Employee Health

Introduction
How does OSHA contribute to job safety and health?
Office Environment & Worker Safety & Health
Construction
Drycleaning
Electrical Safety
Trenching and Excavation

Each year, approximately 6,000 employees in this country die from workplace injuries while another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. In addition, 6 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries at an annual cost to U.S. businesses of more than $125 billion. Effective job safety and health add value to the workplace and help reduce worker injuries and illnesses.

Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, (OSH Act), “to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources.” Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1902- 1990, contains OSHA regulations and standards. Some states have enacted occupational safety and health laws and operate federally approved state plans. Such states adopt and enforce state standards and regulations that are at least as effective as those enacted under federal law.

Maintaining a healthy office environment requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment (temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, and space), task design, psychological factors (personal interactions, work pace, job control) and sometimes, chemical or other environmental exposures.

A well-designed office allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures (correct ergonomic design). Sometimes, equipment or furniture changes are the best solution to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned. For example, studies have shown that those working at computers have less discomfort with short, hourly breaks.

Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness range from physical hazards (such as cords across walkways, leaving low drawers open, objects falling from overhead) to task-related (speed or repetition, duration, job control, etc.), environmental (chemical or biological sources) or design-related hazards (such as nonadjustable furniture or equipment). Job stress that results when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities or resources of the worker may also result in illness.

Over 9 million construction workers build and maintain roads, houses, workplaces and physical infrastructure. This work includes many inherently hazardous tasks and conditions such as work at height, excavations, noise, dust, power tools and equipment, confined spaces, and electricity. Construction has about 6% of U.S. workers, but 20% of the fatalities - the largest number of fatalities reported for any of the industry sectors.

Construction is one of the eight sectors that NIOSH is targeting via the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). NIOSH researchers identify causes of and develop programs to prevent injuries and fatalities in construction.

The commercial drycleaning industry in the United States consists of approximately 36,000 shops. Most of these shops are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Approximately 85% of drycleaning shops in the U.S. use perchloroethylene as their primary solvent. NIOSH researchers have conducted numerous studies of the commercial drycleaning industry. Some of these studies have evaluated a variety of health and safety hazards; however the greatest emphasis has been placed on worker exposure to perchloroethylene. NIOSH research in this industry has involved exposure assessment, engineering control evaluations, and epidemiologic studies.

Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard; practically all members of the workforce are exposed to electrical energy during the performance of their daily duties, and electrocutions occur to workers in various job categories. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.

Electrical injuries consist of four main types: electrocution (fatal), electric shock, burns, and falls caused as a result of contact with electrical energy.

Trenching and excavation hazards resulted in at least 542 construction fatalities between 1992 and 2001, or 54 deaths annually. Soil stability, soil type, changes in weather, and unshored trench walls all can contribute to trench cave-ins. Hazards associated with trench work and excavation are recognized and preventable, yet injuries and fatalities associated with these hazards continue to occur. Regulations and consensus standards describe engineering controls, protective equipment, and safe work practices to minimize hazards for workers during trench work and excavations.