School and Classroom Lab Safety & School and Classroom Lab Safety & Health: Student and Young Worker Health: Student and Young Worker

NIOSH Safety UpdateNIOSH Safety Update Presented atPresented at

ACTE Annual Conference December December 5, 2008

Charlotte, NC

John Palassis, CIH, CSP, CHMMEducation and Information Division

National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthCenters for Disease Control & Prevention

Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Discussion TopicsDiscussion Topics

Background information on NIOSH

Demand for young workers

Young worker developmental characteristics

Overview of the student/young worker injury problem

Addressing the problem with various interventions by NIOSH and different U.S. organizations and government agencies

Information About NIOSHInformation About NIOSH

NIOSH is the leading research institution in the U.S. for occupational safety and health

NIOSH is a professionally diverse organization with a staff of nearly 1,500 people representing a wide range of disciplines:

Epidemiology,

Occup’l medicine,

Industrial hygiene, Safety,

Ergonomics,

Occup’l nursing,

Occup’l psychology,

Engineering,

Chemistry, Biochemistry,

Physics,

Health-physics,

Biology,

Statistics,

Health communication,

and Training.

NIOSH vs. OSHANIOSH vs. OSHAThe Occup’l Safety and Health Act of 1970 created both NIOSH and OSHA

NIOSHNIOSHIs under the U.S. DHHS/CDC,

provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and death by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.

NIOSH is a non-Regulatory Agency

OSHAOSHAIs in the U.S. Dept. of Labor, responsible for developing and

enforcing workplace safety and health regulations and standards; providing OS&H information and training, and funding consultation to the States.

OSHA is a REGULATORY Agency

NIOSH Provides NIOSH Provides Cost-Free AssistanceCost-Free Assistance

Health Hazard Evaluations Health Hazard Evaluations

Educational Training Grants to Educational Training Grants to Students in OS&H. Over 100 programs Students in OS&H. Over 100 programs in 50 Univ. & Colleges are funded ($21 in 50 Univ. & Colleges are funded ($21 million)million)

OS&H Information Telephone OS&H Information Telephone Assistance Assistance 1(800) CDC-INFO1(800) CDC-INFO

More Young Workers on the JobMore Young Workers on the Job

The increased deficit of workers in the U.S. resulted in employers hiring more and more young workers

Most of the young workers are unskilled and work after school hours, weekends, holidays and during Summer

Many career high school students work during school hours in co-op and other programs facing work hazards

More Young Workers on the JobMore Young Workers on the Job

70-80% of teens have worked for pay during their high school years, outside of home, faced workplace hazards 11

2.9 2.9 million students (age 15-17) worked students (age 15-17) worked during the school yearduring the school year22

4.0 million students (age 15-17) worked during Summer2

1NIOSH Alert 2003-128; Light 1995, Steinberg and Cauffman 1995 2Bureau of Labor Statistics 2000

Employment Distribution by Age Distribution by Age11

1NIOSH Worker Health Chartbook, 2004

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Workers16-19

Workers20-24

Workers25-54

Workers>55

Agriculture

Mining

Construction

Manufacturing

Transportation

Wholesale, Retail

Finance, Insurance,Real EstateServices

Public Admin.

Wholesale, Retail

Services

Construction

Manufacturing

Why Teens Work??

Sense of responsibility

Source of income

Training for career

Show independence and maturity

Desire for increased challenge

Young Workers’ Young Workers’ Developmental CharacteristicsDevelopmental Characteristics

More vulnerable to injury than adults

Eager to try new things and tasks outside their usual work assignments without training

Illusion of invulnerability, take risks

(new research -- the frontal lobes of the brain (executive functions) not fully matured until age 25)

Try to please supervisors (even if the job is hazardous or may be illegal)

Want to do a good job to be seen as competent and responsible, -- reluctant to ask for help or seek clarification – inability to voice concerns about safety (afraid of losing job)

Developmental Factors in Young Developmental Factors in Young Workers’ Increased Risk of Injury or Workers’ Increased Risk of Injury or

Illness on the JobIllness on the JobLack experience and physical, emotional, and cognitive maturity needed for certain tasks

Experience rapid growth of organ system that can be harmed by exposure to hazardous substances

Experience rapid growth of musculoskeletal system that can develop cumulative trauma disorders

May be exposed to asthma-causing agents and substances that can disrupt the function or maturation of the endocrine and central nervous system

Developmental Factors in Young Developmental Factors in Young Workers’ Increased Risk of Injury or Workers’ Increased Risk of Injury or

