The National Research Council was charged with evaluating the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program and determining whether program activities resulted in improvements in workplace practices and decreases in hazardous exposures that cause occupational illnesses. The program was found to play a key role in addressing existing widespread or emerging occupational health issues. This book makes several recommendations that could improve a very strong program including more systematic use of surveillance data to facilitate priority setting, and greater interaction with a broader array of workers, industries, and other government agencies.
Summary 1
1 Introduction 13
Charge to the Committee 13
The Evaluation Process 16
Report Organization 18
2 Description of the Health Hazard Evaluation Program 20
Introduction 20
Historical Overview 21
Inputs 25
Activities 34
Outputs 41
3 Relevance of the Health Hazard Evaluation Program 42
Evaluation of Relevance 42
Relevance of Inputs (Planning and Resources) 43
Relevance of Activities 62
Relevance of Outputs 70
Emerging Issues 75
Emergency Response 78
Relevance Score 80
4 Impacts of the Health Hazard Evaluation Program: Reductions in Harm and Transfer of Knowledge 82
Definition of Impact 82
1 Health Hazard Evaluation Program Impact on Reducing Worker Risk and Preventing Occupational Illness in Investigated Worksites 85
2 Transfer of Program-Generated Information to Relevant Employers and Employees Beyond Investigated Workplaces 92
3 Impact of the Health Hazard Evaluation Program on NIOSH Research and Policy Development Programs 97
4 Transfer of Program-Generated Hazard and Prevention Information to the Occupational Health Community 107
Impact Score 119
5 Vision and Recommendations 121
Vision for the Health Hazard Evaluation Program 121
Recommendations 122
References 128
Appendixes
A Framework for the Review of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 141
B Materials Provided by the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program 186
C Committee Information Gathering 188
D Stakeholder Input: Key Recommendations and Emerging Health Hazards 196
E Biographical Sketches 203
Overview