Occupational Safety And Health Knowledge Research Articles

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Knowledge, Practices and Injury Patterns among Solvent Manufacturing Workers: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Adequate knowledge and practice of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is essential to reduce workplace injuries. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and the level of knowledge, practice, and injury patterns related to OSH among workers in a solvent manufacturing factory. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to select 286 respondents who were given validated self-administered questionnaires through WhatsApp and paper. Secondary data on workplace injuries were also collected between December 2021 and October 2022. The collected data was then analyzed using SPSS Version 27. Results: The majority of the workers exhibited good knowledge levels of OSH at their workplace, with all workers showing moderate to good levels of OSH practices. There was no significant association between gender, age, education level, and work experience with the level of OSH knowledge. However, significant associations were observed between gender and age with the level of OSH practices with p = <0.001 for both factors, while no significant association was found between working experience and education level with the level of OSH practices. Moreover, the study found no significant association between knowledge and practice, knowledge and injury, as well as practice and injury. Over 11 months, three incidents were reported, with acute injuries caused by chemical hazards and physical risks. Workers also reported issues related to the enforcement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ergonomic problems, environmental factors, and the condition of their workstations. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for safety and health training to improve the workers’ OSH practices and reduce the incidence of workplace injuries in the manufacturing factory.

Occupational Safety and Health Equity Impacts of Artificial Intelligence: A Scoping Review

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to either reduce or exacerbate occupational safety and health (OSH) inequities in the workplace, and its impact will be mediated by numerous factors. This paper anticipates challenges to ensuring that the OSH benefits of technological advances are equitably distributed among social groups, industries, job arrangements, and geographical regions. A scoping review was completed to summarize the recent literature on AI’s role in promoting OSH equity. The scoping review was designed around three concepts: artificial intelligence, OSH, and health equity. Scoping results revealed 113 articles relevant for inclusion. The ways in which AI presents barriers and facilitators to OSH equity are outlined along with priority focus areas and best practices in reducing OSH disparities and knowledge gaps. The scoping review uncovered priority focus areas. In conclusion, AI’s role in OSH equity is vastly understudied. An urgent need exists for multidisciplinary research that addresses where and how AI is being adopted and evaluated and how its use is affecting OSH across industries, wage categories, and sociodemographic groups. OSH professionals can play a significant role in identifying strategies that ensure the benefits of AI in promoting workforce health and wellbeing are equitably distributed.

Design of campus emergency response system in public health emergencies

Safety and health are essential factors of any organization to ensure smooth and effective functioning. Occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness is vital in preventing occupational injuries and illness. Various programs have been implemented by the organization to increase the knowledge and awareness of OSH in the workplace, including among institution higher learning staff in Malaysia. A study was undertaken to identify factors influencing the awareness level of OSH among the staff of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Penang, Malaysia. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to the staff through UiTM email and 193 staff were responded. The questionnaire covered 43 questions and was divided into 7 factors that influence awareness level. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and presented in descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the highest level of awareness factor was OSH policy, with a mean score of 4.90, while the lowest level was the safety and health committee, with a mean score of 3.90. The university management should increase the role of the safety and health committee to increase the safety and health programs such as safety talks, training, and campaign through posters and signage on the campus. OSH management is critical to prevent an accident at the workplace towards the development of a safety culture.

IDENTIFIKASI KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA MELALUI INSTRUMEN SAFETY GAME PADA PERUSAHAAN HUTAN TANAMAN INDUSTRI PT. BUKIT BATU HUTANI ALAM DISTRIK MAKMUR KABUPATEN BENGKALIS

Activities in the forestry sector is known as a sector that has a high safety risk. One of the activities in the forestry sector is the harvesting of timber forest. Where things are done at harvesting when not in accordance with SOP will cause a workplace accident. Forestry workers, especially timber harvesting, deserve occupational safety and health (OSH) guarantees. One of the efforts to increase OSH competence for workers in the field of forestry is felt quite attractive, effective, and efficient is to use the instrument safety game. The purpose of this research is to measure the increase in the knowledge aspects of field workers concerning OSH before and after given the instrument safety game and identify factors that affect the success of OSH knowledge improvement. To identify changes of increase in the respondent’s, use of the scoring results of the questionnaires are two types of questionnaires that is Self Assessment and Control Based Assessment to acquire the knowledge value of pre test, post test 1, and post Test 2 when trial using the safety game. The assessment using questionnaires showed an increase in knowledge after the use instrument safety game. Based on the result of Wilxocon test, to increase knowledge from instrument safety game on contractor worker feeling manual using chainsaw after given 5 replay game increased from the enough category to be very good category

