NIOSH eNews - February 2009

“Buckle up.” “Don’t drink and drive.” “Speed shatters life.” Thanks to decades of public safety campaigns, the importance of driving carefully and responsibly is widely recognized. In a complementary way, NIOSH and its partners have focused on the prevention of roadway deaths and injuries as an occupational hazard where work involves driving or riding in a vehicle. Motor-vehicle-related incidents are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the United States. Of approximately 5,700 fatalities annually reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35% are associated with motor vehicles. Additionally, road traffic crashes are a leading cause of workplace death, injury, and disability in many countries around the world. Workers, families, businesses, and society all suffer the consequences of workplace crashes. Because rapid motorization and economic development go hand-in-hand, workers in the developing world are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the risk of road traffic crashes.

What complicates the problem further is that unlike other workplaces such as factories, offices, and construction sites, the roadway is not a closed environment. Preventing work-related roadway crashes requires strategies that combine traffic safety principles, vehicle design, driver behavior, and good safety-management practices. It is important for employers to realize that although they cannot control roadway conditions, they can and should keep employees safe while driving. They can do so by maintaining work vehicles properly, providing and requiring the use of seat belts, providing motor vehicle safety training, and enforcing driver safety policies, among other steps.

NIOSH is very active in helping to lower the risks for these workers. Last March, NIOSH provided input on a United Nations resolution on “Improving Global Road Safety” adopted by its General Assembly. For the first time, a United Nations resolution includes specific language that notes the importance of fleet operations to worker and public safety. This gives strong justification for corporations, governments, and other stakeholders to take action to improve road safety for workers around the world.

This month, NIOSH and cosponsors will be host to the first International Conference on Road Safety at Work (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/) in Washington D.C. We anticipate that approximately 200 attendees, with representatives from 40 countries, will attend this meeting to address this important topic.

Finally, NIOSH has many related resources for employers. NIOSH, in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago, created an online library at http://www.roadsafetyatwork.org that houses resources related to the prevention of road traffic injuries and deaths while at work. The NIOSH fact sheet, Work-Related Roadway Crashes: Prevention Strategies for Employers (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-136/) provides recommendations for employers on crash prevention and vehicle safety programs. It is also available in Spanish (http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2004136Sp.htm). Also the NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Topic Page (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle/) provides links to an extensive list of NIOSH and other resources on this topic.

Injury prevention is an area in which I have a lot of experience. Both professionally and personally, I am extremely gratified that NIOSH has been a leader in keeping people safe on the road.

In Memoriam: Leon Butterworth

Friends and colleagues were saddened to hear of the death on January 5, 2009, of their NIOSH colleague Leon Butterworth. Leon was a Research Biologist in the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division in Morgantown, West Virginia. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Leon's family and friends.

Leon came to NIOSH in 1997. In addition to his laboratory work, Leon served on a number of committees and most recently was the chairman of the Radiation Safety Committee. He was also an active member of the AFGE Local 3430 and represented it as chief steward. Over his professional life, Leon had received several awards including the following: the J.F. Ragland Chemistry Award: CRC Press Chemistry Award, Who's Who Among Universities & Colleges, Presidential Scholar Award, The William Whitehurst Sr. Biology Award, Outstanding Young Men of America Award, Alice Hamilton Award, and the NIOSH Bullard-Sherwood Award for Research-to-Practice Knowledge Category, NIOSH.

Hexavalent Chromium Public Comment Deadline Extended

NIOSH is conducting a public review of the NIOSH draft document "NIOSH Criteria Document Update: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium." The previous comment deadline of January 31, 2009 was extended by 60 days to March 31, 2009 due to a request to allow the public more time to gather and submit information. A public meeting was held in Cincinnati, OH, on January 22, 2009 to discuss the document. The NIOSH draft document and instructions for submitting comments are available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/144/.

NIOSH Study Examines Safety, Health Implications of Fire Fighters’
Boots

NIOSH scientists are conducting research to understand the physiological and biomechanical effects of boot weight on male and female fire fighters. The preliminary findings from the study suggest that fire fighters adjust their walking patterns and postures when wearing heavy firefighter boots. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-12-18-08.html

NEW R21 Funding Opportunity (RFA-ES-09-001)

NIOSH and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) are soliciting applications designed to collect information on community exposures to environmental or occupational agents or exposure-related diseases. This new information will be used to support environmental public health actions. An education, outreach, prevention or intervention program(s) must also be developed to translate and disseminate research findings to relevant audiences. Evaluation will be a central component of all projects. Details on this RFA (Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants) are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-09-001.html.

