Health Hazard Evaluations
Outputs: Publications
After a hazard evaluation is complete, NIOSH reports its findings and recommendations to employers, employees, and employee representatives. Verbal reports are normally provided to employer and employee representatives during a closing conference at the conclusion of a site visit and by telephone. Often, results are only preliminary or incomplete at that time. Written interim reports are sometimes provided while an investigation is still in progress.
When all the information and data have been analyzed, NIOSH issues a report of its final determination, giving findings and recommendations. Copies of this report are sent to the requestor, the employer, employee representatives, OSHA, and other appropriate agencies. The final report is considered public information.
NIOSH HHE reports are available can be accessed using the following search:
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Tip: Enter Search terms based on topic (e.g., exposure or disease), company name, or HHE number.
New Health Hazard Evaluations
Evaluation of heat-related illnesses in the Manufacturing Sector.
HETA-2003-0311-3052
NIOSH responded to a confidential employee request at a glass bottle manufacturer concerning heat-related illnesses among employees in the forming department. HHE program researchers performed a survey of the forming department, interviewed department employees, reviewed OSHA 300 logs, and took heat measurements. Researchers found that employees were not exposed to excessive heat at the time of the NIOSH investigation, but may be exposed to higher heat levels during the summer months. HHE program researchers recommended that facility managers develop and implement educational and surveillance programs regarding hot work environments, and allow employees to take unscheduled breaks if they feel ill due to the hot conditions. Researchers also recommended that a preventative maintenance schedule be set up for facility coolers. HHE program researchers recommended that employees alert their supervisors if they begin to feel ill due to the heat, drink plenty of fluids, and create a buddy system to watch for signs of heat-related conditions in coworkers.
Evaluation of exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs)in the Manufacturing Sector.
HETA-2005-0227-3049
NIOSH responded to a union request concerning dermal exposure to MWFs by employees working in a chain manufacturing plant. NIOSH found that employees had direct skin contact with MWFs, and several of the employees interviewed had rashes consistent with work-related contact dermatitis. Chemical analysis also showed that bulk MWFs contained a mix of skin irritants and allergens, and some samples also contained formaldehyde, showing an overall poor maintenance of MWFs in the plant. NIOSH recommended that a comprehensive MWF maintenance program be established at the plant, and that MWFs and biocides be replaced with less irritating components. NIOSH researchers also recommended that the plant educate employees about personal protective equipment (PPE), good skin care, and the hazards of MWF exposure.
Evaluation of noise levels in the Healthcare & Social Assistance Sector.
HETA-2007-0183-3047
NIOSH responded to a management request at a hospital concerning noise exposures to personnel in the nutrition and food service department. NIOSH completed noise dosimetry measurements on food service workers and took sound level measurements throughout the work area. NIOSH found that the readings did not exceed OSHA criteria, but two employees’ measurements did exceed the NIOSH recommended exposure limit. NIOSH recommended that metal racks and utensils be replaced with non-metal, food-safe materials to reduce metal-to-metal contact noise. NIOSH also recommended that food service employees wear hearing protection devices until noise levels are reduced in high exposure areas.
Evaluation of work stress in the Services Sector.
HETA-1999-0199-3053
NIOSH responded to a management and union request at a police department concerning work stress and noise exposure to dispatchers and 911 emergency phone operators. NIOSH researchers interviewed managers and employees, administered questionnaires examining workplace stressors and health-related outcomes, took saliva samples to assess physiologic reactions to stress, and evaluated noise exposure levels in the work area. NIOSH found that over 35% of employees self-reported symptoms consistent with major depression and 25% reported symptoms consistent with anxiety. Testing showed that salivary cortisol levels were not associated with self-reported data concerning work stressors. Further testing found that ambient noise levels measured in the work area were acceptable for office communication. NIOSH recommended that social support systems be improved within the organization, and that management and employees work to remedy routine problems in order to improve job satisfaction and reduce stress levels. Researchers also recommended that non-work-related conversations be limited in the call room to minimize distraction and reduce background noise.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Occupational Noise Levels During Emergency Relief Operations in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2007 Apr; 4(4):D33-D35
Workplace related lower extremities disorders: Workplace adaptations with case studies.
Margarita Nordin, Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace, Mosby.
Protecting Poultry Workers from Exposure to Avian Influenza Viruses.
