NIOSH Science Blog Posts
Surgical Smoke Inhalation: Dangerous Consequences for the Surgical Team
In 1996, after conducing multiple health hazard evaluations, NIOSH released a bulletin recommending the control of surgical smoke created during laser or electric surgical procedures. Since the 1990s the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has recommended the evacuation of all surgical smoke. Yet, surgical smoke is still inhaled daily by nurses in the operating Read More >
Posted on by 19 CommentsMaking Industry and Occupation Information Useful for Public Health: A guide to coding industry and occupation text fields
**This blog was updated on 3/19/2021 to reflect changes to NIOCCS.** This is the second blog in the series “COVID-19 Surveillance among Workers: What we know and what are we doing to learn more”. To learn more about occupation and industry data collection for acute infectious diseases, see the first blog Collecting occupation and Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsConsiderations for Covering N95s to Extend Use
Introduction During times of increased demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), hospitals or other medical facilities may want to protect these devices from surface contamination in order to prolong their use. When protection against surface contamination is needed, CDC recommends wearing a cleanable face shield over an N95 FFR[1]. Wearing a surgical mask or Read More >
Posted on byCannabis and Work: Implications, Impairment, and the Need for Further Research
American workplaces are facing unprecedented challenges related to the rapidly evolving landscape of cannabis legalization and its increasing use among workers. Cannabis[1] is the most frequently used illicit drug (by Federal law) among Americans, with an estimated 43.5 million past-year users age 12 or older in 2018 (1). Nearly 18% of adults employed full-time, Read More >
Posted on by 21 CommentsCOVID-19 Stress Among Your Workers? Healthy Work Design and Well-Being Solutions Are Critical
Experiencing an infectious disease outbreak can cause fear, anxiety, and stress.1-5 Along with overwhelming uncertainty and new behavioral ‘norms’ (e.g., cloth face covering or mask wearing, physical distancing), the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we meet our daily needs, how we socially interact, and whether, how, and where we work.1,3 Millions of workers have lost Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsThe Physiological Burden of Prolonged PPE Use on Healthcare Workers during Long Shifts
Please note that this blog is specifically about respirators used by healthcare workers during long shifts and not facemasks worn as barrier control to stop the spread of COVID. Healthcare workers (HCW) and first responders often work long, physically and mentally exhausting shifts as they provide care for patients, especially during a public health emergency. Read More >
Posted on by 34 CommentsCelebrate 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 >
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