Illness on the JobIllness on the Job

Unfamiliar with work requirements and safe operating procedures

Boys grow at diff. rates, large boys given adult tasks without regard for their lack of experience and maturity

May not know their legal rights

May not know which work tasks are prohibited by child labor laws

Young workers who work more that 20 hours per week are at risk for increased drug and alcohol use and decreased academic performance1

1Bachman and Schulenberg, 1993

Forbidden Jobs for Young WorkersForbidden Jobs for Young Workers

The U.S. Federal Department of Labor makes it illegal for workers under 18 years to work in the following industries/ jobs:

Coal mining; Logging and saw milling; Metal mines; Quarries

Manufacturing of brick, tile, and clay construction products

Manufacturing and transport of explosives

Wrecking and demolition; Slaughter house, meat rendering, packing, or processing; Driving a motor vehicle (as part of a job))

Forbidden Jobs for Young WorkersForbidden Jobs for Young Workers

Operating power-driven hoisting or lifting (e.g., forklifts, cranes); Power-driven bakery machines

Operating calenders and mixing rolls in rubber, plastic, or paper manufacturing; Operating guillotine shears

Power-driven metal forming, punching, shearing machines; Woodworking machines

Work in trenches and excavation (>4 feet deep); Walking/ working surfaces with open unprotected edges (>4 feet deep); Radioactive substances

Problem: Young Worker Injuries*Problem: Young Worker Injuries*

NIOSH estimates that each year in the U.S.:

230,000 young workers suffer work-related injuries (one injury every 30 seconds)

77,000 require treatment in hospital emergency rooms*

67 young workers (under age 18) die each year (1992-2000) of work-related injuries* (1 every 5 days) and about 100 at the farm

(cause of death: motor vehicles, machines, electrocution, homicide)

* NIOSH Alert Publ. #2003-128

Numbers and Rates of Numbers and Rates of FatalFatal Occupational Occupational Injuries Among Workers Aged 16–17 and 18–19 Injuries Among Workers Aged 16–17 and 18–19 (1993–2002)(1993–2002) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004)(NIOSH Chartbook 2004)

(%)

FatalitiesFatalities by Occupation Among Workers by Occupation Among Workers Aged 17 and Younger Aged 17 and Younger (1992–2002)(1992–2002) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004)(NIOSH Chartbook 2004)

FatalitiesFatalities Among Workers Aged 17 and Younger Among Workers Aged 17 and Younger by Event or Exposure (1992–2002) by Event or Exposure (1992–2002) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004)

National Consumers League National Consumers League Child Labor CoalitionChild Labor Coalition

2008 Five Worst Teen Jobs2008 Five Worst Teen Jobs

1.1. Agriculture: Fieldwork and ProcessingAgriculture: Fieldwork and Processing

2.2. Traveling Youth CrewsTraveling Youth Crews

3.3. Construction and Work at HeightsConstruction and Work at Heights

4.4. Driver/Operator: Forklifts, Tractors, and ATVsDriver/Operator: Forklifts, Tractors, and ATVs

5.5. Outside Helper: Landscaping, Groundskeeping, Outside Helper: Landscaping, Groundskeeping, and Lawn Serviceand Lawn Service

http://www.nclnet.org/labor/childlabor/jobreport2008.htm#aghttp://www.nclnet.org/labor/childlabor/jobreport2008.htm#ag

Contributing Factors to Contributing Factors to Young Worker Young Worker DeathsDeaths

(From NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation)(From NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation)

Failure to recognize hazardous work situations

Absence of comprehensive safety programs

Absence of training programs

Failure to comply with Federal and State laws

Failure to provide equipment with safety features

Lack of personal protective equipment

Lack of supervision

Employer failure to comply with child labor laws

Inexperience of young workers, and learning unsafe behaviors from co-workers

NonfatalNonfatal Injuries in Young Workers Injuries in Young Workers

Approximately 40% of all occupational injuries are sustained by workers with less than one year of job experience

More than half of the injured young workers reported that they had not received any training in how to prevent the injury they sustained

Young workers have a higher risk for work-related (non-fatal) injury compared to adults

20% of injured did tasks prohibited by Child Labor Laws

$5 billion direct and indirect of work-related injury costs 1

1 Miller and Waehrer, 1998

Non-FatalNon-Fatal Occup. Injury Rates (1998) Occup. Injury Rates (1998) (NIOSH Chartbook (NIOSH Chartbook

2000)2000)

NonfatalNonfatal Injuries and Illnesses Among Workers Injuries and Illnesses Among Workers

