If you cannot find anything that addresses your concerns, please contact us to see how we can help.
All NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation reports and other NIOSH publications are available at no cost.
You can either download a copy of the publication from the website or contact us for a copy.
For HHE reports, please send an email to HHERequestHelp@cdc.gov.
Information about all other NIOSH publications is available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pubs/.
We carefully review our reports prior to publication, but we do make errors from time to time.
We regret any typographical or other minor errors that you might find. If you find a substantive factual or data-related error, let us know.
Please send an email to HHERequestHelp@cdc.gov with the report number (ex. HHE 2013-0500-7500),
the authors' names, the error you are reporting, and the page number of the error. We will look into your comments,
fix confirmed errors, and repost the report. Thank you for your interest in the HHE Program.
HHE Search Results
1067 HHE reports were found based on your search terms. Reports are listed in order of year published with the most recently published reports listed first.
Year Published and Title
(2025) Blastomycosis outbreak among workers at a pulp and paper mill. (Click to open report) We received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a pulp and paper mill. The request stated concerns about potential exposure to Blastomyces fungus resulting in an outbreak of blastomycosis among employees, contractors, and visitors. Blastomycosis is a potentially severe illness that can occur after breathing in fungal spores from the air. In response to this request, we conducted a medical survey, collected environmental samples, and performed a ventilation assessment. This pul... (Click to show more)We received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a pulp and paper mill. The request stated concerns about potential exposure to Blastomyces fungus resulting in an outbreak of blastomycosis among employees, contractors, and visitors. Blastomycosis is a potentially severe illness that can occur after breathing in fungal spores from the air. In response to this request, we conducted a medical survey, collected environmental samples, and performed a ventilation assessment. This pulp and paper mill produced paper for commercial printing and label applications. The mill is situated on approximately 2,000 acres along a river. At the time of our survey, the mill employed about 890 workers and contractors from several companies onsite for routine operations. We conducted an initial site visit in March 2023 to learn about the paper mill's processes and procedures. During our visit on March 27 and 28, 2023, we did the following: a) Held opening and closing meetings with management and union and employee representatives to discuss the health hazard evaluation objectives. b) Toured all areas of the facility to learn about work processes, practices, and workplace conditions. c) Interviewed the health and safety director, the company occupational health physician and nurse, managers from multiple departments, and an industrial hygienist contracted by the company. Additionally, we spoke with some employees to discuss workplace health and safety concerns. We returned in April and August 2023 to complete the following activities: a) Held a total of 10 one-hour informational sessions designed to allow all employees to ask questions about Blastomyces and blastomycosis. b) Performed a ventilation assessment involving a limited visual assessment of the air handling units and makeup air units that introduced outside air into occupied spaces of the mill. c) Collected a variety of environmental samples, both indoors and outdoors, including soil, organic material, surface dust, and filter materials from the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to analyze for the presence of Blastomyces. In August 2023, additional samples were collected during excavation along the river for construction of a new bridge and from additional areas on the mill property not previously sampled in April 2023. d) Conducted an offsite medical survey including an interviewer-administered work and health questionnaire and offered a urine antigen screening test for Blastomyces. Our Key Findings 1) There were 162 of 645 workers who met the NIOSH case definition for blastomycosis. 2) Workers in the E1 Paper Mill and Maintenance areas had a higher prevalence of blastomycosis compared to those not working in those areas. 3) Exposure to pooling water and visible mold indoors were identified as potential risk factors for blastomycosis. 4) Environmental sampling did not identify Blastomyces on mill property. Our Recommendations: Recommendation 1: Properly maintain all outdoor makeup air units and recirculating air handling units. Recommendation 2: Minimize pooling water and wet areas, and promptly remediate water incursion and visible mold in the mill. Recommendation 3: Continue to educate your workforce on the signs and symptoms of blastomycosis. Recommendation 4: Educate workers about the potential for exposure, and continue to use a layered approach to reduce potential exposure to airborne Blastomyces.