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Forestry is one of the most hazardous occupations, due in part to the biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial aspects of the job. Here, we review health risks in forestry occupations, including those in professional and technical forestry, logging, and forestry support, from the standpoint of biological (e.g. insects/arachnids, plants), chemical (e.g. diesel exhaust), ergonomic (e.g. awkward postures, forceful motions), physical (temperature, noise, vibrations, radiation), and psychosocial (e.g. workplace factors that cause stress, strain, or interpersonal problems for the worker) issues. We conducted a systematic review over a 10-year period (2011–2021) to assess health hazards identified in studies conducted on these occupations and reveal knowledge gaps for future studies to address. This study focuses on occupational health rather than occupational safety. Other forestry worker occupational health and safety studies have focused on analyzing injuries and deaths directly relating to transportation and/or contact with objects such as trees or logs and equipment; however, the areas of occupational health highlighted here have been understudied. Future work should focus on these areas, with an emphasis on intervention strategies that eliminate or mitigate the deleterious health effects of occupational exposures. Study Implications: Forestry workers are exposed to occupational health hazards in their outdoor workplace. This review analyzes published work for a 10-year period (2011–2021) with broader implications such as (1) greater understanding of gaps in the literature for key occupational health hazards facing United States forestry workers and (2) better information on the need for more in-depth studies to collect information about exposure assessments to improve worker protection. This literature review can help forestry workers, managers, and scientists mitigate exposures and protect health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The routine use of heat-producing tools in the perioperative setting generates surgical smoke. Surgical smoke poses a known health hazard for perioperative staff working in the operating room. Objective: The objective of this best practice project was to promote evidence-based practices regarding surgical plume management in a pediatric operating room. Methods: This project was guided by the JBI Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare and used the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and the Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback strategy to promote evidence-based practices regarding surgical smoke management in a pediatric operating room. Seven audit criteria representing best-practice recommendations were used. A baseline audit was conducted, followed by the implementation of multiple strategies developed by the key stakeholders. The project was finalized with a follow-up audit to determine any changes in compliance with best-practice recommendations. Results: Baseline audit data indicated an average of 41% compliance with best practices across all audit criteria, revealing the need for significant improvement in five of the seven criteria. Three barriers were identified and strategies were implemented, including the development and implementation of an educational module and a surgical smoke exposure risk assessment tool. Follow-up audits showed an overall improvement of 30% among five of the seven audit criteria. Conclusions: This project yielded improvements with best practices for surgical smoke management in the perioperative setting. However, additional work is required to ensure the sustainability of best practices in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study examined the occupational health and safety (OHS) issues that impact environmental public health workforces across various health departments in the U.S. The objective was to generate an OHS risk profile for the workforce to inform future preventative strategies. Data for our study were collected via a cross-sectional online survey (N = 158) supplemented by a virtual focus group (N = 7) discussion to confirm and explore some of the themes and data items that emerged from the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to provide information about the variables in the data sets and to identify relationships between them. Nonparametric tests were used to determine statistical significance between two or more variables that were not normally distributed. Focus group data were analyzed thematically. Our study indicates that the environmental health (EH) workforce in the U.S. is exposed to a range of significant workplace hazards. Some of the OHS concerns identified in our study are similar to those observed in Australia and New Zealand. Biological and chemical exposures appear to be important hazards; however, further study is required to determine the nature and mechanism of these hazards within the EH workforce. Furthermore, our study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the health and safety of EH professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian and Asian Americans (A/AA) are a group overlooked in general health outcomes but