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Manufacturing
Inputs: Partners
Partnerships
Partnerships are integral to the NIOSH Program for the Manufacturing sector. Input from customers and stakeholder groups, who have inherent knowledge and concern about the safety and health of workers in the sector, helps in setting research priorities. Collaborative research with our partners may include in-kind contributions, which help to leverage NIOSH research dollars. Partners also add expertise or specialized experience to the research team, which benefits the research, analysis, interpretation, and communication of the results.
For information about partnering with the NIOSH Manufacturing Program, contact the Manufacturing Program Coordinator. For general information about partnerships with NIOSH, contact the NIOSH Office of Research and Technology Transfer.
Academia:
- University of Nevada, Reno. NIOSH is partnering with Altairnano and the University of Nevada, Reno to develop field sampling protocols to evaluate worker exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles during their manufacture. NIOSH will use the experience at Altair to evaluate new particle measurement instruments; correlate advanced measurements to more conventional measurement methods; evaluate the effectiveness of control systems; and work to develop and document best practices for the safe handling of nanoparticles.
- The Risk Management and Decision Processes Center of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. NIOSH has entered an agreement with the The Risk Management and Decision Processes Center of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to facilitate research on occupational injuries and illnesses in chemical process safety, as well as methodologies and management tools for insuring and ameliorating risk exposures that may affect various manufacturing sectors.
Government:
- National Cancer Institute (NCI). Since the mid-1970s, NIOSH has had a collaborative partnership with NCI to investigate the potential causes of occupational cancer. Examples of studies that have been conducted under the Interagency Agreement with NCI include a nested case-control study of bladder cancer in a benzidine-exposed cohort, an on-going case-control study of brain cancer among rural residents, a cytogenetic study of markers of cosmic radiation exposure among airline pilots, a breast cancer study in flight attendants, a pesticide exposure study among farmers, and a pooled analysis of silica-exposed workers.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As NIOSH continues epidemiologic research to evaluate the health effects from protracted exposures to low levels of ionizing radiation, the results of these studies provide critical information to OSHA in examining information related to its promulgated occupational radiation protection standards (e.g., 29 CFR 1910.1096 and 29 CFR 1926.53) and future rulemaking efforts.
Industry:
- Dow Chemical Company. NIOSH has developed a close and productive partnership with the Dow Chemical Company to evaluate the effectiveness of Control Banding for minimizing worker exposure to glutaraldehyde. Dow has been a significant contributor to the basic information NIOSH is developing for a Current Intelligence Bulletin on glutaraldehyde.
- Altair Nanotechnologies. NIOSH is partnering with Altairnano and the University of Nevada, Reno to develop field sampling protocols to evaluate worker exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles during their manufacture. NIOSH will use the experience at Altair to evaluate new particle measurement instruments, correlate advanced measurements to more conventional measurement methods, evaluate the effectiveness of control systems, and work to develop and document best practices for the safe handling of nanoparticles.
- General Motors Corporation. Partner in a one-year longitudinal study of hearing protector comfort and effectiveness. This was done under the GM memorandum of understanding and the NIOSH HHE program.
International:
- National Health Institute, Chile. NIOSH is providing technical assistance for controlling silica exposures in the Americas in construction and general industry in collaboration with the National Health Institute of Chile, who is responsible for conducting the on-site evaluation of silica exposures and recommending control options at selected Chilean facilities.
Labor:
- United Auto Workers. NIOSH has partnered with the United Auto Workers on a 1-year longitudinal study of hearing protector comfort and effectiveness at General Motors Corporation.
Non-governmental Organizations:
- Kentucky Safety and Health Network (KSHN). NIOSH is working with KSHN to conduct a pilot study among small manufacturing businesses in Kentucky . The study is providing basic chemical hazard recognition and management training to KHSN volunteers in two areas of the state in conjunction with Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University. Part of the study will be an on-site evaluation of the improvement plan each business will develop.
- Woodrow Wilson Institute. NIOSH has ongoing collaborations with Woodrow Wilson Institute, the University of Minnesota, the University of Rochester, and the University of Cincinnati. These collaborations largely relate to development of aerosol generation systems for inhalation toxicology studies on nanomaterials and evaluation of different techniques for characterizing (e.g., particle size, surface area, number) ultrafine particles and engineered nanomaterials.
Professional and Trade Associations:
- Refractory Ceramic Fibers Coalition (RCFC). For the past ten years, NIOSH has worked with RCFC to develop the data needed for a recommended occupational exposure limit for refractory ceramic fibers. The partnership with RCFC has led to the development of improved sampling and analytical methods, more effective engineering control procedures, and improved work practices in RCF manufacturing and use. One of the outcomes of the original partnership was an alliance formed between the RCFC and OSHA to help move the standard setting process forward. NIOSH will publish the Refractory Ceramic Fibers Criteria Document in April, 2006.
- Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA). NIOSH is working with ILMA to develop an overall risk-based approach to managing metal working fluids. This approach is intended to provide a process that eliminates worker exposure to the metal working fluids. ILMA will be providing metal fluid production sites to help NIOSH refine the process using a Control Banding approach. Once the general process is developed, ILMA will extend the program to customers in the metal working industry.
- American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
NIOSH is collaborating with ASSE
on research to advance the protection of workers, promote best practices, and encourage development and utilization of safety and health management programs/prevention strategies/technologies
- International Tungsten Industry Association. NIOSH has worked with the International Tungsten Industry Association to evaluate the dissolution of dusts during the manufacture of hard metals.
- National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). NIOSH has partnered with NMMA to research styrene exposures in the fiberglass reinforced plastic boat manufacturing industry. This project will assess exposures in both opened and closed mold processes, and will provide recommendations for reducing worker exposures.
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NIOSH Program:
Manufacturing
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