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2025) Exposure to lead during work on and near lead-sheathed telecommunication cables. (Click to open report) Request: A union representing workers at a telecommunications provider requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to evaluate lead exposure among workers conducting repair, maintenance, and installation of telecommunications cables. Workplace: The local union represented telecommunications workers working across two states. The union identified three garages with a higher concern of possible lead exposure to focus on for the evaluation. At the beginning of a shift, workers gathered at their assi... (Click to show more)Request: A union representing workers at a telecommunications provider requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to evaluate lead exposure among workers conducting repair, maintenance, and installation of telecommunications cables. Workplace: The local union represented telecommunications workers working across two states. The union identified three garages with a higher concern of possible lead exposure to focus on for the evaluation. At the beginning of a shift, workers gathered at their assigned garage and received important messages and assignments for the day. Workers drove their work vehicle with equipment to the field site. Some workers did not report to a garage before arriving to the field site, driving their work vehicle to and from their homes or a central office location. Workers then conducted their assignment of repairing, maintaining, or installing telecommunications cables in crews of at least two workers. Depending on the assignment, multiple crews may work together or near one another to complete the work. The field sites vary and can be categorized based on where the telecommunication cables exist: a) Underground environments (also known as manholes): telecommunication manholes are typically located in urban environments. These manholes provide access points to telecommunication cables and equipment under streets or sidewalks. Manholes vary in size, which can affect the ability of a worker to move around in the manhole. Between manholes, telecommunication cables run through plastic or metal tubes called conduits. b) Central offices: facilities or buildings where telecommunication service providers house equipment and infrastructure necessary to manage, route, and switch communication signals. Central offices are a hub for handling local telecommunication services and have a large volume of telecommunications cables. c) Aerial environments: telecommunication cables are attached to utility poles and require workers to use a bucket truck to access and work on cables. These environments are open-air and can vary in height. d) Other locations may also exist where telecommunication cables are present and need repair. Examples include inside residences or in shallow trenches. Wires within a cable are protected from the elements by several layers of material, one of which may be a layer of lead. In lead-sheathed telecommunication cable, the lead sheath protects the insulated conductors (wires) within. Some lead-sheathed cable remains in use. Some lead-sheathed cables have been removed and replaced by plastic-sheathed and fiber-optic cables, while some have been abandoned in place. For repair work, workers cut open a lead-sheathed cable or a plastic covering to access the wires within a cable. For underground installation work, workers entered a series of manholes to prepare conduits for installation of new cable. At the end of the shift, workers cleaned up at the field site and returned either to the garage, directly back home, or to a central office. Assignments could vary in duration from several hours to several weeks, depending on the type of assignment.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2025) Exposure to metals and noise during shipbuilding and ship repair operations. (Click to open report) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from an employer representative at a shipbuilding and ship repair company. The request concerned potential exposure to airborne metals and noise during various shipbuilding and ship repair activities. We initially visited each facility (new build and repair) to learn more from management and employees about the production process, work tasks, potential exposures, and health concerns.... (Click to show more)The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from an employer representative at a shipbuilding and ship repair company. The request concerned potential exposure to airborne metals and noise during various shipbuilding and ship repair activities. We initially visited each facility (new build and repair) to learn more from management and employees about the production process, work tasks, potential exposures, and health concerns. During this visit, we reviewed facility health and safety documents, observed work tasks associated with each job title, and developed our plan to return and conduct exposure monitoring for airborne metals and noise. We returned to the two worksites and measured employees' exposures to airborne metals and noise. We also observed work activities, personal protective equipment use, and exposure controls. The results of our air sampling showed that Welders (Structural and Pipe), Fitters, and Helper-tackers were overexposed to manganese. We found that employees' noise exposures in most of the jobs we monitored were above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit. Engineering controls such as portable welding exhaust, general building ventilation, use of noise barriers along with respiratory and hearing protection can prevent or reduce manganese and noise exposures at these facilities.