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Volume
7 Number 11 March 2010
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From the Director's Desk
--John Howard, M.D. Director, NIOSH
March eNews 2010
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Please Join Us at the Summit
In 1970,
the year in which the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed, there
were 9.6 million Latinos in the U.S., comprising 4.7 percent of this country’s
population. By 2008, that number had grown dynamically to 46.7 million, or
about 15 percent of the total population. The U.S. Census Bureau predicted in
2008 that by 2050, the Latino population will further triple to 132.8
million. In that projection, native-born and foreign-born Latinos or
Hispanics are expected to comprise a third of the U.S. population. http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html
Only time
will tell whether the projection for 2050 will hold true, but it seems safe
to predict one thing. Whether or no matter how the numbers may fluctuate,
Latinos will continue to comprise a significant and ever-increasing share of
our population and our workforce. This diversity is welcome. It refreshes,
invigorates, and enriches our culture. However, it also poses a professional
challenge for the occupational safety and health community.
From
research and observation, we know that Latino workers are employed
disproportionately in jobs that involve heavy machinery, physically
challenging work conditions, pesticides and other potentially toxic
substances, and other elements of risk. We also know that low-wage,
low-skilled, and immigrant workers as Latino workers often are at further
disadvantage for additional reasons. They often lack access to safety
training, and even if training is offered, it may not be in a language they
understand and may be culturally meaningless for them. Often, they have
limited recourse to legal protections. If they are injured on the job, the
economic impact on their families is likely to be even more disruptive than
for workers who have better wages and benefits.
We all
want the U.S. to benefit from the enthusiasm, hard work, and dedication of
men and women who believe in the American dream. For that to happen, we have
an obligation to do all we can to help keep them safe and healthy on the job.
To address
these and related concerns about safety, health, and Latino workers, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold a National
Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety-la Cumbre de Acción Nacional para la Salud y Seguridad
del Trabajador Latino-on April 14-15 in Houston, Texas. NIOSH is
pleased to be a cosponsor of this meeting.
The Summit
will focus on construction, the industry that accounts for the highest
proportion of fatal traumatic injuries among Latino workers (34 percent of
such deaths from 2003-2006). It will also include other industries with large
numbers of Hispanic workers in which traumatic injuries and illnesses are of
major concern. These include building and grounds cleaning and maintenance,
production (food processing, manufacturing), food preparation and serving,
transportation and material moving, farming, fishing and forestry, and
personal care and services. (An excellent article by NIOSH researchers and
outside colleagues examines, in further detail, trends from 1992-2006 in
work-related deaths among Hispanic workers. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5722a1.htm)
The Summit
is designed to showcase effective partnerships and educational programs that
reach Latino workers with critical health and safety information and to raise
awareness of occupational health and safety risks for Hispanic workers, ways
of preventing injury and illness, and safeguards under the law. The Summit is
designed to stimulate a working agenda to prevent injury and death among
Latino Workers.
NIOSH has
worked closely with the Latino community and other partners in business,
labor, government, and social services to better identify risk factors for
Latino workers and the reasons for disparities in risk. Together we have also
worked to develop better communications and training products designed to
meet the need for language-appropriate and culturally appropriate materials.
Some of these efforts include:
- Extramural
funding of a program of community-based participatory research projects
aimed at creating partnerships between communities and universities to
improve outreach and community capacity building and to develop model
intervention programs. Several of these projects were highlighted in a
special issue of the American
Journal of Public Health devoted to Environmental and
Occupational Justice, published in November 2009. Successful
interventions for Hispanic workers in agriculture, domestic work,
poultry processing, and home healthcare were highlighted. http://ajph.aphapublications.org/content/vol99/issueS3/
- Initiating
a series of targeted surveillance programs to better track injuries and
illnesses among Hispanic workers through a variety of state-based
surveillance programs (e.g., Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation
(FACE) Program) and through collaboration with the National Agricultural
Workers Survey administered through the U.S. Department of Labor. Many
of these programs were highlighted in a February 2010 special issue of
the American Journal
of Industrial Medicine dedicated to Occupational Health
Disparities. This special issue included a foreword by U.S. Labor
Secretary Hilda Solis. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-04-10.html
- Establishing
an intramural research and dissemination program portfolio under the
National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) focused on eliminating
occupational health disparities. Emphasis areas include the development
of model training programs for Hispanic construction and home healthcare
workers and innovative outreach materials and dissemination channels
(e.g., the Mexican and Guatemalan consulates and telenovelas [or
televised Spanish language soap operas]). NIOSH was honored to
collaborate with the Spanish-language television network Telemundo and other
colleagues in 2008 to incorporate an occupational health message into a
popular dramatic series. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-03-31-08.html
NIOSH also
offers many resources for Latino workers, their employers, and others who
work with the Latino community. Many products on the NIOSH Web site are also
available in Spanish on our NIOSH en español Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/index.html),
such as our latest, How to
Properly Put On and Take Off a Disposable Respirator (card http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-131
and poster http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/),
and other documents of interest, including Simple
Solutions Ergonomics for Construction Workers (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-122)
and Simple Solutions
Ergonomics for Farm Workers (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-111/default.html).
