Uploaded November 2017 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
Doug Parker, the executive director of Worksafe, received the 2017 Lorin Kerr Award from the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). This award recognizes a new activist for their sustained and outstanding efforts and dedication to improve the lives of workers. Mr. Parker has spent nearly twenty years representing the interests of workers and their families. Currently Executive Director at WorkSafe, Inc., he previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), where he worked on a broad range of issues, including enforcement programs, whistleblower policies, Congressional and public affairs, rulemaking, and agency management. He was also deeply involved in the agency’s response to the April 2010 Massey Energy/Upper Big Branch mine disaster. Before working at MSHA, Mr. Parker was a labor attorney, first with the United Mine Workers of America, then in private practice representing international and local unions in a variety of industries, including mining, transportation, hospitality, health care, manufacturing, and construction. Before becoming an attorney, he worked at the Democratic National Committee and for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. Mr. Parker is excited to be a part of the health and safety activist movement working for Worksafe, a member of the COSH movement, and to continue its extraordinary legacy of fighting for safe and healthy workplaces for all California workers. He graduated from University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1997); and James Madison University (B.A., 1991)
Lorin Kerr (1909-1991) was a life-long activist and served for over 40 years as a physician for the United Mine Workers. He was dedicated to improving access to care for coal miners and other workers and to obtaining compensation for and preventing black lung disease. Every year, the OHS Section presents four award at the APHA Annual Meeting. These awards are granted to highly deserving individuals or organizations that provide tireless advocacy for the health and safety of workers in the U.S. and internationally. The OHS Section is involved in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, disabilities and deaths through research, training, treatment, advocacy and policymaking. The OHS Section is one of the oldest within APHA, advocating for the health, safety and well-being of workers, families, communities and the environment since 1914. The OHS Section provides leadership and expertise on occupational health matters, recognizing the intrinsic link between the work environment and the health and safety of families, communities and the environment at large.
Doug Parker, the executive director of Worksafe, received the 2017 Lorin Kerr Award from the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). This award recognizes a new activist for their sustained and outstanding efforts and dedication to improve the lives of workers. Mr. Parker has spent nearly twenty years representing the interests of workers and their families. Currently Executive Director at WorkSafe, Inc., he previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy at the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), where he worked on a broad range of issues, including enforcement programs, whistleblower policies, Congressional and public affairs, rulemaking, and agency management. He was also deeply involved in the agency’s response to the April 2010 Massey Energy/Upper Big Branch mine disaster. Before working at MSHA, Mr. Parker was a labor attorney, first with the United Mine Workers of America, then in private practice representing international and local unions in a variety of industries, including mining, transportation, hospitality, health care, manufacturing, and construction. Before becoming an attorney, he worked at the Democratic National Committee and for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. Mr. Parker is excited to be a part of the health and safety activist movement working for Worksafe, a member of the COSH movement, and to continue its extraordinary legacy of fighting for safe and healthy workplaces for all California workers. He graduated from University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1997); and James Madison University (B.A., 1991)
Lorin Kerr (1909-1991) was a life-long activist and served for over 40 years as a physician for the United Mine Workers. He was dedicated to improving access to care for coal miners and other workers and to obtaining compensation for and preventing black lung disease. Every year, the OHS Section presents four award at the APHA Annual Meeting. These awards are granted to highly deserving individuals or organizations that provide tireless advocacy for the health and safety of workers in the U.S. and internationally. The OHS Section is involved in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, disabilities and deaths through research, training, treatment, advocacy and policymaking. The OHS Section is one of the oldest within APHA, advocating for the health, safety and well-being of workers, families, communities and the environment since 1914. The OHS Section provides leadership and expertise on occupational health matters, recognizing the intrinsic link between the work environment and the health and safety of families, communities and the environment at large.
