
  monthly and maps strategy
• Entire group convenes about once a year.

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The Research Agenda

• Topics need to satisfy basic requirements
• Frequency
• Severity
• Trending
• At-risk populations
• Comparison with other states
• In line with NORA priorities
• Inadequate information
• Key informant data information
• Agenda set by steering committee

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Timeline

• Identify Maines significant OSH problems 3/02
• Develop potential research questions 4/02
• Reach consensus 4/02
• Seek external input 5/02
• Finalize 6/02
• Report at major state-wide conference 5/03

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Topics

• Occupational asthma
• Cost drivers
• MSDs
• Aging workforce
• Fatalities
• Toxic exposures

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Recognition

• State employees who are part of MORA recognized
  for teamwork award by Governor King.
• Commissioner of Labor state of Maine recognized
  private sector partners.

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Conference

• May 21-22, 2003
• University of New England Portland Campus
• Preliminary program established. Theme How does
  research promote change
• NIOSH providing support
• Speakers confirmed
• John Sestito, NIOSH
• Dr. David Parker
• Earl Dotter
• Tom St Louis, Ct Dept of Health
• Andy Smith, Maine Bur of Health
• Dr. Glen Pransky, Liberty Mutual Ins Co
• Vaughn Leblanc, ME Dept of Labor
• Kerry Sousa, MA Health Dept
• Local employers

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Conference Activities

• Keynote speakers
• Break out sessions on best practice
• IEE workshop
• Report on MORA topics

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