States that Crystal Eastman and Alice Hamilton, organizers of the Workers' Health Bureau, helped shape the early 20th-century health and safety communication field by targeting texts to professional and popular audiences which sought to prevent occupational accidents and disease by promoting voluntary efforts by employers, government regulation,…

Presents a history of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard for preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and provides a section-by-section guide to preparing MSDSs that comply with the standard. (SR)

Describes one working group's attempts to develop and utilize assessment tools for measuring and changing organizational support for employee health. Originally designed as part of a heart health related intervention, the system has evolved into a managed care evaluation and major chronic disease inventory. Findings indicate the potential of…

Discusses the adverse impact of poor classroom air quality on student performance and how school officials can eliminate the sources of indoor air pollution. Describes Environmental Protection Agency's "Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools" program downloadable at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/index.html. (PKP)

Suggests that psychology has an obligation to help achieve healthy work environments. This will require the development of a new doctoral-level specialty that combines the perspective of health psychology with those of occupational health and public health. The new field might be called occupational health psychology. (EVL)

Because potentially hazardous noises abound in schools, especially in technical areas, this article describes ways to identify problems and help students and employees protect their hearing. Also looks at legislated requirements for blood-borne pathogens, laboratory safety, hazardous waste disposal, personal protective equipment, and other areas.…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether and, if so, why engineering faculty include occupational and public health and safety in their undergraduate engineering courses. Data were collected from 157 undergraduate engineering faculty from 65 colleges of engineering in the United States. (LZ)

Survey responses from 404 (of 523) office support personnel showed that most used computers 3-6 hours per day and had experienced vision or musculoskeletal problems, but most did not see a doctor, take regular breaks, do stretching exercises, or discuss problems with their supervisors. Many were not aware of ergonomic features that could help, and…

A study of safety training programs in 66 Canadian companies found that those who provided tailor-made training already offered better working conditions, greater management involvement in safety work, and more safety activities than those who used outside training sources. This suggests that safety regulations benefit good companies more than…

The 1916 Federal Employees' Compensation Act is still the focal point around which the federal workers compensation program works today. The program has gone through many changes on its way to becoming a modern means of compensating workers for job-related injury, disease, and death. (Author)

Investigated a possible cancer cluster among employees at one elementary school. Results of an industrial hygiene survey and health investigation found a marginally significant increase of risk for breast cancer among females who had worked for the school but no other excess in cancers. There were no significant employee exposures to carcinogens…

Responses from 41 of 66 nursing schools showed that occupational health is taught in 88% of nursing diploma and 80% of nursing degree programs. However, the majority focus on nurses' own occupational safety and health, not how patients' health can be affected by work or can affect the ability to work. (SK)

Examined the cardiovascular health profiles of hospital employees participating in an incentive screening program for 4 years. The program involved cardiovascular screenings, results counseling, and encouragement to participate in education and behavioral support programs. Cardiovascular health improvements related to long-term program…

Context: Medical and allied health professionals who work in agricultural states frequently address the needs of clients who live and work in rural and frontier environments. The primary occupations of those living in rural areas include farming, ranching, or other agriculture-related work. Farming is consistently ranked as one of the most…

As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate…