NIOSH Science Blog Posts
Celebrate National Safety Month
Each year, the National Safety Council (NSC) designates June as National Safety Month. This year, due to COVID-19, safety in and out of the workplace has been front-of-mind for most of the world. As we navigate how to live and work safely during this time, CDC has provided resources and information for all aspects of Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentHeat Stress in Construction
As we post this blog, we realize that some states may be under work restrictions due to COVID-19. Please follow the appropriate guidance for your area. Workers should not share water bottles or cups when hydrating. Social distancing applies in the workplace and break areas. See U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of and Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsNurses’ and Other Health Professionals’ Wellness and Safety Resource Update
The World Health Organization proclaimed 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. None of us could have anticipated how prescient that would be. This year has seen nurses all over the world step up and battle coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fearlessly, often while navigating evolving guidance and operating under difficult conditions with strained resources. Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsWorkers Memorial Day, 2020: NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., Reflects on the State of Worker Safety and Health
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act that established the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as the sole federal agency focused on worker safety and health research. The Act also charged the Secretary of Labor with setting and enforcing workplace safety and health standards, giving birth Read More >
Posted on by 17 CommentsDie weitreichenden Folgen arbeitsbedingter Müdigkeit
Als Müdigkeit bezeichnet man die „Reaktion des Körpers auf Schlafmangel oder langanhaltende körperliche oder geistige Anstrengung.“1 Die Müdigkeit wird immer stärker, je länger der Schlafmangel bzw. die körperliche/geistige Anstrengung andauert. Das einzige, was gegen die Müdigkeit hilft, ist ausreichend Ruhe. Berufstätige mit ungewöhnlichen Arbeitszeiten wie Schichtarbeit, sehr frühem Arbeitsbeginn oder langen Arbeitstagen haben allerdings nur Read More >
Posted on byFadiga relacionada ao trabalho vai além do ambiente laboral
A fadiga é definida como “a resposta do organismo à falta de sono ou a esforço físico ou mental prolongado”.1 Dessa forma, quanto mais períodos de sono insuficiente ou esforço físico/mental temos, mais fadigados ficamos. Essa fadiga só pode ser resolvida com descanso adequado. No entanto, para pessoas que trabalham em jornadas fora do padrão, Read More >
Posted on by仕事による疲労は職場を超えて影響する
疲労は、「睡眠不足または肉体・精神を長時間使うことに対する身体の反応」と定義されています1。そのため、睡眠不足または肉体／精神を使う時間が増加するにつれて、疲労が溜まっていきます。この疲労は十分な休息によってのみ軽減することができます。 Read More >
Posted on byLa fatiga relacionada con el trabajo va más allá del ámbito laboral
La fatiga ha sido definida como “la respuesta del cuerpo a la falta de sueño o al esfuerzo físico o mental prolongado”1. Como tal, a medida que aumentan los periodos de sueño insuficiente o esfuerzo físico o mental, más fatigados estamos. Esta fatiga solo se puede reducir con descanso suficiente. Sin embargo, para los trabajadores Read More >
Posted on by與工作相關的疲勞可以超越到工作場所之外
疲勞的定義是「身體對睡眠不足或對長時間體力或腦力勞累所產生的反應。」1 因此，隨著睡眠不足或體力/腦力勞累的加劇，我們變得更為疲勞。只有充分休息才能減輕這種疲勞。 Read More >
Posted on byWork-related Fatigue Reaches Beyond the Workplace
Fatigue has been defined as “the body’s response to sleep loss or to prolonged physical or mental exertion.”1 As such, with increasing periods of insufficient sleep or physical/mental exertion, the more fatigued we become. This fatigue can only be reduced with sufficient rest. However, for workers employed in nonstandard schedules, such as with shift work, Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsWork-Related Low-Back Injury and Increased Rate of Death
Do certain types of work-related disabilities lead to an increased rate of death? This question has not been well studied. Recently published research, “Increased overall and cause‐specific mortality associated with disability among workers’ compensation claimants with low back injuries,” examined the issue. [1] The study found that those with a lost-time disabling low-back workers’ compensation Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsUnderstanding the Use of Imported Non-NIOSH-Approved Respirators
When a respirator has been approved by NIOSH, the user can be confident that the device will provide the expected level of protection, as long as it fits properly and is worn correctly. But when serious outbreak conditions cause a shortage of the NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), other reliable options must be found. When Read More >
Posted on byUso adecuado del respirador N95 para estar preparado para la protección respiratoria
Cuando ocurren brotes de enfermedades infecciosas, dependemos de los profesionales de atención médica para que cuiden a los afectados, lo cual los pone en mayor riesgo de exposición al patógeno causante de la enfermedad. Mientras que los controles técnicos y administrativos deberían ser lo primero que se considere para proteger a estos trabajadores de la Read More >
Posted on byControlar a fadiga em momentos de crise: Orientação para enfermeiros, gerentes e outros funcionários de serviços de saúde
Em momentos de crise, funcionários de saúde (por exemplo, enfermeiros, enfermeiros licenciados em clínica geral, médicos, assistentes de enfermagem etc.) continuam a oferecer atendimento, mesmo com demandas desafiadoras de trabalho, incluindo maior internação de pacientes gravemente doentes, aumento do estresse no trabalho e uma necessidade frequente de horas extras. Essas demandas de trabalho podem compor Read More >
Posted on by 1 Comment危機発生時の疲労管理：看護師、管理者、および他の医療従事者に向けた指針
危機発生時、重症患者の搬入の増加、業務上のストレスの増加、超過勤務の必要性の増加を含め、かつてない困難な業務負荷の中にあっても、医療従事者（例：看護師、専門看護師、医師、准看護師）は医療行為を継続します。こういった業務負荷は既に厳しい勤務環境（すなわち、12時間シフト、夜勤）と合わさり、しっかりと回復するためのシフト中の通常の休憩時間やシフト間の休日など、十分な休憩・休日の確保を難しくしています。これらの業務上の因子のすべて（すなわち、身体的、心理的、および／または精神的負荷）が睡眠不足と重なることで疲労に繋がります1-3。 Read More >
Posted on byNIOSH Ventilated Headboard Provides Solution to Patient Isolation During an Epidemic
To protect healthcare workers, other patients, and visitors from exposure to airborne infectious diseases, patients in hospital settings sometimes need to be placed in airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs). AIIRs contain specific engineered features to isolate and more-quickly remove potentially infectious patient aerosols so that they do not infect others. Isolation rooms are expensive, costing Read More >
Posted on by 20 CommentsSummary of Recommendations from the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program from 2006—2014
Since 1998, NIOSH has conducted independent investigations of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and recommended ways to prevent deaths and injuries through the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP). A recent article, “Summary of recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, 2006–2014” provides information on Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentRespiratory Protection During Outbreaks: Respirators versus Surgical Masks
Consistent use of respirators improves protection against respiratory illness Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is an important part of the strategy to protect healthcare professionals from inhaling infectious particles, preventing the spread of respiratory infection between healthcare professionals and patients. Two types of devices are most commonly used in the healthcare setting: N95 Read More >
Posted on byNIOSH Encourages Worker Well-Being Research
NIOSH continues to seek new ways to promote worker well-being research through programs and new initiatives, including the Total Worker Health® and Healthy Work Design and Well-being cross-sector programs. Total Worker Health (TWH) is a holistic approach to worker well-being. By acknowledging work-related risk factors that can impact health, the TWH approach seeks to improve Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsManaging Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, and Other Healthcare Workers
At times of crisis, healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, etc.) continue to provide care, despite ever challenging work demands, including higher influx of critically ill patients, increased work stress, and a frequent need for overtime. These work demands can compound already challenging work schedules (i.e. 12-hour shifts, night shifts), making Read More >
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