Volume
7 Number 6 October 2009
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Volume
7 Number 6 October 2009 |
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NIOSH eNews Web page |
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| Morbidity and Mortality @ Work Sickness Absenteeism among Full-Time Workers in the U.S., August 2009 Preventing Lead Poisoning in Indoor Firing Ranges in Colorado |
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Draft National Manufacturing Agenda NIOSH Blog; Making the Business Case |
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Two NIOSH Resources on the Horse Racing Industry, Now Available in Spanish |
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From
the Director's Desk |
Protecting the ProvidersThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its new interim guidance for infection control during care of patients with confirmed or suspected novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a health care setting. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm The new guidance reflects experience gained since CDC’s original interim guidance earlier this year, notably in deliberations on important scientific questions related to occupational exposures to H1N1. NIOSH worked with its colleagues across CDC in helping to craft the recommendations for protecting healthcare personnel from risk of job-related exposure to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. 2009 H1N1 influenza presents a daunting challenge for occupational health and public health. Maintaining a healthy, capable population of doctors, nurses, aides, and other healthcare personnel during the 2009-2010 flu season will be vital. NIOSH is gratified to have a role in strategic national preparedness to accomplish that goal. The new interim CDC guidance recommends that healthcare employers take comprehensive measures from across the entire hierarchy of controls generally employed in preventing work-related illnesses and injuries, by:
Consistent with IOM FindingsThe guidance on the use of NIOSH-certified N-95 respirators for healthcare personnel at highest risk of exposure to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is consistent with the findings of a blue-ribbon Institute of Medicine committee, issued in September. The report is available at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/71769/72967.aspx. CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had asked the committee to evaluate the efficacy of respirators and medical masks, and NIOSH was one of the organizations that provided scientific information for the committee’s deliberations. NIOSH’s presentations at the committee’s Aug. 11-13 workshop, along with other presentations and discussions, can be found at http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Workforce/RespProtH1N1.aspx. Importantly, the IOM committee recommended additional research, including research to evaluate the relative contribution of various routes of influenza transmission and to fully explore the effectiveness of personal respiratory protection technologies in a variety of clinical settings through randomized clinical trials. NIOSH will conduct and sponsor such research to help inform future guidelines. The CDC guidance is based on the unique considerations associated with the current 2009 H1N1 pandemic. These considerations include 1) low levels of immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus in the current population, 2) availability of vaccination programs well after the start of the pandemic, 3) the susceptibility of people who are in the age-range of healthcare personnel, 4) increased risk for complications in some healthcare personnel workers such as pregnant women, and 5) the potential for healthcare personnel to be exposed to 2009 H1N1 influenza patients because of their occupation. Strategies for Potential ShortagesThe guidance recognizes that some facilities are experiencing shortages of respiratory protection equipment, and that further shortages are anticipated. Therefore, the appropriate selection and use of respirators is critical. Key strategies include:
CDC recommends that facilities assess their projected needs and take special care to ensure that respirators are available for situations where respiratory protection is most important, such as performance of aerosol-generating procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 flu or provision of care to patients with diseases other than influenza that require respiratory protection. If a facility projects that it will be unable to meet these needs despite taking measures to minimize consumption, and maximize benefit, of available respirators, then it should institute a “prioritized use mode” governing use of respiratory protection for influenza until supplies are expected to be replenished. In prioritized use mode, respiratory protection is reserved for situations where respiratory protection is most important, such as attendance at highest-risk, aerosol-generating procedures involving 2009 H1N1 patients. Levels of priority for respiratory protection based on exposure scenario, vaccination status, and personal health risk factors for serious infection are detailed in the guidance document. Facemasks provide a barrier against splashes, droplet sprays, and hand contact with the nose and mouth, and thus should be chosen over no protection for workers at lower risk, the CDC guidance states. NIOSH will continue to work closely and strategically with our colleagues and stakeholders in the coming months to help the healthcare industry and the dedicated U.S. healthcare workforce meet the ongoing challenge of 2009 H1N1 influenza. |
