Occupational Safety & Health

Protecting Disaster Responders from Respiratory Hazards

lbennett — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:08:39 +0000

Protecting Disaster Responders from Respiratory Hazards

lbennett Fri, 06/12/2026 - 21:08

The Ask: Our clients with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) fund organizations that deliver disaster preparedness and response training to workers and communities across the country. Trainers from these organizations expressed a need for voluntary respiratory protection guidance to protect workers and volunteers who participate in disaster cleanup but do not have mandated respiratory coverage, or whose employers do not provide or authorize personal protective equipment.

The Solution: MDB worked with an occupational health and safety expert to develop a respiratory guidance document and tool. The expert solicited input from a panel of WTP-funded organizations, academics, and industry professionals with experience in respiratory protection to participate in interviews and provide feedback about the structure and scope of the tool. Based on iterative review and feedback from the panel, our team worked to develop the outline, content, and graphics for the tool.

Notable Outcomes: The final tool, “Site Coordinator’s Guide to Voluntary Use of Respiratory Protection for Disaster Preparedness and Response,” is targeted toward laypeople, like volunteers, who are responding to tropical storms and hurricanes. The tool offers a resource for disaster response site coordinators who oversee workers and volunteers who may be included in a voluntary respiratory use program. The tool is comprised of standalone one-page sheets to allow each page to be disseminated as their own documents or as a whole packet. It provides clear, concise information that supervisors can use to advise their decision to implement voluntary respiratory protection, ultimately keeping disaster workers safe as they complete disaster cleanup tasks.

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Equipping Health & Safety Trainers with a Heat Stress Prevention Tool

wmclean — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 20:37:34 +0000

Equipping Health & Safety Trainers with a Heat Stress Prevention Tool

Occupational Safety & Health

wmclean Wed, 08/07/2024 - 03:37

The Ask: Heat stress is a major issue for workers and communities across the U.S. as climate change worsens. At a fall 2023 meeting, representatives of organizations funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) expressed the need for a heat stress prevention training tool/toolkit targeting disaster response workers. Based on feedback from the WTP-funded organizations, the toolkit would need to address the health and safety risks of excessive heat exposures during climate disaster response and cleanup, with prevention tools, practices, and protocols for workers.

The Solution: MDB conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed articles, white papers, reports, and other publications focused on occupational health and safety, heat illness and injury prevention, and the intersections of key exacerbators for heat stress (e.g., air pollution), over the past 10 years. We also used an iterative focus group and review process to gather suggestions from WTP staff and subject matter experts on the format and content of the first tool to be included in the heat stress toolkit. This process enabled us to develop a new tool for WTP, Building Blocks for a Heat Stress Prevention Training Program.

Notable Outcomes: The first tool in the heat stress prevention toolkit, Building Blocks for a Heat Stress Prevention Training Program, features questions that can help a health and safety trainer/professional determine strategies needed to better protect workers from heat-related injuries and illness on the job. Trainers and professionals can also use the toolkit to educate workers involved in disaster response, construction, and other jobs about the risks of extreme heat exposure indoor and outdoor work environments. This tool will be shared with WTP-funded organizations, training centers, and other agencies across the country.

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Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:28:01 +0000

Data Entry System Provides Central Repository for Training Materials

Database Management

Occupational Safety & Health

Training

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:28

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) needed a web-based system for WTP grantees across the country to enter and retrieve their individual, program-related training data. This data entry system also had to integrate with the existing National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training (Clearinghouse).

The solution: MDB staff designed, developed, implemented, maintains, and provides technical and user support for the NIEHS WTP Curricula Information and Data Management System (DMS). The DMS was designed to work with the Clearinghouse website as a complete system for entering, storing, retrieving, searching for, and disseminating data, information, and training materials about hazardous waste worker training.

During the design phase of the system, MDB staff worked with both WTP staff and grantees to conduct a thorough evaluation of the previous system, uncover detailed requirements for both immediate and future functionality, and develop prototypes to simulate the system’s “look and feel.”

Notable outcomes: The DMS currently contains information on the more than 279,000 training courses conducted by WTP grantees. This information provides the basis for congressional data calls and justifications, data analysis and evaluation projects, State Profiles, and WTP Program summaries, and, most importantly, tells the story of the history, growth, and impact of the Worker Training Program.

