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
Manufacturing Day: Focusing on Worker Safety and Health
Manufacturing Day, held annually on the first Friday of October, was created by the National Association of Manufacturers. This observance aims to draw attention to the world of modern manufacturing. Manufacturing touches all aspects of our lives, including the clothing we wear, the food we eat, the cars we drive, and the electronics we use. To maintain a strong manufacturing presence supported by the latest technology, it is essential to protect the health and safety of this skilled workforce.
Manufacturing is defined as the creation of goods from basic materials. As one of the largest industrial sectors, it employs about 12 million workers. While often thought of on a large scale, the term "manufacturing" applies to a wide variety of businesses and workers. These workplaces can range from a home workshop to a large production facility. The 21 subsectors that make up the manufacturing sector include food and beverage, clothing, furniture, machinery, and electronics manufacturing.
NIOSH is focused on protecting the manufacturing workforce from the many hazards they face, both known and emerging. Understanding how to protect manufacturing workers is vital to the NIOSH mission. In 2022, American workers were involved in 2.8 million incidents, resulting in 5,486 fatalities (from both illness and injuries). Of these, over 300,000 incidents and 405 fatalities were in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing is unique compared to many other sectors in injury and illness prevention, since it intersects with dozens of hazards including:
- Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motions, awkward postures, and high forces
- Respiratory illnesses from dusts and chemicals
- Hearing loss from noise and ototoxicants (chemicals that can cause hearing loss)
- Cancer and cardiovascular diseases from exposure to carcinogens and high stress environments
- Infectious diseases from other workers
The NIOSH Manufacturing Program works to define current needs, identify research priorities and provide recommendations to continue to reduce the potential for worker hazards. The program focuses on several key areas: (1) reviewing new prevention documents and guidance, (2) advising on new research proposals, funded both internally and externally, (3) listening to concerns of manufacturing workers, and (4) exploring new technologies. This research leads to innovative prevention solutions that can help to keep workers safe. These innovative solutions can be simple and include programs like Research to Practice or Prevention through Design.
Manufacturing has long been associated with workplace injury and illness. While many hazards have been addressed, the journey to protect all workers is far from over. Moving forward, NIOSH and its partners will continue to identify new research goals and needs as the manufacturing industry works to solve large scale workforce challenges from training new workers to adapting new technology.
Research Rounds
Trends in Workplace Homicides in the U.S., 1994–2021: An End to Years of Decline
Study authors: Scott A. Hendricks, Kitty J. Hendricks, Hope M. Tiesman, Harold L. Gomes, James W. Collins, and Dan Hartley
Why is this study important?
The number of homicides both within and outside of the workplace decreased from the mid-90s through 2014. While the frequency of workplace homicides did not change from 2014–2021, homicides outside the workplace increased from 2014–2020. Understanding these trends is critical to preventing homicide.
How did you do the study?
We applied advanced statistical methods to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We then identified rates and patterns of workplace and non-workplace homicides
What did you find?
During the study period, 16,497 workers in the United States lost their lives due to homicide in the workplace while 456,494 homicides occurred outside the workplace. Workplace homicides that occurred during a robbery began to increase in 2015. Similarly, shooting-related workplace homicides also increased beginning in 2014.
By occupation, the highest rate was in protective services, with 2.74 homicides per 100,000 employees in 2021. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs were second highest, followed by retail sales. By industry, gasoline stations had the highest rate with 5.55 homicides per 100,000 employees. In 2021, men were more than three times as likely as women to die of workplace homicide. The rate of workplace homicide was highest among Black people, followed by Hispanic and White people.
What are the next steps?
These results highlight the importance of identifying and evaluating methods to prevent workplace homicide, particularly those that occur during a robbery or other crime.
Prevalence of Hearing Loss Among Noise-exposed U.S. Workers Within the Utilities Sector, 2010–2019
NIOSH Study authors: Elizabeth A. Masterson and Christa L. Themann
Why is this study important?
During National Protect Your Hearing Month this October, it is a good time to remember that hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses. Although permanent, hearing loss is preventable by avoiding exposure to loud noises and certain chemicals known to damage hearing. NIOSH recommends following the steps outlined in the hierarchy of controls to prevent exposure to workplace hazards, including those that can damage hearing.
Although work-related hearing loss is a known risk in construction and agriculture, few studies have focused on utilities workers. This study sought to learn more by identifying the utilities workers at highest risk for work-related hearing loss who would benefit the most from prevention methods.
How did you do the study?
We looked at the results of more than 1 million hearing tests from U.S. companies participating in the NIOSH Occupational Hearing Loss Surveillance Program from 2010 through 2019. We compared test results for nearly 14,000 utilities workers with those employed in other industries. The workers were aged 18–75 years.
What did you find?
