eNews: September 2024 | NIOSH | CDC

Nov 06, 2024

eNews is the monthly newsletter of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Enter your email address in the "Sign up for Email Updates" box at the bottom of the page to have eNews delivered directly to your inbox monthly.

John Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH

NIOSH's annual Respiratory Protection Week observance provides an opportunity to recognize the necessity of proper respiratory protection practices. It also is a chance to recognize the resources and research available to help ensure informed workplace practices. This year's Respiratory Protection Week highlights our work in setting a strategic direction for respiratory protection and will include many examples of our commitment to that strategy.

Be on the lookout this week for a new blog series on Tips for Managing Personal Protective Equipment in Your Stockpile. The series will begin with an overview of NIOSH research in this area over the last several years, providing a foundation for the tips that will be discussed. Additionally, the series will discuss the impact that this work had during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are also featuring our work in this month's Research Rounds. The topic is how reusable respirators can impact safety culture in healthcare settings.

We're excited to have these additional activities during the weeklong event:

These events and resources showcase how NIOSH both creates and executes its strategic direction for our nation's workers.

We are dedicated to applying the best scientific approaches for the most effective respiratory protection practices, to innovate respirator designs, and to maximize the availability of respiratory protection. Please bookmark the Respiratory Protection Week 2024 webpage and follow #RespiratorWeek on social media to stay up to date on the week's events.

Study authors: Christine M. Kava, CDC; Girija Syamlal, NIOSH; Brenna VanFrank, CDC; David A. Siegel, CDC; S. Jane Henley, CDC; Jonathan Bryant-Genevier, CDC; Jin Qin, CDC; and Susan A. Sabatino, CDC

Why is this study important?

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Yet, more than 30 million working adults use tobacco. Use varies by occupation, but information is limited on how work characteristics in different occupations might relate to tobacco use. To address this knowledge gap, our study examined the relationships between tobacco use and employment characteristics in different occupations. These characteristics included paid sick leave, type of industry (i.e., government versus private), work hours per week, and shift work.

How did you do the study?

We analyzed 2021 National Health Interview Survey results to estimate the likelihood of tobacco use among currently working U.S. adults. We assessed employment characteristics and occupation and adjusted odds for potential confounders such as age, sex, race, and ethnicity.

What did you find?

Overall, an estimated 149 million adults in the United States were currently working, and one in five used tobacco. By occupation, workers in natural resources, construction, and maintenance were the most likely to use tobacco. This group was followed by production, transportation, and material moving; sales and office; service; and management, business, science, and arts.

Several characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of tobacco use:

Characteristics associated with a higher likelihood of tobacco use were working 35 or more hours per week, working a rotating versus daytime shift, working inconsistent schedules, and working while ill in the past three months.

What are the next steps?

Study findings could help guide efforts to help workers stop using tobacco and to develop policies to better support overall worker health.

NIOSH Study authors: Emily J. Haas, Mihili Edirisooriya, Alexa Furek, and Megan Casey

Why is this study important?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare organizations nationwide experienced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators. This shortage resulted in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting an emergency use authorization for NIOSH ApprovedÒ reusable respirators, or elastomeric half-mask respirators.

Previous NIOSH research found that workers' perceptions of safety, or safety climate, were higher in organizations that provided reusable respirators and training to workers. In the current study, we looked at the effects on safety climate of changes to respiratory protection programs after the FDA emergency use authorization.

How did you do the study?

From October 2021 to November 2022, we developed and administered an online survey about perceived safety climate relative to reusable respirators during the pandemic. Adult respondents to the 20-minute, voluntary survey answered questions about reusable respirators and rated their organization's safety climate on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being more positive.

What did you find?

Overall, nearly 900 workers responded to the survey. More than half had received a reusable respirator at work. Slightly less than half were familiar with their organization's respiratory protection plan.

Workers who received a reusable respirator, along with communication and training, were more likely to say their workplace had a good safety climate. These workers rated their PPE safety climate an average 4.06 out of 5 points, compared to 3.85 among those who did not receive one. Similarly, workers who were aware of their workplace respiratory protection program rated their PPE safety climate an average 4.11 points, compared to 3.84 among those who were unaware of it.

What are the next steps?

This study's findings can help promote efforts to protect workers by demonstrating the positive effects on safety climate of supportive respiratory protection programs.

New Worker Well-Being Clearinghouse

The NIOSH Office for Total Worker Health® announced a new partnership with the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO). The HERO Worker Well-Being Clearinghouse is an open-source database with de-identified data from uses of the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (NIOSH WellBQ). This innovative data clearinghouse aims to advance worker well-being globally.

