Volume
4 Number 8 December 2006 |
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International Nanotechnology Conference Underway |
NIOSH
Begins Study of Construction Worker Falls and Close Calls NIOSH
Inactivates Draft Document on World Trade Center Postmortem Exam
Guidelines |
r2p Corner NORA Around NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (DRDS) |
Division
of Safety Research (DSR) Education
and Information Division (EID) Health Effects Laboratory
Division (HELD) National Personal
Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) Spokane Research
Laboratory (SRL) |
News
From Our Partners Mark your calendars: Important paper and poster submission deadlines. Communication
Products Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities Sector Upcoming
Events |
As we look ahead to 2007, I encourage you to watch upcoming issues of NIOSH eNews for new information on the WorkLife Initiative. We anticipate much activity on WorkLife in coming months, in laying the groundwork for a major conference on September 10-11, 2007, in Washington, D.C. A few words by way of background: In Fall 2004, NIOSH and more than 50 co-sponsors and supporters held a national symposium called “Steps to a Healthier U.S. Workforce.” We and our partners proposed that the time has come to explore the integration of health protection and health promotion in the workplace. Numerous case studies and anecdotal reports have suggested that a comprehensive approach to occupational health makes sense for the 21st Century workplace. However, most efforts have not been evaluated in a rigorous, scientific way. Absent that level of scientific review, we do not know if or to what extent we can generalize from the limited experience available to us. Participants at the 2004 symposium strongly encouraged NIOSH to lead a robust effort to address those questions. There is a particular need, they suggested, for strong research to develop and evaluate integrated work-based health interventions, for partnerships to engage diverse stakeholders in identifying and promoting effective practices, and for wide dissemination of information. Since then, we have worked to incorporate those recommendations into our program activities and program planning. A notable development in this regard was our 2005 request for applications to fund new, university-based Centers for Excellence to Promote a Healthier Workforce. Two centers – one at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the other at the University of Iowa – were funded earlier this year, as we announced in last month’s edition of NIOSH eNews. We look forward to working with our partners in the coming months to plan a stimulating, productive exchange at the September 2007 conference. More information on the background of the WorkLife Initiative, as well as names and e-mail addresses of NIOSH contacts, can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife. Please mark September 10-11, 2007, on your calendar. Watch for more information in the next few months, and please consider ways to take part in this historic initiative. As we post our last
edition of NIOSH eNews for 2006, I want to thank you for your interest
in our activities and accomplishments. I am gratified that NIOSH contributed
in many significant ways this year to our shared goal of preventing work-related
injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Further challenges await us in the New
Year, and I look forward to your continued enthusiasm in helping us to
address them. |
NIOSH, the University
of Cincinnati and other partners will cosponsor the “International Conference on Nanotechnology, Occupational
and Environmental Health and Safety: Research to Practice” on December
4-7 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Participants will share the latest findings, interim
recommendations, and practices for managing the occupational and environmental
health and safety implications of nanomaterials along the life-cycle of
those products. Additionally, the conference will explore nanotechnology’s
potential as a new tool for detecting, preventing and treating work-related
illnesses. Further information on the conference is available at http://www.uc.edu/noehs.
More information on NIOSH research and interim recommendations on occupational
safety and health implications and applications of nanotechnology is available
at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech. |
NIOSH Begins Study of Construction Worker Falls and Close Calls |
NIOSH, the Center
to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR)
and the District Council of Northern New Jersey of the International Association
of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers are collaborating
to improve the prevention of falls and close calls in construction. Falls
are the number one cause of fatal injuries in construction. Apprentices
and journeymen will evaluate two training tools to promote hazard recognition
on job sites. Discussions with journeymen ironworkers who have experience
with falls and close calls will be used to identify and eliminate working
conditions that may contribute to close calls and falls. Contact Ted Scharf
at TScharf@cdc.gov for more information on this research project. NIOSH
resources on construction safety are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumastruct.html. |
NIOSH Inactivates Draft Document on World Trade Center Postmortem Exam Guidelines |
Based on independent
scientific reviews, NIOSH will no longer develop the archived draft document, “Standardized Postmortem Examination
Guidelines for Individuals Dying After Environmental Exposures Related to
the Collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.” NIOSH
will instead pursue other avenues for documenting long-term health effects
from exposure to air contaminants from the WTC disaster. From our evaluation
of the independent reviews, it appears that other avenues are more likely
to achieve our goal, and that of our partners, of reducing uncertainties
in assessing WTC health effects. NIOSH thanks the reviewers and will respond
as suggested. A link to the archived draft document and external scientific
reviews is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/wtc/WTC_examguidel-draft.html. |
NIOSH
begins testing prototype for rapid detection of anthrax vaccination
status in the field
|
NORA
Town Hall meeting in Puerto Rico |
Diversity
in NIOSH
Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) Division of Respiratory Disease Studies (DRDS) Division of Safety Research (DSR) Education and Information Division (EID) Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) The Engineering Evaluation team conducted two quality assurance manual audits to evaluate the quality assurance process and manufacturing practices. One product audit was initiated. The Certified Product Investigation Process completed two evaluations of previously certified products.
Spokane Research Laboratory (SRL) |
Liberty
Mutual Research Institute announces senior research openings. Mark your calendars: Important paper and poster submission deadlines.
|
NIOSH releases five new Health Hazard Evaluation Reports. Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities Sector
|
Call for Papers issued for the following conferences.
|
Pneumoconiosis is the term for a class of respiratory diseases caused by the inhalation
of dust. Lung damage can occur due to the body’s reaction to dust
particles which have settled in the lung. The pneumoconioses include
the major fibrotic lung diseases such as asbestosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis,
and silicosis, as well as less common diseases such as siderosis and
berylliosis. More information on pneumoconiosis can be found on the NIOSH
topic page, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pneumoconioses. |
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