Descriptive Study on the Level of OSH Awareness Among UiTM Cawangan Pulau Pinang Staff

Safety and health are important factors of any organization to ensure smooth and effective functioning. Occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness among the workers in the prevention of occupational injuries and illness. Various programmes have been implemented by the government and private organizations to increase the knowledge and awareness of OSH in the workplace including among institution higher learning staff in Malaysia. A study was undertaken to identify factors influencing the awareness level of OSH among the staff of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Pulau Pinang Malaysia. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to the staff through UiTM email and 193 staff had responded. The questionnaire covered 43 questions and was divided into seven (7) factors that influence awareness level. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and presented in descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the highest level of awareness factor was OSH policy with a mean score of 4.90 while the lowest level factor was safety and health committee with a mean score of 3.90. The analysis of all factors indicated that non-academic staff awareness towards OSH is higher than academic staff with a mean score of 4.51 and 4.41 respectively. The university management should increase the role of the safety and health committee so that it can conduct more safety and health activities such as safety talks, training, and campaign through posters and signage on the campus. Good OSH management is very important to prevent an accident at the workplace towards the development of a safety culture.

A National Survey of Health and Safety Knowledge and Beliefs Among Technical Vocational Faculty in Autobody Collision Repair Technology.

Career technical education (CTE) programs prepare new generations of technicians in a variety of trades. Even though occupational safety and health (OSH) ought to be included as an essential part of CTE curricula it is frequently absent or inadequately taught. OSH knowledge and beliefs were assessed in a national sample of 125 secondary and post-secondary faculty in autobody collision repair technology. Over 50% of faculty thought at least 75% of OSH knowledge was learned at school, and 9% felt that safety was primarily learned on the job. Knowledge scores ranged from 22% to 78%. Overall knowledge scores were significantly lower high school than post-secondary instructors (42% vs 50%, P ≤ 0.001) and in two categories: hazard recognition (44% vs 54%, P ≤ 0.05) and hazard control and shop equipment (30% vs 37%, P ≤ 0.05). There are substantial gaps in OSH knowledge among secondary and post-secondary CTE instructors. CTE programs should address these gaps by providing trade-specific safety and health education to their instructors upon hiring.

Farmer Discussion Groups Create Space for Peer Learning about Safety and Health

ABSTRACT Objectives: Occupational safety and health (OSH) interventions emphasizing regulation or education have had limited success in reducing agricultural accidents and fatalities. There is a growing interest in sociocultural approaches to OSH promotion amongst farmers, such as peer learning groups (PLGs). The level of OSH engagement within farmer PLGs (e.g. dairy discussion groups (DDGs)) is unknown. This study evaluates Irish DDG engagement with OSH in 2016 to better understand how DDGs contribute to OSH promotion. Methods: A mixed-mode (online, postal, and telephone) retrospective survey of 121 DDG representatives (i.e. chairperson or long-term member) assessed voluntary OSH engagement in 2016, including the location, frequency, duration, and content of OSH discussions. Results: Representatives of 96 DDGs participated in the survey and met the survey criteria. Most DDGs discussed OSH to some extent in 2016 (96%), including sharing personal experiences of accidents and illnesses (89%) and close calls (82%). For 76 DDGs, at least one meeting in 2016 addressed specific hazard and risk management topics. Groups were diverse with respect to discussion frequency, duration, and topics discussed. Conclusion: Farmers actively engaged with OSH in most DDGs surveyed, suggesting dairy farmers value OSH discussions. The findings illustrate the role of DDGs in OSH promotion, as a space for farmer-led, peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing. Farm advisory (extension) services and OSH professionals can strengthen OSH engagement through tailored resources that reflect contemporary OSH knowledge and popular discussion approaches (e.g. experience-sharing).

Findings and views on occupational safety and health teaching at universities.

