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Your Workplace RightsOccupational Illness: Occupational Health Clinical Center Can HelpApril 2009Familiar workers’ compensation claims include injuries from falls, lifting or sustaining a cut on your hand or finger. These are occupational injuries. But what about the person who does food preparation all day and whose hands hurt or are numb? These are examples of occupational illness. Our health can be affected by the work we do, and this can happen suddenly or develop over a period of time. However it happens, it can be hard to get good medical advice. Occupational IllnessOccupational ilness is difficult to diagnose, and most physicians are not trained to recognize the connection between our illness symptons and our work. Most doctors don’t even ask their patients about their work, so how could they diagnose occupational illness? OHCC provides accurate, independent diagnosis of work-related illness in workers and former workers — including medical and occupational history, physical examination, diagnostic testing, referral for treatment and social work services. The Occupational Health Clinical Center (OHCC) specializes in helping people identify workplace ilness. OHCC is funded by the NYS Dept of Health and was established 20 years ago as part of a statewide network of occupational health centers. It is affiliated with Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. UAW Benefits Representative Lesley Finch is a member of their Advisory Board. Most forms of health insurance typically cover a sizeable portion of the fees for a clinic visit. A sliding fee scale is available to those who are uninsured or underinsured. OHCC LocationsOHCC has two locations in central New York — in Syracuse and Binghamton. For an appointment or more information about their services, call 800-432-9590 or (315) 432-8899. You can find them online at www.upstate.edu/cnyohcc or call the Union Hall for a brochure. |
OHCC Online |