especially occupational safety and health outcomes. In the United States, the beauty service microbusiness industry (e.g., nail salons) predominantly employs immigrant Asian women who regularly encounter a plethora of occupational hazards (e.g., harmful chemical exposures -toluene, formaldehyde, bloodborne pathogens, fungi. However, due to the precariousness of beauty service jobs, cultural and linguistic barriers, and social determinants of health, A/AA beauty service workers face complex occupational safety and health challenges that require interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural competency to address. This commentary will discuss a multi-level approach including specific outreach partners that will offer the required diverse skillsets necessary for improving the occupational safety and health for this worker population in this microbusiness industry. Implications and suggestions for interventions and policy changes are also recommended utilizing the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities' Research Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) continues to be a pervasive problem for the nation's workforce, particularly the nation's mining personnel. As one of the leading health and safety organizations in the world, the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) in Pittsburgh maintains a Hearing Loss Prevention Program (HLPP) to conduct research to reduce NIHL loss among the nation's miners. This document provides a brief overview of this HLPP, describing some of the research techniques involved in the development of engineering noise controls, methods for the development of administrative noise controls, and some of the products available to the public to protect the nation's workers hearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an opioid hazard awareness module for inclusion in required miner safety refresher training. The module was disseminated throughout the United States and post-training surveys showed improved knowledge and positive response to the training. Clinicians can improve care of high-risk worker patients by recommending employer support for such training. Objective: In response to elevated risk factors, an opioid hazard awareness training for the sand, stone, and gravel mining sector was developed and embedded in annual safety training. Methods: After positive results from a prior study among Massachusetts workers, a revised training was disseminated across the United States. Two hundred post-training surveys were obtained and compared with results from the Massachusetts cohort. Results: Participants' knowledge about opioid-based medications, confidence in talking to a doctor about opioids and/or to a coworker about their own use of opioids, and ability to refer struggling coworkers to resources improved. Massachusetts respondents had slightly more favorable responses. Both cohorts had strong positive views of the training. Conclusions: These results highlight the feasibility and effectiveness of opioid hazard prevention training for a high-risk worker population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fumes created from welding activities present a unique occupational hazard. Due to the complex processes which govern fume formation, the characterization of welding fumes is difficult. Emission factors (EFs) are one method to characterize fume formation from different processes and scenarios. This paper reviews the development of EFs and similar metrics both historic research which contributed to the US EPAs AP-42 summary of welding emission factors released in 1995, and more recent research initiatives. Through a critical analysis of what research has been done in this area and the strength of the emission factors developed, this paper proposes a set of recommendations for future research. Research on emission factors for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is the most complete amongst the different types of electric arc welding. Despite it being generally known that flux core arc welding (FCAW) creates significant fume emissions compared to some of the other processes few studies have looked at FCAW since the AP-42. Shielded metal arc welding is also under-researched particularly in terms of metal-specific emission factors. The influence of different welding activity parameters such as welding location, speed or current is well defined for GMAW but requires more attention for other welding processes. Further effort towards compiling and comparing available emission factor data of quality, evaluating the available data statistically and organizing this data in a practically useful way is required. The availability of reliable emission factors will allow the development or improvement of exposure modelling tools that would be very useful for exposure assessment when monitoring is not practical.s [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on characterizing occupational health in the cannabis cultivation industry. Topics include need to identify the health and safety needs of cannabis workers and lay plans for unified and coordinated research and advocacy efforts; and Marijuana Reform pardoning Federal offenses of simple marijuana possession and initiating review of federal scheduling.