Aged 16-19Aged 16-19 by Industryby Industry (days away from work) (days away from work) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004)(NIOSH Chartbook 2004)

NonfatalNonfatal Injuries and Illnesses Among Workers Injuries and Illnesses Among Workers Aged 16-19Aged 16-19 by Occupationby Occupation

(days away from work)(days away from work) (NIOSH Chartbook 2004)(NIOSH Chartbook 2004)

Addressing the ProblemAddressing the Problem

Multi-faceted efforts by:

NIOSH

Other Federal government agencies

Various organizations (incl. OS&H organizations)

States and Local School Districts

Textbook Publishers

Goal: Transfer/Communicate Goal: Transfer/Communicate OS&H Information OS&H Information

OS&H Info. & Requirements

High Schools

Career Schools

Teachers

Students/Young Workers

Parents

Employers

OSH Educators

Who is Responsible for Promoting Who is Responsible for Promoting OS&H in OS&H in High SchoolsHigh Schools??

There is no concerted effort by high schools in training students in OS&H for after school hour jobs

Many employers will provide some basic OS&H training to the working students

Some employers are not aware of that certain jobs are prohibited to young workers (as specified by Dept of Labor as Hazardous Orders, and State requirements)

Who is Responsible for Promoting Who is Responsible for Promoting OS&H in OS&H in Career-TechCareer-Tech Schools? Schools?

Each State Dept. of Education has OS&H requirements/competencies that teachers must meet

The school’s Principal/Administrator has the ultimate responsibility for OS&H

The teachers must teach OS&H and test the students’ knowledge in OS&H before allowing students to touch tools and equipment

Many career-tech school districts have their own full-time OS&H Coordinator

NIOSH Alerts, Updates (publications)Development of OS&H training curricula

Safety Checklist Program for Schools CD-ROM

Young worker community-based health education

outreach projects in OS&H

Collaboration of NIOSH with the National

Skill Standards Board, and other organizations

OS&H Teacher and Student Awards

Summary of Efforts by NIOSH in Reducing Summary of Efforts by NIOSH in Reducing Student & Young Worker InjuriesStudent & Young Worker Injuries

NIOSH Alert for Preventing Injuries NIOSH Alert for Preventing Injuries and Illnesses of Young Workersand Illnesses of Young Workers

RecommendationsRecommendations

NIOSH Publ. #2003-128NIOSH Publ. #2003-128

What What StudentsStudents Should Know Should Knowto Prevent Workplace Injuriesto Prevent Workplace Injuries

1. Know about and follow safe work practices

(www.youthrules.dol.gov)

2. Ask about training

3. Ask about job hazards

4. Know their rights (

www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/index.html)

5. Know the laws ((www.youthrules.dol.govwww.youthrules.dol.gov))

What What ParentsParents Should Know Should Knowto Prevent Workplace Injuriesto Prevent Workplace Injuries

1. Take an active role in your child’s employment

2. Know the laws (www.youthrules.dol.gov)

(www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/index.html)

3. Be aware of young workers’ rights

4. Share information with other parents

What What EducatorsEducators Should Know Should Knowto Prevent Workplace Injuriesto Prevent Workplace Injuries

1. Talk to students about work

2. Ensure the safety of school-based work experience programs

3. Include worker safety and health in the school curriculum (www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/99-141.pdf)

4. Know workplace laws ((www.youthrules.dol.govwww.youthrules.dol.gov))

What What EmployersEmployers Should Know Should Knowto Prevent Workplace Injuriesto Prevent Workplace Injuries

1. Recognize the hazards (

www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/hazardousjobs.htm)

2. Supervise young workers

3. Provide safety training

4. Know and comply with the laws* (

www.youthrules.dol.gov)

5. Develop an injury and illness prevention

program * For State laws visit (www.ilsa.net)

NIOSH Safety Checklists Program NIOSH Safety Checklists Program for Schools*for Schools*

A CD-ROM designed for use by people with or without OS&H experience or background

Can be used by:• Supervisors/Administrators• Educators• Workers/ Students• Teams• Safety Professionals

* NIOSH Public. # 2004-101 (rev. Nov. 2006)

Benefits of the NIOSH Safety Benefits of the NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for SchoolsChecklist Program for Schools

Help students/workers learn about regulations pertinent to particular trades, shops, labs, processes, and activities, and the benefits of using checklists for their own safety

Determine compliance

Detect areas that need improvement in the small business’ total environmental, safety and health program

Find sources for more information about regulations, technical assistance, and educational materials

NIOSH Young Worker Publications NIOSH Young Worker Publications and Web Site OSH Informationand Web Site OSH Information