NIOSH Science Blog: N-95 Respirators and Surgical Masks |
| The October 14 NIOSH Science Blog examines the scientific principles behind the design and performance of surgical masks and respirators. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb101409_respirator.html NIOSH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of a NIOSH-certified N-95 or better respirator for the protection of healthcare workers who come in direct contact with patients with H1N1. |
NIOSH Research Part of Good Morning America Feature Story |
On September 17, ABC’s Good Morning America highlighted NIOSH’s computer modeling research to help protect flight crews from job-related health and safety hazards. NIOSH scientist James Bennett described computer modeling used to identify how far, and in what pattern, contaminants such as viruses may spread through an airplane cabin from a source. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/scared-swine-flu-avoid-germs-viruses-plane/story?id=8596700 |
Work-Stress Topic of Wall Street Journal Story |
| On September 16, the Wall Street Journal highlighted NIOSH’s research on work-stress prevention in a column reporting on a new Gallup survey on job satisfaction. Findings in the survey—that business owners, self-employed people, and farmers generally report high satisfaction with their jobs—are consistent with NIOSH’s research findings that work stress can be caused or worsened by lack of control over one’s job or a feeling that the work may be meaningless and unfulfilling. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203917304574414853397450872.html#mod=WSJ_ hps_RIGHTTopCarousel |
N.Y. Daily News Salutes Dr. Robin Herbert |
In a September 26 editorial, the New York Daily News, saluted Dr. Robin Herbert as a "heroes' heroine" for her leadership in health monitoring and treatment for World Trade Center (WTC) responders. A valued partner of NIOSH, Dr. Herbert has served as codirector of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and as the director and principal investigator of the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program's Data and Coordination Center. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/09/26/2009-09-26_a_heroes_heroine_ground_zero_workers_owe_a_debt_of_gratitude_to_dr_robin_herbert.html |
Occupational Safety and Health Goes WestOn |
| On September 24–25, the Western States Occupational Network (WestON) held its second annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. Sponsored by the NIOSH Denver Regional Office, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and the NIOSH Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center, the meeting provided a venue for approximately 60 state, federal, and academic occupational safety and health professionals to meet and share ideas for collaboration, information exchange, and capacity building throughout the western U.S. For more information on this conference, please contact Yvonne Boudreau (AYB1@cdc.gov). |
New Virtual Reality Resource Trains Miners to Navigate an |
Safety training for new miners enters the 21st century with a computer-based training program now available from NIOSH. This new technology helps to prepare young miners to read mine maps, a critical skill in learning how to navigate the labyrinth of tunnels and to stay safe in underground mines. The program can be completed in about two hours and is available for free download at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/products/product165.htm. |
Research to Improve Fire Fighters’ Protective Clothing |
NIOSH is working with partners to address challenges and opportunities for improving protective clothing worn by fire fighters and emergency responders. Read more on this research at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-09-29-09.html. |
Global Happenings |
Indoor Air Quality Evaluated at PAHO HeadquartersIn September, engineers from the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology conducted an evaluation at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) headquarters facilities in Washington DC. The team collected data related to concerns of the PAHO staff about indoor air quality and HVAC system noise on certain floors within the 10-story building. The team will develop a report to summarize their findings and possible measures that can be taken to improve the work environment in their facility. For more information, contact Scott Earnest at GEarnest@cdc.gov or go to the NIOSH Topic Page: Indoor Environmental Quality at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/. Preparing World Healthcare Leaders for Exposure to Bloodborne InfectionsNIOSH researcher Ahmed Gomaa, with partners from the University of Virginia and the World Health Organization, provided a workshop onsite in Saudi Arabia to 92 healthcare leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. Workshop topics included occupational health programs for the prevention of exposure to bloodborne infections and the evaluation and development of recommendations to protect healthcare workers. For more information contact Ahmed Gomaa at AGomaa@cdc.gov.
