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Volume 6 Number 8
December 2008
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From the
Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
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December
begins, and the holiday season is upon us. In industries that are
particularly busy this time of year, such as retail sales, food service, and
transportation, employers traditionally augment their regular workforce with
part-time and temporary help to meet the expected increase in business over
the next month. Many of us, in part-time and full-time employment alike, face
the pressures of completing necessary work while trying to make time for our
families and friends. Employers adjust work schedules to accommodate holiday
leave while making sure that customers' needs are met. This year, for many,
in the wake of turmoil in the stock market and the banking system, the joy of
the season is tempered by concerns about job security and financial stability
in 2009.
Industry
analysts cautiously predict a good holiday season for retailers this year,
based on consumer traffic and sales during the "Black Friday"
weekend after Thanksgiving. This is welcome economic news. However, it also
means that employers should be prepared with ways to prevent work-related
injuries associated with crowding in stores and parking areas during peak
shopping times. The death of a temporary retail employee in a reported crowd
surge at a Long Island store in the early
hours of Friday, November 28, was a tragic reminder that crowding can pose
risks for serious physical injury.
As
we celebrate this month's festivities and hope for a fulfilling new year, it
is important to remember that the risk of occupational injury or illness
never takes a holiday. We should also recognize that many factors for such
risks are accentuated by the seasonal character of the workforce, seasonal
demands on work schedules, and seasonal weather.
- Many temporary or part-time workers between
now and New Year's Day are likely to be teenagers who hope to earn
income for gifts and other purposes. We encourage employers, young
workers, their co-workers, their families, and educators to visit our
web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/.
NIOSH provides many resources about occupational risk factors for teen
workers, their legal rights under child labor laws, and ways to keep
their working experience safe and fulfilling.
- As employers seek to meet year-end quotas or
to ensure that needed tasks are performed during the holiday vacation
season, they may schedule longer work shifts or irregular shifts.
Working night shifts, working overtime, or working other kinds of irregular
schedules can result in one becoming tired or sleepy. This can make it
difficult to concentrate, increasing the risk of errors or
unintentionally performing an unsafe act. The demands of shiftwork can
also aggravate adverse health conditions such as heart disease and
digestive disorders. NIOSH recommends that employers recognize these
safety and health implications in considering ways to improve shiftwork
schedules. NIOSH's findings and recommendations can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/workschedules/.
- Work stress can be an unwelcome feature of the
holidays as we seek to balance job demands and family responsibilities.
NIOSH recommends that employers identify potential sources of stress in
their workplaces and design appropriate interventions. Our resources for
managers and workers are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/stress/.
In particular, I would note our booklet, "Stress ... at Work,"
a valuable source of information and practical recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/atwork.html,
and its companion educational video program, "Working with
Stress" http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/video/stressdvd1002.html.
- Big-box items such as
televisions, computers, and appliances are popular holiday gifts.
Transporting, stocking, and displaying them involves physical labor,
with associated risks for job-related musculoskeletal injuries. NIOSH
provides strategic recommendations for designing and establishing
workplace programs for the safe lifting, lowering, filling, and carrying
of containers, and alternatives to manual handling http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-131/.
Additional resources for preventing strains, sprains, stresses, and
other musculoskeletal injuries can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/.
I hope that NIOSH's products are
useful to you and your loved ones as you enjoy a safe and bountiful holiday
season. And we look forward to your continued partnership in the new year.
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NIOSH
Construction Research, Hazard Evaluation Programs Receive
High Marks
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Scientific review panels convened
by the National Academies gave high marks to the relevance and impact of
NIOSH’s construction research program and NIOSH’s health hazard
evaluation program, while also making recommendations for ongoing activities
and future directions. The full National Academies' report on the
construction research program is available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12530#toc.
The report on the health hazard evaluation program is available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12475#.
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NIOSH Researcher is 2008 Recipient
of Excellence in Aerosol Research Award
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 Paul A.
Baron, PhD of the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology recently
received the David Sinclair Award for excellence in aerosol research and
technology by an established scientist still active in his/her career. Dr.
Baron’s contributions to aerosol science as a researcher, author, and
educator span more than 30 years. More information on the award and Dr.
Baron’s accomplishments are available at http://www.aaar.org/index2.cfm?section=Awards&content=David_Sinclair.
