NIOSH eNews - August, 2013

NIOSH eNews - August, 2013

From the Director’s Desk

John Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH

Work Stress and Health 2013: Protecting and Promoting Total Worker Health™

Recently NIOSH and partners at the American Psychological Association and the Society of Occupational Health Psychology hosted the 10th International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health in Los Angeles, California. Underscoring an emerging research area and priority for NIOSH, the conference was themed Work Stress and Health 2013: Protecting and Promoting Total Worker Health™.
Nearly 800 professionals from 39 countries, representing academia, labor, and industry, participated in this biennial event that addresses the changing nature of work and implications for the health, safety, and well-being of workers. The conference provided a rare opportunity for so many experts to meet face to face, share latest information, and stimulate research that will help practitioners better address the challenges of work, stress, and health in the 21st century.

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NIOSH Releases Nail Gun Safety Comic

NIOSH’s first safety comic—Straight Talk About Nail Gun Safety—is now available in English and Spanish. The comic provides critical safety information for potential and new pneumatic nail gun operators working in the residential building industry. The comic uses the theme of hands-on safety training by telling a story of a young worker getting advice about nail gun safety from a more experienced worker. NIOSH researchers Jim Albers, Steve Hudock, and Brian Lowe collaborated with cartoonist/illustrator Nick Thorkelson (http://nickthorkelson.com/) to develop the comic to accurately represent nail gun use on new building sites. Residential building stakeholder demand for the printed comic is high with nearly 80% of the English (21,000) and 55% of the Spanish (15,000) comics having been ordered in advance. View the document or request copies at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-149/.

NIOSH/OSHA Release 1-BP Alert

1-Bromopropane (1-BP), also known as n-propyl bromide (nPB), is an organic solvent used in a number of commercial and industrial applications, including degreasing operations, adhesive spray applications, dry cleaning operations, and some aerosol spray products. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and NIOSH recently released a hazard alert that will be a useful source of current information related to 1-BP workplace exposure and appropriate protections. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-150/

Talking Heads Come to NIOSH

Look for the latest NIOSH press release highlighting our new robotic manikin headform, or “talking head,” to be used for respirator fit research. NIOSH has collaborated with the Air Force Research Laboratory and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop this technology. The manikin head will greatly expand the opportunities for research into respirator inward leakage: ways in which respirator wearers may be exposed to various aerosol particles that could penetrate through the respirator or creep in through the sides as they go about their work. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-07-25-13.html.

Emergency Response Office Director Retires, New Director/Deputy Named

CAPT James Spahr is stepping down as the associate director of the NIOSH Emergency Preparedness and Response Office (EPRO) in preparation for his retirement from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps in October of 2013 after a distinguished 30-year career. Effective July 15, CDR Lisa Delaney has been appointed NIOSH EPRO associate director. Also on July 15, CAPT Renee Funk assumed the duties of the NIOSH EPRO deputy associate director.

A Day All About N95s!

It’s that time of year again! This September 5 will be NIOSH’s second N95 Day! For the best N95 resources, tune in to NIOSH’s social media, including the NIOSH Facebook page, on Twitter @NPPTL, and the NIOSH Science Blog. This year, we are particularly excited to host a webinar on how to emphasize a learning environment to enhance compliance and proper use of N95 respirators. In this webinar we will be debunking myths regarding respirator use. For more on how to sign up for the webinar, as well information on other N95 Day goodies, visit us via our social media channels like twitter (https://twitter.com/npptl)!

Get Ready for the New Health Insurance Marketplace

Beginning October 1, millions of Americans will have a new way to find affordable health coverage—including many free preventive services—on the new Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace will offer Americans a whole new way to shop for health insurance to gain greater access to affordable services such as physician visits, preventive care, hospital stays, and prescriptions. Through the same streamlined application process, many will find out if they are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program at the Marketplace. Community health centers and other organizations will be funded to help consumers navigate the new Marketplace. Consumers can learn more about the Marketplace now and get ready to enroll by visiting HealthCare.gov or the Spanish-language site CuidadoDeSalud.gov or by calling the new 24-hours-a-day consumer call center at 1-800-318-2596. Hearing impaired callers using TTY/TDD technology can call 1-855-889-4325 for assistance.

Upcoming Webinars on Respiratory Protection and Fit Test Panels

NIOSH will host a webinar on August 20, from 1:00 to 3:00 EDT. This webinar, Variability of Respirator Fit Test Panels—NIOSH Study Results, Part 2, will provide attendees further opportunity to discuss the information presented in Part 1 on July 23. This webinar will include further information concerning implementation of subject panels for NIOSH certification of respirators. Pre-registration is required. http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/npptl/resources/certpgmspt/meetings/08202013/
NIOSH and the University of IOWA’s Heartland Center for Occupational Safety and Health will host a webinar on August 27 on respiratory protection: How to Best Protect from Workplace Exposures. The objectives of this webinar include sharing recent clinical events and related research findings on breaches in respiratory protective compliance as well as suggested strategies to reinforce healthcare workers’ proper use of respiratory protection. The webinar will begin at 11:30 and is open to all who wish to participate. To register, or for more information, go to https://www.magnetmail.net/events?93104ab26dce4e45885cb0df5bc78cdda.