New and Upcoming in Nanotechnology

NIOSH invites you to stay current with developments in strategic research on the occupational health and safety implications and applications of nanotechnology. New resources, publications, and partnerships are highlighted regularly in NIOSH's "Nanotechnology Spotlights" on the nanotechnology topic page, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/.

New eNews Monthly Feature

Thumbnail of Chart for February, 2009 Beginning this month eNews will feature a chart or statistical summary to highlight important or emerging surveillance, research, and prevention issues. Content for the charts or tables will be based on surveillance and relevant statistical data, and reflect important priorities, needs and issues evolving from or developed within the NIOSH Program Portfolio.

Visit the chart at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv6n10chart.html.

The chart represents nonfatal occupational injury and illness rates released earlier this fall by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For calendar year 2007 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among private industry employers occurred at a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 full-time workers. NIOSH groups the 19 2-digit industry sectors into eight NORA Sector Programs as indicated by the color coding of the bars in the chart.

ILO Seeks Senior Regional OSH Specialist in Peru

International Labour Office (ILO) is seeking candidates for the senior regional specialist on occupational safety and health in Lima, Peru. The regional specialist will be responsible for providing technical support to ILO constituents in member states in the field of occupational safety and health in the framework of Decent Work National Programmes and regional initiatives. For more information or to apply contact Dr Sameera Maziad Al-Tuwaijri at al-tuwaijri@ilo.org.

News from Our Partners

Construction Hearing Loss Stakeholders Meet in Wisconsin

In order to garner better information on the prevalence of work-related hearing loss in Wisconsin, increase awareness of the issue, and develop ways to reduce noise-induced hearing loss in the construction industry, the Wisconsin occupational health surveillance staff are holding monthly stakeholder meetings consisting of state agency representatives, construction employer and employee leadership, safety council personnel, and policymakers. For information, go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph_boh/occ/pages/ or contact Pam Rogers at pamela.rogers@wisconsin.gov.

Two NIOSH Docket Items are Available for Public Comment

NIOSH Docket Item for Comment: Quality Assurance Requirements for Respirators - NIOSH Docket Number 109.

NIOSH Draft Document for Public Comment: NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters When Fighting Fires in Unoccupied Structures - NIOSH Docket Number 0141.

Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

New Health Hazard Evaluation Report Available

The HHE Program evaluated potential health hazards at a vehicle repair shop. Investigators recommended that the shop continue to use brake shoes and pads that do not contain asbestos, and discontinue use of brake cleaners that contain tetrachloroethylene. Investigators also recommended that connections between exhaust pipes and exhaust hoses be tightened and vehicular exhaust hoses be connected to exterior windows for proper ventilation. Employees were encouraged to clean skin with mild soap and water and apply moisturizing lotion to protect skin.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0055-3073.pdf.

R2p corner

NIOSH Joins National Seat Belt Pledge for Fire Fighters

NIOSH has joined other fire service organizations in supporting the National Seat Belt Pledge, an effort initiated in 2005 by the U.S. Fire Administration. Fire fighters pledge to wear a seat belt at all times while in a moving vehicle. Wearing a seat belt will reduce deaths and injuries while in fire apparatus and vehicles. More information on the Seat Belt Pledge is available at: http://www.trainingdivision.com/seatbeltpledge.asp, or e-mail Virginia Lutz of NIOSH at VLutz@cdc.gov.

Collaborative Opportunity – Evaluation of Downdraft Vented Nail Salon Tables

NIOSH researchers are soliciting partners, including developers, manufacturers, and vendors, to participate in a collaborative study involving the evaluation of downdraft-vented nail salon tables. For more information about this opportunity, please visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1193.htm or contact Susan Reutman at 513-533-8286, SReutman@cdc.gov.

