At a glance
eNews is the monthly newsletter of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Each month includes an update from NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard, featured NIOSH research, new worker safety and health resources, upcoming meetings, and more!
From the Director's Desk
John Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH
Workplace Fatalities Decline, yet Construction Workers Still Face Serious Risks
A December news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that fatal workplace injuries decreased from 5,486 to 5,283 during 2022–2023. This represents a 3.7% decrease. While this is encouraging news, more work needs to be done. Even with this decrease, 5,283 fatalities mean that a worker dies every 99 minutes; each death is a tragic loss that impacts workers, families, and businesses.
Construction has been one of the sectors with the highest rates and numbers of fatal injuries since 2011. This news release shows that it continues to have a disproportionately high number of fatal injuries. Some areas saw higher numbers than others. For example
- Slips, trips, and falls accounted for 39.2% (421) of all construction fatalities, followed by transportation incidents, which accounted for 22.3% (240).
- Portable ladders and stairs were the primary source of 25.9% (109) construction fatalities.
- Fatal falls to a lower level, from a height of 6 to 30 feet, accounted for 64.4% (260) of fatalities. Falls from heights of more than 30 feet accounted for 15.9% (67).
The NIOSH Construction Program works to address these hazards through studies and research to practice. This work occurs through the efforts of NIOSH, CPWR-Center for Construction Research and Training (the National Construction Center), and many collaborators and partners. For example, NIOSH researchers are studying how to improve head protection through better helmet design. This effort has the potential to dramatically reduce traumatic brain injuries.
NIOSH researchers are also addressing robotic safety and personal protective equipment fit and design. CPWR is conducting NIOSH-funded research on construction worker mental health, musculoskeletal disorders, safety leadership, chemical exposures, and many other topics. NIOSH-funded researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are also studying various aspects of ladder safety to reduce known hazards.
NIOSH and partners at OSHA and CPWR also work closely with the NORA Construction Sector Council. Together, they are addressing the OSHA Focus Four Hazards. These four hazards are responsible for over half of all construction fatalities on construction jobsites. Falls and struck-by incidents make up the greatest hazards for construction workers.
We continue to work to ensure worker safety and health in the construction industry. Each of these efforts helps to improve construction safety and reduce workplace injuries and fatalities.
Research Rounds
Acute Occupational Inhalation Injuries—United States, 2011–2022
NIOSH study authors: Nirmala T. Myers, Katelynn E. Dodd, Janet M. Hale, David J. Blackley, A. Scott Laney, and Noemi B. Hall
Why is this study important?
Workers who inhale (breath in) chemicals or other irritants can suffer damage to their respiratory tract and lung tissue. Breathing in these substances can also cause systemic toxicity, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, which impacts the entire body. These injuries can be prevented by avoiding these types of chemical exposures. An important way to prevent these injuries is understanding where and how they happen. This study looked at these types of exposures and the U.S. industry sectors with the most inhalation injuries.
How did you do the study?
We used records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Information System to identify inhalation injuries. The study period was from April 2011 through March 2022. We identified inhalation injuries from records labeled by OSHA as "inhalation" and that listed potentially respiratory-associated keywords. Toxicities included direct damage to the respiratory tract and systemic toxicities that affected the respiratory system. In addition to looking at the types of injury and exposure, we reviewed the related rates of hospitalization and death.
What did you find?
During the study period, 2,518 workers experienced inhalation injuries. These injuries led to 1,301 outpatient visits, 880 hospitalizations, and 337 deaths. Most injured workers were men. More than half of workers' inhalation injuries (53%) came from their exposure to inorganic gases, including carbon monoxide. After inorganic gases, exposure to acids, bases, and oxidizing chemical agents, including a type of ammonia, led to the most inhalation injuries (13%).
By industry sector, manufacturing reported the most inhalation injuries, including those resulting in death, at nearly 29%. Construction followed with 17% of the inhalation injuries. Sixteen of 20 industries reported injuries caused by exposure to cleaning materials. One-fourth of those exposures were in manufacturing, followed by one-fifth in accommodation and food services.
What are the next steps?
These results can help employers protect workers by taking steps to prevent inhalation injuries where they are most likely to occur. An important part of prevention is training workers about these injuries and how to prevent them.
Engaging Oncology and Occupational Medicine to Inform Design of a Total Worker Health® Intervention to Address Employment, Financial, and Well-being Outcomes in Cancer Survivors
Study authors: Liliana Tenney, Carol E. Brown, Matthew Schilz, Madison Goering, Miranda Dally, Amy Dye-Robinson, Brian Williams, Lee S. Newman, and Cathy Bradley, University of Colorado
Why is this study important?