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2025) Metals exposure in a metal powder additive manufacturing facility. (Click to open report) The director of operations and control at a metal powder additive manufacturing facility requested a health hazard evaluation concerning dermal and inhalation exposures to metals in the workplace. The facility was comprised of a main production area and a separate non-production (office) area. The production area was a main hallway with access to the powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, and post-processing rooms. Each area had its own dedicated ventilation system. During our visits, th... (Click to show more)The director of operations and control at a metal powder additive manufacturing facility requested a health hazard evaluation concerning dermal and inhalation exposures to metals in the workplace. The facility was comprised of a main production area and a separate non-production (office) area. The production area was a main hallway with access to the powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition, and post-processing rooms. Each area had its own dedicated ventilation system. During our visits, the employees performed a variety of tasks including printing metal parts, sieving powder, de-powdering printed parts, and post-processing of printed parts. Approximately 8 to 12 employees spent the majority of their time in the production area performing these tasks. Our Approach We visited the facility on two separate occasions. The first visit was in March 2023, and we did the following activities: a) Completed a walkthrough survey of the facility. b) Observed employees as they performed specific tasks to prepare and finish a print. c) Collected wipe samples of surfaces and employee outer clothing, personal protective equipment (gloves, coveralls), and skin. d) Obtained bulk samples of feedstock metal powders to determine particle morphology and composition. The second visit was in May 2023. During this visit, we did the following activities: a) Collected personal air samples for metals and/or organic gases during preparation, printing, post-processing, cleaning, and maintenance. b) Collected area air samples for metals throughout the facility during the workday. c) Monitored task-based levels and spatial distribution of particles using real-time instruments. d) Performed assessment on the ventilation system in the powder bed fusion printing area. Captured face velocities of the exhaust air vents in the area and took pressure readings of the interlock room located between the powder bed fusion room and main hallway. Our Key Findings: 1) Employees in the powder bed fusion room were exposed to airborne particles. 2) Employees in some production areas were exposed to airborne metal particles. 3) Feedstock metal powders have migrated throughout the facility. 4) Employee's skin and clothing was contaminated with metals during work. 5) Particle migration was affected, in part, by airflow patterns in the facility. Our Recommendations: Recommendation 1: Implement ventilation controls to minimize the migration of metals and gases throughout the facility and prevent them from being inhaled. Recommendation 2: Enclose or isolate dusty processes to minimize the migration of metals throughout the facility and prevent metals from being inhaled or getting on the skin. Recommendation 3: Implement administrative controls to prevent metals from getting on employees' skin and migrating in the facility. Recommendation 4: Use PPE to keep metals and gases out of employees' lungs and metals off their skin and to prevent migration throughout the facility.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2025) Potential hazards during growing and manufacture of cannabis products at an indoor cultivation and retail facility. (Click to open report) Request - Management at an indoor cannabis cultivation facility requested a health hazard evaluation of potential hazards associated with the harvesting, trimming, processing, and manufacturing of products for medicinal and recreational use. They were specifically concerned about exposures to dust, ozone, cannabis compounds, and microbial contaminants such as endotoxin and fungi. Management also asked for an evaluation of work practices that could lead to increased exposures. Workplace - The mai... (Click to show more)Request - Management at an indoor cannabis cultivation facility requested a health hazard evaluation of potential hazards associated with the harvesting, trimming, processing, and manufacturing of products for medicinal and recreational use. They were specifically concerned about exposures to dust, ozone, cannabis compounds, and microbial contaminants such as endotoxin and fungi. Management also asked for an evaluation of work practices that could lead to increased exposures. Workplace - The main facility was a large single-story building with an adjacent retail area. The building contained grow rooms (greenhouses), a mother room for the original plant strains, harvesting and drying rooms, laboratory facilities for quality control and extraction, production areas, a waste processing area, and a separate loading dock. The waste processing and loading dock areas had elevated ceilings. The evaluation was designed to characterize potential exposures for employees working with cannabis plants and plant materials. We visited the facility in April and July 2019 and completed the following activities: a) Conducted confidential interviews about work and health concerns with employees who did cultivation, harvesting, trimming, and production activities. b) Observed work processes, work practices, and conditions. c) Measured employee and area exposures to endotoxins in air. d) Sampled surfaces for cannabinoids including delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN). e) Identified fungi in personal and area air samples using gene sequencing. f) Measured sound levels for two machines in the production and laboratory areas of the facility. g) Measured area ozone concentrations in air. h) Measured area particulate concentrations in air during harvesting, trimming, and production activities. i) Measured area terpenes and other volatile organic compounds concentrations in air. j) Measured area carbon dioxide concentrations in air in the grow rooms. Our Key Findings: 1) Employees reported health symptoms that could be associated with potential exposures at work. 2) Employees were exposed to particulates and endotoxins in the air, cannabinoids on surfaces, and noise from equipment. 