NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Measuring Contaminants on Workers’ Skin and Workplace Surfaces

Summary

The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program conducts assessments at workplaces to identify potential health risks, offering guidance on how to create safer environments. In this video, NIOSH visits Cleanlites, an electronics recycler, to measure worker exposure to metals and flame retardants. Through hand wipes and surface contamination tests, they aim to understand exposure levels and recommend ways to reduce risks. Both employees and employers express their satisfaction with NIOSH's expertise and thoroughness. The video highlights the importance of workplace health evaluations and the collaborative efforts to improve safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program visits workplaces to assess potential health risks to workers.
• 😀 The program provides guidance on how to make workplaces safer and improve worker health.
• 😀 The video showcases a visit to Cleanlites, an electronics recycler, to demonstrate NIOSH's evaluation process.
• 😀 NIOSH tests for chemical contamination on workers' hands and on workplace surfaces to assess exposure risks.
• 😀 Adrian Frost, the Environmental Health and Safety manager at Cleanlites, explains the company's focus on recycling e-waste.
• 😀 Diana, an industrial hygienist, describes the focus on assessing exposure to metals and flame retardants in electronics processing.
• 😀 Hand wipe tests are used to detect residual metals on workers' hands both before and after their shifts.
• 😀 Pre-shift and post-shift hand wipes help measure if exposure to chemicals increases during the workday.
• 😀 Workers find the hand wipe testing easy to perform, with some acknowledging that it's a change from their usual routine.
• 😀 Surface contamination in non-production areas is monitored to ensure worker safety, as employees often eat in these areas.
• 😀 The goal of NIOSH’s evaluations is to find ways to minimize chemical exposures and improve workplace safety for the future.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program?

The purpose of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program is to visit workplaces to assess potential hazards that may pose risks to workers' health and provide guidance on making workplaces safer.

What kind of facility is Cleanlites, and what do they focus on?

Cleanlites is an electronics recycling facility that focuses on processing electronic waste (e-waste), specifically dismantling, shredding, and recycling electronic devices.

What chemicals are the NIOSH team specifically concerned with at Cleanlites?

The NIOSH team is particularly concerned with metals and flame retardants present in electronics, which could be released during the processing of e-waste.

How does NIOSH measure potential chemical exposure in workers?

NIOSH measures chemical exposure by conducting hand wipe tests on workers. These tests are done before and after their shifts to detect any metals or contaminants on their hands that might have been picked up during their workday.

What is the significance of conducting pre-shift and post-shift hand wipe tests?

The pre-shift and post-shift hand wipe tests help NIOSH determine if workers are being exposed to hazardous chemicals during their workday and whether their exposure increases over the course of their shift.

What do the workers think about the hand wipe tests?

The workers find the hand wipe tests to be easy to perform and not disruptive to their routine. They feel comfortable with the process and appreciate the monitoring for safety.

Why are cleanliness checks of non-production areas important?

Cleanliness checks of non-production areas are important because surface contamination in these areas can contribute to overall exposure if workers come into contact with contaminated surfaces, especially when eating or resting in those areas.

What is the ultimate goal of NIOSH’s evaluation process?

The ultimate goal of NIOSH’s evaluation process is to gather data to minimize worker exposure to hazardous chemicals, improve workplace safety, and contribute to research that could establish safety limits for these chemicals.

How does Cleanlites view the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation process?

Cleanlites values the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation process because it provides access to a community of experts who help assess and improve worker safety. They appreciate the thorough and knowledgeable approach NIOSH takes in evaluating potential risks.

What types of hazards can NIOSH evaluate in the workplace?

NIOSH can evaluate a wide range of potential health risks in the workplace, including chemical, biological, physical, and psychological hazards, using a diverse team of experts such as industrial hygienists, engineers, biostatisticians, and health physicists.

What should workers or employers do if they suspect a health risk in their workplace?

If workers or employers suspect a health risk in their workplace, they can request a Health Hazard Evaluation from NIOSH to assess potential risks and receive expert recommendations on improving safety.