This article discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the American workforce, symptoms of Long COVID syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and ways to avoid triggering its symptoms when sanitizing the workplace and using Universal Design practices to increase accessibility and decrease transmission of COVID-19 among workers. Interface with healthcare providers, rehabilitation professionals, and employers is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workers in the electric power industry commonly perform physically demanding jobs in hot environments, which combined with the protective clothing worn, places them at risk of disease and health problems related to occupational heat stress. With climate change fueling an increase in the occurrence of hot weather, a targeted approach to heat stress management within the industry is needed. To better understand current heat management practices and identify opportunities for refinement, we conducted an exploratory survey among 33 electric utility companies operating in the United States (n = 32) and Canada (n = 1). Forty-six employees responsible for health and safety of company workers completed 26 questions assessing heat stress as a workplace hazard and heat management practices within five categories: (1) use and administration of heat stress management program; (2) surveillance of heat stress and heat strain; (3) job evaluation and heat-mitigation guidance; (4) education and training programs; and (5) treatment of heat-related illness. While a majority of the respondents (87.0%) indicated heat stress is a workplace hazard and their organization has a heat stress management program (78.3%), less than half reported performing real-time monitoring of heat stress in the workplace (47.8%) or tracking worker heat strain (19.6%) (i.e., physiological response to heat stress). However, most organizations indicated they conducted pre-job evaluations for heat stress (71.7%) and implemented an employee training program on managing heat stress (73.9%). The latter included instruction on various short- and long-term heat-mitigation guidance for workers (e.g., use of work exposure limits, hydration protocols) and the prevention (52.2%) and treatment (63.1%) of heat-related illnesses. Altogether, our survey demonstrates that although many companies employ some form of a heat management program, the basic components defining the programs vary and are lacking for some companies. To maximize worker health and safety during work in hot environments, a consensus-based approach, which considers the five basic components of a heat management program, should be employed to formulate effective practices and methodologies for creating an industry-specific heat management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Occupational health professionals (OHPs) are in a unique position to impact the health and well-being of employees at work and outside of work. One way of achieving this holistic health goal is to integrate the concept of Total Worker Health® (TWH) into the organization's culture. It is critical for OHPs to develop the ability to incorporate TWH into their practices, yet there are gaps in our understanding of OHP's attitudes toward change and toward TWH, their level of TWH knowledge, and the number of OHPs who have adopted TWH. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to a national sample of 4,777. This cross-sectional study used Qualtrics to record survey responses measuring knowledge of TWH, attitude toward change, resistance to change, transformational leadership ability, perception of organizational readiness, and leadership commitment. Findings: The total sample size was 253 (5.3%). Most respondents were bachelors prepared nurses (75.1%) with greater than 10 years' experience (71.5%) and employed in manufacturing (42.6%). Approximately 74% (n = 125) of respondents knew about TWH, but did not have a program in place or were unsure of the existence of one. A high percentage (74.0%) were open to implementing TWH, had favorable attitudes toward change (M = 3.9 on a 5-point Likert-type scale), but needed education on how to move forward (56.0%). Conclusions/Application to Practice: Findings suggest that most OHPs know about TWH, but generally have not adopted the TWH concept at their worksites. However, they are open to implementing TWH programs and have favorable attitudes toward change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on the concept of precarious employment and longstanding hazards of employment in meat packing and meat processing. Topics include characterized by low wage, poor protection from termination, absence of access to regulatory protections, and benefits associated with standard employment; and experiencing high levels of precariousness as a consequence of job insecurity and economic and political powerlessness.

The article offers information on vulnerability of nurse and physicians with COVID-19 pandemics. Topics include examines that the pandemic has led to illness, death and economic destruction and has challenged healthcare systems globally for a range of reasons as in developed economies, the focus on noncommunicable diseases rather than infectious diseases has caught us short.

Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure levels encountered by wildland firefighters (WLFs) throughout their work shift can change considerably within a few minutes due to the varied tasks that are performed and the changing environmental and fire conditions encountered throughout the day. In a U.S. Forest Service study during the 2009–2012 fire seasons, WLFs from 57 different fires across the U.S. were monitored for CO using CO data-logging detectors while an observer recorded worker tasks, fire characteristics, and environmental conditions at scheduled intervals. Exposures to CO for 735 WLF's work shifts were analyzed to assess the effect of variations among work tasks, fire characteristics, and environmental conditions. Geometric mean full shift time-weighted averages were low at 2.4 parts per million (ppm) and average length of work shift was 11 hr and 15 min. The task with the highest mean CO exposure was sawyer/swamper at 6.8 ppm; workers performing that task had an estimated 9 times higher odds of a having a 1-min CO measurement exceeding 25 ppm than the referent pump task (OR = 8.89, 95% CI = 1.97, 40.24). After adjusting CO exposure limits for shift length, elevation, and work level, 2% and 4% of the WLF's work shifts exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended exposure level and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist's threshold limit value, respectively. In regression