Dow recognized for health education program
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has named The San Diego-based Dow Chemical Company one of three national winners in its 2000 ACOEM Corporate Health Achievement Awards competition.
Dow is a leading science and technology company providing chemical, plastic, and agricultural products and services. A team of occupational medicine physicians from Arlington Heights, IL-based ACOEM studied extensive documentation on Dows health and safety programs then completed the final examination and review process during an on-site visit. The companys use of Internet-based education was cited as an exemplary model practice.
Dow makes extensive use of a Web-based intranet for global education, training, publication of guidelines and standards, and data collection. Dows intranet provides a comprehensive resource for all employees by offering them immediate, continuous access to a wide range of information, including these features:
health education and wellness materials on myriad topics;
the written standard for Dows employee health assessment program, frequently updated by a team of health professionals to keep up with changing regulations and medical science advances;
search capabilities for the extensive toxicology database on chemicals used at Dow;
current training programs on such topics as the correct use of various chemicals (including asbestos, benzene, and butadiene), avoiding general workplace hazards (such as ergonomic injuries, heat stress, hearing loss, and welding hazards), and important health-related issues (behavior-based safety practices).
Centers of expertise created
ACOEM also cited Dows effective identification and use of experienced specialists from different company locations as centers of expertise to serve all programs as part of its comprehensive evaluation of workplace hazards. Health professionals routinely visit different Dow plants and work sites to contribute their knowledge and observations about employee health and safety as a way to help eliminate risks and accidents.
These visits are prompted by various circumstances, including:
the need to review job conditions or requirements in order to create appropriate placements for employees with medical conditions;
required fulfillment of specific plant or department assignments given to health professionals to familiarize themselves with the processes and work being done;
procedure changes that might impact health-related monitoring, protective equipment needs, or other health-related concerns;
participation in investigations of work-related injuries or illnesses;
health-related questions from plant management or employees.
Another positive feature was the companys publication and use of data obtained through ystematic epidemiological and toxicological research in its personal and environmental protection programs to benefit employees, communities, and the industry.
Dow uses employee work histories, medical records, death certificates, and similar information to search for potential links between specific chemical exposures in the workplace and employee illnesses. The basis for this research is Dows Epidemiology Surveillance System, a 10-year-old comprehensive database compiled from vital statistics registries at each of the companys major locations.
According to Catherine Baase, MD, director of health services, Dow has conducted more than 100 studies in the past 20 years, examining such areas as cancer incidence and chemical-related mortality, as well as the cost effectiveness of its health programs and their impact on employee wellness. Positive results from these studies helped to secure ongoing senior management support for the health promotion program.
The companys intent is to publish all of its studies, regardless of the outcomes, she says. When studies showing negative results have not been accepted for publication, Dow sends summary information to the journal editors to make them aware of its findings.
Other Dow initiatives drawing accolades from the examining team were the following:
Occupational Medicine Clinical Guidelines publication, which provides a standard, global set of recommendations for evaluating and treating different health conditions, as well as for immunization and international travel;
comprehensive emergency treatment program delivered through both on- and off-site resources, including the use of automatic external defibrillators (which has already resulted in one life saved);
toxicology assessment program to identify and control toxic hazards;
comprehensive environmental protection program with extensive expert and community input on important environmental, health, and safety issues;
health education and wellness program with didactic materials and a low-cost exercise facility;
exemplary involvement in community and government health and safety regulations.
Baase notes that another positive outcome has been the steady reduction in reportable incidents as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The company has made excellent progress toward its goal of a 90% reduction from 1995 through 2005, with the reportable incident rate dropping steadily from 2.07 in 1995 to 1.6 in 1996, 1.66 in 1997, 1.27 in 1998, and further reduction in 1999. Participation in the companys health assessment program also is very strong, ranging up to 95% in many locations.
