Rosenstock Sites Challenges Facing Safety, Health Professionals

June 26, 2000
NIOSH Director Linda Rosenstock opened the American Society of Safety Engineers Conference with a look at the challenges facing the safety and health profession.

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"One of the greatest challenges facing occupational safety and health professionals is the changing workforce," National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director Linda Rosenstock noted at the opening session of the American Society of Safety Engineers Conference and Exposition in Orlando.

Rosenstock told attendees this morning that the workfoce is changing in terms of age, who is working, how they are being compensated and the rate in which they work.

In 2005, 15 percent of the workfoce will be 55 years or older. People are working longer because of changing social security benefits, according to Rosenstock.

The demographics of workers and their compensation is also changing. More women and minorities are entering the workplace.

Low wage workers have increased by more than one-third over the past 10 years, as well as contingency.

Rosenstock noted that this is particularly important to the field of health and safety because contingency workers are at a greater risk for illness and injury.

Temporary workers compared to permanent workers also have a higher rate of workers'' compensation claims, according to Rosenstock.

Other challenges facing the workplace include:

  • Longer working hours.
  • Job Insecurity.
  • Increased stress.

Rosenstock noted that NIOSH'' strategic goals have been put in place to address several of these challenges. The goals include research, surveillance, prevention and information/training.

  • Research. Rosenstock pointed out that NIOSH has conducted a series of targeted programs to reduce morbidity and injuries such as the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).
  • Surveillance. Working with the government, NIOSH has put together a Worker Health Chartbook for 2000 to track injuries and illness.
  • Prevention. NIOSH continues to help industries identify hazards that cause illness and morbidity. For instance, it has made recommendations to telecommunications industry to prevent further fatalities.
  • Information/Training. Rosenstock noted that there has been an increase in the number of calls to the NIOSH (800) number and 1.5 million hits per year to its Web site from people seeking information. Fifteen education and research centers for training have been established and training program grants are given annually.

Rosenstock concluded her address by telling attendees about her view of the "new" public health.

"As we move into the future and work becomes more complex, safety and health professionals need to think more holistically," said Rosenstock.

She also encouraged professionals to move into the mainstream of public health, engage in partnerships and support advocacy and legislative solutions to protect workers.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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