We hope
you will join OSHA, NIOSH, and other colleagues next month at la Cumbre de Acción Nacional.
Registration is open and there is no charge to attend (https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/osha/register-osha-lwhs.asp).
Additionally, a call for abstracts and an opportunity to present education
materials are open through March 5 for those who wish to participate (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/events.cfm?id=2491).
If you cannot attend but are interested in getting
future information on this topic, please go to the registration page above,
submit your email address, and check the box for more information. We hope
the Summit will be a significant step ahead in addressing our shared
concerns, and we value your interest in being involved in future efforts.
¡Espero verle en la Cumbre!
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NIOSH Announces Charles C. Shepard Nominations
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Just Announced! National Occupational Injury Research
Symposium 2011
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The National Occupational Injury Research Symposium
(NOIRS) 2011 is scheduled for October 18-20, 2011, in Morgantown, West
Virginia. NOIRS is the only national symposium focusing solely on
occupational traumatic injury research and prevention. Please check the NOIRS
Web site for future updates and additional information. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noirs/noirsmain.html
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NIOSH Seeks Assistance From Pesticide Handlers
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NIOSH wants to hear your concerns about personal
protective equipment (PPE) for pesticide handlers. NIOSH is seeking
assistance from pesticide handlers in the agriculture sector to learn about
potential barriers to the proper selection and use of PPE by agricultural
pesticide handlers and their employers. Additional information is available
under “Spotlights” at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/default.html
or email KFaulkner@xxxxxxx.
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2010 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention
Awards™ Presented
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NIOSH, in partnership with the National Hearing
Conservation Association (NHCA), is pleased to announce the recipients of the
2010 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™,
honoring those who have shown their dedication to the prevention of
noise-induced hearing loss through innovative or excellent hearing loss
prevention practices in the work environment. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-24-10.html
Back Row:
Captain Margaret Kitt and SiS Award Committee members, Noah Seixas, Ph.D.,
Deanna Meinke, Ph.D., Lee Hager, James Lankford, Ph.D., Pam Graydon M.S.,
Thais Morata Ph.D. Front Row Award Winners: Erich Thalheimer, Parsons
Brinckerhoff, Inc. and New York Department of Environmental Protections, Mead
Killion, Ph.D., Etymotic Research Inc., and Kris Chesky, Ph.D., College of
Music, University of North Texas.
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Down in the Trenches: March Training for KY Small
Excavator & Plumbing Contractors
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NIOSH's Small Business Program and its partners,
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Kentucky and Kentucky OSHA , will
bring an innovative trench training course to small businesses on March 16
and 17. Four 4-hour classes will cover safe trenching and excavation
techniques and include both classroom instruction and outdoor demonstrations
on the grounds of Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lawrenceburg,
KY. To register or for more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/events/kyosha2010/
or contact AGC of Kentucky at 1(800)456-0215 or Ronnie Perkins at rperkins@xxxxxxxxx. For information
about the NIOSH Small Business Assistance and Outreach Program, contact Ray
Sinclair at Rsinclair@xxxxxxx.
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Western Mining Training RFA (RFA-OH-10-001)
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NIOSH is inviting extramural funding applicants to
apply for a new cooperative agreement program, Miner Safety and Health
Training Program-Western United States. The purpose of the program is to
reduce the number of injuries and illnesses among workers who are involved in
mining operations, through a focused, relevant, and comprehensive training
program that expands the number of qualified mine safety and health trainers
in the U.S. and educates mine workers regarding how best to protect
themselves from risks and hazards in the mining environment. NIOSH intends to
fund 1-3 awards in response to this announcement. The announcement and
instructions for submitting an application can be found in RFA-OH-10-001: Miner Safety and Health Training
Program-Western United States (U60) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-10-001.html).
For more information contact Viji Potula at VPotula@xxxxxxx.
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Vacancy Announcement: Director, National Center for
Environmental Health
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The Centers for Disease Control Prevention, Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, is seeking applicants for the position
of Director, National Center for Environmental Health. Applications must be
submitted by March 11, 2010. http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=86127315.
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Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis in Workers at an Indium
Processing Facility
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The March 1, 2010, issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and
Critical Care Medicine (http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/)
contains a report authored by NIOSH investigator Kristin Cummings et al.
describing two cases of the rare disease pulmonary alveolar proteinosis,
including one death. These occurred in workers at a facility producing
indium-tin oxide (ITO), a compound used in recent years to make flat panel
displays. These cases suggest that inhalational exposure to ITO can cause
pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, perhaps via an autoimmune mechanism.