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Protecting Worker Health Through COVID-19 Webinars

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:15:30 +0000

Protecting Worker Health Through COVID-19 Webinars

COVID-19

Events

Facilitation

Occupational Safety & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:15

The ask: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) needed to find a way to keep Worker Training Program (WTP) grantees up to date on best practices, challenges, and issues related to protecting workers who may be at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The solution: In late March 2020, MDB launched a webinar series that delivered trainings to help workers protect themselves, their families, and their communities. The series initially took place three times a week. During Monday webinars, grantees discussed work challenges and lessons learned. Wednesday webinars focused on technical topics related to COVID-19. On Fridays, participants discussed new information about COVID-19 and its implications for worker health and safety.

As the pandemic unfolded, webinars shifted to an intermittent schedule based on grantee and stakeholder interest.

For each webinar, MDB manages logistics and facilitates discussion. Our subject matter experts present COVID-19 worker training tools that we develop, helping grantees to become more informed and better positioned to adapt each tool to their target audience.

Notable outcomes: MDB has supported more than 700 COVID-19 webinars, reaching more than 8,800 people. We record the presentations and post them on the NIEHS COVID-19 Webinars and Presentations webpage.

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Developing Disaster Resiliency Curricula and Resources

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:13:35 +0000

Developing Disaster Resiliency Curricula and Resources

Emergency Preparedness

Occupational Safety & Health

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:13

The ask: Following natural and manmade disasters, essential workers such as first responders and cleanup workers face unmet mental health and resilience needs. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP), under an interagency agreement with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch, sought support for these workers following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The solution: MDB worked closely with WTP and SAMHSA staff to develop the Gulf Responder Resilience Training Project. This project began with a needs assessment and literature review and included work with community-based organizations. Then, MDB led a series of three phases that consisted of stakeholder meetings with oil spill responders, curriculum development with behavioral health subject matter experts, and the development of training materials, respectively. MDB facilitated the meetings and developed the curriculum and training materials.

Notable outcomes: The Gulf Responder Resilience Training Project was a valuable opportunity for MDB to work together with local, disaster-impacted, and vulnerable communities, and to understand the cultural sensitivities surrounding the post-disaster mental health consequences and their management within an impacted community.

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Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:10:23 +0000

Assessing Program Evaluation Methods and Outcomes

Occupational Safety & Health

Reports

Training

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:10

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) wanted to assess the evaluation approaches being used by the training programs that deliver site-specific and trade-specific training for a combination of nuclear, industrial, chemical, demolition, and construction activities at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites.

The solution: WTP requested that MDB complete an evaluation for the NIEHS-DOE Nuclear Worker Training Program to examine evaluation methods, challenges, and successes of awardees. This report provided a synopsis of evaluation methods used across the NIEHS-DOE Program, a summary of key findings from awardee evaluations, and lessons learned and recommendations for improving evaluation efforts across the program. MDB presented the evaluation to NIEHS and DOE leadership.

Notable outcomes: The evaluation was positively received. In addition, MDB concluded the report with several recommendations for the NIEHS-DOE Program to adopt. Now the program has the approaches to use to ensure the success and sustainability and the program.

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Creating Training Resources to Protect Workers from Opioid-Related Hazards

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:55:26 +0000

Creating Training Resources to Protect Workers from Opioid-Related Hazards

Occupational Safety & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:55

The ask: In response to the nation’s opioids crisis, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) requested assistance developing a series of training tools to raise awareness of the connection between workplace injuries, psychological stressors, and opioid use, and to provide insights on methods to better protect the health and safety of workers.

The solution: MDB’s subject matter experts worked with WTP-funded organizations to develop numerous training tools related to the opioid crisis. In 2018, MDB developed “Prevention of Occupational Exposure to Fentanyl and Other Opioids.” In 2019, MDB developed a new training tool, “Opioids and the Workplace: Prevention and Response,” which emphasizes that prevention of occupational injuries is key to avoiding pain treatment that can lead to opioid use disorder (OUD) and aims to eliminate the stigma associated with OUD. These training tools and others like the Checklist for Workplace Opioid Prevention and Response Programs and the Know Your Workplace Legal Rights Related to the Opioid Crisis make up the growing list of resources in the WTP Opioids Toolkit. In fact, some of the resources in the toolkit are available in English and Spanish.