modeling, variables that were significantly associated with elevated levels of CO exposure included: task, fuel model, wind orientation, crew type, relative humidity, type of attack, and wind speed. In the absence of instruments such as CO detectors that can determine and alert WLFs to elevated CO levels, recognition of the conditions that lead to elevated levels of CO exposure can assist WLFs to effectively use administrative controls, such as work rotations, to minimize exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-fatal injuries in the high risk US Dungeness crab fishery have been under-documented, despite their potential for lost work time and income, long-term disability, and early unwanted retirement. The Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) characterized injuries in this fishery, in order to identify work hazards and inform injury control measures. Methods: The FLIPP injury survey was completed by 426 fishermen in 23 Washington, Oregon, and California fishing ports prior to the 2015–2016 Dungeness crab season; 413 (97%) provided injury information for this analysis. Participants indicated whether they had been injured in the previous 12 months, described the injury, any treatments received, and whether the injury limited their ability to work. Results: Participants were mostly male (98%), more than half (56.6%) worked as deckhands, and reported considerable fishing experience (median = 14 years, interquartile range 5–27). Eighty-nine fishermen (21.5%) reported an injury incident in the past year, of which 49 (55.1%) were limiting. The 89 incidents yielded 102 injuries, of which nearly two-thirds were sprains/strains (23, 22.5%), surface wounds/bruises (17, 15.0%), cuts (18, 17.6%), or punctures (11, 10.8%). More severe injuries, including eight fractures, were rare. The majority of injuries received either no treatment (27, 26.5%) or first aid (35, 34.3%); clinical care was less common (22, 21.6%), and emergency care rare (3, 2.9%). Conclusion: One in five Dungeness crab fishermen reported an injury incident in the previous year. Most injuries were not severe and did not result in clinical care, but approximately half were work-limiting. Control measures must account for the remote and resource-limited workplace in commercial fishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvesting timber for lumber produces is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. While not exhaustive, the literature on these dangers is substantial. However, several other smaller harvesting forest based industries put workers at risk in unique ways. Relatively little research has been published on these activities, but preliminary exploratory research, summarized here, suggests that besides the risks inherent in being in the forest, workers face some unique workplace risks, the frequency and consequences of which are augmented by the social determinants that characterize the workforce. This paper provides a brief overview of the workplace safety risks to forest green and mushroom harvesters and cedar block cutters in the Northwest. We also point out the social characteristics of these workforces that potentially aggravate these risks and the health impacts therefrom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest workers, including loggers, foresters, and wildland firefighters, are regularly exposed to some of the most fatal occupational environments in the United States. These hazardous work environments may become even more complex and dynamic when subject to bark beetle outbreaks that have resulted in significant tree mortality. The impacts of tree death from bark beetles are significant, with the cumulative 17-year (2000–2016) footprint for bark beetle caused tree mortality estimated at 54 million acres. However, how workers think about and act in these environments is understudied. This study, therefore, approaches the issue of beetle kill and forest worker safety by examining the perspectives or workers themselves. Its contribution is to leverage ethnographic research to provide insights that can generate new research questions, better inform outreach, and ultimately improve worker safety outcomes. The resulting insights show that beetle kill was understood by workers as a hazard that increased the complexity and dynamism of the work environment, making situational awareness both more necessary and more difficult to maintain. While much research about situational awareness focuses on hazardous situations, it is suggested that building adequate situational awareness should also include broader considerations of organizational communication, as well as training and experience considered over the course of entire careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ants, bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets (insects in Order Hymenoptera) are potentially a serious concern to outdoor workers, as the venom from their stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. This study assessed the impacts of Hymenoptera stings and related worker training regimes of forestry workers across the United States (US). Methods: A survey was distributed to nearly 2,000 outdoor workers in the forestry industry from four US regions (South, West, Northeast, and Midwest). Results: Ants are a primary concern in the South, with >75% of participants reporting ant stings within the last 5 years. Bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets are a concern for surveyed foresters in all US regions, with 60–70% and 75–93% of participants, respectively, having been stung by bees or hornets/wasps/yellow jackets within the last 5 years. Despite such a large number of participants experiencing stings, nearly 75% of participants were not concerned about being stung or their reaction to stings. Approximately, 70% of participants reported not having received any safety training related to Hymenoptera from their employers. Conclusion: No significant difference was shown in the number of foresters stung at work between safety trained and non-safety trained participants. However, it was significantly more likely for participants to carry a first aid kit if they had received Hymenoptera safety training. Consequently, more comprehensive and frequent training should be considered to help reduce risk of exposure to Hymenoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on monitoring of surface contamination of hazardous drugs and considerations for remediation. It discusses the BD HD Check system that uses LFIA technology and is the first and only rapid high-definition detection and monitoring system that delivers results in less than 10 minute. It cites a table that looks at examples of exposure control.

