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Since 2016, over 500 McIntyre Powder-exposed miners and mine workers have registered with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Inc. (OHCOW). A dedicated OHCOW multidisciplinary team (administrative, leadership, nursing, occupational hygiene, and medical) continues to investigate the possible links between workplace exposures and health issues found in this group of workers who were historically exposed to McIntyre Powder (aluminum oxide dust).
As part of this work, OHCOW's McIntyre Powder Project team is conducting scientific literature reviews on occupational and environmental exposures and health conditions, focusing on health issues found among the McIntyre Powder-exposed worker group. OHCOW has produced reports on their reviews, which are now publicly available online at OHCOW's website, www.ohcow.on.ca. These reports provide important information for workers and their advocates for purposes of workers' compensation cases. Additional reports will be available in the coming months, and will also posted to the OHCOW website. The OHCOW "Mining Exposures & Health" reports will be updated as new scientific literature becomes available.
A direct link to the OHCOW reports is posted on our McIntyre Powder Project website (see "OHCOW Mining Exposures and Health", under the "Links" tab on the top menu bar).
Thank you to OHCOW for this groundbreaking work!
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HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE McINTYRE POWDER PROJECT INTAKE CLINICS
HOW TO REGISTER: Call Janice Martell at 1-800-461-7120
NOTE from Janice: Due to my employment hours (which support my family and fund the work of the McIntyre Powder Project), on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you will reach my voice mail. If you reach my voice mail at any other time, I am likely helping other mine workers or their survivors with the pre-registration process. Please leave a voice mail message, including your name and phone number, and I will call you back as soon as I am able to, OR please try calling me at another time. Thank you so much!
WHO CAN REGISTER?
ALL mine workers (miners, electricians, mechanics, millwrights, crusher house & mill workers, etc.) or other workers (e.g. Ministry of Labour mine inspectors) who were exposed to McIntyre Powder aluminum dust at ANY mine (not just McIntyre mine) can still register with OHCOW (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers) to be part of this study on the health effects of aluminum dust.
DECEASED MINE WORKERS: Deceased mine workers who were exposed to the aluminum dust can be registered by their next-of-kin (some legal documents may need to be provided).
INCAPACITATED MINE WORKERS: Incapacitated mine workers who were exposed to the aluminum dust can be registered by their guardian/caregivers (e.g. whoever has Power of Attorney).
WHAT WILL REGISTERING DO?
Registering will open a file for the mine worker at OHCOW (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers), and will add the worker's story to the overall picture of the types of health issues suffered by workers who were exposed to aluminum dust.
** For more information about OHCOW’s role at the McIntyre Powder Project Intake Clinics, see the June 10, 2016 “News” posting on this website titled: “OHCOW Statement on McIntyre Powder Intake Clinics”.**
Details on the Next McIntyre Powder Project Intake Clinic:
WHEN? Monday, October 3, 2016 and Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Clinic Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE? United Steelworkers Hall, 66 Brady Street, Sudbury, Ontario
OPSEU Bus - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has generously sponsored a coach bus on both days of the Sudbury Intake Clinics. The bus will leave from AJ Bus Lines lot in Blind River, Ontario at 8 a.m. sharp and will pick up Intake Clinic participants at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre parking lot in Elliot Lake, Ontario for 9 a.m. departure to Sudbury. The bus will stop at Tim Horton's restaurant in Sudbury at approximately 11 a.m. for a meal break (at your own cost - you are also welcome to pack a lunch). The bus is expected to arrive by 12 noon or before at the Steelworkers Hall in Sudbury for the Intake Clinic. The bus will leave the Steelworkers Hall for the return trip at 4 p.m. sharp. Thanks to OPSEU Provincial office, OPSEU Region 6 office, and OPSEU Local 604 in Elliot Lake, coach bus transportation will be provided FREE to Intake Clinic participants and their support persons. RESERVED SEATING ONLY ON THE BUS. To Reserve your seat on the OPSEU bus, call Janice Martell at 1-800-461-7120 to pre-register for the Sudbury Intake Clinic. Please notify Janice that you require a seat on the OPSEU bus when you pre-register for the Sudbury Intake Clinic. Thank you!
QUESTIONS?
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT JANICE MARTELL AT 1-800-461-7120.