Volume
5 Number 6 October 2007
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Volume
5 Number 6 October 2007 |
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| r2p Corner NORA News From Our Partners Mount Sinai Seeking Occupational Epidemiologist Communication Products Lyme Disease Safety and Health Topic page Reducing Pesticide Exposure at Schools Three new Health Hazard Evaluation Reports are now available |
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Upcoming Events “International Conference on Agriculture Ergonomics in Developing Countries (AEDeC 2007)” “European NanOSH Conference – Nanotechnologies: A Critical Area in Occupational Safety and Health” “International Roofing Expo 2008” “Work, Stress, and Health 2008: Health and Safe Work Through Research, Practice, and Partnerships |
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“Fire Department Instructors Conference 2008” “American Association of Occupational Health Nurses” “2008 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition” “2008 World Safety Conference and Exposition” “6th International Conference on Workplace Bullying” “12th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium” “International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Rescue International 2008” |
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On September 18, I had the pleasure of presenting the “2006 NIOSH Director’s Award for Scientific Achievement in Occupational Safety and Health” to Dr. Richard Fenske for his work in the development and application of a novel technique for assessing skin exposure to hazardous chemicals among agricultural workers. Dr. Fenske is the Director of the NIOSH-funded Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Center and is the Associate Chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and Community Medicine. The technique uses fluorescent tracers to detect pesticides on the skin after a worker has finished spraying. The technique is being used as a training method to help visually demonstrate to workers and employers the importance of proper use of personal protective equipment and good hygiene. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has adapted the method for hands-on training or quick demonstrations, and Cambodia recently used the technique to educate farmers about the hazards of skin exposures to pesticides. The PNASH Center recently published pesticide safety training manuals using the fluorescent tracer method in English and Spanish. This exemplary work provides a model for creative, science-based health communication in today's workplace. The technique offers a powerful tool for practitioners in reducing the risk of occupational illnesses among Hispanic workers, a significant and growing segment of the agricultural workforce. Especially among the segment of that population who may not be fluent in written English or Spanish, it serves a need for meaningful visual communication. More information about Dr. Fenske, the PNASH Center and the fluorescent tracers can be found at http://depts.washington.edu/pnash. The NIOSH Director’s Award is awarded annually to a NIOSH grantee to recognize outstanding scientific research achievement in the field of occupational safety and health that has made a major impact or has the potential of making a major impact on worker safety and health. |
 NIOSH is pleased to present Youth @ Work: Talking Safety, a foundation curriculum in occupational safety and health. This curriculum is the culmination of many years’ work by a consortium of partners dedicated to reducing occupational injuries and illnesses among youth. The initial curricula upon which Youth @ Work: Talking Safety is based included WorkSafe!, developed by the Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) at the University of California, Berkeley, and Safe Work/Safe Workers, developed by the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) in Newton, MA. Those products were produced under grants from NIOSH as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor: the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents: the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration; and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Talking Safety is a comprehensive curriculum consisting of six modules, student handouts, overheads, a PowerPoint slide show, video, and interactive activities. It also includes references to resources for more information. The curriculum raises awareness and equips students to become partners in workplace safety and health. Major topics include raising awareness of risks for teen workers, recognizing workplace hazards, understanding hazard control options, dealing with emergencies, understanding rights and responsibilities of teen workers, and empowering students to communicate with their employer about workplace safety. The curriculum is available on the NIOSH Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety. For further information, contact Carol Stephenson via talkingsafety@cdc.gov. |
| NIOSH is soliciting input from our stakeholders on their needs for information and guidance to be included in a revision of the “Occupational Exposure Sampling Strategies Manual” (OESSM)." The manual, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/77-173, is sometimes referred to as "Leidel, Busch and Lynch" or "The NIOSH Yellow Book." The meeting will be held November 8 – 9, 2007, at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC. The meeting is an excellent opportunity for you to provide input on the update and help shape the future of occupational exposure assessment. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required. More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/expa/oessmeeting/. |
