Occupational therapy teaches skills that help the person live as independently as possible. Skills may include dressing, eating, bathing, and relating to people. The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) informs workers, employers, and occupational health professionals about workplace chemicals and their hazards.

Understanding the Context

The NPG gives general industrial hygiene information for hundreds of chemicals/classes. NIOSH is the federal institute responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. Ask an occupational safety and health question or view NIOSH organizational information and program contacts. In occupational health, ergonomics is the design of work tasks and job demands to fit the capabilities of the working population.

Key Insights

The goal of ergonomics is to reduce and prevent musculoskeletal disorders caused by multiple factors. These include: Physical (work tasks such as pushing, pulling, or lifting) Psychosocial (mental wellbeing influenced by social factors) Personal (age, sex, and body ... Preventing Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is an in-depth guide for employers and safety professionals. This guide walks step by step through the basics of creating a safer, quieter workplace and protecting workers from noise-induced hearing loss. Overview The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for occupational noise exposure is 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) over an eight-hour shift.

Final Thoughts

If workers are repeatedly exposed to noise at or above the REL, employers must provide a hearing loss prevention program. Noise levels are likely hazardous if a person must raise their voice to speak with someone is an arm's length away. Hearing loss ... NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have updated the hazard alert around the dangers of silica dust exposure for workers who manufacture, finish, and install natural and engineered stone countertops.