3) Employees were exposed to highly repetitive work that increased their risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Our Recommendations: Recommendation 1: Reduce exposures to particulates throughout the facility. Also provide respiratory protection for employees applying pesticides. Recommendation 2: Reduce exposures to cannabinoids in the workplace. Recommendation 3: Encourage employees with work-related health concerns to talk to their supervisor or healthcare provider about their exposures to endotoxins, cannabinoids, particulates and musculoskeletal issues. Recommendation 4: Reduce risks for musculoskeletal disorders. Recommendation 5: Reduce potential exposures to noise in the workplace.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2025) Workplace exposures in a school ceramics and visual arts studio. (Click to open report) Request: Management of a school requested a health hazard evaluation of their ceramics and visual arts studio, referred to as the art studio hereafter. They were interested in an assessment of potential exposures related to ceramics, including exposure to respiratory hazards such as respirable crystalline silica. Workplace: At the time of our visit, the school served children pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Two teachers used the art studio for their classes, which included ceramics, drawing... (Click to show more)Request: Management of a school requested a health hazard evaluation of their ceramics and visual arts studio, referred to as the art studio hereafter. They were interested in an assessment of potential exposures related to ceramics, including exposure to respiratory hazards such as respirable crystalline silica. Workplace: At the time of our visit, the school served children pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Two teachers used the art studio for their classes, which included ceramics, drawing, oil painting, printmaking, and photography classes. The ceramics classes were open to high school students and included hand building and wheel throwing techniques. The art studio was about 1,015 square feet, with a 10-foot ceiling, and was located on the first floor of a two-story building. The second floor of the building was only accessible by an outdoor staircase. The art studio included a main studio room, storage closet, small office used as storage, and photography dark room. A portion of the main studio room was designated as a lounge area where students socialized between classes and during lunch periods. A kiln room, which housed two electric kilns, was accessible through a back hallway. Our Approach We visited the school during December 2023, to learn more about the art studio space, potential hazards, and health concerns associated with the art studio. We completed the following activities during our visit: a) Observed a ceramics class, including set-up, and clean-up procedures. b) Collected air samples for respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, and respirable metals. c) Tested surfaces throughout the art studio for metals. d) Assessed the ventilation system throughout the art studio space. Our Key Findings: 1) Metals were present on all surfaces tested. 2) Respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, and respirable metals were not present in any of the air samples collected. 3) The art studio space was not set up to meet the needs of its occupants. Our Recommendations: Recommendation 1: Improve housekeeping and clean-up procedures. Recommendation 2: Evaluate the art classroom ventilation system. Recommendation 3: Follow best practices for multiuse spaces to ensure employee safety in the art studio.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2024) Exposure to lead during bullet recycling. (Click to open report) Management of a lead bullet recycling company requested a health hazard evaluation to evaluate lead exposure among employees processing lead-containing bullets. We visited the facility on two occasions and completed the following activities: observed work processes, practices, and conditions; measured employees' lead exposure in air and throughout the facility; collected wipe samples for lead on surfaces outside of the warehouse; interviewed employees to learn about work history, health and safe... (Click to show more)Management of a lead bullet recycling company requested a health hazard evaluation to evaluate lead exposure among employees processing lead-containing bullets. We visited the facility on two occasions and completed the following activities: observed work processes, practices, and conditions; measured employees' lead exposure in air and throughout the facility; collected wipe samples for lead on surfaces outside of the warehouse; interviewed employees to learn about work history, health and safety concerns, PPE use, training, and possible work-related health effects; and reviewed documents and employee BLL data. We found that most employees were overexposed to lead in air. Surface sampling showed lead was being tracked outside of production areas. Lead was also found inside employees' respirator facepieces. Employee blood lead levels were elevated. Historical records of employee blood lead levels suggest that medical removal from work or to job duties with lower exposure has been the predominant intervention in successfully reducing employee blood lead levels thus far, further indicating a need for improved controls. Recommendations included (1) improving local exhaust ventilation over the melting pots/furnaces to better enclose the melting process, (2) reducing employees' exposure to lead through improved medical surveillance, cleaning, training, and work practices, and (3) reducing exposure to molten lead splashes by installing an automatic strainer.