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Occupational health and safety is one of the pillars of public health [...]

We designed a cross-sectional study for environmental health (EH) professionals in Montana as a follow-up to a needs assessment conducted in 2020 by the Montana Public Health Workforce Development Group. A 57-question survey was developed to deepen the understanding of the profession regarding demographics, work status and position, education and licensure, work prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, professional preparation and continuing education, job satisfaction, recruitment and retention, and emerging issues. The survey was administered electronically in 2022 to all health departments in Montana and had a 74% response rate. The results revealed that most EH professionals in Montana are predominately White. Respondents reported being adequately trained but highlighted that additional training would be beneficial. Job-related stress, staffing levels, and salary levels were identified as areas of concern. Furthermore, respondents reported that they are otherwise fulfilled by the purposeful nature of their jobs. Our study was successful in capturing an updated view of the challenges facing EH professionals in Montana. Using these findings, the Montana Environmental Health Association and the Montana Public Health Training Center are developing training solutions for these professionals.

The objective of this study was to analyze workers’ compensation injury and fatality data associated with the occupational use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Montana. Data were provided by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Workers’ Compensation Injury and Occupational Disease Database. Claims were identified based on a search of injury codes related to vehicular claims and then narrowed by a keyword search for events related to ATVs. Two hundred and fifteen ATV-related claims were identified between 2007 and 2012. The majority of claimants were identified as male (85%), with 23% of total claims between the ages 20–29 at the time of injury. The agriculture industry accounted for 59% of all claims. The results of this investigation indicated that the cost of occupational ATV injuries and deaths during the study period totaled nearly $2,600,000. The agriculture industry is disproportionally represented in ATV workers’ compensation claims in Montana. Characterizing and understanding the risk factors associated with occupational-related ATV injuries is critical for developing strategies and programs aimed at injury prevention. Evaluating the gaps in data acquisition and reporting could aid in ensuring comprehensive and complete future investigations of ATV incidents.

This study reevaluated changes in job-site safety audit scores for a cohort of residential construction workers that had protracted exposure to the HomeSafe pilot program for 2½ years. The investigation was a repeated measure of a cohort study underway in the six-county metro area of Denver, Colo. The larger study was a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design with a cohort of residential construction workers within the HomeSafe strategic partnership between Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region VIII and the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Denver (HBA). Audits were conducted on residential construction sites. Study subjects were construction workers employed by partner or control companies within the study. Repeated measures of 41 companies showed significant improvement (p=.01) in audit scores, increasing from 71.8 to 76.8 after 2½ years in the program. HomeSafe companies out-performed controls (p=.01) for both the retest group and previously unaudited HomeSafe companies. Prolonged exposure in the HomeSafe pilot program resulted in improved audit scores for companies within the program for at least 2 years.

The people of Kabul barely remember when former King Zahir Shah ruled from inside these once magnificent walls. Though \"the Castle\" is no longer a symbol of power, it remains a testament of the enduring human spirit. Abdul Salam, 21, formed Unity of Youth about six months ago, after earning his black-belt degree from another club in the city. He grew up in the neighborhood near the Castle and works in a bike repair shop by day. He started the club, he says, at the urging of friends who suggested that he train local youth in the martial arts. For as long as any of the members of Unity of Youth can remember, the Castle has been for fighting. The fighting is different now. For the moment, the fighting is for fun.

The First Battalion of the 24th Marine Regiment ended almost five months of intense preparation this month with Mojave Viper 19-06, a massive three-day around-the-clock maneuver. The 1/24th -- supported by armor and other units -- was pitted against insurgent fighters in a replicated Iraqi town called Wadi al Sahara. About 400 villagers, sheikhs, officials and merchants holed up in about 500 homes, offices, markets and mosques all constructed at full-scale using steel shipping containers stacked up to three stories tall. Instead of teenage recruits from across the country, Maj. Christopher Kolomjec said the 1/24th is made up mostly of older Marine Reserves, often neighbors, bonded by years of drills and training. Their service is bolstered by lives and careers established outside the Corps, Kolomjec said. In this complex and dangerous war \"we need thinking Marines, we need smart Marines,\" said Kolomjec, adding that Marines with jobs and families can \"address the problems over there with a perspective that I think is more effective.\"

  Photographer DAVID P. GILKEY was the first journalist to transmit photos of coalition troops moving into Iraq from Kuwait and was with the first U.S. soldiers in the assault on Baghdad's international airport.

  FIGHT CLUB YOUNG AFGHAN BOYS LEARN MARTIAL ARTS FOR FUN Abdul Salam, 21, formed Unity of Youth about six months ago, after earning his black belt degree from another club in the city.

  Iam not a figure skating expert in the least, and after my Olympic experience I really don't know that much more.