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NIOSH Seeks Comments on the Following: |
To view a comprehensive list of NIOSH Docket items currently open for comment, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/. |
Three New Health Hazard Evaluation Reports Now Available |
The HHE Program evaluated employees’ concerns about exposure to lead solder paste and fumes and noise at a printed circuit board manufacturing plant. Investigators found that auto insertion operators’ noise exposures were very low. Investigators found lead on employees’ hands, on work surfaces, and in a break room. Investigators recommended improving general housekeeping and using engineering controls when removing solder dross and cleaning wave solder machines. The HHE Program evaluated airport cargo handlers’ exposure to carbon monoxide. Investigators found that all airport terminal service employees’ carbon monoxide levels measured in the evaluation were above recommended limits but transportation security and air logistics employees’ carbon monoxide levels were not. Investigators recommended replacing fuel-driven forklifts and tugs with electric ones, reminding drivers to turn off vehicle engines when at the dock doors, increasing warehouse ventilation, and installing carbon monoxide alarms. |
Morbidity and Mortality @ Work |
Sickness Absenteeism among Full-Time Workers in the U.S., August 2009Sickness absenteeism in the workplace is strongly correlated with the occurrence of influenza-like illness and may serve as an indicator of the level of influenza activity in the employed population during the current pandemic (Figure 1). NIOSH tracks sickness absenteeism among full-time workers on a monthly basis, using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Figure 2 shows the geographic distribution of sickness absenteeism among full-time workers in the U.S. by state for August 2009. Since CPS data are population-based and nationally representative, either of these analyses can be stratified by a number of demographic and labor force characteristics such as age, sex, industry, and occupation to provide benchmarks for those interested in specific segments of the population. Link to chartFor more details, see the chart at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv7n6chart.html. |
News from Our Partners |
Preventing Lead Poisoning in Indoor Firing Ranges in ColoradoThe Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has developed a fact sheet to provide information about the risks of lead exposure to workers and hobby and recreational shooters at indoor firing and shooting ranges. Indoor firing and shooting ranges are common sources of adult lead exposure in Colorado. Workers at indoor firing ranges can be exposed to hazardous lead concentrations and may be at risk for lead exposure and lead poisoning. http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/OH/shooting.html |
r2p Corner |
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NORA |
Draft National Manufacturing AgendaThe NORA Manufacturing Sector Council requests comments on its draft national agenda http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/184/, which consists of ten strategic goals covering a range of diseases, injuries, and priority issues. The Council also seeks organizations to join partnership efforts to advance the draft priorities. For more information, contact the NORA coordinator at noracoordinator@cdc.gov. |
NIOSH Science Blog |
NIOSH Blog Making the Business CaseThis month, NIOSH blogs about the partnership with the National Safety Council and the Williams College of Business at Xavier University to integrate occupational safety and health into the school’s business curriculum. The course addresses how companies can evaluate occupational safety and health interventions and programs in order to choose and implement the most cost-effective ones that will both improve occupational safety and health for workers and support the business objectives of the company. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb092109_businesscase.html NIOSH Wants To Hear Your Thoughts on Our BlogWhen you visit the NIOSH blog this month you may be asked to answer a short survey. We are currently evaluating the NIOSH blog and we hope you will take a couple minutes to answer the questions in order to help us to continue to meet the needs or our readers. If you have any questions, please contact Virginia Sublet vsublet@cdc.gov. |
Communication Products |
Guidelines for Refuge Chamber Setup, Use, and MaintenanceTake Refuge! NIOSH announces the release of guidelines on how to set up, use, and maintain refuge chambers (emergency structures designed to provide safe shelter) in underground mines. Refuge chambers may save the lives of miners trapped underground and waiting for rescue after a mine explosion or cave-in. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3169.htm Two NIOSH Resources on the Horse Racing Industry, Now Available in SpanishThe NIOSH horse racing industry topic page, “La Industria Hípica” http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/topics/hipica.html More…To see other new NIOSH communication products, including documents and new and updated topic pages, go to the NIOSH “What’s New” page. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/whatsnew.html |
Call for Abstracts |
Association of Professionals in Infection Control Society of Manufacturing Engineers Rapid 2010 Conference and Exposition Emergency Nurses Association Annual Conference History of Occupational and Environmental Health Conference 11th Biennial Kentucky Conference on Health Communication American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Symposium on Surface and Dermal Sampling NIOSH and International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health |
Upcoming Conferences & Workshops |
A comprehensive list of upcoming conferences can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/exhibits.html. |
Word of the Month |
Refuge Chamber - emergency structures designed to provide safe shelter. |
NIOSH eNews on the Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/
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The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program evaluated workers’ asthma and respiratory symptoms at a soy processing facility. Investigators found that some dust concentrations in the air exceeded current occupational exposure limits. Investigators recommended respiratory protection for all workers with work-related asthma and, if that is ineffective, relocating those workers to lower exposure areas. 