NORA

National Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Agenda Finalized

The National Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Agenda is now available on the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) homepage (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/). The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector Council completed the agenda after considering public comments on the previous draft. The agenda is expected to evolve slowly based on additional input and evaluation and as its goals are accomplished. It consists of three strategic goals relevant to the whole sector, which are focused on surveillance; vulnerable populations; and outreach, communications and partnerships. Also, six strategic goals are focused on individual sub-sectors. Contact the NORA Coordinator (noracoordinator@cdc.gov) with any questions, suggestions, or to join others to work on these goals.

NIOSH Science Blog: Your Comments Wanted

Share your thoughts with us and others on the following topics on the NIOSH Science Blog:

Improved Criteria for Emergency Medical Protective Clothing http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb012009_ems.html

NO2 Emission Increases Associated with the use of Diesel Particulate Filters in Underground Mines http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb020209_no2.html

New Communication Products

The Work-Related Lung Disease Surveillance Report, 2007
The Work-Related Lung Disease (WoRLD) Surveillance Report 2007 provides information on various work-related respiratory diseases and associated exposures in the United States. The report describes where these diseases are occurring, who is affected, how frequently they occur, and temporal trends. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2008-143/

Take Pride in Your Job: Fall Protection—Video
This video is designed to be used in pre-shift or weekly safety meetings to raise awareness of fall injuries in the oil and gas extraction industry and to provide information about the use, proper fit, and inspection of fall protection (running time:10 minutes). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2009-108d/

Take Pride in Your Job: Seat Belts—Video
This video is designed to be used in pre-shift or weekly safety meetings to raise awareness of motor vehicle injuries in this industry and to provide information about the importance of buckling-up (running time: 11 minutes). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2009-109d/

The following mining communication products are now available:

Technology News 534 - QuickFit Earplug Test Device
Provides information on the QuickFit earplug test device. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3060.htm

Ergonomics and Risk Factor Awareness Training for Miners
The overall objective of Ergonomics and Risk Factor Awareness Training is to help reduce injuries and illnesses resulting from exposures to risk factors. Specifically, this training will increase awareness of risk factors and encourage miners to take action to report and reduce their exposures to risk factors. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2748.htm

The following communication products are now available en Español

Fact Sheet — Fatal Injuries among Landscape Services Workers (Spanish) (Hoja informativa: Lesiones mortales en trabajadores de servicios de jardinería) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2008-144_sp/

Control of Hazardous Dust During Tuckpointing (Spanish) (Control del polvo peligroso que se genera durante los procesos de reparación de mortero) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2008-126_sp/

Workplace Solution - Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers Who Work with Hazardous Drugs (Spanish) (Equipo de protección individual para trabajadores del sector de la salud que manipulan medicamentos peligrosos) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2009-106_sp/

To order NIOSH publications, CDs, and videos click here: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/niosh.aspx. Order up to 18 titles. Order limits are listed for each document. If you need additional information, please contact Sherri Diana at sdiana@cdc.gov or by calling 513-533-8471

New Topic Pages available en Español

Three NIOSH topic pages are now available en Español: Jardinerí (Landscaping) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/jardineria.html, Caídas desde Elevaciones (Falls from Elevation) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/caidas.html, and Pesticidas (Pesticides) http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/pesticidas.html.

Call for Abstracts

Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference, 52^nd Annual Meeting—Deadline February 14
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado. Call for abstracts (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml)

19^th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time: Health and Well-being in the 24-h Society — Deadline February 28, 2009
August 2–6, 2009, Venice, Italy. Call for papers http://www.shiftwork2009.it/

Measuring Air Pollutants by Diffusive Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques, International Conference—Deadline February 28, 2009
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow, Poland. Call for papers http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf

Third National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media—Deadline March 16 August 11–13, 2009, Atlanta, GA. Call for abstracts http://www.cdc.gov/healthmarketing/NCHCMM2009/

8^th International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health. “Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches — Deadline March 16, 2009
November 5–8, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Call for proposals http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo—Deadline March 1, 2009
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando, FL. Call for poster presentation submissions (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/index.cfm)

Upcoming Conferences

International Roofing Expo
February 3–5, 2009, Las Vegas, NV (http://www.theroofingexpo.com)

1^st Annual Voluntary Protection Program Association for Construction (VPPAC) Conference
February 5–7, 2009, Las Vegas, NV (www.vppac.org/conference)

