June 15, 2007—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released the following new publications in recent weeks:
- Technology News 521, “Development of a Mobile Manipulator to Reduce Lifting Accidents” [DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 2007-111; NIOSHTIC-2 No. 20031498 2006]—Discusses a first-generation mobile manipulator that one person can use to lift and maneuver 50- to 600-pound loads. It can be used in maintenance shops and mines to reduce lifting accidents.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls and metals exposure (.pdf file) [NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA #2006-0006-3039]—NIOSH responded to a request from employees at a facility that recycles transformers, to evaluate exposures to dust, smoke, and fumes generated while recycling transformers, some of which contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). NIOSH recommended changes to engineering and work processes and providing personal protective equipment.
- Chemical exposures (.pdf file) [NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA #2003-0175-3033]—NIOSH responded to a union request to evaluate potential health hazards throughout the production area of a plant manufacturing steel bars and coils. NIOSH recommended engineering improvements, hearing conservation and other medical surveillance programs, and other changes to better protect the health of employees.
- Indoor environmental quality (.pdf file) [NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA #2003-0205-3032]—NIOSH responded to a union request to evaluate concerns at a medical center and methadone clinic. NIOSH recommended improving ventilation to correct identified deficiencies and implementing a violence prevention program.
