Archive for NIOSH
National Correctional Workers Appreciation Week 2023
May 7-13, 2023, is National Correctional Officers Week also referred to as Correctional Workers Week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 393,000 correctional officers and jailers worked inside correctional facilities in the United States in 2021.[1] The total number of correctional workers is likely much higher as facilities may also employ chaplains, healthcare providers, teachers, food service workers, and maintenance personnel. Correctional workers face a variety Read more [...]
Economic Security and Worker Well-being
The future of work incorporates ongoing and future changes to the workplace, work, and workforce. Understanding the adaptations in how work is being performed and the associated consequences on worker safety, health, and well-being is essential and requires sustained attention from occupational safety and health researchers and their partners. To meet the challenges and opportunities presented by the future of work, NIOSH launched a Future of Work Initiative (NIOSH FOW).[1] Its priority topics Read more [...]
Workers’ Memorial Day 2023: Statement by NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D.
Each year, NIOSH pauses on April 28th, Workers’ Memorial Day, to honor those who were killed or injured on the job. While tremendous progress has been made since Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act on this day in 1970, much still needs to be done. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2021 more than 5,100 workers were killed and 2.6 million more were injured on the job. The societal costs—not just economic, but the toll on families and loved ones—is Read more [...]
Honoring Science and Service at NIOSH
Exemplary science is the foundation for all National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) research and prevention activities. Each year, NIOSH recognizes outstanding science and service from our employees. This year’s Science and Service Awards took place on April 27, 2023. The awards booklet contains the finalists, awardees, and honorable mentions as well as information on the occupational safety and health pioneers whom many of the awards are named after. The winners in each Read more [...]
Working Hours and Fatigue: Meeting the Needs of American Workers and Employers
In November 2022, the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (AJIM) published a special issue focusing on work-related fatigue. The issue explores factors that may increase work-related fatigue and actions to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses. [1] This issue is a result of discussions and collaborations from the 2019 NIOSH Working Hours, Sleep and Fatigue Forum and also pulls from reports by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on long work hours and shift work. Read more [...]
Research Shows Benefits of Reduced Aerial Ladder Rung Spacing
As a critical part of their job, firefighters often climb aerial ladders up to 30 meters (or 98 feet) long and positioned at various angles. Aerial ladders are mechanically-operated, long, extendable ladders mounted on fire trucks and are used to reach high places for extinguishing fires and rescue operations. While climbing, firefighters typically wear heavy protective equipment and may also carry additional equipment related to fighting fires or rescuing occupants from burning buildings. They may Read more [...]
Workplace Medical Mystery: Unknown Illness in Worker at Greeting Card Plant
Camilla works at a plant that produces greeting cards and ribbon products. She started working at the plant over 15 years ago when production first started. The plant is open around-the-clock for three shifts with workers in multiple departments across two floors of the building. Camilla worked in different departments over the years but spent the most time on the morning shift in greeting card production. She’s always loved holidays, and her favorite part of her job is seeing the new designs Read more [...]
Workplace Medical Mystery Solved: Unknown Illness in Worker at Greeting Card Plant
Camilla started experiencing worsening respiratory symptoms while working at a plant that produces greeting cards. Her doctor ordered tests to see what was happening with Camilla’s lungs. The results of two lung function tests showed concerning results. One was a carbon monoxide diffusing capacity test that estimates the ability of the lung to transfer oxygen from the air to the person’s bloodstream. The other was a spirometry test which measures the ability to move air in and out of Read more [...]
A Focus on the Occupational Safety and Health of Women in Mining
The mining industry plays an important role in the U.S. economy and supply chain, with most products derived in part or entirely from mined rocks and minerals. Active mines can be found in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, [1] and include underground and surface mines operating in several different sectors, such as coal; metal; nonmetal; and stone, sand, and gravel. Women make up 10-17% of the mining workforce and have been underrepresented in occupational safety and Read more [...]
Critical Steps Your Workplace Can Take Today to Prevent Suicide
Employers can play a vital role in suicide prevention. Historically, suicide, mental health, and well-being have been underrepresented in workplace health and safety efforts, but this is changing. In some European countries, there are workplace standards for workplace psychosocial hazards that put workers at risk for suicide. Additionally, in France, employers have been made accountable for toxic workplaces and management practices that contributed to worker suicides.[1] Some of the latest Read more [...]
Personal Protective Equipment Fit in the Construction Sector
The construction sector includes a diverse population of workers exposed to many different types of hazards. An important way to prevent occupational illness and injury related to these hazards is by implementing the hierarchy of controls. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last control in the hierarchy, but PPE is particularly important when the other controls cannot sufficiently reduce or eliminate hazards. Construction workers rely on various types of PPE in the course of usual work including Read more [...]