Upcoming 2024 Nanotechnology Health and Safety Summit

The NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center is having its 2024 Nanotechnology Health and Safety Summit. The event will be held October 9–10 at the University of Cincinnati. This summit will cover safety and health topics such as additive manufacturing and advanced materials, semiconductors, lithium-ion battery technology, and nanotechnology. Register for the summit by October 1!

2024 Prevention through Design Award Winners Announced

In May, the fourth annual Prevention through Design (PtD) Awards were held at the AIHA Connect Conference in Columbus, Ohio. For the first time, two categories of winners were selected: Mr. Bruce Main, PE, CSP, president of Design Safety Engineering, Inc., for the individual category and Jacobs Solutions for the organizational category. Please see the PtD Award website for winner and nominee highlights, photos, and links to the ceremony video.

New Updates to the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods

The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) website has been updated! You can now use keywords to search for methods in the NMAM 4th and 5th editions.

Protect Workers From Fungal Diseases

Fungal Disease Awareness Week will be held September 16–20. Take this time to review NIOSH resources on preventing histoplasmosis in the workplace, with recommendations for both workers and employers. Also read this blog, report, and NIOSH webpage about preventing coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) in the workplace.

Commemorate the National 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

Soon the nation will observe, through both memory and action, the National 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Twenty-three years after the tragic events, NIOSH's World Trade Center Health Program continues helping those struggling with 9/11 health effects. This September 11, visit the Program's website to read a remembrance statement from Program Administrator Dr. John Howard. You can also watch the commemorative video.

Labor Day 2024: Statement by NIOSH Director

Each Labor Day we honor workers and the role they play in building a strong and prosperous nation. Workers are essential to our country's success and that is why we celebrate them every year on Labor Day. NIOSH not only celebrates workers, but we also recommit to our mission to develop occupational safety and health knowledge. We use that knowledge to keep all workers safe and healthy every day of the year. Read the full Labor Day statement and learn more on our website.

Register for the Long Work Hours and Cardiovascular Disease: State of the Science Webinar

Register now for an important webinar being held September 19, 1:00–2:30 p.m. (ET). This event will feature three experts who will discuss occupational exposure to long work hours. Presenters will share findings that link long work hours to cardiovascular outcomes and other findings on preventing primary and secondary cardiovascular disease.

Call for Proposals for the Work, Stress, and Health 2025 Conference

Proposals are being accepted now for the Work, Stress, and Health 2025 Conference! The event will be held July 8–11, 2025, at the University of Washington. Submissions are due by November 7. Visit the event link above to learn more.

Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations: "The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer"

The notice was posted on August 9. Comments must be received by September 7.

Partnership Opportunity to Determine the Fit of Air Purifying Filtering Facepiece Respirators Worn Over Beard Bands for Workers With Facial Hair

The notice was posted on July 25. Comments must be received by September 23.

New Data on Workers and Opioid-related Deaths

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health just released a data brief on 2011–2020 opioid-related Massachusetts deaths. Residents were 35% more likely to have died of an opioid-related overdose if they had previously been injured at work. Read the brief and press release to find out more.

Back-to-School Resources: Support Schools, Empower Students

As students go back to school, check out the CDC back-to-school toolkit! You'll find digital resources to share on social media to support student health and well-being. You'll also discover tips on topics like these to help students have a positive start to the school year:

Find more tips for parents and teens to have a great school year!

Updates From State Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Programs:

Public Safety Sector Council Meeting

The NORA Public Safety Sector Council will hold a virtual meeting September 17, 1:00–3:00 p.m. (ET). The meeting will focus on elevated risk factors for women in the fire service. Contact Meghan Kiederer for the meeting invite.

Healthcare and Social Assistance NORA Council Meeting

Join the Health and Social Assistance NORA Council when they meet September 13, 2:30–4:00 p.m. (ET). Contact Suzanne Tomasi for the meeting invite.

NORA Services Sector Council Webinar

The NORA Services Sector Council and the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety are cohosting a webinar September 26, 1:00–2:30 p.m. (ET). Speakers from the NIOSH Center, Together for Safer Roads, and Qworky (a safety research consultant) will discuss preventing motor-vehicle-related injuries and fatalities in the services sector. Contact Lauren Menger-Ogle if you'd like to attend.

DirectorJohn Howard, M.D.Editor in ChiefChristina SpringManaging EditorAnne Blank

Section EditorAnne Blank, Research RoundsKiana Harper, Highlights & Monthly Features

Contributing EditorSarah Mitchell

Copy EditorCheryl Hamilton

Technical SupportSteve Leonard, Adobe Technical Lead