In This Issue |
Volume 13 Number 11 March 2016 | ||
From the Director’s DeskJohn Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH Effective Approaches for Hearing Loss PreventionHearing loss can’t be prevented using only tools and approaches from the 1980s. New approaches pay off.Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common work-related conditions. Many workplaces comply with requirements and do recommended interventions to prevent work-related hearing loss. Finding documentation that shows how effective these actions are can be hard, though. In recent years, NIOSH used both research and awards to assess effective interventions are and promote efforts to prevent workers from suffering noise-induced hearing loss. NIOSH has used theSafe-In-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award™ to identify and honor excellent real-world examples of noise control and other hearing loss prevention practices and innovations. NIOSH Announces New Associate Director for MiningNIOSH announces that Jessica Kogel, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new associate director for mining in the Office of the Director, effective February 8. In this role, Dr. Kogel leads the program to develop and carry out dynamic research to ensure the health and safety of mine workers. She also works to ensure the program continues to have the resources needed for conducting a multi-faceted and impactful research agenda. NIOSH Releases New Heat Stress InformationNIOSH is pleased to announce the release of the updated Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments.Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, illnesses, reduced productivity, and death. To address this hazard, NIOSH has evaluated the scientific literature on heat and hot environments, and the Institute has updated the criteria document, which was last revised in 1986. New NIOSH/OSHA Hazard Alert for Oil and Gas WorkersA new joint NIOSH and OSHA hazard alert identifies health and safety risks to oil and gas industry workers who manually gauge or sample fluids on production and flowback tanks. “Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites,” specifically recommends how employers can protect workers from hazards that occur when tank hatches are opened to manually gauge or sample hydrocarbon levels. New NIOSH Web Page Addresses Aerial Lift InjuriesAerial lifts—powered and mobile platforms used for raising workers to various heights—are popular at construction, warehousing, and many other job sites. Learn about the fall-related risks and recommended safe work practices associated with this equipment by visiting the new NIOSH Aerial Lifts web page. While you’re there, test our Hazard Recognition Simulator, which is designed to help you acclimate to an aerial lift operation. NIOSH Announces Mining and Mechanical Engineer VacanciesAnnouncements for NIOSH mining engineer and mechanical engineer jobs have been posted to USAJOBS. The positions will recruit current federal employees and non-federal employees at the GS-7/9/11 levels with a full promotion potential to a GS-12. These open continuous job announcements will be posted on USAJOBS for at least 1 year. Eligible applicants may apply for the mining engineer position through a vacancy announcement, HHS-CDC-D2-16- NIOSH Lead Contamination Research Cited In Recent HeadlinesA February Huffington Post article, “How Lead In Recycled Electronics Can Poison Workers' Families” refers to a July 2015 MMWR article by NIOSH investigators and outside colleagues on take-home lead contamination. NIOSH Researcher Talks Black Lung with NPRNIOSH epidemiologist, David Blackley, sits down with NPR’s Here & Now (hour 2, at time 10:57) to speak about coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, or “black lung,” the possible reasons for its prevalence and resurgence among coal miners in Appalachia, and what research NIOSH has done. He is joined by a third-generation coal miner who was recently diagnosed with advanced black lung disease. NIOSH Requests Comments on B Reader Review ProtocolA draft protocol to review chest x-ray classifications submitted into Black Lung Benefits proceedings has been posted for public comment. It helps to implement a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NIOSH and the Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. Comments will be accepted through April 18. The draft protocol is available on the NIOSH web site. NIOSH Requests Comments on NanoSilver and 1-bromopropane DocumentsNIOSH recently released two documents for public review, one on 1-bromopropane (comments can be submitted through April 29) and the other onnanosilver (comments can be submitted through April 22). NIOSH will also conduct public meetings on these documents:
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