NIOSH Science Blog Posts
NIOSH Mining Program Poised to Support Mining of Critical Minerals
Critical minerals such as cobalt, copper and lithium, and the rare earth elements like cerium, neodymium and lanthanum are used in semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace components, and medical devices. Workers who mine these critical minerals are vital to our economy, national security, energy independence, and technological advancement. The Mining Program of the National Institute Read More >
Posted on byMost-viewed NIOSH Products in 2024
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides information on our research in a variety of formats to reach different audiences. If a new document or research paper is released, you may see it on our website, summarized on our Science Blog, promoted on our social media channels, or explained in a Read More >
Posted on byHow to Protect Workers and the Public from Wildfire Smoke
As fires continue in the Los Angeles area, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and National Center for Environmental Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are providing employers, workers, and the general public information to help stay protected from wildfire smoke. For those directly Read More >
Posted on byReflecting on 2024: Workplace and Worker Safety, Health, and Well-being
As we close out the year, we are taking a moment to reflect on and celebrate some of the notable achievements and significant progress the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has made in improving and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of workers across our nation. NIOSH used innovative ways to develop Read More >
Posted on byImproved Recruitment and Retention of Women Firefighters with Elevated Attention to their Health and Safety
The advantages of a workforce populated with both men and women are well-documented and range from increased collaboration to greater productivity.[1] While other industries benefit from a balanced workforce (53% male), the fire service lags behind with the workforce remaining 91% male.[2][3] Many fire departments in the United States have faced challenges trying to attract Read More >
Posted on byHow to Use the New NLE Calc App Features to Help Prevent Back Injuries
Back injuries are one of the most common concerns to workers across numerous industries and occupations. These injuries resulted in 250,830 days away from work from 2021-2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), back injury cases accounted for about 40% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) involving days away from work. Repetitive heavy Read More >
Posted on byLogging Mechanization and Impacts on Health
While logging is still considered a high-risk industry, the mechanization of work has contributed to critical safety improvements. When at one time most loggers performed manual felling, today a logger’s workday is increasingly spent seated while operating heavy equipment. There is no doubt that mechanization has changed the industry in many ways. Researchers at Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentThe NIOSH Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge
Millions of workers across the United States rely on tight-fitting respirators to keep them safe on the job. These workers have a wide variability in facial features and dimensions, making it challenging to identify specific respirator models and sizes that will provide a proper fit. If a respirator does not properly fit, forming a tight Read More >
Posted on byHow Tribal Communities Can Use the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program
The final blog post in our series celebrating Native American Heritage Month highlights a free program available to anyone, including American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, employers, and workers. Some may not be aware of this service, though it has been part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Helath (NIOSH) around Read More >
Posted on byAmerican Indian and Alaska Native Workers
This is the second blog post in our series celebrating Native American Heritage Month. It provides a general description of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) workforce using the NIOSH Employed Labor Force (ELF) Query System. Read the first blog post here. AI/AN workers are employed in various occupations and industries. Understanding where Read More >
Posted on byNative American Heritage Month: Honoring American Indian and Alaska Native Workers
There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes across the United States. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) workers play a crucial role in the U.S. workforce and economy, yet little is known about the hazards that AI/AN workers face. This is the first in a series of blog posts by the National Institute for Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsTransforming Construction: Automation and Robotics for a Safer Future
Introduction At its core, automation is the use of technology to perform tasks that were once done by humans. Technology includes software, tools to automate workflows, and machinery. Some of the early examples of automation in construction are power tools. As technology progresses, construction automation has seen rapid progress over the last decade with the Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentBeards and Respirators: Navigating No Shave November Safely
Introduction No Shave November is a great opportunity to grow out your beard for a good cause. But if you rely on a tight-fitting respirator for work, that extra facial hair could pose a safety concern. Respirators protect workers from harmful particles, but their effectiveness depends on forming a tight seal against your skin. So, Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentNIOSH-developed Tools for Monitoring Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Mining Environment
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS), most commonly in the form of quartz, is a known health hazard in many industries. Exposure to RCS can lead to debilitating and incurable diseases. To minimize the risk of health effects associated with exposure, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a final rule for lowering miners’ exposure Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsPerspectives on Forest Operations Safety
Forest operations, which include logging and other forestry activities (e.g., planting, thinning, fuels reduction, and wildland fire fighting), are a vital component of forest management. It is also one of the most dangerous places to work in the United States (U.S.). In 2022, there were 54 fatalities to logging workers. The work-related fatality rate for Read More >
Posted on byCelebrating National Ergonomics Month
October is National Ergonomics Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of designing workplaces to fit people better. Ergonomics focuses on creating tools, tasks, and environments that improve comfort, reduce injuries, and promote the health and well-being of workers. Ergonomics research and interventions can help prevent common workplace musculoskeletal injuries, such as Read More >
Posted on byA New Partnership Focuses on the Occupational Safety and Health Needs of Lone Workers
Working alone is common in many industries and may introduce safety and health risks for workers. In 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) formed a partnership to improve safety and health for lone workers by developing and disseminating information about the risks Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsWorried About Lead in Your Workplace?
Our goal in public health is to keep people safe from the hazards around them including in the workplace. If you are worried about lead or other possible hazards in your worksite, there is something you can do about it. There’s a program for that The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Health Read More >
Posted on byProtecting Workers on the Roadways: The Use of Truck-Mounted Attenuators in the Fire and Emergency Services
Workers who respond to roadway emergencies, such as vehicle crashes, can face multiple hazards. Working at roadway incidents frequently exposes responders to potentially being struck by passing motor vehicle traffic leading to serious injury or death. These secondary crashes during responses to roadway incidents contribute to about 50 emergency responder fatalities and injuries annually.[1][2] Additionally, Read More >
Posted on by 14 CommentsPrimary Care and the Working Patient — Occupational Health Principles in Practice
What someone does for work, and where and when they do it, can have broad health impacts. This includes direct effects from physical job exposures and hazards. Many aspects of work also affect health in other ways such as through sleep and eating patterns, social connectedness, mental health stressors, and access to benefits like Read More >
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