Young employees have often poorer occupational safety and health (OSH) skills and knowledge than older employees. Efforts should be made at different educational levels to strengthen young employees' OSH skills and knowledge. To analyze OSH perceptions and attitudes among university students and to examine OSH professionals' views on OSH teaching. This explorative study employs an iterative multi-method approach, including a paired comparison questionnaire for university students (N = 104) and OSH professionals (N = 40), an OSH questionnaire for university students (N = 130) and a Delphi survey for OSH professionals (N = 26). OSH perceptions and attitudes were found to vary widely among the students and some expressed somewhat stereotypical views about OSH. The results confirm the need to improve OSH education. To that end, the study reports concrete practical ideas from OSH professionals. The findings confirm the need to augment both the quality and quantity of OSH teaching at university level. Ideas are presented for future OSH teaching, along with recommendations for future studies.

Relationship Between Knowledge and Availability of Personal Protective Equipment with the Attitudes Toward Occupational Safety and Health of the Students in Laboratory X

Occupational Safety and Health (here after OSH) are all efforts to protect workers / laborers in order to realize optimal work productivity which is a human right protected by Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 1970 about Work Safety.⁽⁴⁾ Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a substantial component that needs to be enforced whether in industrial sectors or in educational sectors. Educational sectors require to implement OSH learning practices as what has been implemented in the Laboratory X at Faculty of X. Practically, the students occupying the laboratory must have the attitude of OSH to lessen or foreclose the risks of unwanted occupational accidents. Experiments conducted in the laboratory undoubtedly contain hazards reasoning from physical, chemical, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors. Negative impacts that can occur such as the emergence of potential hazards that can cause accidents, fires or blasting and environmental pollution. In addition, potential hazards can also threaten the safety and health of workers at risk of workplace accidents and work-related illnesses, thus impacting the company both financially and company reputation.⁽¹⁾ This research is observational descriptive research which aims at realizing the relationships between the knowledge level and the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (here after PPE) to the attitudes toward OSH in Laboratory X. The sample of this research is all population that consists of 33 student respondents in Faculty of X. The research method employed in the data collection, this research was the observational descriptive research. The instrument of this research is in the form of questionnaire concerning on the knowledge of OSH, the availability of PPE, and the attitudes toward OSH in the laboratory. The results sustain that there is no correlation between the knowledge level of OSH and the attitudes toward OSH in the laboratory. However, there is a weak relationship noticed between the availability of PPE and the attitudes toward OSH in the laboratory (p=-0.056; α=0.05). Thus, in the end, it can be inferred that the knowledge level of OSH does not influence the attitudes toward OSH, yet the availability of PPE does even though according to the statistic test, the relationship between the availability of PPE and the attitudes toward OSH is considered perceptible.

THE EDUCATOR’S PERSPECTIVE: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT SCHOOL AMONG PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Introduction: School can be considered as a relatively moderate risk working environment due to the various hazards assembled in the school. Nevertheless, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training is yet to formally inclusive into teachers’ training module, and the current one-off or ad-hoc OSH training mainly targeted among school students. The different OSH awareness exists among teacher and student have hinder the provision of sustainable and effective safety and health training program at school levels. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among primary and secondary school teachers towards OSH at the school environment. Method: A cross-sectional survey carried out at three (3) primary schools and three (3) secondary schools after stratified random sampling. School teachers from these schools were randomly selected among those who had at least one year work experience as permanent teacher at the current school through the fishbowl technique. A structured questionnaire was used and total 136 teachers were assessed on their knowledge, attitude and practices on OSH at schools. Result: Study found that primary and secondary school teachers have different knowledge, attitude and practices of OSH at school levels. Overall, the knowledge level of secondary school teacher (62.1% of high to medium knowledge levels) are higher than the primary school teachers (41.1% of high to medium knowledge levels); at the same time, 93.1% of secondary school teachers show positive attitude while 88.5% of primary school teachers show positive attitude on safety and health atschools. In general, OSH practice level among the primary (88.5%) and secondary school teachers (86.2%) are atrelatively good levels. Besides, there is positive association with knowledge and attitude on OSH behavior among primary school teachers. Apart of this, there is positive but relatively weak association with knowledge and practices and knowledge and attitudes among primary and secondary school teachers. Conclusion: Considering the background differences between primary and secondary school teachers, a sustainable OSH learning mechanism should be planned and designed together with OSH practitioners and Ministry of Education to achieve a sustainable safety and healthy sound school environment for teacher to work and for students to learn.

The Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Practical Courses of the Electronics Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Yogyakarta State University

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a part of the practical courses in educational institutions. This research was aimed at investigating: (1) students’ knowledge of OSH used in practical courses, (2) students’ attitudes toward OSH, and (3) the implementation of OSH in practical courses in the Electronics Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Yogyakarta State University. It is a non-experimental study employing a quantitative descriptive approach. This study was conducted in the Electronics Engineering Education Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Yogyakarta State University from February to June 2018. The subject of this study included students, lecturers, and technicians. Students’ knowledge of OSH in practical courses in the Electronics Study Program is good (74.2%). Their attitudes toward OSH are also good (92.2%). Although some students do not implement OSH procedures when conducting practical courses, the implementation of OSH in the study program is categorized good (63.3%). Furthermore, more intensive studies on the importance OSH implementation in practical courses needs to done.

FACTORS RELATED TO UNSAFE BEHAVIOR OF PILE WORK AT PT WASKITA KARYA (PERSERO) HIGHWAY PROJECT KLBM SECTION 2 WADUK BUNDER AREA

Background: Occupational accidents are generally caused by 2 main points of unsafe action and unsafe condition. Several previous studies have shown that unsafe behavior significantly affects the onset of occupational accidents. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to study the factors associated with unsafe behavior expected to prevent the occurrence of occupational accidents. Methods: This research was an observational analitical one with cross sectional design and using questionnaire to obtain primary data. The variables studied were personal factors (age, education, knowledge of Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH), fatigue and unsafe behavior. The samples of this research were 39 respondents taken randomly from population (43 workers) who were pile workers in PT Waskita Karya (Persero), Tbk KLBM Toll Project Section 2 Area Waduk Bunder. Data analysis in this research used spearman statistic test. Result: The result showed that from 39 respondents, 33 respondents (84.61%) did unsafe behavior in medium category and 6 respondents (15,39%) did unsafe behavior in high category. Of the four variables studied, researcher obtained that the value of correlation coefficient of age with unsafe behavior is -3.323, knowledge K3 with unsafe behavior is -0,545. While education and fatigue had no correlation with unsafe behavior. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the higher the age the lower the unsafe behavior or vice versa, the higher the level of knowledge of OSH the lower the unsafe behavior or vice versa.

EFFECTIVENESS OF FIRST AID AND OSH TRAINING ON IMPROVING THE KNOWLEDGE OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IN GRESIK

In Indonesia every year, 750,000 children die from accidents and 400 million children are seriously injured. In 2010 child mortality due to accidents, poisoning and trauma in Indonesia was recorded at 7.3% and was one of the five highest causes of child mortality. Accidents can be prevented and can be overcome if the teacher knows what to do to prevent and provide first aid in accidents or medical emergencies. The purpose of this study was to identify the average value of kindergarten teacher knowledge about occupational safety and health (OSH) in the school environment before and after training to improve first aid and OSH knowledge and skills. This type of research is quasy exprimental with one group pre test and post test design research design. The population is all kindergarten teachers in Menganti District, Gresik Regency. The purposive sampling technique was 20 teachers who were representatives of 3 HIMPAUDI clusters. Results of the study Before and after training participants were given a questionnaire aimed at knowing participants' understanding of knowledge and materials about first aid and knowledge of occupational safety and health (OSH). The average knowledge before first aid training was 65.75 while after the training it increased to 89.75.The average knowledge about OSH before training was 61.5 and after training increased to 90. The results of paired test tests obtained p value> 0.005 that is 0.000 which means that there is a very significant mean difference between before and after the provision of first aid and OSH training in school environments . It can be said that the training can increase the knowledge of playgroup teachers who are trainees about first aid knowledge and knowledge about OSH in the school environment. First Aid and OSH training can improve knowledge of kindergarten teachers at Menganti District, Gresik. Keywords: First aid, Ocupational Health and Safety, Knowledge , Kindergarten teacher

Occupational Safety and Health and Healthy Housing: A Review of Opportunities and Challenges.