Many health care organizations are making changes to their hazardous medication surveillance program (HMSP) in response to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) <800> standards. Absence of best practices for HMSPs and limitations on the ability of such programs to correlate health effects identified on surveillance with workplace exposures historically have left health care institutions to determine if and how to design an HMSP for their workforce. Within this article one approach to the design of an HMSP is discussed and resources such as a health questionnaire and declination form are included that could be modified or adopted by other health care organizations. This information is intended to generate further discussion and collaboration among leaders of employee occupational health services on a national level to address the benefits and challenges of HMSPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Commercial fishing is a global industry that has been frequently classified as high-risk. The use of detailed surveillance data is critical in identifying hazards. Methods The purpose of this study was to provide updated statistics for the entire US fishing industry during 2010-2014, generate fleet-specific fatality rates using a revised calculation of full-time equivalent estimates, and examine changes in the patterns of fatalities and in risk over a 15-year period (2000-2014). Results During 2010-2014, 188 commercial fishing fatalities occurred in the United States. Vessel disasters and falls overboard remain leading contributors to commercial fishing deaths. The Atlantic scallop fleet stands out for achieving substantial declines in the risk of fatalities over the 15-year study period. However, fatality rates ranged from 21 to 147 deaths per 100 000 FTEs, many times higher than the rate for all US workers. Conclusions Although the number of fatalities among commercial fishermen in the United States has generally declined since 2000, commercial fishing continues to have one of the highest occupational fatality rates in the United States. The sustainable seafood movement could assist in improving the health and safety of fishing industry workers if worker well-being was integrated into the definition of sustainable seafood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on interaction of health and safety of health care workers and patients in the healthcare system of the U.S. It discusses the report titled "To Err is Human" in 2000 published by the U.S. Institute of Medicine related to patient safety. It mentions a Summit hosted by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and the Underwriters Laboratories Integrated Health and Safety Institute (ULIHSI) related to the issues.

A first person narrative is presented that explores the author's experience of getting the Leader in the Field award for 2019.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data available to assess the occupational health and safety risk associated with exposure to monoclonal antibodies. Industry standards and published guidelines are conflicting or outdated. Guidelines offer contrary recommendations based on an array of methodological approaches. This survey aimed to describe current practices, beliefs and attitudes relating to the handling of monoclonal antibodies by Australian medical, nursing and pharmacy clinicians. Methods: An electronic survey was distributed between June and September 2013. Respondents were surveyed on three focus areas: institutional guideline availability and content, current practices and attitudes. Demographic data relating to respondent and primary place of practice were also collected. Results: A total of 222 clinicians completed the survey, with representation from all targeted professional groups and from a variety of geographic locations. 92% of respondents reported that their institution prepared or administered monoclonal antibodies, with 87% specifically handling anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were mostly prepared onsite (84-90%) and mostly within pharmacy clean-rooms (75%) and using cytotoxic cabinets (61%). 43% of respondents reported access to institutional monoclonal antibody handling guidelines with risk reduction strategies including training and education (71%), spill and waste management (71%), procedures for transportation (57%) and restricted handling (50%). Nurses had a stronger preference towards pharmacy manufacturing than both doctors and pharmacists for a range of clinical scenarios. 95% of all respondents identified that professional or regulatory body guidelines are an important resource when considering handling practices. Conclusion: Monoclonal antibodies are most commonly handled according to cytotoxic drug standards and often in the absence of formal guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Workers Right to Know laws later in that decade were signature moments in the history of occupational safety and health. We have examined how and why industry leaders came to accept that it was the obligation of business to provide information about the dangers to health of the materials that workers encountered. Informing workers about the hazards of the job had plagued labor-management relations and fed labor disputes, strikes, and even pitched battles during the turn of the century decades. Industry's rhetorical embrace of the responsibility to inform was part of its argument that government regulation of the workplace was not necessary because private corporations were doing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the impact of the proposed worker protection standard of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on farmworker protection. The study compares EPA's proposal with the Worker Protection Standard and key measures analyzed include farm labor hazards, historic occupational health, labor and immigration policy. Results suggest that revisions to the proposal should be strengthened by those suggested by farm workers and other labor laws must also be amended.