Public Health Report v123(3):316-322.
Noise exposures from Canines and hearing loss among police officers assigned to Canine Unit.
Noise and Health.
Blood-borne pathogens among firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2005 9(2):236 247.
The effect of filter material on bioaerosol collection of Bacillus subtilis spores used as a Bacillis anthracis stimulant.
J Environ Monit 2005 7(5):475 480.
Physical collection efficiency of filter materials for bacteria and viruses.
Ann Occup Hyg 2007 51(2):143 151.
Needs and opportunities for research in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005 171(7):792 798.
Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: II. chemical surveys.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(8)406 413.
Eye and respiratory symptoms in poultry processing work.
Am J Ind Med 2006 49(2):119 126.
Air contaminant exposures among transportation security administration checked baggage screeners at four international airports.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2006 3(4):D36 41.
Causes and prevention of symptom complaints in office buildings: Distilling the experience of indoor environmental quality investigators.
Facilities 2006 24(11/12):436 444.
Airborne hexamethylene diisocyanate and particulate matter exposures during fire/rescue vehicle ladder finishing operations.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2006 3(3):D28 32.
Methodologic issues regarding Stachyhemolysin and Stachyrase-A as clinical biomarkers.
Med Sci Monit 2005 11(9):LE7 8.
Evaluation of the NIOSH MWF total particular matter: Thoracic particulate matter conversion factor in a machining environment.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(4):293 243.
Floodwater exposure and the related health symptoms among firefighters in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005.
Am J Ind Med 2007 50(5):377 382.
Depressive symptoms among firefighters and related factors after the response to Hurricane Katrina.
J Urban Health 2007 84(2):153 161.
Physical and mental health symptoms among NYC transit workers seven and one-half months after WTC attacks.
Am J Ind Med 2005 47(6):475 483.
Acute symptoms associated with asphalt fume exposure among road pavers.
Am J Ind Med 2006 49(9):728 739.
Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: I. Noise surveys.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(8):383 390.
Occupational exposures during the World Trade Center disaster response.
Toxicol Ind Health 2005 17(5–10):247 253.
Book Chapters
Conducting workplace investigations.
Occupational and Environmental Health. Philadelphia PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005 Nov, 683 696.
Tuberculosis.
Preventing occupational disease and injury, 2nd edition. American Public Health Association, 2005, 492 499.
Conference Proceedings
The magnitude, science base, and solutions for one of the largest occupational health problems in the United States.
Proceedings of the International Conference of Occupational Health, Singapore. (In press).
Causes and prevention of symptom complaints in office buildings: Distilling the experience of indoor environmental quality investigators.
Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate. INDOOR AIR 2005, Beijing, China.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program.
Proceedings of the Thirty-Ninth Annual Conference on Occupational Safety and Health. Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Seoul, Korea.
MMWR Articles
Inhalation anthrax associated with dried animal hides--Pennsylvania and New York City, 2006.
MMWR 55(10):280 282.
Health hazard evaluation of police officers and firefighters after Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17–28 and November 30–December 5, 2005.
MMWR 55(16):456 458.
Mold prevention strategies and possible health effects in the aftermath of hurricanes and major floods.
MMWR 55(RR08):1 27.
Nonfatal injuries following Hurricane Katrina -- New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005.
MMWR 55(2):213 217.
Professional Association Publications
Respirable silica: A health hazard to coatings professionals.
Coatings Pro 2006 6(1):16 17, 105.
Respirable silica: A health hazard for roofers working with cement tiles.
Professional Roofing 2006 35(8):36 41.
Preventing the toxic hand-off.
Occupational Hazards 2005 67(9):53 61.
The nail salon next door.
National Association of Local Boards of Health Newsletter (NewsBrief) Third quarter, 2006, 7.
Elimination of silicosis in the Americas.
Global Occupational Health Network (GOHNET) Newsletter 2007 (12):10 12.
Silica hazard found in the cement tile roofing industry.
The Synergist 2007 18(3):38 39.
Time-weighted averages and fire fighter hearing loss.
CAOHC 2004 Update 16(2):4,10.
Noise exposure in aircraft passenger cabins during flight operations.
Spectrum 2006 23(Sup 1):25.
Page last updated: August 5, 2008
Page last reviewed: August 5, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
