Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
This award recognizes the life-long contributions of individuals who have distinguished themselves through a career of hard work and dedication to improve the lives of workers. Most members of the OHS Section have received the benefit of Chip Hughes' relentless efforts to expand worker health and safety training and education. Chip has directed the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) for 30 years. During this time, he has shepherded the program through significant expansion, multiple political attacks, and brought its influence to bear upon the health and safety needs of workers who were involved in response, recovery, and remediation efforts at the World Trade Center and along the Gulf Coast in areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Chip has worked closely with other Federal agencies in order to increase their commitment to the health and safety of workers in both the public and private sectors. He has advanced work for environmental justice and worked hard to advance participatory models of worker health and safety training. The WTP under his leadership has supported multiple areas of the national health and safety movement – including many union and community coalition programs. During the1970s, Chip served as the Research Director for the Institute for Southern Studies, and was the Director of Education and Training for the Carolina Brown Lung Association. During the 1980s, Chip conducted research for the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the North Carolina Safety and Health Project. He also worked on community and worker education and organizing projects with the Farmworkers Legal Services Corporation, the Workers Defense League (AFL-CIO), and the East Coast Farmworker Support Network. Chip has consistently brought his skill, knowledge, commitment and humor to many causes over the past 50 years. His approach emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to worker education; and he has had a profound effect on multiple generations of OHS advocates. He has been an active and creative member of the OHS section for decades. This award is named for Dr. Alice Hamilton (1869 -1970), considered the founder of occupational health in the United States, was a tireless activist and physician who dedicated her life to improving the health and safety of workers. She was committed to science, service, and compassion.
This award recognizes the life-long contributions of individuals who have distinguished themselves through a career of hard work and dedication to improve the lives of workers. Most members of the OHS Section have received the benefit of Chip Hughes' relentless efforts to expand worker health and safety training and education. Chip has directed the NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) for 30 years. During this time, he has shepherded the program through significant expansion, multiple political attacks, and brought its influence to bear upon the health and safety needs of workers who were involved in response, recovery, and remediation efforts at the World Trade Center and along the Gulf Coast in areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Chip has worked closely with other Federal agencies in order to increase their commitment to the health and safety of workers in both the public and private sectors. He has advanced work for environmental justice and worked hard to advance participatory models of worker health and safety training. The WTP under his leadership has supported multiple areas of the national health and safety movement – including many union and community coalition programs. During the1970s, Chip served as the Research Director for the Institute for Southern Studies, and was the Director of Education and Training for the Carolina Brown Lung Association. During the 1980s, Chip conducted research for the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the North Carolina Safety and Health Project. He also worked on community and worker education and organizing projects with the Farmworkers Legal Services Corporation, the Workers Defense League (AFL-CIO), and the East Coast Farmworker Support Network. Chip has consistently brought his skill, knowledge, commitment and humor to many causes over the past 50 years. His approach emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to worker education; and he has had a profound effect on multiple generations of OHS advocates. He has been an active and creative member of the OHS section for decades. This award is named for Dr. Alice Hamilton (1869 -1970), considered the founder of occupational health in the United States, was a tireless activist and physician who dedicated her life to improving the health and safety of workers. She was committed to science, service, and compassion.