Occupational safety and health (OSH) risks in construction of healthy housing (HH) have not been examined and collaboration between HH and OSH professionals is inadequate. The World Health Organization is developing international HH guidelines and the International Labour Organization is working to improve OSH in construction globally. We searched for exemplary reports (including gray literature) on construction hazards; preventive measures for occupants and workers; OSH frameworks, laws, and regulations; definitions; and HH. Healthy housing construction typically improves ventilation, moisture and mold, pest control, injury hazards, cleanability, maintenance, accessibility, thermal conditioning, and avoidance of toxic building materials. To date, this work is done without explicit requirements for worker health. Construction is among the most hazardous sectors around the globe, although protective measures are well known, including engineering and administrative controls and provision of personal protective equipment. Residential construction, renovation, repair, and maintenance are fragmented, consisting mostly of small companies without proper OSH training, equipment, and knowledge of HH principles. Residential construction is often undertaken by informal or unauthorized workers, putting them at high risk. Reduced exposure to toxic building materials is an example of a benefit for both workers and occupants if OSH and HH collaboration can be improved. By recognizing that homes under new construction or renovation are both a workplace and a residence, HH and OSH initiatives can apply public health principles to occupants and workers simultaneously. This article publishes key definitions, hazards and interventions common to both fields. A global increase in residential construction and renewed global interest in HH poses both risks and opportunities for primary prevention. Policy and practice interventions can benefit the health of occupants and those who work on their homes. Improvements in legislation, regulation, and international frameworks are needed to maximize OSH and HH collaboration and realize significant cobenefits. Occupational safety and health and HH standards should include requirements to protect both workers and occupants. Because homes can also be workplaces, both workers and housing occupants will receive important cobenefits when OSH and HH standards use proven interventions to protect workers and occupants.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF SAFETY AND HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF USE OF SELF-PROTECTOR EQUIPMENT WITH WORK ACCIDENT ACCIDENT IN BATIK KNIFE CRAFTS IN PT. X

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) knowledge is an integral in the system of employment and human resources. Accident is undesirable and can not be known when it happened, but it can be anticipated. Attitude in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in order to reduce the incidence of workplace accidents in the industry knife batik craftsmen of PT. X. This study aims to determine the relationship of knowledge on OSH and attitudes to the use of PPE at the workplace where accident of knife batik in PT. X. Type of quantitative research, using cross sectional design. The number of research subject were 31 people. The independent variable among others, knowledge on OSH and attitudes of the use of PPE workers batik craftsmen knife. The dependent variable was the incidence of occupational accidents in the workplace of batik craftsmen knife. Measurements using a questionnaire respondents identity and scale includes 3 kinds knowledge on OSH, attitude use of PPE and work accidents in the workplace. Analyzed by univariate, bivariate, multivariate with analysis product moment Pearson correlation and linear regression. The results showed a significant correlation between knowledge on OSH at work and the attitude of the use of PPE with accidents in the workplace, where knowledge of OSH contributed 16% and the attitude of the use of PPE contributed 22% of the accidents and the attitude of the use of PPE with accidents in the workplace contributes 35.6%. There is a significant effect between knowledge on OSH and attitudes towards the use of PPE accident of knife batik craftsmen in PT. X. Keywords : Knowledge on OSH, PPE attitudes, Occupational Accident, Knife batik craftsmen.

Awareness of the Regulations and Industry Codes of Practice Vis-a-Vis the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994: A Study among the Masters and Crews Working in Vessels of Commercial Fishing Industry

The Fisheries Act 1985 is the current legislation regulating the fishing industry in Malaysia. However in terms of occupational safety and health at the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act 1994 are applicable to all the fishing operations in Malaysia. The activities of fishing on vessels are exposed to lots of hazards due to unsafe act and unsafe conditions. As a result, accidents at the workplace happen due to the aforementioned reasons. Hence, the workplaces for Masters and Crews in fishing vessels must be safe and conducive to work. Following the enactment of the OSH Act in 1994, various initiatives have been implemented by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to increase awareness and knowledge of OSH in the workplace, including among Masters and Crews working in fishing vessels. DOSH have also circulated “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in Fishing and Aquaculture Operations”. At this juncture, both the employer and employees ought to be well-informed of some of the requirements stipulated in the OSH Act 1994 which have bearing on the safety of the Masters and Crews working in fishing vessels. The objective of this study was to determine the level of OSH awareness and knowledge among the Masters and the Crews working in fishing vessels with regards to the safety at the workplace. A study was conducted using questionnaire addressing general OSH issues, OSH legislations, occupational hazards at the workplace and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5p269

An exploration of workplace social capital as an antecedent of occupational safety and health climate and outcomes in the Chinese education sector

