Current Intelligence Bulletin: NIOSH Practices in Occupational Risk Assessment

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sought comment on the draft document entitled Current Intelligence Bulletin: NIOSH Practices in Occupational Risk Assessment. The proposed NIOSH document described the underlying science and general approach used by NIOSH researchers when conducting high quality, scientifically sound assessments of the health risk associated with workplace hazards.

NIOSH obtained comments on the draft document with emphasis placed on the following questions for reviewers:

(1) Are the methods presented in the proposed NIOSH document consistent with the current scientific knowledge of toxicology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, and risk assessment? If not, provide specific information and references that should be considered.

(2) Is there additional scientific information related to the issues of the proposed NIOSH document that should be considered for inclusion? If so, provide information and specify references for consideration. Is there any discussion in the document that should be omitted?

(3) Is information in the proposed NIOSH document explained in a clear and transparent manner? If not, specify (section, page, and line number) where clarification is needed.

To view the notice and related materials, visit https://www.regulations.gov and enter CDC-2018-0060 in the search field and click “Search.”

An online public meeting for NIOSH to present key information about the draft document and provide the opportunity for public comments was held September 13, 2018, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Eastern Time.

Peer Review

Title: Draft NIOSH Practices in Occupational Risk Assessment

Anticipated Date of Dissemination: June 1, 2018

Subject of Planned Report: NIOSH risk assessment practices that support authoritative recommendations.

Purpose of Planned Report: The purpose is to document NIOSH practices in assessing occupational risks. This document will provide transparency for stakeholders reviewing NIOSH risk assessments and will help promote consistency among NIOSH risk assessments.

Type of Dissemination: Influential

Timing of the Review: June – August 2018

Primary Disciplines or Expertise needed for review: Risk assessment, toxicology, epidemiology

Type of Review: Individual

Anticipated Number of Reviewers: 4-10

Reviewers Selected by: NIOSH

Will the Public be Asked to Nominate Peer Reviewers: No

Opportunities for Public Comment: Public comment period July – September 2018; public meeting September 2018

Will Peer Reviewers be Provided with Public Comments Before Their Review? No

Peer Reviewers

Vanessa Beaulac, MS
Exposure Assessment Section, Air Health Science Division
Health Canada
Expertise: risk assessment, toxicology

Jessica Myers, PhD
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Expertise: toxicology, risk assessment

Val Schaeffer, PhD
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Expertise: risk assessment, toxicology

Leslie Stayner, PhD
Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
Expertise: risk assessment

Charge to Peer Reviewers

1. Are the methods presented in the proposed NIOSH document consistent with the current scientific knowledge of toxicology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, and risk assessment? If not, provide specific information and references that should be considered.
2. Is there additional scientific information related to the issues of the proposed NIOSH document that should be considered for inclusion? If so, provide information and specify references for consideration. Is there any discussion in the document that should be omitted?
3. Is information in the proposed NIOSH document explained in a clear and transparent manner? If not, specify (section, page, and line number) where clarification is needed.