NIOSH Science Blog Posts
Research Shows Benefits of Reduced Aerial Ladder Rung Spacing
As a critical part of their job, firefighters often climb aerial ladders up to 30 meters (or 98 feet) long and positioned at various angles. Aerial ladders are mechanically-operated, long, extendable ladders mounted on fire trucks and are used to reach high places for extinguishing fires and rescue operations. While climbing, firefighters typically wear heavy Read More >
Posted on byWorkplace Medical Mystery Solved: Unknown Illness in Worker at Greeting Card Plant
Camilla started experiencing worsening respiratory symptoms while working at a plant that produces greeting cards. (Read about her symptoms here). Her doctor ordered tests to see what was happening with Camilla’s lungs. The results of two lung function tests showed concerning results. One was a carbon monoxide diffusing capacity test that estimates the ability of Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentStruck-By Injuries in the Construction Sector: Common Hazards, Barriers, and Opportunities to Keep Workers Safe
Struck-By Injuries Struck-by injuries occur from violent contact or impact between an object or piece of equipment and a person. Struck-by injuries can be fatal, and even when a worker is not seriously injured can result in days off work to recover. To help prevent struck-by injuries, companies are encouraged to have a stand-down; a Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentWorkplace Medical Mystery: Unknown Illness in Worker at Greeting Card Plant
Camilla works at a plant that produces greeting cards and ribbon products. She started working at the plant over 15 years ago when production first started. The plant is open around-the-clock for three shifts with workers in multiple departments across two floors of the building. Camilla worked in different departments over the years but spent Read More >
Posted on by 15 CommentsA Focus on the Occupational Safety and Health of Women in Mining
The mining industry plays an important role in the U.S. economy and supply chain, with most products derived in part or entirely from mined rocks and minerals. Active mines can be found in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, [1] and include underground and surface mines operating in several different Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsCritical Steps Your Workplace Can Take Today to Prevent Suicide
Employers can play a vital role in suicide prevention. Historically, suicide, mental health, and well-being have been underrepresented in workplace health and safety efforts, but this is changing. In some European countries, there are workplace standards for workplace psychosocial hazards that put workers at risk for suicide. Additionally, in France, employers have been made Read More >
Posted on byPersonal Protective Equipment Fit in the Construction Sector
The construction sector includes a diverse population of workers exposed to many different types of hazards. An important way to prevent occupational illness and injury related to these hazards is by implementing the hierarchy of controls. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last control in the hierarchy, but PPE is particularly important when the other Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsModern Coal Miners Have Higher Death Rates From Lung Diseases Than Their Predecessors
Coal mine dust causes a range of lung diseases, collectively called coal mine dust lung diseases. Examples include coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP, a dust-induced scarring lung disease commonly called black lung), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung function impairment. All of these cause substantial morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) among affected coal miners.[1–5] Most Read More >
Posted on by 3 CommentsThe State of Health Surveillance Across the Public Safety Sector
Surveillance is the cornerstone of public health practice, including in occupational safety and health (OSH). OSH surveillance systems have the ability to generate data that drives decision making and action.1, 2 There are multiple steps in a surveillance system including timely and accurate data collection; data quality monitoring; data management; data analysis; interpretation of results; Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsWork as a Key Social Determinant of Health: The Case for Including Work in All Health Data Collections
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play. These conditions affect a wide range of health and quality of life risks and outcomes. CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and others recognize work as a social determinant of health.[1],[2],[3] Despite this recognition, this key SDOH Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsPsychosocial Hazards Often Overlooked in Construction Industry
Why Do Psychosocial Factors of Work Matter? The construction industry has considerable safety and health hazards that result in high rates of injury, illness, and fatality. Common hazards include noise, fall, electrical, and chemical hazards. Approximately 60% of all construction fatalities each year can be attributed to the ‘focus four’ hazards of falls, struck-by, caught Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsHighly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Agricultural Community
Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by infection with avian influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses routinely spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred. Avian influenza A viruses are classified into the following two categories: Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsViolence Against Public Health Workers
Many workers who were on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced increased physical and mental stress. One study found that 70% of U.S. workers felt more stressed at work during COVID-19 than at any other point in their professional careers [1]. Public health workers, including epidemiologists, contact tracers, laboratory scientists, community health workers, Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentThe Effectiveness of DIY Air Filtration Units
Portable air filtration units, or air cleaners, remove airborne particles (called aerosols) from the air indoors. Air filtration units were widely used during large wildfire outbreaks in the western United States,[1] and their use surged nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to reduce exposure to aerosols containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Homemade or Read More >
Posted on by 13 CommentsOil and Gas Workers Count
Energy has been in the news lately. Amid the discussions about energy prices and climate change, there has been far less media attention on the people who do hazardous work extracting the oil and gas so many of us use to stay warm and get where we need to go. These workers and the Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsMost-viewed NIOSH Products of 2022
As we look forward to 2023, we also are taking a look back at our most-viewed products of 2022. After two years of information focused on COVID-19, 2022 brought a variety of topics that engaged our users including ergonomics, construction, ladder safety, and working in the heat. Below is a summary of the top Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsSafety Intervention Grant Programs Can Be Effective in Preventing Workplace Injuries
Workers’ compensation (WC) insurers and other organizations offer grant programs to fund employers to install equipment and other engineering changes to improve workplace safety. Research provides some evidence that these types of programs can be effective in preventing workplace injuries. As a key example, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OHBWC) since 1999 has Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentLaw Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Law enforcement officers (LEO) place their lives and their health and safety at risk while protecting the public. While some of the risks may be obvious, there are many hazards officers face in the line of duty including: motor vehicle incidents, needlestick injuries, noise and lead Read More >
Posted on byResearching Risk of Birth Defects Among Children of Male Firefighters
Over 1.1 million firefighters protect our communities and environment in the United States.1 Firefighters face hazardous conditions and chemicals while on the job, which may have safety and health implications. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation named reproductive health as a priority research topic in 2021. But so far very few studies have evaluated birth Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsStaying Safe Up on the Rooftop and in Extreme Temperatures
As Santa prepares to head out for the big night, we have a few last-minute bits of advice to keep him safe in the elements and while working at heights. Fall Prevention With the amount of time Santa spends “up on the rooftop” a review of the NIOSH falls prevention materials is an essential item Read More >
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