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Dr. David Michaels

Professor, George Washington U, United States of America

David Michaels, PhD, MPH is an epidemiologist and professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health. His primary expertise is worker safety and health, and has held Senate-confirmed public health positions in the administrations of President Barack Obama (Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health) and President Bill Clinton (Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety and Health).

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Michaels has focused on improving the protection of workers exposed to SARS-CoV-2. He has written and consulted extensively on the topic and was a member of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board.

Michaels is a leader in efforts to protect the integrity of the science underpinning public health and environmental protections and is the author of “The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception"" (Oxford University Press, 2020) and ""Doubt is Their Product"" (Oxford University Press, 2008).

Sessions

TS4 - COVID-19 and the protection of workers : lessons from the global pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply disrupted employment in many countries around the globe. Many millions of workers have adjusted to working remotely from their homes. And many more millions of workers, in sectors designated as essential, have been working in proximity to co-workers and, in some cases, providing services to clients, customers and other members of the public. This technical session will consider 3 dimensions of efforts to protect workers from the risks of COVID-19. A panel of OSH regulators will discuss the novel challenges faced by labour inspection services in the supporting essential workplaces in the adoption of effective infection control practices. A panel of OSH prevention experts will describe the exceptional importance of the global internet to rapidly disseminate guidance from trusted source authorities to hundreds of thousands of workplaces. The session will conclude with a global panel of scientists reflecting on the challenges in precisely identifying workplace transmission of COVID-19. 

Moderator:
Erin Oliver, Canada

Speakers:
Audrina Chua, Singapore
Andrew Curran, United Kingdom
Letitia Davis, United States of America
Siong Hin Ho, Singapore
Janet Mannella, Canada
David Michaels, United States of America
Peter Smith, Canada
Sven Timm, Germany
Jody Young, Canada

Time:
Live : 21/09/2021 - 10:00 EDT - 11:45 EDT
Rerun : 21/09/2021 - 20:00 EDT - 21:45 EDT

Protecting the health and safety of essential workers in emergencies: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

During COVID-19 many workers around the world have continued working to ensure the continuity of critical functions, including in health care and emergency response, public sector services, construction and manufacturing. This session takes a focused look at how, as a global prevention community, we can come together to learn the lessons of COVID-19 and take action to protect the health and safety of essential workers in the future.

Moderators:
Ms. Henrietta Van Hulle, PSHSA, Canada

Speakers:
Dr. David Michaels, George Washington U, United States of America
Dr. Klaus Schäfer, BGHW, Germany
Ms. Christine Devine, Michael Garron Hospital, Canada
Dr. Viviana Gómez Sánchez, Latin-American Association of Occupational Health, Costa Rica
Mr. James Scongack, Bruce Power, Canada
Dr. Peter Smith, Institute for Work & Health, Canada
Ms. Henrietta Van hulle, Public Services Health and Safety Association, Canada

Time:
Live : 23/09/2021 - 07:50 EDT - 09:00 EDT
Rerun : 23/09/2021 - 17:50 EDT - 19:00 EDT