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NIOSH-Approved
Spirometry Training Program Changes
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Two important program changes to
the NIOSH Spirometry Training Program (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/)
will take effect January 1, 2009. First, a time limitation will be placed on
the certificates awarded to students who successfully complete NIOSH-approved
spirometry training. Second, NIOSH will begin reviewing and approving
dedicated spirometry refresher training courses designed for technicians who
have previously completed a NIOSH-approved spirometry course and are seeking
recertification. For additional information contact Lu-Ann Beeckman-Wagner at
lbb3@xxxxxxx.
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NIOSH, ACR to
Hold Radiology Symposium in April
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NIOSH and the American College
of Radiology will jointly sponsor a Symposium on Radiology of the
Pneumoconioses on April 24–27, 2009, in Chantilly, VA.
The symposium is designed to provide training to radiologists and other
physicians in the use of the International Labor Office (ILO) system for
classifying chest radiographs for monitoring changes associated with the
pneumoconioses. Trainees will have the opportunity to take the NIOSH B Reader
certification or recertification examinations at the Symposium. More
information is available at http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/MeetingsandEvents/Featured
Categories/acr_meetings/Pneumoconiosis042409.aspx.
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NIOSH Fire
Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Seeks Public Input
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NIOSH held a public stakeholders'
meeting in Chicago, IL, on November 19 to seek input on the
progress and strategic goals of the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation
and Prevention Program. Meeting attendees included representatives from the
International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire
Chiefs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National Fire Protection
Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, United States Fire
Administration, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. Written
input on the program and draft strategic plan will be accepted until December
19 at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/063-A/.
NIOSH will consider all input received at the meeting and through the NIOSH
Docket Office to identify modifications for the program and finalize the
program's strategic plan..
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NIOSH Group
Recognized by the Performance America
Consortium
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The Performance America
Consortium, a working group of federal, state, and local government agencies
coordinated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, helps agencies
measure and improve organizational effectiveness. Each year, the Consortium
recognizes high-performing organizations based on organizational survey
results. At the 2008 annual conference held on November 18, 2008, the NIOSH
Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch received an award for
setting benchmark highs for “very small organizations” in the
areas of Work Environment, Diversity, Teamwork, Supervision, Employee
Involvement, Rewards & Recognition, and Employee Engagement. More
information on the Performance America Consortium is available at http://www.opm.gov/surveys/services/PerfAmConsortium.asp.
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NIOSH
Hazardous Drug Document Provides Guidance to Mayo Clinic
Workgroup
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A recent article in the journal Professional Safety
describes how the Hazardous Drug Workgroup at the Mayo Clinic used NIOSH
guidance from the 2004 NIOSH document Preventing Occupational Exposures to
Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings as part
of its evaluation process of the medical center’s practices for
handling hazardous drugs. Author Joseph W. Klancher, MPH, CSP, says
"the (NIOSH) guidance documents were a great help creating positive
change in our organization." The complete article is available at http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/.
The NIOSH recommendations are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-165/.
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Partnership
Examines Effectiveness of Interventions at Aircraft
Manufacturing
Plant
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NIOSH is working with
partners to evaluate occupational injury risks, implement intervention solutions,
and evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions at a Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation helicopter manufacturing plant. Partners for the five-year
research project include Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters. More information about the project is
available from Harlan Amandus at HAmandus@xxxxxxx.
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NIOSH Data
Leads to Changes In OSHA’s National Emphasis Program
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In August 2008 the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a directive to implement a
revised National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce occupational exposures to
lead, superseding the 2001 program (CPL 02-00-130). Significant changes in
the directive include the utilization of data generated by NIOSH under the
Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) Program for 2002 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ABLES/ables.html)
to assist OSHA’s field offices in determining industries at risk for
lead exposure. Additionally, inspections will now be conducted in
establishments where reported employee blood lead levels were at or above 25
μg/dL.The complete revised program is available at http://www.OSHA.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_03-00-0009.pdf.
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NIOSH Seeks
Input on Hexavalent Chromium Criteria Document
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NIOSH will hold a public
stakeholders meeting January 22, 2009, at the NIOSH Robert A. Taft
Laboratories in Cincinnati,
OH, to seek input on the draft
document, NIOSH
Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium. Persons
wanting to provide oral comments at the meeting should notify the NIOSH
Docket Office (nioshdocket@xxxxxxx)
no later than January 7, 2009. Written input on the document will also be
accepted online until January 31, 2009. More information is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-24728.htm.
