UAW Local 31

Building Trades National Medical Screening Program

The goal of this program is to provide a free medical screening to construction workers who helped to build our nation's nuclear defense sites. This program is designed to identify health problems caused by hazardous substances that workers may have been exposed to while working on a Department of Energy site. The Kansas City Plant location has been called; Bendix, Allied Signal and Honeywell.

Who is Eligible

You may be eligible to participate in this program if:
You performed construction work (for either the prime contractor or subcontractors) at any time in the past at any of the following DOE sites.
•    Amchitka Test Site, Amchitka Island, Alaska
•    Battelle Laboratories - King Avenue, Columbus, Ohio
•    Battelle Laboratories - West Jefferson, Columbus, Ohio
•    Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
•    Brush - Luckey, Luckey, Ohio
•    Fernald Closure Project, Fernald, Ohio
•    Hanford Reservation, Richland, Washington
•    Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), Scoville, Idaho
•    Kansas City Plant, Kansas City, Missouri
•    Mallindkrodt Chemical Co, St Louis, Missouri
•    Mound Plant, Miamisburg, Ohio
•    Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Tennessee
•    Pinellas, Largo, Florida
•    Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Paducah, Kentucky
•    Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Piketon, Ohio
•    Rocky Flats Plant, Golden, Colorado
•    Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina
•    Weldon Spring Plant, Weldon Spring, Missouri

And
You think you may have been exposed to any health hazards, including radiation, beryllium, asbestos, silica, mercury, cadmium, nickel, lead or other heavy metals, solvents or degreasers, or any other fumes, vapors or dusts, or noise.

Or
You or your doctor think you have had serious health problems as a result of your DOE work, including anyone who has or has had cancer, serious lung disease or any other serious illness that you think could be caused by toxic exposures.

If you think qualify please either visit this website: http://www.btmed.org/default.cfm
or call the Kansas City Outreach office
and talk to Walter J. Smith at (816) 333-3020

Is Poor Back Care Causing You to Slouch?

The back is a well-designed structure made up of bone, muscles, nerves and other soft tissues that are vulnerable to back pain and injury.  Back pain is one of the most common work-related injuries and is often caused by ordinary work activities such as poor body mechanics, prolonged activity, repetitive motions, and fatigue.  You rely on your back to be the workhorse of the body and its function is essential for nearly every move you make.  Research shows that on average: Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.

• 80% of Americans will experience back problems at some time in their lives and 30% will experience back pain on any given day.
• The overall cost of back pain in direct medical charges and lost productivity is estimated to be between $30 billion and $70 billion a year.
• Back pain results in over 100 million lost work days per year and is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people under 45 years.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain and that is just for the more easily identified costs.

Tips for preventing back strain:

•   Do not lift by bending over.  Lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object.  Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body.  Avoid twisting your body while lifting.
•   Push rather than pull when you must move heavy objects.
•   If you must sit at your desk or at the wheel of a car or truck for long hours, break up the time with stops to stretch.
•   Wear flat shoes or 1” or lower heels.  Exercise regularly. An Inactive lifestyle contributes to lower back pain.

For more information, and exercises designed specifically for your back, please call or stop by your UAW Local 31-GM Fitness Center today!  Ext#7859

AW-GM Work/Family Programs

Cindy Folsom and Carol Thompkins

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is now the Work/Family Program.  This program now includes support and services for a variety of personal problems.  It is strictly confidential.  It can help workers and their family members get services for chemical dependence, alcohol issues and can assist in resolving marital and family differences, help with financial problems and help with mental health problems.

We have enhanced our program with additional services.  New programs include child care services and elder care services to help fill unmet community needs.  This program is to provide positive solutions and to help workers better balance their work and personal responsibilities that impact our lives each and every day.

For more information contact:

Cindy Folsom - cindy.folsom@gm.com
or
Carol Thompkins - carol.y.thompkins @gm.com
or visit the Web site
http://www.workfamilyprogram.com/
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