For workers who have been treated for cancer, a safe, supportive workplace is especially important. Yet, research in this area, specifically understanding how certain patient populations are underserved, is scarce. We designed this study as a first step in developing a Total Worker Health intervention supporting cancer survivors in the workplace.
How did you do the study?
We held three focus groups with cancer specialists at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the University of Colorado Health System. Seventeen specialists participated, including social workers, patient navigators, counselors, cancer doctors (oncologists), and occupational medicine doctors. The focus groups addressed topics like workplace support for cancer survivors, available resources, and ways to improve support. The focus groups met from September 2022 to February 2023.
What did you find?
Study participants reported helping cancer survivors find available resources and providing psychological and social support. They said that cancer survivors reported financial stress as one of their leading concerns. Suggestions for future improvements included giving survivors referrals to employment experts and educating them about available work-related support.
What are the next steps?
With our study's findings, we developed an intervention connecting oncology and occupational medicine specialists to support cancer survivors in the workplace. The intervention includes four main parts:
- Referrals for patients to occupational medicine.
- Checklists for providers who counsel patients on work accommodations and employment forms. Checklists include discussing diagnosis and accommodations with employers and managing work responsibilities while in treatment.
- Methods and tools that use electronic health records for referrals to occupational medicine specialists.
- Programs for training oncology care teams and occupational medicine specialists about consulting with patients on employment concerns throughout treatment.
Highlights
H5N1 Updates and Reports
- Bird Flu Found in Bovine Veterinary Practitioners
A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report presents study findings about past influenza (H5N1) bird flu exposure among 150 bovine veterinarians. The results indicated that three (2%) practitioners showed evidence of recent infection. Of those, two reported they had not been exposed to animals with known or suspected bird flu. The other worked in states with no known infected cattle. The results suggest that gaps exist in identifying infected people and animals.
- Personal Protective Equipment for Bird Flu Recommended for Veterinarians
A second Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report looks at the first two reported incidents of influenza (H5N1) bird flu in domestic cats. These indoor cats lived in homes with dairy farm workers. Veterinarians evaluating cats with breathing or nervous system illness in areas with bird flu should ask if the cat was outside. They should also ask if the cat has been around dairy or poultry farms workers. Veterinarians should wear personal protective equipment to reduce their exposure risk.
NIOSH Science Update: Individual Fit-testing Recommendation for Hearing Protection Devices
NIOSH has an updated resource for how to assess the effectiveness of hearing protection devices. The update is titled Individual Fit-Testing Recommendation for Hearing Protection Devices. This update supersedes the hearing protector derating guidance in the 1998 NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard – Occupational Noise Exposure.
Federal Register Notices
Expansion of NIOSH B Reader Certification Eligibility; Request for Information
The notice was posted on December 17, 2024. Comments must be received by March 17.
New Communication Products
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Report
- Industrial Silo Fire and Subsequent Explosion Kills One Firefighter and Critically Injures Another—Iowa (Report Slides)
- Career Firefighter Killed in a Structural Collapse While Conducting Fire Attack and Search in a Derelict Single-family Residence—Missouri (Report Slides)
Health Hazard Evaluation Report
Science Update
News From Our Partners
Study Examines Cardiovascular Disease in Law Enforcement
Illinois state researchers released a study analyzing prevalent cardiovascular disease in law enforcement in local, state, and federal workplaces. The results highlight that select employment factors, some previously overlooked, may be associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in law enforcement workers.
Study Looks at Link Between Coal Mining and Injury, Pain, and Prescription Opioids
Researchers from the Illinois Occupational Surveillance Program published a study providing evidence of the long-term effects of traumatic injuries that happen while coal mining. The study also examined the cumulative trauma associated with physically demanding work that persists well after the job ends.
New Resources From Wisconsin's Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program
The Wisconsin state program recently published a Chemicals in the Workplace dashboard. Using OSHA sampling data, the dashboard displays chemicals that workers might be exposed to, filtered by industry and other factors. The program also published a study titled Too Soon to Breathe Easy: Trends in Asbestosis Morbidity and Mortality in Wisconsin. Authors found the highest mortality burden among construction, manufacturing, and transportation workers.
NORA
In Case You Missed It! Safety Data Sheets Informational Video
NIOSH and the NORA Respiratory Health council worked together to develop a video series on Safety Data Sheets. These documents have important information about possible safety and health risks for materials used in many industries. The videos are available in English and Spanish.