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2024) Exposures and health concerns in a dental clinic. (Click to open report) Request: We received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a dental clinic. The request stated concerns about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a serious long term lung disease that can cause permanent scarring in the lungs. IPF was first identified in a cluster of dentists reported in 2018. In response to the request, we performed an air sampling survey in August 2022 to evaluate potential exposures to respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, respirable metals,... (Click to show more)Request: We received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a dental clinic. The request stated concerns about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a serious long term lung disease that can cause permanent scarring in the lungs. IPF was first identified in a cluster of dentists reported in 2018. In response to the request, we performed an air sampling survey in August 2022 to evaluate potential exposures to respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, respirable metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We also assessed the existing ventilation systems in the dental clinic. Workplace: The dental clinic provides dental care services to patients. General dentistry services and procedures are performed at the clinic and clinic laboratory. The dental clinic is housed on the second floor of a two-story medical clinic on an academic campus. At the time of our survey, eight staff were onsite, including two dentists, two dental hygienists, three dental assistants, and one administrative staff. Our Approach We conducted a site visit in August 2022 to assess possible exposures during routine dental care, assess the ventilation systems in use, and informally interview clinic staff. We conducted opening and closing meetings with employees and management to share background information about NIOSH and this health hazard evaluation. We also described the purpose of our survey, activities that would be performed while onsite, and actions that would be taken after we concluded our survey. During our onsite survey, we: a) Collected full-shift personal air samples on dental clinic employees for respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica. b) Collected full-shift area air samples in multiple locations in the dental clinic for respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, respirable metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). c) Collected instantaneous air samples for VOCs during various tasks and procedures. d) Collected real-time measurements of respirable aerosols in and just outside of the laboratory. e) Assessed the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in use. f) Informally interviewed clinic staff to learn about any health concerns potentially related to exposures at work. Our Key Findings: All personal air samples were below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) threshold limit value (TLV®) for respirable dust. All personal air samples for respirable crystalline silica were below the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) and OSHA PEL. All area air samples for respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, and respirable metals were low; some metals were measured in all or most areas of the clinic. Some VOCs were higher in some locations or during specific tasks and procedures. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were the highest measurements collected during full-shift area sampling and during task or source sampling and were likely due to cleaning and disinfecting tasks. Treatment rooms (dental operatories) and staff offices did not receive adequate outdoor air from existing mechanical ventilation systems, and the clinic was unable to maintain temperatures in the clinic recommended by ASHRAE. LEV controls in the laboratory were not consistently used. When no LEV was used, higher levels of air contaminants were measured in the laboratory and adjacent hallway. Respirable aerosol generated in the laboratory migrated to adjacent areas. Employees reported no work-related symptoms. Our Recommendations: 1: Reduce risk of entrainment of air from the laboratory into adjacent spaces. 2: Encourage employees to utilize local exhaust ventilation (LEV) controls in the laboratory area during grinding, trimming, or soldering tasks. 3: Consider using LEV controls such as high-volume evacuation (HVE) and voluntarily using N95® filtering facepiece respirators (or other air-purifying particulate respirators) when performing dental procedures with nickel or silica (e.g., restorative procedures). 4: Improve ventilation so that all areas receive adequate outdoor air and maintain appropriate temperatures and comfortable humidity levels. 5: Make NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators (or other air-purifying particulate respirators) available for voluntary use and train employees on proper use of respiratory protection. 6: Ensure employees understand the hazards associated with working in a dental clinic and how to protect themselves. 7: Encourage employees to report any new, persistent, or worsening respiratory symptoms, particularly those with a work-related pattern, to their healthcare providers and, as instructed by their employer, to a designated individual at their workplace.