Analysis and Interpretation of Occupational Exposure Monitoring Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and OSHA Information System (OIS), 1979 – 2015

Analysis and Interpretation of Occupational Exposure Monitoring Data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and OSHA Information System (OIS), 1979 – 2015
Author: Taylor Morgan Shockey
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre: Industrial hygiene
ISBN:

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Background: Occupational exposure to airborne chemical agents is a concern for thousands of workers in the United States. Regulatory limits determine the level at which workers may be exposed to chemical agents, and exposure over these limits may indicate a risk for health hazards. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate exposure to specific airborne chemical agents by industry group, by occupation group, and over time using occupational exposure monitoring data in order to determine potential groups of workers that should be targeted for intervention and future research. In addition, this study used an auto-coding program in order to code the free text job descriptions to standardized occupation codes for the first time, as only industry was provided as a standardized code within the applied dataset. Methods: The study employed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and Occupational Safety and Health Information System (OIS) databases to evaluate personal air monitoring samples taken from 1979 through 2015. The OSHA IMIS/OIS is the largest occupational exposure database in the United States. Analyses were conducted in SAS. Exceedance fractions over an agent’s threshold limit value (TLV) or permissible exposure limit (PEL) were calculated through frequency analyses and linear regression was used to determine changes in geometric mean of exposure level over time. Statistical procedures included using logistic regression and mixed-model analyses to obtain odds ratios for the likelihood of exposure over an agent’s TLV or PEL in comparison to other industry or occupation groups. The NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) version 3.0 was used to auto-code free text job descriptions into standardized occupation codes. Results: Examination of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) occupational exposure indicated that manufacturing industry groups including chemical and allied products, fabricated metals products, petroleum refining and related, and transportation equipment had large exceedance fractions over the agents’ respective PELs and/or TLVs. The exceedance fraction of benzene over the PEL and TLV decreased over the 35 year span. Analyses of trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC) found that several dry cleaning related industries, had significant adjusted odds ratios above 1.0 for exposure to PERC over the TLV in comparison to other industry groups. TCE exposure over the TLV was elevated among the fabricated metal products. Among the construction industry records which were coded to determine occupation, the welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers occupation group was found to have significant adjusted odds ratios over 1.0 for exposure above the TLV to lead (inorganic, fumes and dusts), iron oxide fume, and zinc oxide fume. Lead (inorganic, fumes and dusts) exposure was elevated above the TLV among the painters, construction and maintenance occupation group. Conclusions: The OSHA IMIS/OIS datasets were successfully used to identify potential industry groups, occupation groups, and patterns of exposure over time that might indicate hazardous exposure to airborne chemical agents. In addition to successful and novel application of the data, the study identified the need for inclusion of standardized occupation in occupational exposure monitoring datasets as well as the need for data standardization to improve data quality and usage.

New Opportunities and Challenges in Occupational Safety and Health Management

New Opportunities and Challenges in Occupational Safety and Health Management
Author: Daniel Podgórski
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 179
Release: 2020-07-08
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1000080277

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Global economy and its business environment, and thus the world of work, have recently been influenced by demographic and social changes, globalisation, as well as rapid development and introduction of novel, sophisticated and previously unknown technologies and new business models, especially in the context of the so-called fourth industrial revolution. These changes pose a number of challenges in terms of maintaining and improving occupational safety and health (OSH) management performance, as traditional approaches to OSH management in new working environments may no longer be effective. In view of the above, the overall goal of this book is to present new approaches and methods for improving the effectiveness of OSH management. They are based on state-of-the-art research and are in line with the latest trends and concepts in the field. The book focuses on five thematic areas, which are discussed in respective chapters: 1) Implementing the process approach to OSH management; 2) Improving OSH management systems with fuzzy cognitive maps; 3) Implementing strategic thinking approaches in relation to OSH management; 4) Integrating OSH management within the framework of the CSR concept; 5) Enhancing OSH management processes through the use of smart digital technologies. The methods and solutions discussed may be considered as specific "opportunities" for the improvement to be taken into account in the processes of implementing and maintaining an OSH management system in light of the requirements of the new ISO 45001 standard.

Niosh Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments

Niosh Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments
Author: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.)
Publisher: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2018-08-03
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9780160946561

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Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, disease, reduced productivity, and death. To address this hazard, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the scientific data on heat stress and hot environments and has updated the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments [NIOSH 1986a]. This updated guidance includes information about physiological changes that result from heat stress, and relevant studies such as those on caffeine use, evidence to redefine heat stroke, and more. Related products: Weather & Climate collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/weather-climate Emergency Management & First Responders can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/emergency-management-first-responders Fire Management collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/fire-management

A Guide to the Work-relatedness of Disease

A Guide to the Work-relatedness of Disease
Author: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Publisher:
Total Pages: 472
Release: 1979
Genre: Medicine, Industrial
ISBN:

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Setting the Limit

Setting the Limit
Author: Sven Ove Hansson
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 198
Release: 1998
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780195121605

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Occupational exposure limits exemplify the practical application of moral values in medical science. But are they really effective in protecting workers from chemical hazards? In order to answer this question on the basis of sound empirical evidence, this book presents an unusually detailed and comprehensive analysis of three lists of exposure limits from the United States, Germany and Sweden. Hansson analyzes the nature of toxicological knowledge and discusses how the standards of proof required in a regulatory context differ from those appropriate in pure science. In his view, decision-makers must deal not only with the known risks but also with the uncertainties that arise as a consequence of the incompleteness of toxicological information. With this in mind, he proposes new ways to organize exposure limits and to evaluate toxicological data for regulatory purposes. Setting the Limit is a thorough, detailed study of the application of ethical principles in an important area of public health practice. It is intended for occupational health professionals and risk analysts, as well as philosophers and sociologists of science.

Occupational Exposure to Carbon Dioxide

Occupational Exposure to Carbon Dioxide
Author: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Publisher:
Total Pages: 186
Release: 1976
Genre: Carbon dioxide
ISBN:

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Occupational exposure to sulfur dioxide

Occupational exposure to sulfur dioxide
Author: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.).
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 1974
Genre:
ISBN:

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