NIOSH Science Blog Posts
Industrial Exoskeletons
Exoskeletons used in the workplace are referred to as “industrial exoskeletons.” Their purpose is to augment, amplify, or reinforce the performance of a worker’s existing body components—primarily the lower back and the upper extremity (arms and shoulders). Despite a lack of research, manufacturers of these devices claim productivity gains, work quality improvements, and a reduction Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsUnderstanding the Economic Benefit Associated with NIOSH Research and Services: A Second Report of NIOSH Impact by RAND
NIOSH continues to quantify the benefits of its research and services in terms of lives saved, injuries or illnesses averted, or increases in worker productivity. Three new case studies highlight the economic benefits of personal dust monitors for coal miners, improved ambulance design, and improved amputation surveillance. These case studies are presented in a new Read More >
Posted on by 1 Comment四個州的人造石檯面工人暴發矽肺病
人造石檯面，又稱「石英石檯面」，由石英骨料和樹脂粘合劑聚合而成。這些材料的外觀與天然石材相似，正越來越廣泛地用於住宅建築和家居裝飾中。在 2010 年至 2018 年間，美國的石英石檯面進口量已增加了近 800%（美國國際貿易委員會）。人造石材含有的結晶矽可能比天然石材多得多（含量 > 90%，而花崗岩中含量 < 45%）（職業安全與健康管理局 [OSHA]/美國國家職業安全衛生研究所 [NIOSH] 危害警報）。諸如切割、打磨、拋光和鑽孔一類的作業有可能將危險含量的矽塵擴散到空氣中。吸入含矽的材料（例如人造石）粉塵會導致矽肺病。矽肺病由肺部疤痕引起，可導致永久性肺損傷，是一種漸進的、致人衰竭的、不可治愈的甚至是致命的疾病。 接觸矽塵會對製造、加工和安裝天然石材檯面和人造石檯面的工人帶來健康危害。矽肺病的症狀可包括咳嗽、疲勞、氣短或胸痛。在接觸可吸入的結晶矽塵長達 10 年或更長時間之後，通常會發生矽肺病。但是，密集的接觸會導致該病進展更快，還會導致更嚴重的肺病。除矽肺病外，吸入少量（「可吸入的」）結晶矽顆粒還會引發肺癌、慢性阻塞性肺病 (COPD) 和腎病，並且會伴發肺部感染、自身免疫性疾病和心血管受損。 先前在美國德克薩斯州曾報導過一例與人造石加工有關的矽肺病病例（Friedman，2015 年）。最近，在加利福尼亞州、科羅拉多州、華盛頓州和德克薩斯州的石材加工業工人中發現了 18 例矽肺病，其中兩例死亡（Rose 和 Heinzerling，2019 年）。這些工人中大多數從事人造石材料的作業，年齡大多不到 50 歲。以色列、西班牙和澳洲也曾報導過人造石工人中暴發矽肺病的情況（Kramer，2012 年；Perez-Alonso，2014 年；Hoy，2018 年；Leso，2019 年）。澳洲昆士蘭州為所有處於風險中的石材加工工人提供了醫學篩查，從中發現有 12% 的工人患上了矽肺病（Kirby，2019 年）。2018 年，美國已有近 9000 家公司和 96000 名員工從事石材加工業（美國勞工統計局的季度就業和工資普查）。由於這些員工中有許多人大概未進行過醫學檢查，因此美國很可能還有其他矽肺病病例仍未發現。 僱主必須為工人做好保護，確保他們不直接與結晶矽塵接觸。聯邦職業安全與健康管理局 (OSHA) 已簽發兩項可吸入的結晶矽塵標準，以為工人提供保護。施工標準 (29 CFR 1926.1153) 以及一般工業和海事作業標準 (29 CFR 1910.1053) 均於 2016 年 Read More >
Posted on byBrote de silicosis entre los trabajadores de mesones de piedra de ingeniería en cuatro estados
Los mesones hechos con piedras de ingeniería, que también se llaman “superficies de cuarzo”, se producen fusionando agregados de cuarzo con un aglutinante de resina. Estos materiales tienen una apariencia similar a la de la piedra natural y su uso se ha vuelto cada vez más popular en la construcción de casas y las mejoras Read More >
Posted on byAsociación para educar sobre la seguridad y salud del trabajador a personas que están aprendiendo inglés en Alaska
Cuando piensa acerca de la diversidad en los Estados Unidos, ¿le viene a la mente Alaska? Lo cierto es que Anchorage, en Alaska, tiene algunos de los vecindarios y algunas de las escuelas públicas con mayor diversidad étnica y racial de todos los Estados Unidos. Esta diversidad incluye el hecho de que casi uno de Read More >
Posted on bySpecial Delivery! Remember the Workers Behind Your Holiday Packages
Chances are this holiday season you will send and/or receive a package. Probably several. We all delight in the ‘miracle’ of a package arriving on our doorstep a mere few days after ordering. It’s easy to forget that there is no magic involved. Considerable effort and many workers are responsible for the arrival of your Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsWholesale and Retail Trade Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses: 2006–2016
In 2010, NIOSH published a comprehensive overview of the 2006 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the Wholesale and Retail Trade (WRT) sector. Recently, NIOSH researchers expanded on this study to include the ten years of BLS data that followed, for a richer, more complex view. The resulting article, Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsBathroom Breaks
Although workers may assume that they will have access to bathrooms at work, many workers in a wide range of industries and occupations say they cannot take the bathroom breaks they need while working.1-6 Insufficient bathroom breaks are an important health and safety consideration for many jobs, such as those involving patient care or specific Read More >
Posted on by 13 CommentsThe Role of Veterinarians in the Opioid Crisis
More than 399,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription and illicit opioids from 1999-2017.[i] There are many efforts to educate physicians and dentists about their roles and responsibilities in addressing this national crisis. But what about veterinarians? Animals, like humans, may receive opioids for pain. Veterinarians and veterinary clinics can be registered with the US Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsWearable Technologies for Improved Safety and Health on Construction Sites
