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Volume 6 Number 10
February 2009
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From the
Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
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A Safer Road Ahead
“Buckle
up.” “Don’t drink and drive.” “Speed
shatters life.” Thanks to decades of public safety campaigns, the
importance of driving carefully and responsibly is widely recognized. In
a complementary way, NIOSH and its partners have focused on the prevention of
roadway deaths and injuries as an occupational hazard where work involves
driving or riding in a vehicle. Motor-vehicle-related incidents are
consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States.
Of approximately 5,700 fatalities annually reported by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 35% are associated with motor vehicles. Additionally, road
traffic crashes are a leading cause of workplace death, injury, and
disability in many countries around the world. Workers, families, businesses,
and society all suffer the consequences of workplace crashes. Because rapid
motorization and economic development go hand-in-hand, workers in the
developing world are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the risk of road
traffic crashes.
What
complicates the problem further is that unlike other workplaces such as
factories, offices, and construction sites, the roadway is not a closed
environment. Preventing work-related roadway crashes requires strategies that
combine traffic safety principles, vehicle design, driver behavior, and good
safety-management practices. It is important for employers to realize that
although they cannot control roadway conditions, they can and should keep
employees safe while driving. They can do so by maintaining work vehicles
properly, providing and requiring the use of seat belts, providing motor
vehicle safety training, and enforcing driver safety policies, among other
steps.
NIOSH
is very active in helping to lower the risks for these workers. Last March,
NIOSH provided input on a United Nations resolution on “Improving
Global Road Safety” adopted by its General Assembly. For the first
time, a United Nations resolution includes specific language that notes the
importance of fleet operations to worker and public safety. This gives strong
justification for corporations, governments, and other stakeholders to take
action to improve road safety for workers around the world.
This
month, NIOSH and cosponsors will be host to the first International
Conference on Road Safety at Work (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/)
in Washington D.C. We anticipate that approximately 200
attendees, with representatives from 40 countries, will attend this meeting
to address this important topic.
Finally,
NIOSH has many related resources for employers. NIOSH, in collaboration with
the University of Illinois at Chicago,
created an online library at http://www.roadsafetyatwork.org
that houses resources related to the prevention of road traffic injuries
and deaths while at work. The NIOSH fact sheet, Work-Related Roadway
Crashes: Prevention Strategies for Employers (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-136/)
provides recommendations for employers on crash prevention and vehicle safety
programs. It is also available in Spanish (http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2004136Sp.htm). Also
the NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Topic Page (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle/)
provides links to an extensive list of NIOSH and other resources on this
topic.
Injury prevention is an area in
which I have a lot of experience. Both professionally and personally, I am
extremely gratified that NIOSH has been a leader in keeping people safe on
the road.
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In Memoriam:
Leon Butterworth
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 Friends
and colleagues were saddened to hear of the death on January 5, 2009, of
their NIOSH colleague Leon Butterworth. Leon
was a Research Biologist in the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch,
Health Effects Laboratory Division in Morgantown,
West Virginia. Our deepest
sympathy goes out to Leon's
family and friends.
Leon came to NIOSH in
1997. In addition to his laboratory work, Leon served on a number of
committees and most recently was the chairman of the Radiation Safety
Committee. He was also an active member of the AFGE Local 3430 and
represented it as chief steward. Over his professional life, Leon had
received several awards including the following: the J.F. Ragland Chemistry
Award: CRC Press Chemistry Award, Who's Who Among Universities & Colleges,
Presidential Scholar Award, The William Whitehurst Sr. Biology Award,
Outstanding Young Men of America Award, Alice Hamilton Award, and the NIOSH
Bullard-Sherwood Award for Research-to-Practice Knowledge Category, NIOSH.
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Hexavalent
Chromium Public Comment Deadline Extended
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NIOSH is conducting a public
review of the NIOSH draft document "NIOSH Criteria Document Update:
Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium." The previous comment
deadline of January 31, 2009 was extended by 60 days to March 31, 2009 due to
a request to allow the public more time to gather and submit information. A
public meeting was held in Cincinnati,
OH, on January 22, 2009 to
discuss the document. The NIOSH draft document and instructions for submitting
comments are available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/144/.