International Conference on Road Safety at Work
February 16–18, 2009, Washington, DC (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/)

Healthy Aging for Workers: Anticipating the Occupational Safety and Health Needs of an Increasingly Aging Workforce February 17-18, 2009, Washington, DC (http://www.soeh.org/meeting/meeting.html)

19^th Annual Construction Safety Conference & Expo—Look for us!
February 17–19, 2009, Rosemont, IL (http://www.buildsafe.org/Conference/2008/index.html)

Engineers of the Future, Carnegie Science Center—Look for us!
February 20—21, 2009 Pittsburgh, PA http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=363

2009 Society of Mining Engineers (SME) Annual Meeting and Colorado Mining Association (CMA) 111^th Annual National Western Mining Conference
February 22–25, 2009, Denver, CO (http://www.smenet.org/)

Human & Environmental Exposure Assessment of Nanomaterials Workshop
February 24–25, 2009, Bethesday, MD http://www.nano.gov/html/meetings/exposure/

PPT Program Public Meeting—Look for us!
March 3, 2009, Pittsburgh, PA http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/

Emergency Nurses Association Leadership Conference
March 4–8, 2009, Reno, NV (http://www.ena.org)

FIERO Fire PPE Symposium—Look for us!
March 9–11, 2009, Charlotte, NC http://www.fireppesymposium.com

Association of PeriOperative Room Nurses—Look for us!
March 14–18, 2009, Chicago IL http://www.aorn.org

29^th Triennial Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH 2009)
March 22–27, 2009, Cape Town, South Africa (http://www.icoh2009.co.za)

EMS Update 2009—Look for us!
March 27–28, 2009, Champion PA http://www.emsupdate.com

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando, FL (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/)

Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) 2009
April 20–25, 2009, Indianapolis, IN (http://www.fdic.com/)

Symposium on Radiology of the Pneumoconioses
April 24–27, 2009, in Chantilly, VA (http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/MeetingsandEvents/FeaturedCategories/acr_meetings/
Pneumoconiosis042409.aspx

American Occupational Health Conference 2009
April 26–29, 2009, San Diego, CA (http://www.acoem.org/aohc09.aspx)

Occupational Hygiene 2009: Promoting a Healthy Working Environment
April 28–30, 2009, Eastbourne, UK (http://www.bohs.org/resources/res.aspx/Resource/filename/1275/Initial_Announcement_OH2009.pdf)

2009 Nanotech Conference & Exposition
May 3–7, 2009, Houston, TX (http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/)

SOPHE 2009 Midyear Conference: All that Jazz: Harmonizing Health Education Practice and Research to Advance Health Equity
May 6–May 9, 2009, New Orleans, LA http://www.sophe.org/

American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition (AIHce 2009)
May 30–June 4, 2009, Toronto, Canada http://www.aihce2009.org/

Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference, 52nd Annual Meeting—The Environment and the Lung:
Detection, Prevention and Mechanisms of Disease
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml )

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Exposition “SAFETY 2009”
June 28–June 30 2009, San Antonio, TX (http://www.asse.org)

2009 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Johnson Conference on Emerging IEQ Issues
July 13–16, 2009 in Burlington, VT. Email elight@building-dynamics.com for information.

19^th International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time: Health and Well-being in the 24-h Society
August 2–6, 2009, Venice, Italy http://www.shiftwork2009.it/

Third National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media
August 11–13, 2009, Atlanta, GA http://www.cdc.gov/healthmarketing/NCHCMM2009/

Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association Annual Conference— Look for us!
August 24–27, 2009, San Antonio, TX (http://www.vpppa.org/)

Academy of Certified Hazard Material Managers 2009 National Conference
August 30-September 2, 2009, San Diego, California.
http://www.achmm.org/sandiego2009/

Measuring Air Pollutants by Diffusive Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques International Conference
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow, Poland http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf

8^th International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health: Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches
November 5–8, 2009, San Juan, Puerto Rico http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh.html

Word of the Month

QuickFit is a low cost, easy-to-use device designed to check earplug fit and was developed by NIOSH to improve the level of hearing protection for workers exposed to hazardous noise on the job.

NIOSH eNews on the Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/

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A Safer Road Ahead