The author examines how climate change is impacting wildland firefighters. Climate change has made wildland fires more frequent and more intense. The increase in frequency and intensity of fires has pushed the number of fatalities and injuries higher in recent decades. The most common hazards on fires follow the trend of fire in general in that these hazards become more frequent and intense. Burnovers, heat exhaustion, tree hazards, and many other common fire hazards are more likely. The fire suppression agencies are making every effort to improve health and safety on fires by improving communication, weather forecasting, mapping, fire shelters, decision making and more. Despite these efforts, wildfires are becoming ever more hazardous because of climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Workers with disabilities have a higher risk of nonfatal occupational injuries than workers without disabilities. The characteristics of these injuries are not well described. Methods Using 1997-2011 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, we compared the nonfatal occupational injuries sustained by U.S. workers with and without disabilities. Results Overexertion or strenuous movements and falls accounted for 56.7% of all occupational injuries in workers with disabilities, compared with 45.6% in workers without a disability. Workers with disabilities were more frequently injured in the lower extremity (32.3% vs. 26.6%) or torso (22.9% vs. 16.9%). Workers with disabilities sustained more unspecified injuries (13.5% vs. 7.9%) and fewer open wound injuries (15.7% vs. 24.2%) than their counterparts without a disability. Conclusions U.S. workers with disabilities had a higher rate of occupational injuries and these injuries tended to be more severe and were more likely to be caused by overexertion/ strenuous movement or falls. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:168-177, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary responds to the recent critique by Weinstock and Slatin [1] of our systematic review on the effectiveness of occupational safety and health (OSH) training conducted jointly by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Canada and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States [2, 3]. We address misunder-standings of our perspectives on training, especially empowerment training, and the evaluation of such training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on six years spent investigating worker health and safety conditions at U.S. Department of Energy sites that were formerly engaged in the production of nuclear weapons, the authors report on a set of common themes that emerged in their interviews with workers. The initial focus of the authors was on behavior-based safety programs and their investigation revealed deep-seated mistrust of management by workers. The authors discuss the importance of trust issues for worker training and suggest that "creative mistrust" should be cultivated in training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) indicate that each of these agencies is wrestling with how to better protect the health of disaster workers. This article urges increased reliance on comprehensive exposure assessments, more protective exposure benchmarks, the precautionary principle, and the hierarchy of controls of hazards. Additional issues, such as methods and content of worker training, as well as enforcement of applicable standards, are also considered. Finally, an effort is made to clarify the goals of disaster response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 3 million migrant farm workers are employed in the United States. Many factors place them at risk for work-related disease and injury. Knowledge of workers' health issues can prepare medical- surgical nurses to anticipate and meet the needs of this underserved population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article profiles attorney Amanda Hawes, who sues chemical companies on behalf of clients who have developed cancer, or whose children were born with birth defects, after industrial exposure to toxic chemicals and whose work is based on the belief that these illnesses could have been prevented in safer work environments. A discussion of several legal cases which Hawes has been involved in is presented.