It is widely acknowledged that teachers are at greater risk of work-related health problems. At the same time, employee perceptions of different dimensions of organizational climate can influence their attitudes, performance, and well-being at work. This study applied and extended a safety climate model in the context of the education sector in Hong Kong. Apart from safety considerations alone, the study included occupational health considerations and social capital and tested their relationships with occupational safety and health (OSH) outcomes. Seven hundred and four Hong Kong teachers completed a range of questionnaires exploring social capital, OSH climate, OSH knowledge, OSH performance (compliance and participation), general health, and self-rated health complaints and injuries. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between predictive and outcome variables. SEM analysis revealed a high level of goodness of fit, and the hypothesized model including social capital yielded a better fit than the original model. Social capital, OSH climate, and OSH performance were determinants of both positive and negative outcome variables. In addition, social capital not only significantly predicted general health directly, but also had a predictive effect on the OSH climate-behavior-outcome relationship. This study makes a contribution to the workplace social capital and OSH climate literature by empirically assessing their relationship in the Chinese education sector.

Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Nanomaterials in the Workplace: Translating Research to Practice

In the last decade since the rise in occupational safety and health (OSH) research focusing on nanomaterials, some progress has been made in generating the health effects and exposure data needed to perform risk assessment and develop risk management guidance. Yet, substantial research gaps remain, as do challenges in the translation of these research findings to OSH guidance and workplace practice. Risk assessment is a process that integrates the hazard, exposure, and dose-response data to characterize risk in a population (e.g. workers), in order to provide health information needed for risk management decision-making. Thus, the research priorities for risk assessment are those studies that will reduce the uncertainty in the key factors that influence the estimates. Current knowledge of OSH in nanotechnology includes the following: (i) nanomaterials can be measured using standard measurement methods (respirable mass or number concentration), (ii) workplace exposures to nanomaterials can be reduced using engineering controls and personal protective equipment, and (iii) current toxicity testing and risk assessment methods are applicable to nanomaterials. Yet, to ensure protection of workers' health, research is still needed to develop (i) sensitive and quantitative measures of workers' exposure to nanomaterials, (ii) validation methods for exposure controls, and (iii) standardized criteria to categorize hazard data, including better prediction of chronic effects. This article provides a state-of-the-art overview on translating current hazard research data and risk assessment methods for nanomaterials to the development and implementation of effective risk management guidance.

Can Workers Answer Their Questions about Occupational Safety and Health: Challenges and Solutions

Many workers have questions about occupational safety and health (OSH). Answers to these questions empower them to further improve their knowledge about OSH, make good decisions about OSH matters and improve OSH practice when necessary. Nevertheless, many workers fail to find the answers to their questions. This paper explores the challenges workers may face when seeking answers to their OSH questions. Findings suggest that many workers may lack the skills, experience or motivation to formulate an answerable question, seek and find information, appraise information, compose correct answers and apply information in OSH practice. Simultaneously, OSH knowledge infrastructures often insufficiently support workers in answering their OSH questions. This paper discusses several potentially attractive strategies for developing and improving OSH knowledge infrastructures: 1) providing courses that teach workers to ask answerable questions and to train them to find, appraise and apply information, 2) developing information and communication technology tools or facilities that support workers as they complete one or more stages in the process from question to answer and 3) tailoring information and implementation strategies to the workers' needs and context to ensure that the information can be applied to OSH practice more easily.

An innovative approach to interdisciplinary occupational safety and health education.

The New York and New Jersey Education and Research Center (ERC) provides a range of graduate continuing education for occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in training. A key element of the education is to provide interdisciplinary training to industrial hygienists, ergonomists, occupational medicine physicians and other health and safety trainees to prepare them for the collaboration required to solve the complex occupational health and safety problems they will face in their careers. This center has developed an innovative interdisciplinary training approach that provides an historical aspect, while allowing the graduate students to identify solutions to occupational issues from a multi-disciplinary approach. The ERC developed a tour that brings students to sites of historical and/or contemporary significance in the occupational safety and health and environmental fields. The ERC has conducted five tours, and has included 85 students and residents as participants. 80% of participants rated the tour as providing a high amount of OSH knowledge gained. 98% of the participants felt the goal of providing interdisciplinary education was achieved. This tour has been successful in bridging the OSH fields to better understand how occupational and environmental exposures have occurred, in order to prevent future exposures so that workplace conditions and health can be improved.