All NIOSH publications are available on the NIOSH Web site at:

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youthwww.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth

NIOSH Publ. # 2007-107

PRINTED COPY

NIOSH Publ. # 2007-107C

CD-ROM

Teaching Young Workers About Job Safety and Health

Youth @Work: Talking Safety (NIOSH Publication No.2007-136)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/talkingsafety/default.html

Video: Youth @ Work: Talking Safe (#2007-136v)http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/2007-136/default.html

CDCCDC ((www.cdc.govwww.cdc.gov))

CDC/ATSDRCDC/ATSDR ((www.atsdr.cdc.gov/child/ochwebpgforstudents.htmlwww.atsdr.cdc.gov/child/ochwebpgforstudents.html))

Dept. of AgricultureDept. of Agriculture ((http://cyfernet.ces.ncsu.edu/cyfres/browse_2.php?search=Teenshttp://cyfernet.ces.ncsu.edu/cyfres/browse_2.php?search=Teens) )

EPAEPA ((www.epa.gov/greenkit/student.htmwww.epa.gov/greenkit/student.htm))

FEMAFEMA ((www.fema.gov/kids/teacher.htmwww.fema.gov/kids/teacher.htm))

OSHAOSHA ((www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/index.htmlwww.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers/index.html))

NIEHSNIEHS ((www.niehs.nih.gov/science-educationwww.niehs.nih.gov/science-education))

U.S. Dept. of Labor/Wage and Hour DivisionU.S. Dept. of Labor/Wage and Hour Division((www.youthrules.dol.govwww.youthrules.dol.gov))

Efforts by Other Federal Efforts by Other Federal Agencies for Young WorkersAgencies for Young Workers

Possible Possible New RequirementNew Requirement from your from your State OSHA in addition to the State OSHA in addition to the OSHA OSHA Hazard Communication StandardHazard Communication Standard

((29 CFR 1910.1200)29 CFR 1910.1200)

OSHA Lab StandardOSHA Lab StandardOccupational Exposure to Hazardous Occupational Exposure to Hazardous

Chemicals in Laboratories Chemicals in Laboratories

(29 CFR 1910.1450)(29 CFR 1910.1450)

Elements of the OSHA Lab StandardElements of the OSHA Lab Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450)(29 CFR 1910.1450)

MandatoryMandatory(a) Scope and application(a) Scope and application(b) Definitions (b) Definitions (c) Permissible exposure limits(c) Permissible exposure limits(d) Employee exposure determination (d) Employee exposure determination (e) (e) Chemical hygiene planChemical hygiene plan (f) Employee information and training (f) Employee information and training (g) Medical consultation and medical examinations (g) Medical consultation and medical examinations (h) Hazard identification (h) Hazard identification (i) Use of respirators (i) Use of respirators (j) Recordkeeping (j) Recordkeeping (k) Effective date (k) Effective date (May 1, 1990)(May 1, 1990)

Non-mandatoryNon-mandatory -- Appendix A and Appendix B -- Appendix A and Appendix B

EPA’s Newest ToolsEPA’s Newest Tools EPA Schools Chemical Cleanout CampaignEPA Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) (SC3)

School incidents involving dangerous chemicals such as spills and School incidents involving dangerous chemicals such as spills and fires. Financial costs, these spills may also cause school closures fires. Financial costs, these spills may also cause school closures that result in a loss of valuable education time. The SC3 campaign that result in a loss of valuable education time. The SC3 campaign seeks to address this issue by not only cleaning out excess, unused, seeks to address this issue by not only cleaning out excess, unused, and improperly stored chemicals but also by going a step further and and improperly stored chemicals but also by going a step further and implementing preventive mechanisms in schools. implementing preventive mechanisms in schools. http://www.epa.gov/sc3 http://www.epa.gov/sc3

EPA Website for Schools / HealthySEAT Program EPA Website for Schools / HealthySEAT Program

EPA's new software tool can help school districts establish and EPA's new software tool can help school districts establish and manage comprehensive school facility environmental conditions self-manage comprehensive school facility environmental conditions self-assessment programs by school The Healthy School Environments assessment programs by school The Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) contains a fully integrated Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT) contains a fully integrated environmental health and safety checklist and is designed to be easily environmental health and safety checklist and is designed to be easily customized to reflect state and local requirements and policies. customized to reflect state and local requirements and policies. http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.html http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/index.html

EPA’s School Indoor Air Quality EPA’s School Indoor Air Quality ChecklistsChecklists

