Occupational Health

DEOHS MS student, Lilian Liu was awarded the UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies' 2021-22 Washington State Labor Research Grant for the study, "Assessing Stakeholder Engagement in Labor Policy: T

Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States and continues to suffer from a workplace fatality rate 23 times higher than that of general industry. Currently, the leading causes of death are vessel disasters or falls overboard. Most of these 

This report examines the lifecycle of hatchery salmon and the development of a robust health and safety culture within WDFW. The study underscores the ecological and cultural significance of salmon in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and addresses the challenges posed by their declining populations.

This pilot study investigates the impact of regular and irregular flushing routines on microbial contamination in eyewash stations across a university, sampling a total of 70 eyewash stations.

This article is an examination of confined spaces, particularly in the constructionindustry, and the associated safety regulations. It discusses the evolution of safety rules byOSHA, the significant costs and benefits of these regulations, and the responsibilities ofemployers in ensuring safe confined space operations. Specific focus is given to Sound Transit, a

This paper presents an in-depth evaluation of the University of Washington’s HearingLoss Prevention Program, a proactive initiative aimed to protect the auditory health of universityemployees. This analysis covers a comprehensive assessment of the program’s writtenframework, an evaluation of its overall effectiveness, and an exploration of distinctive challenges

Laws permitting growth and possession of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use are currently changing rapidly in the United States (U.S.) and internationally. (Carliner et al., 2017; Caulkins et al., 2018; Mahamad and Hammond, 2019) While cultivation and use of cannabis is still considered illegal by the U.S. federal government, multiple U.S.

The COVID-19 pandemic had differential impacts on vulnerable populations, including US individuals of Hispanic descent and certain working populations. Despite this, there are gaps in scientific knowledge regarding risk factors for infection in such vulnerable populations.

The wine industry in Washington state is a high-hazard industry that exposes workers to a variety of physical, chemical, psychosocial, and natural hazards. However, literature on the impact of these hazards on this worker population is limited. This thesis presents a narrative literature review of hazards, exposures, health effects, and controls that impact the industry’s workers.

The use of chemical agents to eradicate pests and weeds is prevalent across both developing and developed countries, and it plays a crucial role in the agricultural sector by enhancing crop yields and minimizing losses.

Background.

Background: Asthma is a leading cause of childhood morbidity in the U.S. and a significant public health concern. The prenatal period is a critical window during which environmental influences, including maternal occupational exposures, can shape child respiratory health.

Background and Objectives: Dermal exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a likely pathway explaining elevated cancer risk in firefighters.

Background:

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are extensively used to support agricultural practices in Washington State. OP exposure is associated with both asthmatic populations and agricultural communities. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the correlation between OP pesticide exposure in agricultural community, with respiratory health outcomes, associated with asthma.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, which is a federal plan enforceable throughout the United States. Any state can have an approved state plan as long as the safety and health rules and regulations in the state plan are either as stringent or more stringent than OSHA rules and regulations.

This project involved conducting an exposure assessment in the paint shop at Seattle City Light to evaluate

Immigrants face a number of unique challenges when migrating to the United States. One of the most important concerns is securing employment. For decades, Human Capital Theory has been the prevailing framework supporting the idea that types of human capital such as education, skills, English-proficiency, and other attributes are important for individuals to succeed in the labor market.

Background: Terpenes are a broad class of volatile and semi volatile organic compounds with over 40,000 different known structures, that are emitted by a wide variety of flora. Terpene concentrations vary in different forest settings.

Background: JP-8, Jet A-1, and Jet A are kerosene-based aviation fuels. Jet fuel combustion produces complex pollutant mixtures including VOCs, CO2, CO, NOx, SOx, PAHs and PM. Particles are characterized by size, with ultrafine particles (UFPs -- those particles < 100 nm in diameter) typically quantified by particle number concentration.

The complex interplay between routine antibiotic use and zoonotic pathogen presence makes livestock farming environments unique nexuses for the potential emergence of zoonotic diseases and/or antibiotic resistant bacteria and their resistance genes.

Aim – The primary aim of this study is to direct future research and guide interventions for the prevention of workplace violence [WPV] in the emergency department [ED] using a multidisciplinary approach and qualitative evidence of perceived facilitators and barriers of WPV.