Modern Coal Miners Have Higher Death Rates From Lung Diseases Than Their Predecessors
Coal mine dust causes a range of lung diseases, collectively called coal mine dust lung diseases. Examples include coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP, a dust-induced scarring lung disease commonly called black lung), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung function impairment. All of these cause substantial morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) among affected coal miners.[1–5] Most attention in the U.S. has focused on CWP, especially its most severe stage called progressive Read more [...]
The State of Health Surveillance Across the Public Safety Sector
Surveillance is the cornerstone of public health practice, including in occupational safety and health (OSH). OSH surveillance systems have the ability to generate data that drives decision making and action.1, 2 There are multiple steps in a surveillance system including timely and accurate data collection; data quality monitoring; data management; data analysis; interpretation of results; and dissemination and application of information.1 OSH researchers have used surveillance systems to improve Read more [...]
Work as a Key Social Determinant of Health: The Case for Including Work in All Health Data Collections
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play. These conditions affect a wide range of health and quality of life risks and outcomes. CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and others recognize work as a social determinant of health.[1],[2],[3] Despite this recognition, this key SDOH is not fully integrated into public health data collections or assessments. Work-related information is invaluable for public health. Work influences Read more [...]
Psychosocial Hazards Often Overlooked in Construction Industry
Why Do Psychosocial Factors of Work Matter? The construction industry has considerable safety and health hazards that result in high rates of injury, illness, and fatality. Common hazards include noise, fall, electrical, and chemical hazards. Approximately 60% of all construction fatalities each year can be attributed to the ‘focus four’ hazards of falls, struck-by, caught in and between, and electrocutions.1 Construction occupational safety and health (OSH) has traditionally focused Read more [...]
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Agricultural Community
Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by infection with avian influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses routinely spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred. Avian influenza A viruses are classified into the following two categories: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock-to-flock. Read more [...]
Violence Against Public Health Workers
Many workers who were on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced increased physical and mental stress. One study found that 70% of U.S. workers felt more stressed at work during COVID-19 than at any other point in their professional careers [1]. Public health workers, including epidemiologists, contact tracers, laboratory scientists, community health workers, and data analysts, served on the front lines of the pandemic delivering information, providing services, and conducting Read more [...]
The Effectiveness of DIY Air Filtration Units
Portable air filtration units, or air cleaners, remove airborne particles (called aerosols) from the air indoors. Air filtration units were widely used during large wildfire outbreaks in the western United States,[1] and their use surged nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to reduce exposure to aerosols containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Homemade or Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air filtration units are an alternative to commercially produced products that can be made from supplies available Read more [...]
Oil and Gas Workers Count
Energy has been in the news lately. Amid the discussions about energy prices and climate change, there has been far less media attention on the people who do hazardous work extracting the oil and gas so many of us use to stay warm and get where we need to go. These workers and the companies they work for are part of a global energy market that changes quickly. At the most recent meeting of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Oil and Gas Extraction Sector Council, health and safety Read more [...]
Most-viewed NIOSH Products of 2022
As we look forward to 2023, we also are taking a look back at our most-viewed products of 2022. After two years of information focused on COVID-19, 2022 brought a variety of topics that engaged our users including ergonomics, construction, ladder safety, and working in the heat. Below is a summary of the top NIOSH information from 2022, where a surprising twist on lifting safety took social media by storm just a few weeks ago. NIOSH Science Blog The NIOSH Science Blog allows researchers to Read more [...]
Safety Intervention Grant Programs Can Be Effective in Preventing Workplace Injuries
Workers’ compensation (WC) insurers and other organizations offer grant programs to fund employers to install equipment and other engineering changes to improve workplace safety. Research provides some evidence that these types of programs can be effective in preventing workplace injuries. As a key example, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OHBWC) since 1999 has offered a Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) program where thousands of employers have been provided matching funds Read more [...]
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9, 2023 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Law enforcement officers (LEO) place their lives and their health and safety at risk while protecting the public. While some of the risks may be obvious, there are many hazards officers face in the line of duty including: motor vehicle incidents, needlestick injuries, noise and lead exposure, shift work and associated fatigue, and workplace stress and exposure to traumatic incidents that may impact mental health. This blog highlights Read more [...]
Researching Risk of Birth Defects Among Children of Male Firefighters
Over 1.1 million firefighters protect our communities and environment in the United States.1 Firefighters face hazardous conditions and chemicals while on the job, which may have safety and health implications. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation named reproductive health as a priority research topic in 2021. But so far very few studies have evaluated birth defects among the children of firefighters. This may be in part because of the difficulty of studying these rare conditions. Researchers Read more [...]