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NIOSH Requests Comments on the Following:
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Three New Health Hazard Evaluation Reports Now
Available
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 Evaluation of Heat
and Carbon Monoxide Exposures to Border Protection Officers at Ports of Entry
Evaluation of Magnetic Field Exposures to Office
Employees From an Electrical Transformer
Evaluation of Potential Exposures at an Electrolytic
Manganese Dioxide Processing Plant
Click here
to read about these recent releases and access the full HHE reports.
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Iowa Targets Occupational- and Agricultural-related Injury
As part of its state-based occupational health
surveillance activities, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Occupational Health & Safety Surveillance Program (OHSSP) participated in
the recent update to the Iowa Administrative Code IAC [641] Chapter 1. The
IAC now includes a requirement for mandatory reporting of a patient’s
employer name for reportable cases linked to the workplace (www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/ACODocs/DOCS/2-10-2010.641.1.pdf).
Agricultural-related injury reporting was also included in Chapter 1 for the
first time, although reporting has existed since the late 1990s utilizing a
variety of data collection venues, including the Iowa Trauma Registry and manual
report forms (www.idph.state.ia.us/ems/common/pdf/farm_injury_report_form.pdf).
These updates are expected to improve the quality of the data collected by
OHSSP as the program establishes an occupational focus within public health
programming in the state. Additional information is available at www.idph.state.ia.us/strategic_plan/common/pdf/programs_profiles/Occupational_Health.pdf.
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Occupational Safety and Health on Telemundo
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), a
longstanding NIOSH partner, is taking steps to address occupational health
disparities. Jordan Coriza, director of Ethnic Media Engagement in the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Health Communications Office,
prepared a series of “health spots” for the local Telemundo TV
station that include a variety of health messages. One of these "health
spots" focuses on occupational health and safety, now posted on the MDPH
blog (http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/2010/02/salud-y-seguridad-en-el-trabajo.html).
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Loss Prevention Foundation Helps Implement the National WRT
Agenda
The NORA Wholesale and Retail Trade (WRT) Sector
Council developed a National WRT Agenda (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/)
that calls for partnerships between researchers and trusted organizations to
educate employers and workers about accepted prevention strategies. The Loss
Prevention Foundation (LPF) trains and certifies loss prevention professionals
in preventing both theft and occupational injuries and illnesses. Read about
a new partnership between NIOSH and LPF to improve the quality and quantity
of safety and risk management resources available to the retail loss
prevention industry at http://www.losspreventionfoundation.org/PR_NIOSH_021910.htm.
Contact the NORA coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx)
with any questions.
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 National
Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge
NIOSH has reaffirmed its support and participation in
the United States Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Service
Seat Belt Pledge Program. Certificates are awarded to fire departments that
have 100% of their firefighters pledging to wear their seat belts. Recently,
NIOSH participated in a ceremony in honor of the Amarillo Fire Department’s
100% participation in the Seat Belt Pledge. More information about the Seat
Belt Pledge can be found at http://www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp.
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New Communication Products
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The NIOSH
exhibit will be at the following meetings in March:
- American Alliance For Health, Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance, March 16-20, at the Indianapolis Convention
Center, Booth #1237. www.aahperd.com
- Mid-America Trucking Show, March 24-30, at the
Louisville Kentucky Exposition Convention Center, Booth #40353. www.truckingshow.com
- Annual Safe Patient Handling & Movement
Conference, March 29-April 1, at Lake Buena Vista, FL, Booth #721. www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm
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Upcoming Conferences & Workshops
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Small Particles Big Questions!
With NIOSH's participation and support, the government's National
Nanotechnology Initiative will hold a workshop March 30-31 in Arlington, VA,
on risk management methods for and the legal, ethical, and societal
implications of nanotechnology. http://nano.gov/html/meetings/capstone/index.html
National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety
NIOSH is cosponsoring the National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and
Safety, sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, on
April 14-15 in Houston, Texas. http://www.osha.gov/latinosummit/index.html
Nanomaterials and Worker Health
NIOSH and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center will hold a
conference, Nanomaterials
and Worker Health: Medical Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and
Epidemiologic Research, July 21-23 in Keystone, Colorado. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/keystone2010/
National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and
Media
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fourth Annual National
Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media, August 17-19, 2010,
Omni Hotel in Atlanta, GA. http://www.cdc.gov/healthmarketing/NCHCMM2009/
A comprehensive list of upcoming conferences can be
found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/exhibits.html.
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Charles
C. Shepard
- Dr. Charles C. Shepard was a CDC scientist, whose career was marked by the
pursuit of scientific excellence. The CDC Charles C. Shepard Awards honor Dr.
Shepard and recognizes excellence in science achievement by CDC authors of
outstanding scientific papers. The awards began in 1986 and are presented
annually.
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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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Director
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John
Howard, M.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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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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Kevin
Whaley
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Please send your comments and suggestions
to us at nioshenews@xxxxxxx.
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