MEDICAL SCREENING PROGRAM

BNL’s Human Relations Office and Legal Office have informed BREA of the “Building Trades National Medical Screening Program” (https://www.btmed.org). The stated Goal of this program is to “provide a free medical screening to construction workers who helped to build our nation's nuclear defense sites” and it 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 program supports the Department of Energy’s Office of Health, Safety and Security’s “Former Worker Program” (http://www.hss.energy.gov/healthsafety/fwsp/formerworkermed/ )

BREA has been asked to forward the following call for participation:

Did you ever work at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) for the prime contractor, DOE, or for any of the various subcontractors doing construction, demolition or clean-up work?  If so, you may be eligible for a free medical screening exam. 

The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program is open to all construction/trade workers who worked at BNL.  A program representative can be reached toll-free at 1-800-866-9663 or www.btmed.org.  This program is sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO and the Nassau and Suffolk Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and their affiliated unions. Local contact is Angela DeVito, 631-727-6406 or 1-800-866-9663.

This program is funded by DOE but is operated independently.  Participation is voluntary, free, and confidential.  Similar programs at other DOE sites have proved beneficial to workers, by detecting serious illnesses and by helping participants get better medical care. These programs have improved jobsite safety and health practices, and, in some instances, have resulted in compensation for workers who have illnesses resulting from exposures to radiation and toxic hazards during their work at DOE sites. 

While this particular project only covers former construction/building trades workers, a project will soon be up and running that will provide free medical exams to former employees of the prime contractor.  The non-construction worker project is still being reviewed by the Stony Brook IRB.  Information concerning this new project will be announced shortly.