The Availability and Validity of Information on Children Exposed to the 9/11/2001 Disaster
In 2002, the World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) was established in New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to monitor the health of people directly exposed to the 9/11 attacks in NYC. The WTCHR monitors the short and long-term (20+ years) physical and mental health conditions caused by the terrorist attacks among exposed responders and civilian survivor populations. Enrollees include rescue, recovery, and clean-up workers; residents of lower Manhattan; people Read more [...]
And to All a Safe Flight: Transportation Safety Tips for Santa
As we continue our work at the North Pole, we are ready to help Santa take flight! Flying around the world in one night is a difficult task, but Santa is up to the challenge. With a few tips from our researchers, we guarantee it will be a safe and successful night! Being out all night can make Santa pretty tired! As he gets ready for the big day, Santa should take the NIOSH online course Fatigue Prevention for Pilots: A Training Program for Commercial Pilots in Alaska. There are also several new Read more [...]
Ergonomics Tips for the North Pole
This holiday season we are checking in at the North Pole throughout December with some workplace safety and health advice for Santa and the elves to ensure they stay safe. In preparation for the big day, we are providing some tips to keep Santa and the elves safe while making, lifting, loading, and delivering all those presents! With proper ergonomic techniques, they will be in tiptop shape all season long. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are injuries resulting from work tasks such as: Lifting Read more [...]
Workplace Supported Recovery: New NIOSH Research Addresses an Evolving Crisis
Introduction The nation continues to struggle with a complex, ever-changing substance use landscape and an increase in related overdose deaths. Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent an important public and occupational health issue that is costly for society and limits an individual’s success and opportunities in many important areas of life (e.g., family, friendships, employment).1,2 The complex nature of SUDs and recovery may not be understood fully by employees, unions, employers, and Read more [...]
Driving Safety Tips to Keep Your Employees Safe this Holiday Season
‘Tis the holiday season—the busiest time of year for workers in the retail and delivery industries. Sadly, more fatal crashes happen during the holidays because more people travel, drink more alcohol, and drive at unsafe speeds. [1] Due to the seasonal rise in online shopping, many employers will hire temporary drivers for the holiday season to meet demand for delivering packages. Drivers will deliver many more packages. They may need to drive in heavy traffic and face dangerous Read more [...]
Protecting Temporary Workers: Best Practices for Host Employers
Hiring temporary workers can be a way for businesses to meet fluctuating labor demands. But, keeping temporary workers safe on the job presents unique challenges, in part due to their dual employment arrangement in which they are paid by a staffing company and assigned to work for a host employer company. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), host employers and staffing companies are jointly Read more [...]
Promoting Partnerships to Explore the Impacts of Technological Change on Work and Well-being
Technology has a longstanding record of impacting work, the workplace, and the workforce. Automation, or finding new ways for tasks to be completed by machines and computers, has been a common industry practice since the 1970s [1]. Historically, the increased automation of routine tasks also increased demand for highly trained and educated people to focus on the more complex aspects of work requiring creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills [2]. In recent years, however, we have Read more [...]
Worker Well-being Takes Center Stage: Fireside Chat with the U.S. Surgeon General
U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, participated in a fireside chat on the final day of the 3rd International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health®. Dr. Murthy joined Dr. L. Casey Chosewood, Director of the NIOSH Total Worker Health (TWH) Program, for a conversation about protecting and promoting worker safety, health, and well-being. Prioritizing Mental Health The fireside chat began with an overview of the broader mental health crisis in the U.S. Dr. Murthy described Read more [...]
The Risk of COPD is Increased for Workers in Certain Industries and Occupations and with Certain Occupational Exposures
November is National COPD Prevention Month. COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – is characterized by airflow obstruction and breathing-related problems. The term COPD includes the conditions of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a major cause of illness in the United States. It affects at least 15 million US adult men and women and is the 4th leading cause of death.[1] There is no cure for COPD, and patients get worse over time. Prevention Read more [...]
NIOSH Rising Stars
Like many workplaces, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working to help prepare staff to become leaders in their fields. One way NIOSH is readying its next generation of leaders is through the Rising Stars Program. The Rising Stars program was created by NIOSH to provide an opportunity for employees to obtain the skills needed to succeed and advance in their NIOSH careers. This one-year program provides a foundation of targeted training and learning experiences Read more [...]
Total Worker Health® Symposium: A Closer Look at Keynotes
We’re taking a closer look at the presentations delivered during the 3rd International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health®. Attendees from across the globe heard from experts in the field during keynote addresses, presentations, workshops, and “bright spots,” a new conference feature that highlights successful and innovative interventions in 10-minute presentations. Presentations explored opportunities to improve workers’ health and well-being and the safety and Read more [...]
