Category: Technology

Occupational Health Issues in the USA

Happy New Year. As we start afresh in 2017 I wanted to share my recent editorial in the British journal, Occupational Medicine, “Occupational health issues in the USA”. The article highlights some of the occupational safety and health issues identified as needing attention by the industry sector groups of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). Read More >

January 10, 2017 by John Howard, MD10 Comments

Emergency Response/Public Sector, Nanotechnology, National Occupational Research Agenda, Oil and Gas, Respiratory Health, Sensors, Silica, Technology, Total Worker Health

NIOSH Mine Emergency Escape Simulation Technology Available for Developers

Background All underground coal miners in the United States receive escape training on a quarterly basis. This training prepares them for exiting the mine in the event of an emergency and it must include walking either the primary or the secondary escape route from their work area to the outside (30 CFR, 2015). As a Read More >

May 12, 2016 by Timothy J. Orr16 Comments

Media, Mining, Technology, Training

Wearable Exoskeletons to Reduce Physical Load at Work

Robotic-like suits which provide powered assist and increase human strength may conjure thoughts of sci-fi and superhero film genres. But these wearable exoskeleton devices are now a reality and the market for their applications in the workplace is projected to increase significantly in the next five years. As with any technologic innovation some of the Read More >

March 4, 2016 by Brian D. Lowe, PhD, CPE; Robert B. Dick, PhD, Captain USPHS (Ret.); Stephen Hudock, PhD, CSP; and Thomas Bobick, PhD, CSP, CPE 14 Comments

Back Injury, Ergonomics, Manufacturing, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Technology, Wearable Technologies

A Robot May Not Injure a Worker: Working safely with robots

Robots are used in increasing numbers in the workplace and in society in general. As their numbers and capabilities increase, observers have urged that scientists, engineers, and policymakers explore the implications of robotics for society, to ensure that the rise of robots will not spell “doom for humanity” as some critics have warned [1]. Read More >

November 20, 2015 by Vladimir Murashov, PhD; Frank Hearl, PE; and John Howard, M.D.142 Comments

Manufacturing, Robotics, Technology

NIOSH Travel Health and Safety Resource Kit for Workers with International Assignments

Travel Internationally for Work? Tell us what you think. Ever looked at international travel resources on the web? There are an incredible number. Most are intended for leisure travel and not for work-related travel, and most are overwhelming in detail. In addition to the many logistics involved in making foreign travel a pleasant and successful Read More >

September 15, 2015 by L. Casey Chosewood, MD, MPH; John Gibbins, DVM, MPH; Margaret Kitt, MD; Leslie Nickels, PhD, Med; John Piacentino, MD, MPH; Donna Van Bogaert, PhD; and Kristin Yeoman, MD 15 Comments

Communication, International, Technology

The NIOSH eDoc: New way to get NIOSH information on the Move

The new NIOSH eDoc provides a mobile-friendly format for short NIOSH publications. This new publication product presents workplace safety and health information in a way that is accessible and easy to use on any mobile device, desktop, or laptop computer. NIOSH eDocs are created using Responsive Web Design which enables web content to automatically Read More >

August 5, 2015 by Deborah Hornback, MS and Christopher Storms11 Comments

Communication, Ergonomics, Technology