Welcome to OEHN’s Occupational Health Update email.  This month's newsletter presents a montage of current information, beginning with an informative article on Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace which discusses the fact (among others) that most drug users are employed; to Winter Safety Driving Tips, which will teach you how to stay safe on New England's wintery roads.  Please send us any Occupational Health topic about which you would like to learn more.

Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace

The vast majority of drug users are employed, and when they arrive for work, they don't leave their problems at the door. Of the 17.2 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2005, 12.9 million (74.8 percent) were employed either full or part time. Furthermore, research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of the nation's workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs. In fact, industries with the highest rates of drug use are the same as those at a high risk for occupational injuries, such as construction, mining, manufacturing and wholesale.

Find out more about Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace.

H1N1 Update

Each week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of November 29-December 5, 2009, influenza activity decreased over the previous week across all key indicators except for deaths, but most indicators remain higher than normal for this time of year.

Included in this article is information about the non-safety-related voluntary recall of certain lots of  Pediatric vaccine because of insufficient strength.

Read more.

Winter Safe Driving Tips

This article contains tips on driving in snow and ice, including: Driving on icy roads; What to do if your rear wheel skids; if your front wheel skids and if you get stuck.

Learn more about staying safe on the roads this winter.

Exercise and Cold Weather: Stay Motivated, Fit and Safe

Winter can frustrate the most motivated exercisers. And if you're not so motivated, it's all too easy to pack your workout gear away with your summer clothes. But keeping up your exercise routine in cold weather can be rewarding. Here's how to get the most out of your cold-weather workout:

• Check with your doctor.
• Layer it on.
• Protect your extremities.
• Choose appropriate gear.
• Remember sunscreen.
• ...

Find out more about exercising in the cold weather.

OEHN Delivers a Boutique of Occupational Health Solutions...

... for corporate and hospital occupational health departments throughout New England. OEHN has become the recognized leader in the field of occupational and environmental health by providing an expert body of knowledge to employers, insurers, employees and healthcare providers. Some of the Occupational Health solutions that OEHN offers include:

n Total Disability Management

n Medical Director Leadership

n Employee Health On-site Services

n Police and Fire Psychological Services

n Ergonomic and Industrial Hygiene

n Risk Evaluations

n Employee Psychological Health Assessments

When to Have a Mammogram

Recently in the news there have been many reports about when to have a mammogram.  The articles presented at this link, tells you what various government agencies are saying on this topic.

Read this important article.

Occupational & Environmental Health Network (OEHN) 
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