Today was the big day! After a few conflicting messages, I got word late yesterday afternoon that I was to report at 0830 this morning. I was up bright and early, made it out the door, down the hill, on the Metro, and took a scenic (meaning lost) walking route to the Department of Labor (DOL) building.
I was escorted to the Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) office on the 4th floor of a six floor building. I have a cubicle that is probably bigger than my dorm room, my own computer and phone extension, and an ergonomically friendly chair. I met the other OHN intern, Georganne, from University of Cincinnati, who also got to start today. Her wait was 2-1/2 weeks, so I guess I should be thankful mine was just a few days.
The OHN department is comprised of three nurses and one admin person, so by DOL standards, it is a very small department. I was given my project for the summer, which is to develop an etool program addressing demanding work schedules and worker fatigue. As a night shift worker for most of my nursing career, I acknowledge the toll it has taken on my health and well-being. I have observed the effects of worker fatigue on my fellow co-workers, whose health and well-being are also important to me. I am excited to review the material from last year's OHN intern, and to develop something that can be helpful in business and industry.
I received a tour of the DOL facility and am quite impressed! There are many services on-site: a full-service cafeteria offering several different cuisines, snack bar, gift shop, daycare center, post office, dry cleaners -- and most exciting is a workout facility with cardio equipment, free weights, weight machines, and organized classes, all for an affordable monthly membership. All these services make happy workers and improve employee retention.
I watched a live-stream hearing held by the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections with a panel of OSHA senior officials, academia and industry representatives. This was called so the subcommittee could obtain information about an OSHA program called the Voluntary Protection Program, a voluntary safe workplace program run by OSHA. It is quite an comprehensive program which promotes collaboration and partnership by business and OSHA to promote workplace safety. In the middle of the hearing, the committee chairman interrupted the proceedings to announce the decision of the Supreme Court.
Following work, I went to the Kennedy Center and took in the daily free performance. Folkfest started this week at the Smithsonian, and the musical group Quetzal performed today as part of the Folkfest celebrations. Their music tells social, cultural, political, and musical stories of people in struggle. The ensemble is energetic and talented, and the music invigorating!
Below is a link to the taped webcast of the musical performance:
And my pics of today:
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| Commute to work |
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| My cubicle |
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| View from the 6th floor balcony outside the cafeteria |
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| Kennedy Center |
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| Well said, JFK |
What an awesome view!!!!! Thanks as usual for the pics. I have to admit your pic looks a little like stress/overwhelmed...I'm not sure. By tomorrow you will blend in gracefully like you always do.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting project too! I would be really interested in how it works out. These are things that apply to me, I hear about and they interest me, but I never really think about the origin or how they are developed. I now personally know someone who is actively developing a project!! **Goosebumps** NO, really...I get goosebumps lol
Thanks Stormy! I was a little stressed and overwhelmed with all involved to "commute" to work in a very different fashion that what I'm accustomed. Thankfully, now I have an ID badge, and feel much more comfortable at my temporary worksite. This project does interest me too (but not quite goosebumps), and it is very different perspective indeed.
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