One out of four utility workers with noise exposure had hearing loss, compared to one out of five workers in all other industries combined. Hearing loss was most common among utility workers in hydroelectric power generation at 37%, and steam and air-conditioning supply at 29%. These groups were followed by other electric power generation and natural gas distribution, with 24% of workers experiencing hearing loss in each.
What are the next steps?
Going forward, more research is needed to develop methods to protect utilities workers from work-related hearing loss.
Highlights
Employer and Worker Resource for Hurricane Season
Updated H5N1 Bird Flu Recommendations for Employers and Workers
CDC issued updated interim guidance for employers and workers to reduce the risk to novel influenza A viruses, such as bird flu, at work. These guidelines are specifically for people who work with or come into contact with animals. Dairy farm employers can use the new hazard assessment worksheet to determine when and how to use protective measures, like personal protective gear. Employers can also print, post, and share the fact sheets included in the guidance today to help their workers protect themselves from H5N1 bird flu.
Healthcare Organizations—Join the Challenge!
NIOSH is collaborating in an effort called the Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) Healthcare Data Challenge! The challenge encourages healthcare organizations to collect and electronically report complete patient case information to public health agencies. This information includes employment status, industry and occupation for current job(s), and usual industry and occupation using the Occupational Data for Health framework. Follow the link to learn more and join the challenge!
Upcoming International Conference: Foresight for Occupational Safety and Health
In November, NIOSH is co-organizing the Foresight in Occupational Safety and Health international conference in Paris, France. This in-person-only event will explore how strategic foresight can help us predict possible long-term consequences of economic and social changes to protect the health and safety of workers worldwide. Read the conference program and follow the above link to register.
Celebrate National Work and Family Month With Two Free Webinars From NIOSH TWH!
- Designing Workplaces That Value Worker and Family Well-being, Now and Beyond
Register now to join us on October 17, 2–3 p.m. (ET). This webinar will share the results of a study that followed more than 370 lower-wage, working-class families over 10 years.
- Public Policy and Employer Support to Improve Family Health and Well-being
Register now to join us on October 31, 12–1 p.m. (ET). This webinar will describe how employer support and public policy contribute to the well-being of workers and their families.
Register Now for the Next Foresight Friday @ NIOSH Webinar
On October 11, NIOSH is hosting Foresight Friday @ NIOSH from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (ET). The webinar is titled Exploring the Future of Occupational Safety Research. Presenters will discuss a strategic foresight project that explored how the future of safety research could differ from current methods. Follow the link to learn more and register.
Find more on our website
Federal Register Notices
World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program; Expanded Eligibility for Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania Responders
The notice was posted on September 11. Comments must be received by October 11.
Meeting of the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health, Subcommittee for Procedure Reviews, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The notice was posted on September 20. Comments must be received by November 1. The meeting will be held on November 8.
Meeting of the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee
The notice was posted on September 9. The meeting will be held on November 7.
Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations: Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP)
The notice was posted on September 3. Comments must be received by November 9.
Request for Public Comment on the Draft Hazard Review: Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers
The notice was posted on September 13. Comments must be received by November 12.
New Communication Products
FACE Reports
- Ironworker Working in a Trench Dies When He Is Crushed by an Adjacent Retaining Wall That Fell on Him—California
- Poultry Processing Production Worker Drowns in an Open Offal Wastewater Pit—California
Fact Sheets
- Reducing Workplace Violence in Gas Stations and Convenience Stores: for Employers
- Reducing Workplace Violence in Gas Stations and Convenience Stores: for Employees
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Report
Health Hazard Evaluation Report
Toolkit
Workplace Solutions
NIOSH Science Blog
What's New on the Blog
News From Our Partners
New Suicide Prevention Resources for Construction Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released a new poster titled Suicide Prevention in Construction: 5 Things You Should Know. The resource is part of the ongoing outreach to prevent suicide and support mental health in the workplace. The poster focuses on the construction industry, which faces a significantly higher rate of suicide than private industry overall. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Upcoming Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health Meeting
The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health will meet virtually, October 17, 1–4 p.m. (ET). For more information, including the tentative agenda and access information, see the Federal Register Notice and the council's website.
Updates From State Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Programs:
- Hazard Alert: Workers Killed in Confined Spaces—This Hazard Alert (in Spanish) from Kentucky involves working in confined spaces. To mitigate this hazard, the alert provides prevention recommendations and requirements.
- Fatality Narrative: Archaeologist Dies From Heat Stroke—This Fatality Narrative from Louisiana involves an archeologist who died of heat stroke while conducting an archaeological survey in a national forest. To help prevent similar occurrences, the narrative provides prevention recommendations and requirements.
Editorial & Production Team
Director
John Howard, M.D.
Editor in Chief
Christina Spring
Managing Editor
Tanya Headley
Section Editor
Anne Blank, Research Rounds
Kiana Harper, Highlights & Monthly Features
Contributing Editor
Sarah Mitchell
Copy Editor
Cheryl Hamilton
Technical Support
Steve Leonard, Adobe Technical Lead