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NIOSH Science
Blog: Your Comments Wanted
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Share
your thoughts with us and others on the following ongoing topics on the NIOSH
Science Blog:
Diacetyl and Food Flavorings. What are the
logistical sampling differences between the NIOSH and OSHA methods for
diacetyl? What is on the horizon for diacetyl and food flavoring sampling?
What are some general steps that can be taken to reduce exposure to workers
handling diacetyl and other flavoring chemicals? http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb111008_diacetyl.html.
Fire Fighter
Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. How can
NIOSH better reach and engage smaller fire departments. Are there more
effective ways in which we can provide the information? Do fire service
personnel in small and rural fire departments have unique needs? How can we
work to better meet these needs? http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/
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NORA Liaison
Committee Public Meeting Announced for January
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The next NORA Liaison Committee
meeting, Partnerships
to Advance the National Occupational Research Agenda,
will be held January 22, 2009, in Washington,
DC. Attendees can also
participate online. Past meetings have afforded an opportunity for
representatives of organizations with a national scope (employers, unions,
professional associations, and others) to learn about the progress of NORA
and to further enhance the success of NORA by identifying possible
partnerships with each other or with NIOSH. Details on the meeting will be
posted at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/whatsnew.html.
For more information or to preregister to attend in person or online, contact
the NORA Coordinator noracoordinator@xxxxxxx.
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 NIOSH Partners to Develop a Light Emitting
Diode Cap Lamp for Miners
NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Lab
(PRL) entered into a partnership with EnerSys, a mining cap lamp
manufacturing company, to develop a more effective light
emitting diode (LED) cap lamp for miners. This collaborative effort is
being undertaken to improve the safety of miners by researching the
technological and human performance issues related to the use of currently
available LED cap lamps. This effort will result in an LED cap lamp light
that can be used successfully in areas containing smoke and or dust. More
information is available from John Sammarco at jsammarco@xxxxxxx.
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The Following
NIOSH Docket Items Are Currently Open for Public
Comment:
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New
Communication Products
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Three new NIOSH
Mining Publications Are Available:
TN 532: Technology News 532—Collapsible Drill Steel
Enclosure for Reducing Roof Bolting Machine Drilling Noise (September 2008,
NIOSH Pub. No. 2008-146)
NIOSH has developed a drill steel enclosure to reduce
noise generated by the Roof Bolting Machine. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3036.htm
TN 531: Technology News 531—Engineering Controls for
Reducing Continuous Mining Machine Noise (September 2008, NIOSH Pub. No.
2008-145)
NIOSH has developed two engineering noise controls to reduce noise generated
by the CMM conveyor system. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3021.htm
IC 9505: Age Awareness Training for Miners (June 2008,
NIOSH Pub. No. 2008-133)
This document and accompanying training curriculum provides trainers and
health and safety professionals with information and resources to address
changes in a normal aging workforce. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2701.htm
Three new Fire
Fighter Fatality Investigation Reports are available:
A Volunteer Mutual Aid Captain and Fire Fighter Die in a
Remodeled Residential Structure Fire—Texas (F2007-29)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200729.html
Four Career Fire Fighters Injured While Providing Interior
Exposure Protection at a Row House Fire—District of Columbia (F2007-35) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200735.html
Career Fire Fighter Dies and Captain is Injured During a
Civilian Rescue Attempt at a Residential Structure Fire—Georgia
(F2007-16) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200716.html
Three New NIOSH
Health and Safety Web Topic Pages: Preventing Stings and Bites
The
following Web pages provide information for employers to educate their
workers about risk of exposure to insects, scorpions, spiders, or snakes; how
to prevent and protect themselves from stings and bites; and what to do if
stung or bitten.
