Search NIOSH | NIOSH Home | NIOSH Topics | Site Index | Databases and Information Resources | NIOSH Products | Contact Us |
NIOSH Programs > Personal Protective Technology > Occupational Risks
Personal Protective TechnologyInputs: Occupational Safety and Health RisksExposures, fatalities, and injuries among the nation’s workers are substantially reduced with the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and technologies. It is estimated that 20 million workers use PPE on a regular basis to protect them from job hazards and a total of 135,000 workers potentially could benefit from the use of PPE (Worker Health Chartbook 2004). PPE protects workers from death and disabling injuries and illnesses as well as from the specific threats of exposures to certain airborne biological particles, chemical agents, splashes, noise exposures, fall hazards, head hazards, and fires. The use of personal protective technologies crosses all industry sectors. Summaries describing the illnesses, injuries and fatalities within the various industry sectors are described in the PPE strategies found below.
These strategy documents summarize the surveillance data needs and issues relative to each industry sector and serve as guides for developing the future PPT Program within each industry sector. A mining strategy was not developed due to the extensive surveillance and adequate direction for PPT in the Mining Program. Improvements and changes in the personal protective technology industries are realized in the form of standards and regulations, revisions and alterations to existing standards, subsequent availability of PPE complying with the standards and regulations, and demonstrations of PPE use. Other important impacts of the PPT Program have resulted from reduced exposure to inhalation, dermal, and injury hazards. Reduced exposure often correlates directly with reduced injuries, diseases, and death. We have made such impacts in strengthened legislation, new regulations, improved technology, increased use of personal protective technologies, and effective communication/education. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational fatality information can be found in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Nonfatal Injuries and IllnessesBLS data on occupational injuries and illnesses NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook, 2004 |
NIOSH Program:Personal Protective Technology |
||||||
Page last updated:
December 31, 2008
Page last reviewed: December 31, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
|||||||