Background Wearable technologies are an increasingly popular consumer electronic for a variety of applications at home and at work. In general, these devices include accessories and clothing that incorporate advanced electronic technologies, often with smartphone or ‘internet of things’ (IoT) connectivity. While wearables are increasingly being used to improve health and well-being by aiding in Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsPreparing Your Fleet for Automated Vehicles
Many of us already drive personal or company vehicles with automated features such as lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. While automation clearly improves safety, it also presents new issues for safety professionals. Companies need to integrate policies on vehicles with automated features into their current fleet safety management systems. They also need to Read More >
Posted on by 12 CommentsPartnering to Educate English-Language Learners in Alaska on Worker Safety and Health
When you think of diversity in the United States, does Alaska come to mind? In fact, Anchorage, Alaska has some of the most ethno-racially diverse neighborhoods and public schools in the entire U.S. This diversity includes nearly one in ten Anchorage residents identifying as foreign born (Farrell, 2018). In terms of languages spoken in the Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsCan Pregnant Workers Receive and Administer Flu Vaccines? Yes!
Every flu season, NIOSH gets questions from pregnant workers about the flu and flu vaccines. Here are the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions, including getting the flu shot at work and administering flu shots to patients. Can I get a flu shot if I’m pregnant? Yes. CDC and the American Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentOutbreak of Silicosis among Engineered Stone Countertop Workers in Four States
Engineered stone countertops, also known as “quartz surfacing,” are made from quartz aggregate held together with a resin binder. These materials are similar in appearance to natural stone and have become increasingly popular for use in home building and home improvement. Quartz surface imports to the United States have increased approximately 800% during 2010–2018 (U.S. Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsOccupational Exposure Banding and Workplace Chemicals
For workers in a variety of industries, exposure to chemicals is commonplace. American workers handle, transport, or encounter thousands of chemicals every day, from cleaning products to industrial solvents. Although many of these chemicals have important uses, they can also be harmful to workers who are exposed to them. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are developed Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentThe Safety Climate Assessment Tool (S-CAT) for Construction
Organizational safety climate is defined as shared perceptions among employees regarding what is rewarded, expected, valued, and reinforced in the workplace with respect to safety (Zohar, 1980). It can positively influence employee safety knowledge, motivation, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as reduce injury outcomes (e.g., Clarke, 2010, Probst et al., 2008, Probst and Estrada, 2010, Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsIt’s National Bosses Day. Who is your dream boss?
Having a “dream job” is an aspiration for many people, but without a good boss, a dream job can become a nightmare. Our front-line supervisor or manager plays an unparalleled role in creating and sustaining safe work environments, health supportive-policies, and psychosocial safety. The best bosses partner with workers to design healthy jobs that provide Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentNanotechnology Research at NIOSH
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are materials that are intentionally produced to have at least one primary dimension less than 100 nanometers. These materials have new or unique properties different from those of larger forms of the same material, making them desirable for specific product applications. These properties can contribute to increased elasticity, tensile strength, electrical conduction, and reactivity. Consumer products using nanomaterials include Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsNIOSH Working Hours, Sleep and Fatigue Forum: A Recap and Future Directions
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has had a longstanding interest in nonstandard work hours and associated health and safety effects. The last NIOSH meeting on this topic was held in 2004 and centered around long working hours and the impact on injuries, illnesses, and health behaviors. To build on this expertise, Read More >
Posted on by 11 CommentsOlder Wholesale and Retail Workers in Nonstandard Work Arrangements
National Employ Older Workers Week takes place the final week in September and recognizes the vital role of older workers [U.S. DOL 2019]. By 2020, workers aged 55 and over will likely make up about 25 percent of the U.S. workforce [BLS 2018]. Within the Wholesale and Retail Trade (WRT) Sector alone, in 2017 almost Read More >
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