Caiaimage/Getty Images

Share

MSC Industrial Supply Safety Specialist Shelly Baize explains how 2 crucial organizations ensure the health and safety of all workers.

Both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) play important roles in ensuring safety in the workplace. Since their establishment by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, NIOSH and OSHA continue to improve working conditions throughout the U.S.

Shelly Baize
Shelly Baize

Each organization plays an important role in ensuring the day-to-day health and safety of workers, but each has distinct purposes and goals. Understanding the unique responsibilities of both NIOSH and OSHA can help safety coordinators know which organization is best suited to address a particular issue—and help workers get the support they need and deserve.

Shelly Baize, a safety specialist with MSC Industrial Supply, shares her expert knowledge on how NIOSH and OSHA differ, and how they work hand in hand.

How are NIOSH and OSHA different?

Baize: The simplest way to put it is that NIOSH is more research-centered and focused on health, while OSHA is a regulatory committee that enforces safety. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, meaning it looks a lot at chronic on-the-job health issues.

How do they work together or complement one another?

Baize: NIOSH is basically a watchdog for worker health and safety. It determines what’s hurting workers in the workplace—everything from respiratory diseases to exposure to chemicals. Once they’ve determined what needs to change, they then work hand in hand with OSHA, which determines whether to adopt new standards. For instance, if all of a sudden a lot of people are getting sick in a shipyard, NIOSH will go in, evaluate the employees, get them tested and then make recommendations on how to remedy the situation. Workers have historically been exposed to asbestos in shipyards, and NIOSH may look at past examples in its research. Next, OSHA will go in, look at the new regulations and meet with the powers that be about how to implement new rules.

What are some ways NIOSH determines whether workplaces are meeting standards?

Baize: Primarily through all sorts of research. It may investigate workplaces and gather testimony from employers and employees, or require employers to measure and report employee exposure to potentially hazardous materials. In extreme circumstances, where workers are being exposed to toxic chemicals or working in physically harmful situations, an emergency standard can be put in place to protect them.

Which organization would be in charge if, for instance, construction workers complained about hazardous fumes on the job?

Baize: That would be NIOSH. It often does research projects on construction issues, looking into everything from the causes of falls to electrical and health hazards such as asphalt fumes, silica, welding fumes and extreme noise. Then it tries to find solutions and recommends changes to the worksite.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

What questions do you have about NIOSH and OSHA for your workplace?

Talk to Us!

I work in a supermarket deli, and most of our equipment is not safe. The slicers are almost 20 years old and not in safe working condition. The base plates are bent; one proper blade sharpener for four slicers; Slicers do not automatically shut off when zeroed out; some blades have nicks. We have complained to management for over five years with minimal results. Sure, they replace blades, but what good is a new blade without a proper sharpener?
The Rotisserie oven is so corroded with years of buildup, that the drip pans don't fit properly in their slots and sometimes grease leaks onto the floor.

30  

You have multiple agency issues! Your Rotisserie is something the local Dept of Health should be all over along with (possibly) the Fire Marshall for grease build-up & fire issues. I am sure there have been multiple minor injuries on the slicers and each one should be the cause for a workmans comp claim.  Usually piling these agencies on a business cause one of two things to happen:

a) Compliance or

b) bankrupcy.

10  

IS CIDEX OSHA COMPLIANT

36  

I am a resident that is next to a rebar fabrication business that is operating while the building/structure is being completed/built. This operation is producing a substantial amount of noise that is exposing it's employees to the noise and the elements since the building has no solid walls. What can be done about this?

29  

REPORT THEM TO OSHA AND TO YOUR LOCAL TOWN/CITY

36  

Music is my life. It's a OSHA violation to wear earbuds on the shop floor. I've found earplugs that are also earbuds that meet niosh requirements ( plugfones ) . Is it a Osho violation to wear these? There earplugs first, earbuds second? Thank you for your time .

33  

Thank you for contacting MSC Beter MRO
This is not just an easy yes or no answer but I will do my best to explain.
It really depends on a couple of things.
1. What is your company Policy on this?
2. Is there a volume limit on the PlugFones you are looking at that does not go over 85 dBA? Most of the units the PlugFone make do have the volume limiter but not all of them. So if they do not limit the sound to 85 dBA than yes you could be at risk for a potential violation.
3. Does the music interfere with being able to hear other workplace sounds like a fork lift backing up or other workplace hazards like an emergency siren alerting you of a fire or tornado.
4. What is the noise level in the work environment? Depending on the outside noise levels they may not be enough Noise Reduction (NRR) to offer you the protection you need.
So there is a lot more than yes or no but I hope this was helpful.
We have PlugFones and other options on our website as well.
https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/Safety/Personal-Protective-Equipment...

Thanks again for visiting MSC Better MRO

Paul Cook
MSC Safety Specialist

36  

I have a question about Niosh rules along with Osha right about PPE my current job as a grinder i like to use my P100 mask from miller and they had me and other workers down grade to a N95 disposables. I cam currently grinding cutting and blending with carbide and silica equipment disposable and re-usable. Deemed safe to breath silica with this inferior mask.. they say that Niosh and Osha have a rule that i can not use any other respiratory protection other than the one(s) provided. Is this tru or would i be able to use my miller p100 approved and tested by niosh and osha?

36  

According to OSHA the employer is responsible for the establishment of a respiratory protection program, and respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee. "The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection program, which shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (c) of this section. The program shall cover each employee required by this section to use a respirator." (29CFR1910.134).
By definition, a P100 respirator filters out more particulates than an N95 and also is strongly resistant to oil.
Another thing to consider is the longevity of employee-supplied respirators where hazards can exist if the respirator becomes clogged or damaged, this may be why they are concerned about employees bringing their own.
See below links for references:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/p100list1.html

28  

For PPE items made outside the U.S., is there a requirement that they meet some industry standards in the U.S. before they can be imported? If so, who sets the standards, OSHA or NIOSH? Thanks!
 

35  

Hi Alex,

There are no specific NIOSH safety standards that prevent or allow PPE to be imported into the US.  The manufacturing standards vary depending on the type of PPE.  NIOSH gives guidlines on best practices in manufacturing PPE and OSHA enforces the proper usage of this PPE and the overall protection the American Worker in the workplace.   Manufacturers self-certify that they are following NIOSH standards and it is up to the end-user to determine if the PPE is appropriate for the proper protection.  For further information, you can research at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ and www.osha.gov.

32  

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MSC

Signing into Better MRO is easy. Use your MSCdirect.com username / password, or register to create an account. We’ll bring you back here as soon as you’re done.

Redirecting you in 5 seconds