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NIOSH Study
Examines Safety, Health Implications of Fire Fighters?
Boots
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NIOSH scientists are conducting
research to understand the physiological and biomechanical effects of boot
weight on male and female fire fighters. The preliminary findings from the
study suggest that fire fighters adjust their walking patterns and postures
when wearing heavy firefighter boots. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-12-18-08.html
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NEW R21
Funding Opportunity (RFA-ES-09-001)
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NIOSH and the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) are soliciting applications designed
to collect information on community exposures to environmental or
occupational agents or exposure-related diseases. This new information will be
used to support environmental public health actions. An education, outreach,
prevention or intervention program(s) must also be developed to translate and
disseminate research findings to relevant audiences. Evaluation will be a
central component of all projects. Details on this RFA (Research to Action:
Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants)
are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-09-001.html.
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New and
Upcoming in Nanotechnology
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NIOSH invites you to stay current
with developments in strategic research on the occupational health and safety
implications and applications of nanotechnology. New resources, publications,
and partnerships are highlighted regularly in NIOSH's "Nanotechnology
Spotlights" on the nanotechnology topic page, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/.
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New eNews
Monthly Feature
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 Beginning this month eNews will
feature a chart or statistical summary to highlight important or emerging
surveillance, research, and prevention issues. Content for the charts or
tables will be based on surveillance and relevant statistical data, and reflect
important priorities, needs and issues evolving from or developed within the
NIOSH Program Portfolio.
Visit the chart at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv6n10chart.html.
The chart represents nonfatal
occupational injury and illness rates released earlier this fall by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For calendar year 2007 nonfatal
occupational injuries and illnesses among private industry employers occurred
at a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 full-time workers. NIOSH groups the 19 2-digit
industry sectors into eight NORA Sector Programs as indicated by the color
coding of the bars in the chart.
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ILO Seeks
Senior Regional OSH Specialist in Peru
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International Labour Office (ILO)
is seeking candidates for the senior regional specialist on occupational
safety and health in Lima,
Peru. The
regional specialist will be responsible for providing technical support to
ILO constituents in member states in the field of occupational safety and
health in the framework of Decent Work National Programmes and regional
initiatives. For more information or to apply contact Dr Sameera Maziad
Al-Tuwaijri at al-tuwaijri@xxxxxxx.
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Construction Hearing Loss Stakeholders Meet
in Wisconsin
In order to garner better
information on the prevalence of work-related hearing loss in Wisconsin,
increase awareness of the issue, and develop ways to reduce noise-induced
hearing loss in the construction industry, the Wisconsin occupational health
surveillance staff are holding monthly stakeholder meetings consisting of
state agency representatives, construction employer and employee leadership,
safety council personnel, and policymakers. For information, go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph_boh/occ/pages/
or contact Pam Rogers at pamela.rogers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
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Two NIOSH
Docket Items are Available for Public Comment
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Health Hazard
Evaluations (HHEs)
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New Health Hazard
Evaluation Report Available
The HHE Program evaluated
potential health hazards at a vehicle repair shop. Investigators recommended
that the shop continue to use brake shoes and pads that do not contain
asbestos, and discontinue use of brake cleaners that contain
tetrachloroethylene. Investigators also recommended that connections between
exhaust pipes and exhaust hoses be tightened and vehicular exhaust hoses be
connected to exterior windows for proper ventilation. Employees were
encouraged to clean skin with mild soap and water and apply moisturizing
lotion to protect skin.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0055-3073.pdf.
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 NIOSH Joins National Seat Belt Pledge for Fire Fighters
NIOSH
has joined other fire service organizations in supporting the National Seat
Belt Pledge, an effort initiated in 2005 by the U.S. Fire Administration.
