SMOHIT’s Workplace Exposure Research Program was created to study workplace hazard exposure and educate sheet metal workers on how to best reduce their risk — and the risks they might bring home to loved ones. The term “take-home exposures” refers to toxic substances that workers can unknowingly bring home on their clothes and bodies. These include asbestos, lead, pesticides, beryllium and mercury, all of which the Centers for Disease Control study as take-home exposure risks. The awareness of take-home exposure goes back hundreds of years, when public health authorities noticed wives of coal miners were dying of black lung disease.

A chest X-ray B-read, or B-reader interpretation, is a more detailed review of a chest X-ray performed by a radiologist specially trained to identify exposure and signs of lung disease associated with occupational exposure. The B-read is an important step in the diagnosis of diseases associated with asbestos and silica exposure.

The Workplace Exposure Research Program is formerly known as the health screening program. Its purpose is to help current workers protect themselves on their jobsite and their families at home from asbestos and silica exposure; get them tested and walk through the possibilities and process if a positive result is…

Construction workers face many hazards during their careers, and sheet metal workers are often in spaces between walls and inside ceilings, where they can be exposed to asbestos and silica.

SMOHIT Safety Conference reminds attendees ‘It’s OK to be…” whoever they are The ninth annual Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) Safety Champions Conference took on a persona, for the third consecutive year, meant to welcome attendees into comfortable spaces to discuss often uncomfortable topics. The theme — “It’s OK to be…” — encouraged attendees to feel like whatever

The SMOHIT Safety Matters Awards have been a tradition since 2010, honoring those who have made real contributions to the physical and mental health of unionized sheet metal workers and contractors. These awards have been a highlight of the annual Safety Champions Conference, which was held Sept. 17-18 in Chicago. Nominations are accepted all year long, and award winners are

Wayne GreenwoodJohn AlvinoSMOHIT has welcomed Wayne Greenwood and Jon Alvino as new trustees. Greenwood and Alvino are replacing co-chairs Kevin Jones, who served on the board of trustees for the past 12 years, and Chris Hall, who served for around 10 years. Current trustees Matt Hildreth and Danny Villarruel have taken the role of co-chairs. Greenwood was introduced to the

International Overdose Awareness Day, held on the last day of August, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those we have lost, acknowledge the grief of those left behind, and renew our commitment to end overdose and related harms. To help people take action for International Overdose Awareness Day, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) outlines facts

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched their Safe + Sound initiative to encourage every workplace to have a safety and health program all year, but Safe + Sound Week, August 11-17, is the week to recognize successful programs and share information on how to keep America’s workers safe. Click here to read more about the Safe + Sound

Five years ago, SMOHIT provided automatic external defibrillators (AED) and bleed kits to all locations, and continues to help members become certified in CPR. Providing naloxone is no different. Every SMART union hall and training center is eligible to receive one cabinet with four boxes, or eight doses, of naloxone, a synthetic, potent antagonist for opioid drugs, including morphine and

The simple mantra of “drink more water” might be fine for the average person this summer, but for those working long hours on hot job sites, there’s more to consider. Drink water, and eat it too! Our daily fluid intake also comes from the foods we eat. Fresh fruits like grapes and peaches and vegetables like celery, cucumbers and lettuce

It’s summer. It’s hot, and staying out of the sun’s glare is a priority. If you have to work with the sun’s rays shining on you, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), has compiled a thorough overview of sun exposure and how to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. Click

Diane Blackburn worked as a radiation therapist for more than 25 years before her father’s health changed the trajectory of her career. He was in his trade only 13 years before he was diagnosed with asbestosis. Twenty-three years later, after an initial misdiagnosis, asbestos-related mesothelioma was confirmed. Blackburn treated him for three years before he passed away in 2005. His

Sleep Awareness Week takes place March 9-15, and it’s a time to become more aware of the connection between your sleep and your overall health and well-being. Poor sleep can make us less able to cope with daily stress and more likely to focus on negative things while overlooking positive ones. The National Sleep Foundation’s 2003 Sleep in America poll

As a benefit of your SMART membership, don’t forget you have access to Wellbeats. How you take advantage of this on-demand streaming platform is up to you: Take one of the 1,200+ classes offered on fitness, nutrition and mindfulness Create a goal-based program tailored to your specific needs Track your personal statistics to chart your progress Invite others to join

The toughest time of the year for blood donations is in the winter — inclement weather conditions and seasonal illnesses typically keep donors away. The beginning of the year is the perfect reminder to either make an appointment to donate blood in your local community or set up a blood drive for your local, training center or job site. There

Join us for a two-part webinar series discussing how childhood experiences can shape your adulthood and learn some mindfulness practices that may help your quality of life. Registration is required to attend, although you may choose to attend one or both sessions. Please note that we will not be recording or sharing the webinar content. REGISTER FOR WEBINARS After registering,

The third Monday of January, known as “Blue Monday,” has gotten a reputation as the “gloomiest day of the year.” It all started with a publicity stunt in 2005, and the result was a complex equation accounting for weather, post-holiday letdown, failed resolutions and more. It was, however, just complicated nonsense. There is no “most depressing” day of the year,

The holidays can bring a mix of joyous and sad feelings, no matter who you are, and everything from songs and food to weather can trigger difficult emotions, thoughts or behaviors. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) releases an annual holiday toolkit. This quick guide has resources all in one place to help you help yourself, your

There is a new voice on the other end of the line — Lisa Firle has been hired part time to answer calls on the SMOHIT Helpline. Firle, a mental health professional in Colorado, is scheduled to answer Helpline calls Monday through Thursday, connecting SMART members and their families with much-needed resources. “When you’re in a mental health crisis, you

The Health Screening Research Program many SMART members are familiar with has finally arrived, but it looks different — and is more convenient — for members going forward. The biggest update for health screenings is eligible members can now participate from anywhere in the country and at any time. For example, a retiree living in Florida, who is a member

Jeff Bradley has been named program administrator for SMOHIT, the health and safety fund of the unionized sheet metal industry. Bradley had been serving as the fund’s program director since last year, but his new title reflects all he’s accomplished since that time. It also constitutes a move from his St. Louis hometown to Alexandria, Virginia, near Falls Church where

More than 100 safety champions and leaders in the sheet metal industry gathered Aug. 28-29 in Falls Church, Virginia, to “celebrate the small things” — as the theme of this year’s conference urged. Attendees looked to the future and shared strategies, resources and personal stories. While last year’s Safety Champions Conference was based on mental health, this year’s conference broadened

Travel can be a welcome respite from routine, but it can also take a toll, especially if it’s for work. With some planning, you can avoid adverse effects on your health during your next vacation or business trip (like the SMART Convention). From the airport to the buffet table, there are many opportunities to make healthy choices, say experts at

Join us for what is sure to be a great event full of health, safety and camaraderie. If you’re a SMART or SMACNA member in good standing, join us for the Safety Champions Conference! The eighth annual conference will take place Aug. 28-29 at the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.). The Safety Champions

For many, springtime is also sneezing and wheezing time, but pollen is far from the only allergen that can trigger reactions. At a construction site, it can be difficult to escape from common allergens like dust, fresh paint, aerosols and chemical fumes. In a 2013 article,  available here through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers noted that exposure to