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Welcome to the Western Occupational & Environmental Medical Association

The Western Occupational & Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA) is a regional component of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and is dedicated to high-quality medical care and ethical principles governing the practice of occupational medicine.

Mission: The mission of the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA), and of the Western Occupational Health Conference (WOHC), is to equitably promote and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all individuals at work and in their environment through education, engagement, leadership and advocacy.  WOEMA advocates for health equity through justice, diversity and inclusion.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

EDUCATION

WOEMA provides quality accredited education for members and non-members alike across a wide spectrum of topics related to Occupational and Environmental Medicine, both online and in person.

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JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION
JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION

Engaging with the world through a JEDI lens demonstrates how we value people in general. It is not only about our members feeling respected, but also about our patients feeling understood and safe.

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WOHC - ANNUAL CONFERENCE
WOHC - ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Each fall, WOEMA members come together for the Western Occupational Health Conference, or WOHC, offering accredited education, workplace site visits and outstanding networking and social opportunities.

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WOEMA News

California May Ban Artificial-Stone Countertops

California is considering prohibiting the fabrication and installation of artificial-stone countertops — effectively banning the products — in response to an epidemic of the fatal lung disease silicosis among workers who cut, grind and polish countertop slabs before they are fitted into homes and businesses...
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‘Nobody told us it was dangerous’: Quartz countertop boom linked to incurable lung disease among Bay Area workers

‘Nobody told us it was dangerous’: Quartz countertop boom linked to incurable lung disease among Bay Area workers Ethan Baron San Jose Mercury News PUBLISHED: March 16, 2026 at 4:05…
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CBS News: Disease once linked to mining hits workers in countertops industry

Disease once linked to mining hits workers in countertops industry March 12, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News   Add CBS News on Google   César Manuel González,…
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Support the WOEMA Petition To Prohibit the Use of Engineered Stone Containing Crystalline Silica

Dear colleagues: We ask for your support for the recent WOEMA petition to prohibit all fabrication and installation tasks on engineered stone that contains more than 1% crystalline silica....
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Some engineered stone countertop workers facing deadly lung disease from silica exposure

Thousands of workers in the engineered stone industry are falling ill due to silicosis. What doctors are saying needs to happen. Read the story...
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NPR: Kitchen Countertop Workers Are Dying. Some Lawmakers Want to Ban Their Lawsuits

An epidemic of a deadly lung disease among hundreds of workers who cut kitchen and bathroom countertops has regulators on opposite sides of the country considering two drastically different responses this week. Read and listen to the podcast...
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WOEMA Hosts Webcasts & Podcasts Year-Round
WOEMA Hosts Webcasts & Podcasts Year-Round

WOEMA Podcasts & Webcasts

Throughout the year, WOEMA presents educational webinars and special interest podcasts focused on the field of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

Click the appropriate button below to access.

VISIT WOEMA'S SILICA MEDICAL EXAM PRACTITIONER ROSTER

WOEMA has launched an online roster of self-identified medical facilities offering silica surveillance exams.  We will be adding to this roster as more facilities become available.  Currently, the roster focuses on northern and southern California.

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