Insects and Scorpions http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/insects/
Venomous Spiders
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spiders/
Venomous Snakes
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/
Three New Health
Hazard Evaluation Reports Now Available
Investigators
evaluated exposures to carbon monoxide (CO) and metals at a state vehicle
maintenance garage. Recommendations were made that vehicles not be permitted
to idle in the garage and that garage doors be kept open and exhaust fans
used to reduce CO levels when vehicles are running. Investigators also
recommended that the bench grinder and chain saw sharpener workbench surfaces
be cleaned each day after use and that employees wash hands before eating,
drinking, or smoking to prevent ingestion of lead and other metal
contaminants.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2006-0336-3059.pdf
Investigators
evaluated exposures to silica, volatile organic compounds, and dry powders at
a pottery shop. Recommendations were made for local exhaust ventilation to be
installed in high dust-generating task areas and that the central building ventilation
improved. Investigators also recommended that employees wear respirators when
doing high dust generating tasks.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0127-3068.pdf
Investigators evaluated heat
stress, noise, and musculoskeletal hazards at an automotive parts
manufacturing facility. Recommendations were made to reduce heat stress for
loaders and unloaders, such as positioning fans above those workstations, allowing
workers to rest completely after loading and unloading parts, and having
employees drink plenty of fluids. Investigators also recommended changes to
reduce ergonomic stressors for certain jobs.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2003-0268-3065.pdf
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2009 Emergency Nurses Association
Annual Conference—Deadline January 15, 2009
October 7–10, 2009, Baltimore,
MD (http://www.ena.org/research/abstracts/)
American Occupational Health
Conference 2009—Deadline January 31,
2009
April 26–29, 2009, San Diego,
CA. Call for academic abstracts submissions (http://aohc2009.abstractcentral.com)
American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo—Deadline March 1, 2009
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando, FL. Call for poster presentation
submissions (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/index.cfm)
19th
International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time—Deadline February 28, 2009
August 2–6, 2009, Venezia, Italy.
Call for abstract submissions (http://www.shiftwork2009.it)
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International Roofing Expo
February 3–5, 2009, Las Vegas,
NV (http://www.theroofingexpo.com)
1st Annual Voluntary
Protection Program Association for Construction (VPPAC) Conference
February 5–7, 2009, Las Vegas,
NV (www.vppac.org/conference)
International Conference on Road
Safety at Work
February 16–18, 2009, Washington,
DC (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/)
19th Annual Construction
Safety Conference & Expo—Look for us!
February 17–19, 2009, Rosemont,
IL (http://www.buildsafe.org/Conference/2008/index.html)
2009 Society of Manufacturing
Engineers (SME) Annual Meeting and Colorado
Mining Association (CMA) 111th Annual National Western Mining Conference
February 22–25, 2009, Denver,
CO (http://www.smenet.org/)
Emergency Nurses Association
Leadership Conference
March 4–8, 2009, Reno,
NV (http://www.ena.org)
29th Triennial Congress of
the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH 2009)
March 22–27, 2009, Cape Town,
South Africa
(http://www.icoh2009.co.za)
American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando,
FL (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/index.cfm)
Fire Department Instructors
Conference (FDIC) 2009
April 20–25, 2009, Indianapolis,
IN (http://www.fdic.com/index.html)
Symposium on Radiology of the
Pneumoconioses
April 24–27, 2009, in Chantilly,
VA (http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/MeetingsandEvents/FeaturedCategories/acr_meetings/
Pneumoconiosis042409.aspx
American Occupational Health
Conference 2009
April 26–29, 2009, San Diego,
CA (http://www.acoem.org/aohc09.aspx)
2009 Nanotech Conference &
Exposition
May 3–7, 2009, Houston,
TX (http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/)
American Industrial Hygiene
Conference and Expo (AIHce)—Look for us!
May 30–June 4, 2009, Toronto,
Ontario (http://www.aiha.org/aihce09/plan/)
American Society of Safety Engineers
(ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Exposition “SAFETY
2009”
June 28–June 30 2009, San
Antonio, TX (http://www.asse.org)
2009 American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) Johnson Conference on Emerging IEQ Issues
July 13–16, 2009 in Burlington,
VT. Email elight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
for information.
19th International Symposium
on Shiftwork and Working Time
August 2–6, 2009, Venezia,
Italy (http://www.shiftwork2009.it)
Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association Annual
Conference—Look
for us!
August 24–27, 2009, San
Antonio, TX (http://www.vpppa.org/)
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Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light
Emitting Diode (LED)—An efficient source of electrical lighting,
typically lasting 50,000 to 100,000 hours.
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NIOSH eNews on the Web:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/
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NIOSH eNews is Brought to
You By:
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Acting Director
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Christine M. Branche, Ph.D.
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Editor in Chief
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Max Lum
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Story Editor
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Tanya Headley
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Copy Editor
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Cathy Rotunda
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Story Editor Emeritus
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Tara Hartley
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Public Affairs Officer
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Fred Blosser
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Technical Lead
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Glenn Doyle
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Technical Support
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Joseph Cauley
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Please send
your comments and suggestions to us at nioshenews@xxxxxxx.
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