June 18, 2007—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has added an Occupational Safety and Health Topic Page to its Web site, titled Prevention through Design.
According to the site, one of the best ways to prevent and control occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities is to “design out” or minimize hazards and risks early in the design process. NIOSH is leading a national initiative called Prevention through Design (PtD) to promote this concept and highlight its importance in all business decisions.
NIOSH defines the concept of PtD as: “addressing occupational safety and health needs in the design process to prevent or minimize the work-related hazards and risks associated with the construction, manufacture, use, maintenance, and disposal of facilities, materials, and equipment.”
According to NIOSH, a growing number of business leaders are recognizing PtD as a cost-effective means to enhance occupational safety and health. Many US companies openly support PtD concepts and have developed management practices to implement them, and other countries are actively promoting PtD concepts, as well, notes NIOSH.
NIOSH has partnered with the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, Liberty Mutual, the National Safety Council (NSC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and ORC Worldwide for the development of a National Initiative on Prevention through Design. Other partners may be joining this national initiative soon, says NIOSH.