| A poster presentation from a NIOSH-funded study of worker health disparities, using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), received an award for creative presentation at a June 2007 conference to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the national survey. The presentation, “The National Health Interview Survey, Health Disparities, and U.S. Workers,” was made by Dr. Lora Fleming at the University of Miami and her colleagues, from a study funded by a NIOSH competitive research grant. The research found significant health disparities among U.S. workers, particularly for blue-collar, female, and certain race or ethnic work populations. For further information on the research, contact Linda Frederick at LFrederick1@cdc.gov. NHIS is an annual household survey of the U.S. population, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| NIOSH is recruiting Health Scientists to work in the Office of Extramural Programs (OEP) in Atlanta, GA. Duties include planning, developing and evaluating extramural programs and assuring that the programs conform with the NIOSH mission. The posting closes on October 9, 2007. The job announcement can be found on the USAJOBS Web site, http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=62534535&jbf574=HE35%2CHE39&brd=3876 &AVSDM=2007%2D09%2D18+00%3A00%3A04&vw=d&sort=rv&Logo=0&caller=%2Findex%2 Easp&ss=0&CustomApplicant=15510%2C15512%2C15514%2C15515%2C15516%2C15523%2C 15669%2C29555%2C29556&TabNum=1&rc=3. |
NIOSH Seeking Public Comment on Facial Measurement (Anthropometrics) Research Roadmap |
| NIOSH is seeking public comment on a draft action plan that responds to issues and recommendations in an April 2007 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The IOM report, which represented findings from an independent review commissioned by NIOSH, addressed research at NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. The research aims at developing a modern, representative data base of facial sizes and shapes that will help in the design of respirator face masks for the increasingly diverse U.S. employee population. The draft action plan, the IOM report, further details about the NIOSH research, and contact information for submitting public comments are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/111. |
 NIOSH and AIHA Renew PartnershipNIOSH and the American Industrial Hygiene Association have renewed their partnership to improve occupational safety and health conditions in the workplace. The renewal reaffirms the commitment both groups made last year to use collaborative efforts and expertise to advance the protection of workers, promote best practices, and encourage employers to develop and utilize occupational safety and health management systems and effective prevention strategies and technologies. The renewed partnership will continue through December 31, 2008. A copy of the memorandum of understanding can be viewed at http://www.aiha.org/1documents/AIHANIOSHPartnership.pdf. |
 Update: The sector-based National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)NORA is a stakeholder-driven agenda for high priority research in occupational safety and health. The sector-based NORA will consist of a strategic plan for conducting research and improving workplace practice in each of eight industrial sectors. The eight draft strategic plans are expected to be available for public comment next spring. The drafts are being prepared by NORA Sector Councils now. To learn which topics are being considered by each Council as priorities, click on the “NORA Sector Councils” link on the NORA Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora, choose a Sector Council and look under “Activities.” Become involved or discuss any other issues by contacting NORACoordinator@cdc.gov. |
November Webinar Focuses on Construction Safety Mount Sinai Seeking Occupational Epidemiologist |
Three new Health Hazard Evaluation Reports are now available. Manufacturing Sector Evaluation of exposure to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). NIOSH received a management request because workers at a label distribution facility were reporting eye, nose, and throat irritation, which they associated with exposure to VOCs from printing ink solvents used in a neighboring facility. NIOSH collected air samples for VOCs at both facilities and talked to workers about their health concerns. The results showed several pathways for printing ink solvent vapors to enter the label facility. All measured exposures were below occupational exposure limits, although some chemical concentrations were above odor thresholds. NIOSH recommended engineering and maintenance improvements to address the problem. The full report is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2006-0343-3045.pdf. |
Look for Us…the NIOSH Booth will be on exhibit at the following conferences.
International Association of Fire Fighters’ “Nineteenth Symposium on the Occupational Health and Hazards of the Fire Service” U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security “Technology for Critical Incident Preparedness” “International Conference on Agriculture Ergonomics in Developing Countries (AEDeC 2007)” “European NanOSH Conference – Nanotechnologies: A Critical Area in Occupational Safety and Health” “International Roofing Expo 2008” “Work, Stress, and Health 2008: Health and Safe Work Through Research, Practice, and Partnerships” “Fire Department Instructors Conference 2008” “American Association of Occupational Health Nurses” “2008 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition” “2008 World Safety Conference and Exposition” “6th International Conference on Workplace Bullying” American Society of Safety Engineers “SAFETY 2008” Professional Development Conference and Exposition “12th US/North American Mine Ventilation Symposium” “International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Rescue International 2008” |
| Fluorescent tracers are chemicals visible under long-wave ultraviolet light. In a project recognized by the 2006 NIOSH Director’s Award, such tracers are mixed with pesticides or added to the pesticide spray tank used by the worker. When the worker stands under the ultraviolet light, areas where the fluorescent tracer has deposited will appear to glow. This provides the worker with a visual understanding of the risk of skin exposure to pesticides. |
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