From Bob Kunz:
I have just learned of that NIOSH has issued a respirator user notice concerning N95 respirators – see the NIOSH notice link.
Here is some information pertaining to use of N95 respirators:
• OSHA Interpretation
• OSHA Voluntary Use of Respirators
From Maryann:
Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Backing Construction Vehicles and Equipment at Roadway Construction Worksites
Summary
Workers on roadway construction worksites are exposed to possible injury and death from moving construction vehicles and equipment [NIOSH 2001].
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that specific procedures and controls be in place at roadway construction worksites to help prevent injuries and deaths from backing construction vehicles and equipment.
Click her for the rest of the article.
From Maryann:
Hi Everyone – There are a lot of falls from ladders. The CDC/NIOSH has recently published a study about ladder injuries. This study provides a good deal of data on the height of the fall, gender of employee, type of industry and other issues. Below is a link to the study. This may be useful to you as you plan and provide ladder safety training. NOTE: CDC issued an errata removing a statistic from the sentence “43% of fatal falls involved ladders”. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6316a2.htm
From Maryann:
Hello Everyone – You may be interested in linking to the NIOSH blog, A NIOSH Role in Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, detailed below. It has some interesting information regarding the use of prescription drugs, particularly painkillers, in the treatment of work-related injuries.
Prescription drug abuse and overdoses are a major public health concern. Workers may face unique risks as injuries sustained at work are increasingly treated with powerful prescription drugs including opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol . Read more on the NIOSH Science Blog about how NIOSH is working to prevent the risk of opioid dependence among workers receiving workers’ compensation medical care.