Primary objective: The primary objective of this paper is to describe the occupational hazards and the health impacts that North American artists experience as a result of their profession. Research design: A qualitative, constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand the experiences of artists in their work lives and the health impacts of their occupation. In keeping with constructivist grounded theory, various key informants (participants) were sampled, to consider the multiple realities of various viewpoints. Methods: The study setting was an outpatient occupational health clinic specializing in artists' health. Seven focus groups were conducted with a total of 38 participants. The study participants included health care providers working with artists (n = 19), professional artists (n = 14), and artist advocates (n = 5). The focus group sessions were professionally transcribed and analyzed using an iterative approach. Findings: Two main findings emerged. First, artists as a group experienced a societal devaluation of their work. This lead to health implications for artists such as intense competition for employment, along with various sequelae (underselling, stigma, injury, unrealistic expectations). Second, artists experienced psychological stress as a result of job demands. Nevertheless, artists and their supporters maintained a strong connection to their artistry and to the belief their work is of value and importance. The literature related to personal, societal, and economic factors that contribute to occupational strain and ill health for artists, and barriers to receiving health care were also considered. Conclusions: As a consequence of their occupation, artists experience exclusion and a feeling of societal devaluation, which negatively impacts their health and well-being. We conclude with a focus on how health research can advocate for professional artists - a group who enrich the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual lives of a society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control banding (CB) is a control-focused risk management model that has received international attention. CB strategies are designed to control workplace chemical exposures after the completion of a qualitative risk assessment. Connecticut was one of the first states to provide training on how to use this control-focused tool. Joint labor/management teams and individuals from 34 workplaces attended a control banding workshop and learned how to use one CB model, the United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive's Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials Toolkit. After the initial training program the investigators used follow-up workshops, questionnaires, site visit data, and case studies to evaluate the training curriculum and assess the utility and effectiveness of this CB strategy. We found that the model is easily learned, although several areas for improvement were identified. Participants from 10 workplaces used COSHH Essentials to evaluate at least one task. The training curriculum was effective in that the agreement between the exposure variables coded by these workplaces and one of the workshop instructors, a certified industrial hygienist (CIH), were highly concordant. The training curriculum and the model promoted a discussion of risk between workers and managers and resulted in the implementation of improvements in the work environment. The model agreed with both the CIH's and the worksites' qualitative risk assessments 65% of the time, and likely over-controlled for 71% (5/7) of the cases of nonagreement. Feedback from workshop participants benefits the current dialogue on the implications of implementing CB in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the concept of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Prevention Through Design (PtD) initiative, addressing occupational risk in the design and redesign processes in the U.S. The PtD aims to reduce the occupational risks by integrating decisions affecting safety and health in all stages of design process. It implies that the NIOSH initiative will lead to a fundamental shift in the practice of safety resulting in greater emphasis on the higher and more effective decision-making levels in the hierarchy of controls. Moreover, it highlights the impact of PtD on the knowledge needs of safety, health and environmental (SH&E) practitioners.

The article evaluates U.S. paramedics' reporting of blood exposure to their employers, by mailing a questionnaire to a national sample of paramedics, which were selected using a two-stage design. Results show that the subjects reported 49 percent of blood exposures and 72 percent of needlestick exposures to their employers. It was found out that those paramedics who believe that exposure reporting will help management prevent future exposures are more common to report these incidences. Findings also reveal that one of the main reasons for under-reporting of the exposures, is due to the paramedics' belief that the exposure do not pose a significant risk.

The article presents a study that assesess risks associated with work-related biomechanical overloads in the course of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Results show that biomechanical overload at work plays a key role in the onset of CTS. Risks associated with this exposure appeared to modulate with personal risk factors such as age, sex, and build. The study concludes that wide-scale interventions to encourage workplace adherence to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommendations, respecting threshold limit values especially in women and older men, might provide a key strategy to reduce public health burden of CTS.

Focuses on the occupational hazards associated with methamphetamine exposure of employees in the United States. Health effects; Frequently used chemicals in methamphetamine manufacturing process; Maximum air concentrations detected during various methamphetamine manufacturing processes; Environmental concerns; Health and safety plan for methamphetamine laboratories assessment and decontamination projects. INSET: Health & Safety Plan for Meth Lab Assessment &....

