Steven Hecker
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Steven Hecker is currently on the faculty of the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences where he directs the Occupational Health and Safety Continuing Education and Outreach program. He remains a part-time LERC faculty member as principal investigator of an FAA-funded study of cabin air quality and health of airline crewmembers. This study which began in 2005 includes a health survey of a large sample of flight attendants working for several U.S.-based airlines, and the development and deployment of a portable air sampling device for the collection of semi-volatile components of engine oils and hydraulic fluids to determine if the "bleed air" entering the cabin contains these contaminants. The study has also developed a medical protocol for use by airline crew and their medical providers if a crewmember suspects he or she has been exposed in a smoke in the cabin or similar incident (Details of this research can be found at www.ohrca.org). Hecker's work at the University of Washington focuses on safety and health curriculum development and training effectiveness, workplace health and safety issues in precarious employment and vulnerable populations, and construction safety and ergonomics.