Tag: NIOSH

Health care, gloves, hospital, pharmacy

NIOSH Investigates Hospital, Ergonomic, and Opioid Hazards

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) fielded 221 requests for Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) in 2018, according to a recently released annual report. The 34 HHE reports published last year examined hazards ranging from hospital disinfectants and repetitive pharmacy tasks to emergency responders’ exposure to opioids.

Ear plugs, hearing protection

Oil and Gas, Mining Workers Vulnerable to Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is prevalent in workers in the mining and oil and gas extraction sectors, researchers have found. At least 25% of workers in many industries and as much as 30% of workers in others had hearing loss, according to a recently published report.

Safety worker wearing PPE in the heat

New PPE Innovations Are Cool—Literally

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital to workplace safety, but it can also be uncomfortably hot—and warm weather doesn’t help. New research and products are looking to keep workers cool while wearing PPE without compromising on protection.

Safety documents

NIOSH Releases Updates on Several of Its Programs

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been exploring the potential to use the data that workers’ compensation insurers collect from their policyholders to better understand workplace exposures, the Institute noted in an update on its Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies program.

Smoking, cigarette, secondhand smoke

Secondhand Smoke Remains an Occupational Health Issue

Nearly one-fifth of nonsmokers were exposed to secondhand smoke at work, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a recently published study. The CDC reported that 19.9% of nonsmokers had some exposure on the job, and 10.1% had frequent exposures.

Valley fever risk

Are Heat Stress and Valley Fever on the Rise?

Concerns are growing about two occupational health issues: the increased incidence of heat stress and valley fever, a fungal lung infection caused by exposure to dust storms and excavated soil. Cases of valley fever may be spreading beyond the southwestern United States. Some federal agencies and nongovernmental groups claim the rise in heat-related illness and […]

Construction workers looking at papers on construction site

Alliance Renewed Between OSHA and CPWR

OSHA renewed its alliance with CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training—to provide guidance and training resources for construction safety. CPWR and the agency agreed to a new 5-year alliance to address hazards such as falls, silica exposure, trenching, and working in hot and cold weather, as well as foster outreach efforts that include elevator […]

Group of men working at a chemical warehouse classifying barrels

NIOSH Issues Guidance for Hazardous Substances with No Clear OEL

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released new guidance for determining the level of hazards for substances with no occupational exposure limit (OEL) established by a government agency, by a standard-setting body, or in peer-reviewed literature.