NIOSH eNews - March, 2015

NIOSH eNews
The Monthly Newsletter of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Volume 12 Number 10 March 2015 From the Director’s Desk John Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH Truck Driver Health and Safety From armchairs to zucchini, almost everything we buy is transported by truck. Long-haul truck drivers are drivers of heavy tractor trailers whose freight delivery routes require them to sleep away from home most nights. They live on the road with limited access to healthy foods, drive long hours, have low physical activity levels, and feel stress from demanding schedules. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2012 to 2022. As more men and women become truck drivers, it is important that we make their health and safety a priority. Read More... World Trade Center Health Program Seeks Nominees for the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee Lend your expertise to help 9/11 responders and survivors receive the highest quality healthcare. The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program is seeking nominations for six open positions on the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee, which advises the administrator of the WTC Health Program on important medical and scientific issues. Members review research and making formal recommendations on how to implement and improve the program. Nominations are due March 31. Learn more at http://www.cdc.gov/wtc/pdfs/NomineeRecruitmentflyer2015.pdf. Health Risks For Countertop Workers The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NIOSH have published important documents that provide information on exposures to silica during stone countertop manufacturing and related health risks. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) “Notes from the Field: Silicosis in a Countertop Fabricator” (http://go.usa.gov/33RjG) presents case findings, and the OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation (http://go.usa.gov/33RWJ) provides facts and guidance. NIOSH and NHCA present 2015 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ NIOSH, in partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™, honoring companies that have shown dedication to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss through excellent hearing loss prevention practices in the work environment. The awards were presented at the 40th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference on February 20, 2015, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Read more at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-19-15.html. NIOSH Releases New Ebola Guidance NIOSH has released two new Ebola guidance documents: “Interim Guidance for U.S. Businesses, Employers, and Business Travelers to Prevent Exposures to Ebola” (http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/business/business-travelers.html) and “Guidance for Safe Handling of Human Remains of Ebola Patients in U. S. Hospitals and Mortuaries” (http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/healthcare-us/hospitals/handling-human-remains.html). New Study Shows Workers May Fear Talking to Doctor About Job-related Asthma NIOSH researcher Dr. Jacek Mazurek was featured in an article from Health Day News for Healthier Living related to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology on February 3, stating that workers may be afraid to discuss job- related asthma with their physician. “Work related asthma is underdiagnosed and under-recognized” said Jacek in a journal press release. Read more at http://consumer.healthday.com/respiratory-and-allergy-information-2/asthma-news- 47/workers-often-afraid-to-discuss-job-related-asthma-695922.html. Stand Tall, Stand Proud, Stand-Down for Fall Safety NIOSH, in a combined effort with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CPWR—the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), among other partners, announce the second annual construction Fall Safety Stand-Down during the weeks of May 4–15. This event follows the success of last year’s Stand-Down and asks employers and workers across the nation to pause in their work and dedicate time to activities that promote the prevention of fatalities from falls. Read morehttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-18-15.html. NIOSH To Participate in World of Asphalt Show & Conference Meet NIOSH safety experts March 17th and 18th in Baltimore, Maryland, at the World of Asphalt Show & Conference 2015. Dr. Christine Branche, director of NIOSH’s Office of Construction Safety and Health, will present highlights of a new NIOSH document developed with the Silica/Asphalt Milling Machine Partnership, which provides best practices to help reduce respirable silica exposures during asphalt pavement milling in highway construction. For more information contact CDR Duane Hammond at DHammond@cdc.gov or 513.841.4286.   In This Issue Director’s Desk World Trade Center Health Program Seeks Nominees for the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee Health Risks For Countertop Workers NIOSH and NHCA present 2015 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ NIOSH Releases New Ebola Guidance New Study Shows Workers May Fear Talking to Doctor About Job-Related Asthma Stand Tall, Stand Proud, Stand-Down for Fall Safety NIOSH To Participate in World of Asphalt Show & Conference Monthly Features NIOSH Congratulates NORA News From our Partners FACE Reports Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Reports r2p Corner Health Hazard Evaluations (HHE) New on the NIOSH Science Blog New NIOSH Communication Products Federal Register Notices Conferences & Workshops Did you know? Today, more employers are making the connection that a safe, healthy, and engaged workforce affects their bottom line. Visit the NIOSH Total Worker Health website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/TWH/ LetsGetStarted.html. Here you will find practical tools and evidence-based guidelines for creating a culture of Total Worker Health. NIOSH Web Sites NIOSH Home Page Facebook Flickr Pinterest Twitter YouTube NIOSH eNews is Brought to You By: John Howard, M.D., Director Fred Blosser, Editor in Chief Tanya Headley, Story Editor Jenise Brassell, Monthly Features Editor Cathy Rotunda, Copy Editor Glenn Doyle, Technical Lead Mary Micciche, Technical Support