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2024) Mercury and noise exposure at a lightbulb recycler. (Click to open report) Management at an electronics waste and lamp recycling facility requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposure to mercury, lead, and noise. During our two visits, we observed work processes, practices, and conditions, measured employees' exposure to mercury in air and the amount of mercury in employees' urine; interviewed employees to learn about work history and practices, health and safety concerns, personal protective equipment use, training, and possible work-related heal... (Click to show more)Management at an electronics waste and lamp recycling facility requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposure to mercury, lead, and noise. During our two visits, we observed work processes, practices, and conditions, measured employees' exposure to mercury in air and the amount of mercury in employees' urine; interviewed employees to learn about work history and practices, health and safety concerns, personal protective equipment use, training, and possible work-related health effects; and measured employees' exposure to noise. Some employees had (1) airborne mercury exposures exceeding NIOSH and ACGIH occupational exposure limits, (2) elevated urine mercury levels and reported symptoms consistent with mercury exposure, and (3) noise exposures over the NIOSH recommended exposure limit. In addition to employee exposures, we measured elevated concentrations of mercury in the air throughout the facility, including in nonproduction areas. Additionally, we observed mercury-containing dust piles throughout the facility and areas where engineering and administrative controls could be used to reduce the potential for exposures. Air sampling results indicate worker exposures to mercury and noise exceeded relevant occupational exposure limits. We noted high urine mercury levels in employees who had high occupational exposure to mercury in air and found high occupational exposure to mercury even in nonproduction areas. Some employees also reported symptoms consistent with mercury exposure, suggesting exposures to mercury may have led to health effects. Some of these exposures could be preventable with improved ventilation, housekeeping practices, and health and safety programs. In addition, some workers were exposed to noise over the NIOSH recommended exposure limit. Equipment enclosures and preventative maintenance of equipment may help reduce hazardous noise exposures in these areas. Our recommendations included (1) installing local exhaust ventilation and repairing existing systems, (2) improving housekeeping procedures, (3) standardizing the use of personal protective equipment among employees who are exposed to mercury-containing dusts, (4) improving the hearing loss prevention program, (5) periodically reevaluating workplace equipment and safety and health programs, and (6) encouraging employees to report any new, persistent, or worsening health symptoms, especially those with a work-related pattern, to their healthcare providers.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2024) Occupational exposures and indoor environmental quality in an underground cavern workplace. (Click to open report) An employer representative of a warehouse facility, located in a former underground limestone quarry, requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposures to carbon monoxide, wood dust and other airborne particles, noise, and radon. During our visits, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, and spoke with employees; (2) measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and radon; (3) collected air samples for wood dust, oth... (Click to show more)An employer representative of a warehouse facility, located in a former underground limestone quarry, requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposures to carbon monoxide, wood dust and other airborne particles, noise, and radon. During our visits, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, and spoke with employees; (2) measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and radon; (3) collected air samples for wood dust, other airborne particles, and noise; (4) used tracer gas to measure the air exchange rate in the workspace; (5) took sound level measurements when powered woodworking equipment and tools were used; and (6) measured illumination levels at various locations throughout the space. We found employees' noise exposures in the woodshop exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit due to noise generated during the use of powered woodworking equipment. Wood dust exposures in the woodshop could exceed occupational exposure limits depending on how much time woodworking equipment was used. Carbon monoxide and radon levels were well below occupational exposure limits. The air exchange was very low as the warehouse as there was not a mechanical ventilation system to bring outdoor air into workspace. Temperature and relative humidity levels were within ASHRAE guidelines. Our measurements indicated that illumination could be improved in some areas of the workspace. We recommended including woodshop employees in a hearing loss prevention program, which includes audiometric testing, proper hearing protection use, and employee training; improving wood dust capture at the saws; increasing lighting in various areas of the workspace; and adding a portable toilet, handwashing station, emergency eyewash, and drinking water within the work area.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
