Western States Division

The fatality rate for the on-shore oil and gas extraction industry is seven times that of the general industry. Oil and gas workers face difficult and unique conditions, including extended work shifts, long transportation commutes to remote sites, and considerable use of heavy equipment. Significant risks also exist for exposures to compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, hydrocarbons, and respirable crystalline silica. WSD research identified extremely high worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica during hydraulic fracturing activities and was integral in identifying worker fatalities associated with hydrocarbon exposures during production tank operations. Current research areas include driver fatigue, a NIOSH-designed engineering control to reduce silica exposures, and enhanced surveillance of injuries and illness in this workforce.

NIOSH Oil and Gas Program:
nioshoilandgas@cdc.gov

Websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fog/ Go to page
https://www.cdc.gov/programs/oilgas/ Go to page

The ocean environment presents many challenges to those who must protect the safety and health of maritime workers. The NIOSH Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies (CMSHS) promotes safety and health for this high-risk worker population by coordinating research and intervention studies across NIOSH. CMSHS is a “virtual center” managed by the Western States Division, serving as a hub for intramural researchers to work together on various projects. It also serves as a focus for building research partnerships with stakeholders throughout the U.S. and the world.

CMSHS Director – Alice Shumate, PhD., MPH
Contact the Center at CMSHS@cdc.gov

Program Coordinator – Abbas Virji
MVirji@cdc.gov

Assistant Program Coordinator – Laura Syron, PhD., MPH
LSyron@cdc.gov

Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/maritime/ Go to page

Commercial fishing is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States with a fatality rate 23 times that of general industries. WSD helped reduce the commercial fishing death rate in Alaska by 42% during 1990-2009. This program focuses on epidemiologic research, engineering interventions, policy engagement, and health communication initiatives. The program expanded its scope in 2007 to include all regions of the US in order to promote the same impact on other parts of the country as it had in Alaska. Major achievements include the development of an E-stop for deck winches to reduce entanglement injuries, creation of a Hatch and Door Monitoring System to prevent vessel flooding, and influencing Coast Guard and fishing fleet policy changes based on epidemiologic research to address fleet-specific hazards. Current research includes the development of winch guards for shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico, analysis of non-fatal injuries to commercial fishermen in Alaska and on the West Coast, and ongoing regional analysis of fatalities among commercial fishermen around the United States.

Commercial Fishing Safety Research Coordinator – Samantha Case, MPH
scase@cdc.gov
907-271-1569

Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing/ Go to page

Long term collaboration with external government and industry partners has reduced air taxi, and fatal commuter crashes in Alaska by 53% since the 1990s and reduced controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) fatalities from 7 per year from 1990-1999 to 3 per year from 2000-2009. WSD is currently developing tools to help prevent fatigue in commercial pilots and aviation maintenance workers in Alaska.

Aviation Safety in Alaska Project Manager – Mary O’Connor, MS, REHS
ifr7@cdc.gov
907-271-1571

Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aviation/ Go to page

Between 2000 and 2013, almost 300 on-duty wildland firefighter (WFF) fatalities occurred. Common hazards faced on the fire line include burnovers/entrapments, heat-related illnesses and injuries, smoke inhalation, vehicle-related injuries (including aircraft), slips, trips, and falls. NIOSH, the U.S. Forest Service, and other partners are reviewing data surveillance systems to understand occupational hazards, personal protective equipment needs and effectiveness, exposures, and fatalities in WFFs.

Wildland Firefighter Safety Program Coordinator – Kathleen Navarro, PhD, MPH
knavarro@cdc.gov
303-236-5953

Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/firefighting/ Go to page

WSD works with many partners, including state and local public health departments, national public health associations, academic institutions, and other federal agencies, to enhance the use of state-level public health surveillance data to prevent occupational illnesses, injuries, and hazards. NIOSH, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) cohost an annual Western States Occupational Network (WestON) meeting that brings together state colleagues to foster networking and capacity building.

Website:
http://www.cste.org/group/weston Go to siteexternal icon

American Indians and Alaska Natives are an understudied population, especially when it comes to workplace safety and health. Between 2007 and 2016, there were 336 AIAN workers killed on the job, an average of 34 fatalities per year. In 2013, NIOSH launched an American Indian – Alaska Native Initiative, and NIOSH is partnering with federal agencies, tribes, and tribal-serving organizations to provide technical assistance, identify research priorities, sources of data for surveillance, and research, and opportunities for collaboration.

AIAN Initiative Coordinator – Liz Dalsey, MA
ldalsey@cdc.gov
303-236-5955

Website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aian/ Go to site