Workplace Health Issues
Ray Sinclair
NIOSH Small Business Program
February 9, 2011
The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of
the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal Organization for
Workplace Safety and Health
Research Regulation
and Recommendations and Enforcement
Department of Department of Labor
Department of Department of Labor
Health and Human Services (DOL)
Health and Human Services
(HHS)
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
(CDC) Mine Safety Occupational
and Health Safety and Health
National Institute for Administration Administration
Occupational Safety (MSHA) (OSHA)
and Health (NIOSH)
Work-related Illnesses and Injuries
►Fatalities per day
14 from injuries (5071 in 2008)
137 from diseases
►3.7 million non-fatal illnesses and
injuries (2008)
►$50 billion -- direct costs for
occupational injuries
►$155 billion – direct + indirect (2002)*
Liberty Mutual Safety Index, 2004 *
Silica
► Widely used
► Health concerns: silicosis
and other respiratory
diseases; cancer
►NIOSH has
recommended lower
exposure standard
► OSHA action expected
Injury & Illness
Prevention Program
► Planning, implementing, evaluating, and
improving processes and activities that
protect employee S&H
► Data to support rulemaking
► S&H Program Management Guidelines (‘89)
► Lessons learned from VPP and SHARP
► 12 states have similar rules
► Prerule stage
www.regulations.gov
www.reginfo.gov/public
S&H and Health Promotion
► Efficiency and effectiveness
► PPG: workplace stress & work/life
balance
► NY clinics: diagnosis (EE) & prevention
services (ER)
► Lincoln Industries: go! Platinum
www.lincolnindustries.com/wellness
S&H and Health Promotion
► 20 Essential Elements
Organizational Culture & Leadership
Program Design
Program Implementation & Resources
Evaluation
www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife
Diacetyl
► Food flavoring ingredient
► Associated with rare lung
disease
► Court cases in 2004 and 5
► OSHA 2008
► Cal-OSHA draft standard
2009
www.cdc.gov/niosh www.osha.gov
Nanotechnology
► Manipulationof matter on near-atomic scale to
produce materials with novel properties
► Unprecedented scientific advances
► US impact: $699M
► Global investment: $11.8B (2006) $1T (2015)
►2 million workers
► 3-4 consumer products per week
nano.gov
Growth of Nanotechnology Products
2009
2008
2007
2006
Nano-enabled Products
Clothing
Double Core
Tennis Balls
Dental
Adhesive
Immuno-
suppressant
Wound Dressing
Washbasin Refrigerator
NanoOpto subwavelength
polarizing beam splitter/combiner
Nanomaterials
►< 100 nanometers
► New properties
► Workers are exposed to NM
► Processes used to create NM represent new
hazards
► Use risk management programs to minimize
worker exposures
cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech
Hazard Communication
► Alignment with Global Harmonization
System
Hazard classification
Labels
Safety data sheets
► Uniform formats benefit EE and ER
► Training likely to be required
► Annual cost: $100M; Benefits: $750M
Respirators in Healthcare
► Respirators must seal to face
► N-95 issue in California
► TIL rulemaking
NIOSH Health Hazard
Evaluation Program
► Free service
Employer
Union representative
Employees (3 or 1)
State/local government
► Consultation or field evaluation
► Provide exposure data and solutions
NIOSH Health Hazard
Evaluation Program
► Chemical exposures
► Ergonomic hazards
► Biological hazards
► Heat
► Work organization
► Noise
When Can an HHE Help?
New processes
Illness of unknown
source
Exposure to
unregulated
agents
Old problem – new
setting
Poultry Worker Example
► Evisceration line
► Super-chlorinated
water
► Eye & respiratory
irritation
Poultry Worker Example
► Modified ventilation
► Fewer symptoms
► Less chlorine in air
Hot Dog Hangar Example
► Highest tier 6’9”
► Employee pain &
injuries
► Potential back injuries
Hot Dog Hangar Example
► Height reduced to 5’
► Weight lifted reduced to 26 lbs
► New platforms for workers
► Rotate workers off job
How to Request
Health Hazard Evaluation Assistance
► 513-841-4382
► 800-232-4636
► www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe
cdc.gov/niosh
cdc.gov/niosh/hhe
“Request an HHE”
cdc.gov/niosh “Directory of
Publications”
cdc.gov/niosh/topics
“Respirators and Protective
Technologies”
cdc.gov/niosh
Respirator Trusted Source
Information Page
1-800-CDC-INFO
CDCinfo@cdc.gov
Thank you. Call me anytime.
Ray Sinclair
NIOSH Small Business Program
513.533.8172
Rsinclair@cdc.gov