Fire fighters pledge to wear a seat belt at all times while in a moving
vehicle. Wearing a seat belt will reduce deaths and injuries while in fire
apparatus and vehicles. More information on the Seat Belt Pledge is available
at: http://www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp,
or e-mail Virginia Lutz of NIOSH at VLutz@xxxxxxx.
Collaborative Opportunity – Evaluation of Downdraft Vented Nail
Salon Tables
NIOSH researchers are soliciting
partners, including developers, manufacturers, and vendors, to participate in
a collaborative study involving the evaluation of downdraft-vented nail salon
tables. For more information about this opportunity, please visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1193.htm
or contact Susan Reutman at 513-533-8286, SReutman@xxxxxxx.
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 National Agriculture, Forestry and
Fishing Agenda Finalized
The National Agriculture, Forestry
and Fishing Agenda is now available on the National Occupational Research
Agenda (NORA) homepage (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/).
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector Council completed the agenda
after considering public comments on the previous draft. The agenda is
expected to evolve slowly based on additional input and evaluation and as its
goals are accomplished. It consists of three strategic goals relevant to the
whole sector, which are focused on surveillance; vulnerable populations; and
outreach, communications and partnerships. Contact the NORA Coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx) with any
questions, suggestions, or to join others to work on these goals.
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NIOSH Science
Blog: Your Comments Wanted
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New
Communication Products
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The Work-Related Lung Disease
Surveillance Report, 2007
The Work-Related Lung Disease (WoRLD) Surveillance Report 2007 provides
information on various work-related respiratory diseases and associated
exposures in the United
States. The report describes where these
diseases are occurring, who is affected, how frequently they occur, and
temporal trends. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2008-143/
Take Pride in Your Job: Fall
Protection—Video
This video is designed to be used in pre-shift or weekly safety meetings to
raise awareness of fall injuries in the oil and gas extraction industry and
to provide information about the use, proper fit, and inspection of fall
protection (running time:10 minutes). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2009-108d/
Take Pride in Your Job: Seat
Belts—Video
This video is designed to be used in pre-shift or weekly safety meetings to
raise awareness of motor vehicle injuries in this industry and to provide
information about the importance of buckling-up (running time: 11 minutes). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2009-109d/
The following mining
communication products are now available:
Technology News 534 - QuickFit
Earplug Test Device
Provides information on the QuickFit earplug test device. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3060.htm
Ergonomics and Risk Factor Awareness
Training for Miners
The overall objective of Ergonomics and Risk Factor Awareness Training is to
help reduce injuries and illnesses resulting from exposures to risk factors.
Specifically, this training will increase awareness of risk factors and
encourage miners to take action to report and reduce their exposures to risk
factors. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2748.htm
The following
communication products are now available en Español
Fact
Sheet — Fatal Injuries among Landscape Services Workers (Spanish) (Hoja
informativa: Lesiones mortales en trabajadores de servicios de jardinería) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2008-144_sp/
Control of Hazardous Dust During Tuckpointing (Spanish) (Control del
polvo peligroso que se genera durante los procesos de reparación de mortero) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2008-126_sp/
Workplace Solution - Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care
Workers Who Work with Hazardous Drugs (Spanish) (Equipo de protección
individual para trabajadores del sector de la salud que manipulan
medicamentos peligrosos) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2009-106_sp/
To order NIOSH publications, CDs, and videos click here: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/niosh.aspx.
Order up to 18 titles. Order limits are listed for each document. If you need
additional information, please contact Sherri Diana at sdiana@xxxxxxx or by calling 513-533-8471
New Topic Pages
available en Español
Three NIOSH topic pages are now
available en Español: Jardinerí (Landscaping) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/jardineria.html,
Caídas desde Elevaciones (Falls from Elevation) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/caidas.html,
and Pesticidas (Pesticides) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/pesticidas.html.
