Opioids and Worker Health

Partnerships for Environmental Public Education (PEPH)

Opioids and Worker Health

January 24, 2019

Interviewee: Chris Trahan Cain, C.I.H.

In this podcast, hear more about the significant risks that opioids pose to worker health and safety, and how different agencies and nonprofit organizations are working to address these concerns.

Opioids and Worker Health

The current opioid epidemic in the U.S. is having a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities, and workers. It has become increasingly evident that on-the-job exposure and substance use disorders are challenges that impact workers in different occupations. For example, emergency and first responders face a high risk of exposure to fentanyl and other opioids on the job. Additionally, workers in high-injury risk occupations, such as construction and farming, are often prescribed opioids as treatment for occupational injury or illness, which can quickly lead to opioid use disorders.

In this podcast, hear more about the significant risks that opioids pose to worker health and safety, and how different agencies and nonprofit organizations are working to address these concerns. In addition, learn more about different educational and prevention strategies that can be used to protect workers.

Interviewee

Chris Trahan Cain, C.I.H.

Tel 301-578-8500
ccain@cpwr.com

Chris Trahan Cain is an industrial hygienist with more than 20 years of experience in health and safety. She is passionate about protecting the health and safety of workers in the construction, trade, and energy industries

As executive director of the CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, Cain oversees, manages, and develops training programs to improve the health and safety of construction workers. CPWR is a nonprofit organization supported in part by a cooperative agreement with the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP).

Cain also serves as the director of safety and health for North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU), an umbrella organization that includes 14 national and international unions collectively representing more than 3 million workers. Cain was appointed as chair of the NABTU Opioid Task Force upon its inception in early 2018. Notably, NABTU falls under a larger nonprofit organization called the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, which is the largest federation of unions in the U.S.

Additional Resources

• Learn more about the opioid epidemic and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ five-point strategy to combat the crisis.
• Explore the Hazard Alert and Toolbox Talk developed by CPWR for construction workers, which are available in English and Spanish.
• Access more information from the CPWR opioid resources webpage.
• Learn more about the fall 2018 workshop hosted by WTP on opioid-related hazards in the workplace.
• Read a 2018 PEPH grantee highlight to learn how Cain is promoting training and career opportunities for construction workers.
• National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training Illicit Drug Exposure Training Resources.

Relevant References

Harduar Morano L, Steege AL, Luckhaupt SE. 2018. Occupational Patterns in Unintentional and Undetermined Drug-Involved and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2007–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 67: 925-930. [Abstract Harduar Morano L, Steege AL, Luckhaupt SE. 2018. Occupational Patterns in Unintentional and Undetermined Drug-Involved and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2007–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 67: 925-930.]

Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden RM. 2016. Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths – United States, 2000-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 64(50-51): 1378-82 [Abstract Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden RM. 2016. Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths – United States, 2000-2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 64(50-51): 1378-82]