Provides a link to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) IAQ for Provides a link to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) IAQ for Schools Web site http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tools4s2.html that Schools Web site http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tools4s2.html that contains information about the following: contains information about the following: IAQ Coordinator's Guide IAQ Coordinator's Guide IAQ Tools for SchoolsIAQ Tools for Schools    IAQ BackgrounderIAQ Backgrounder    IAQ Checklists IAQ Checklists Provides links to the following checklists: Provides links to the following checklists: Administrative Staff ChecklistAdministrative Staff Checklist Building Maintenance ChecklistBuilding Maintenance ChecklistFood Service ChecklistFood Service Checklist    Health Officer/School Nurse ChecklistHealth Officer/School Nurse Checklist    Renovation and Repairs ChecklistRenovation and Repairs Checklist    Teacher's Classroom ChecklistTeacher's Classroom Checklist    Ventilation Checklist and LogVentilation Checklist and Log Walkthrough Inspection ChecklistWalkthrough Inspection Checklist    Waste Management ChecklistWaste Management ChecklistIntegrated Pest Management and School OfficialsIntegrated Pest Management and School Officials

http://www.nclabor.com/osha/etta/indguide/ig21.pdf

UCONN Tools for TechsUCONN Tools for TechsChecklists for Technical High SchoolsChecklists for Technical High Schools

Tools for TechsChecklists for Technical High Schools

                                                        

The following checklists are included in the Tools for The following checklists are included in the Tools for Techs checklist packet:Techs checklist packet:                                                           

Automotive Collision Repair and Refurbishing

ElectronicsManufacturing Technology

Automotive TechnologyGraphic Arts, Printing and Photography

Masonry

CarpentryHairdressing Cosmetology and Barbering

Plumbing

Culinary Arts Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Welding

Various Organizations for Young Various Organizations for Young WorkersWorkers

U. California-Berkeley/LOHP (http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp)

U. California-LA/LOSH (www.losh.ucla.edu)

Washington State/Dept. of Labor and Industries (www.lni.wa.gov/scs/workstandars/teenworker.htm)

Wisconsin COSH (

http://my.execpc.com/~wiscoshm/teenworker.html)

Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation of Central Kansas, AFL-CIO (www.ksworkbeat.org/TeensatWork_/teensatwork_.html)

Various Organizations for Young Various Organizations for Young WorkersWorkers

State of Indiana (www.state.in.us./labor/childlabor/childlabor.html)

State of Maine/Dept. of Labor (www.safeteen.org)

New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (www.nycosh.org/index_young_workers.html)

Interstate Labor Standards Association (www.ilsa.net)

Various Organizations for Young Various Organizations for Young WorkersWorkers

California Task Force on Young Worker Health

and Safety (www.dir.ca.gov/CHSWC/Youngworkerdesc.html)

Child Labor Coalition (www.stopchildlabor.org)

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (www.fs4jk.org)

Massachusetts Dept of Public Health(www.mass.gov/dph/bhsre/ohsp/teens/page1.htm)

CareerSafe Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX-OSHA) Texas A&M Univ. (http://www.CareerSafeOnline.com)

Curricula Developers in OS&HCurricula Developers in OS&H

Specific instructions and curricula in OS&H for teachers/students are also developed by:

Textbook publishers in voc-tech education incorporate OSH in the curricula

National Safety Council & other safety organizations

Several Universities--Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma

Different occup. organizations e.g., EOHSIEOHSI ((www.eohsi.rutgers.eduwww.eohsi.rutgers.edu))

IN CONCLUSIONIN CONCLUSION

Much effort is given by States and local governments, NIOSH, and other organizations in promoting safe workplace and reducing injuries of students and young workers.

In time, the effectiveness of these efforts will be indicated by the reduction of injuries in schools and in the workplaces

For More OS&H InformationFor More OS&H Information

NIOSH Web site for Free Publications

www.cdc.gov/nioshthen click “Publications”

To Order Free Publications: 1(800) CDC-INFO

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

John’s Telephone: (513) 533-8136John’s E-mail: jpalassis@cdc.gov

Don’t Forget the Don’t Forget the Safety Paper CompetitionSafety Paper Competition

Submit your safety paper by January 31, 2009Submit your safety paper by January 31, 2009

Winner receives $1,000Winner receives $1,000

Award presentation at National Policy Seminar in Award presentation at National Policy Seminar in March March

More details at ACTE’s Web site More details at ACTE’s Web site http://www.acteonline.org/content.aspx?http://www.acteonline.org/content.aspx?id=2538&terms=niosh+awardid=2538&terms=niosh+award