Notable outcomes: MDB continues to develop new tools and expand the breadth of tools in the WTP Opioids Toolkit as relevant worker health and safety issues arise. In 2020, compounding issues surrounding the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic and the opioid crisis led to the development of a new fact sheet, “The COVID-19 Pandemic is Fueling the Opioid Crisis!” Notably, MDB continues to work with WTP-funded organizations to train health and safety instructors and new leaders using the instructor training manual and leadership training course, respectively.

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Highlighting Worker Training Initiatives in Various States

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:54:25 +0000

Highlighting Worker Training Initiatives in Various States

Occupational Safety & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:54

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) requested assistance developing a product to highlight training accomplishments in various states across the nation. These products, known as WTP state profiles, are valuable tools to educate policy makers about WTP’s efforts across congressional districts.

MDB works with WTP staff to develop state profiles, which feature training initiatives delivered by WTP-funded organizations in a particular state. To develop these products, MDB uses a standard operating procedure that involves reviewing progress reports and state-wide training activities within a given program period. These data allow MDB to compile quantitative data that reflects the average number of workers trained and courses delivered, as well as qualitative data with anecdotes and success stories from trainees. MDB works with WTP and the NIEHS Legislative Liaison to identify and highlight topics of interest within congressional districts.

To date, MDB has developed 13 state profiles for WTP. This includes state profiles for Alabama, Alaska, California, New York, Texas, and New Mexico, to name a few. MDB works with WTP to update existing profiles as needed. The list of state profiles continues to grow as WTP-funded organizations expand and broaden the reach of their training partners and initiatives.

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Evaluating Trainers’ Deployment Efforts Following Hurricanes

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:52:14 +0000

Evaluating Trainers’ Deployment Efforts Following Hurricanes

Occupational Safety & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:52

The ask: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria left devastating impacts across various states and communities in 2017. The United Steelworkers Tony Mazzocchi Center for Health, Safety, and Environmental Education (USW-TMC) requested that MDB conduct a formal evaluation of their Specialized Emergency RespoEvanse Trainers’ (SERTs) deployment to disaster-impacted areas in Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The solution: MDB was awarded a contract from the client (USW-TMC) to conduct this evaluation and collaborated with the program administrator to conduct phone interviews with SERTs who were deployed to Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands between the months of September 2017 through February 2018. MDB also gathered details from SERTs by attending a United Steelworkers Health and Safety Conference, which took place in June 2018.

Notable outcomes: The final evaluation product included a comprehensive report where we summarized the USW-TMC and SERTs reflections from the field, experiences, lessons learned, and key recommendations for future disaster deployment. This report was well-received by the client and USW-TMC program administrator who stated, “The report looks fantastic. Thank you so much for your work on this project. This is something we can all truly be proud of.” In subsequent conversations that MDB staff had with the program administrator and SERTs, they frequently stated how valuable the evaluation was, as well as their gratitude for MDB’s support in this endeavor.

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Developing Training Resources to Protect Workers from COVID-19

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:50:35 +0000

Developing Training Resources to Protect Workers from COVID-19

COVID-19

Occupational Safety & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:50

The ask: In response to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) requested assistance developing a series of training tools to help workers in health care and non-health care industries protect themselves from COVID-19.

The solution: MDB’s subject matter experts worked with WTP-funded organizations to develop numerous training tools related to COVID-19. In early 2020 as COVID-19 infection rates increased, MDB quickly developed the general awareness training tool “Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 in the Workplace.” MDB later developed tools to help essential workers and others protect themselves as they returned to work during the pandemic, including “Building Programs to Protect Workers from COVID-19 in the Workplace.” Additionally, MDB developed fact sheets to debunk vaccine myths and help provide vaccine safety information for workers, vaccinators, and vaccine administrators. These tools and others make up the growing list of resources in the WTP COVID-19 Toolbox. Some of the resources in the toolbox are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Notable outcomes: MDB continues to develop new tools and expand the breadth of tools in the WTP COVID-19 Toolbox as more worker health and safety issues arise. In 2021, new tools like the COVID-19 Brief: Addressing Occupational Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Variants and other briefs were developed to provide technical information and guidance to employers and health and safety professionals.

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