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Thomas L. Petty Aspen
Lung Conference, 52nd Annual Meeting—Deadline February 14
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado. Call for abstracts (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml)
19th International
Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time: Health and Well-being in the 24-h
Society — Deadline February 28, 2009
August 2–6, 2009, Venice,
Italy. Call
for papers http://www.shiftwork2009.it/
Measuring Air Pollutants by Diffusive
Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques, International
Conference—Deadline February 28, 2009
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow,
Poland. Call
for papers http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf
Third National Conference on Health
Communication, Marketing, and Media—Deadline March 16 August
11–13, 2009, Atlanta,
GA. Call for abstracts http://www.cdc.gov/healthmarketing/NCHCMM2009/
8th International
Conference on Occupational Stress and Health. “Work, Stress, and Health
2009: Global Concerns and Approaches — Deadline March 16, 2009
November 5–8, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Call for proposals http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html
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)
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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/)
Healthy Aging for Workers:
Anticipating the Occupational Safety and Health Needs of an Increasingly
Aging Workforce February 17-18, 2009, Washington, DC
(http://www.soeh.org/meeting/meeting.html)
19th Annual Construction
Safety Conference & Expo—Look for us!
February 17–19, 2009, Rosemont,
IL (http://www.buildsafe.org/Conference/2008/index.html)
Engineers of the Future, Carnegie Science Center—Look for us!
February 20—21, 2009 Pittsburgh,
PA http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=363
2009 Society of Mining 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/)
Human & Environmental Exposure
Assessment of Nanomaterials Workshop
February 24–25, 2009, Bethesday, MD http://www.nano.gov/html/meetings/exposure/
PPT Program Public Meeting—Look for us!
March 3, 2009, Pittsburgh,
PA http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/
Emergency Nurses Association
Leadership Conference
March 4–8, 2009, Reno,
NV (http://www.ena.org)
FIERO Fire PPE Symposium—Look for us!
March 9–11, 2009, Charlotte, NC http://www.fireppesymposium.com
Association of PeriOperative Room
Nurses—Look
for us!
March 14–18, 2009, Chicago
IL http://www.aorn.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)
EMS Update 2009—Look for us!
March 27–28, 2009, Champion PA http://www.emsupdate.com
American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando,
FL (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/)
Fire Department Instructors
Conference (FDIC) 2009
April 20–25, 2009, Indianapolis,
IN (http://www.fdic.com/)
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)
Occupational Hygiene 2009: Promoting
a Healthy Working Environment
April 28–30, 2009, Eastbourne,
UK (http://www.bohs.org/resources/res.aspx/Resource/filename/1275/Initial_Announcement_OH2009.pdf)
2009 Nanotech Conference &
Exposition
May 3–7, 2009, Houston,
TX (http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/)
SOPHE 2009 Midyear Conference: All
that Jazz: Harmonizing Health Education Practice and Research to Advance
Health Equity
May 6–May 9, 2009, New Orleans,
LA http://www.sophe.org/
American Industrial Hygiene
Conference & Exposition (AIHce 2009)
May 30–June 4, 2009, Toronto, Canada http://www.aihce2009.org/
Thomas L. Petty Aspen
Lung Conference, 52nd Annual Meeting—The Environment and the Lung:
Detection,
Prevention and Mechanisms of Disease
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml)
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: Health and Well-being in the 24-h
Society
August 2–6, 2009, Venice, Italy http://www.shiftwork2009.it/
Third National Conference on Health
Communication, Marketing, and Media
August 11–13, 2009, Atlanta,
GA http://www.cdc.gov/healthmarketing/NCHCMM2009/
Voluntary Protection Programs
Participants Association Annual Conference— Look for us!
August 24–27, 2009, San
Antonio, TX (http://www.vpppa.org/)
Academy of Certified Hazard Material
Managers 2009 National Conference
August 30-September 2, 2009, San
Diego, California.
http://www.achmm.org/sandiego2009/
Measuring Air Pollutants by Diffusive
Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques International Conference
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow, Poland http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf
8th
International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health: Work, Stress, and
Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches
November 5–8, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html
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QuickFit is a low cost,
easy-to-use device designed to check earplug fit and was developed by NIOSH
to improve the level of hearing protection for workers exposed to hazardous
noise on the job.
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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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John Lechliter
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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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This
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