The article focuses on federal regulation related to occupational health and safety in the U.S. Advocates of minimal government intervention believe that an intervention-free market yields the socially optimal result, an economically efficient solution and/or that government intervention distorts the markets in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, these advocates give little guidance about policies to achieve a reduction in occupational disease and injury, nor do they consider equitable solutions, which intentionally depart from economic efficiency. Three underlying issues have been discussed here: (1) the problems related to market imperfections and market structure that stand in the way of achieving socially optimal levels of occupational disease and injury; (2) the real impediments to reducing occupational disease and injury including obstacles in the regulatory system and how to remove them; and (3) the political bias in certain ostensibly neutral economic solutions to these problems. The strategy one selects for reducing occupational disease and injury depends crucially on how one conceptualizes the behavior of both firms and workers, and the bargaining environment in which they operate.

The article presents information on the wealth effects and earning premiums for job hazards. The purposes of this article are twofold. First, it will formalize the theory of individual choice among potentially hazardous jobs for the general situation in which worker preferences are contingent on the health state outcome. An important implication of this analysis is that the job risk that a worker selects will be negatively related to his wealth. The second purpose of the investigation is to test the two principal conceptual hypotheses. The University of Michigan Survey of Working Conditions, which is the data set used in the compensating differentials analysis, provides very extensive information concerning the nature of the worker's particular job and his personal characteristics. The article presents the analysis of the earnings differentials generated by job hazards and other job attributes. The author considers the responsiveness of the job risk to a worker's wealth. The conceptual analysis of individual choice among potentially hazardous jobs indicated that the optimal job risk for a worker should be negatively related to his wealth and that workers will demand earnings premiums for hazardous jobs.

Access 'The Action Level'® Questions online at: http://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alquestions.htm Access 'The Action Level'® Answers online at: http://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alanswers.htm Access 'The Action Level'® Registration Form online at: https://www.acgih.org/products/joeh/alregfrm.htm 'The Action Level,'® a self-study, continuing education program, provides a convenient and interesting opportunity for individuals to expand their knowledge in relevant areas of industrial hygiene, as well as occupational and environmental safety and health. The program is approved by both the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, which award Certification Maintenance (CM) points and Continuance of Certification (COC) points, respectively, for successful participation. Participants must read each issue of the Journal, answer 'The Action Level'® questions, and return the completed answer sheet at the end of that issue's 'The Action Level'® column. To earn the designated CM or COC credit, a score of 70 percent or better is required within a 12-month period. Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Associate Industrial Hygienists may earn 2 points per year. Certified Safety Professionals may earn 1.2 points per year. Enrollment is possible each month, but points are awarded only four times each year-in March, June, September, and December-to participants who score an average of 70 percent or better within each three-month period. If you register in September 2009, you will not receive CM points and/or COC points until the following quarter. In the next quarter, you'll receive 0.5 CM points and/or 0.3 COC points after satisfactorily completing answer sheets for the October, November and December 2009 issues, and so on. To enroll, complete the registration form and the answer sheet at the end of this 'The Action Level'® column. The cost is $199 (ACGIH®/AIHA members)/$219 (nonmembers) for one year. Nonmembers are encouraged to become members to take advantage of the member discount. For more information regarding ACGIH® membership, call 513-742-2020, or apply on-line at http://www.acgih.org/members/memberform.htm. Checks must be in U.S. currency, drawn on a U.S. bank, and payable to ACGIH®. We also accept AmEx, MasterCard, Discover and Visa. This continuing education program fee is separate from the Journal subscription cost. The fee covers administration costs, and is nonrefundable. Submissions must be received by the date listed on each answer sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and events leading up to the U.S. government's passing of OSHA in 1971. Topics include the issuance of OSHA's first citation to Allied Chemical Corporation for overexposing its workers to mercury, and an increase in the concerns of workers and their allies regarding health hazards in addition to environmental hazards resulting from growth in the U.S. chemical industry following World War II.