1 Personal Protective Technology Program Update NORA Liaison Committee and Partnerships Public Meeting Maryann D’Alessandro, Ph.D. Associate Director for Science, NPPTL PPT Program Coordinator June 29, 2011

2 Presentation overview PPT Barriers to Use Issues PPT Program Mission and Goals PPT Conformity Assessment

3 An estimated 20 million workers use PPE on a regular basis to protect themselves from job hazards. NIOSH PPT Program Vision and Mission The VISION is to be the leading provider of quality, relevant, and timely PPT research, training, and evaluation. The MISSION of the PPT program is to prevent work-related injury, illness and death by advancing the state of knowledge and application of personal protective technologies (PPT).

4 PPT Program Strategic Goals Reduce exposure to inhalation hazards Reduce exposure to dermal hazards Reduce exposure to injury hazards Broad-based PPT issues

5 PPT Program Logic Model Environmental Assessment Production Inputs Planning Inputs Surveillance Data Sector-cross sector Coordination External Factors NAS COPPE Stakeholders Evaluations Outcomes Transfer Activities r2p Respirator Certification Policy and Standards Communications Current Activities Research Surveillance Performance Metrics and Measures Outputs Emergency Response

6 PPT Program activities focus on workplace relevance and Impact Mine Escape Strategies Respirator Certification Respirator Investigations New Technology Research Escape Respirator Research Escape Respirator Standards MSHA Collaboration CBRN Protection Respirator Standards Development CBRN PPT Research Respirator Certification NFPA/IAFF Collaboration TSWG IAA OSHA Collaboration Pandemic Preparedness N95 Respirator Research Standards (Total Inward Leakage) Respirator Certification FDA Collaboration National Academies Activities Pandemic Planning and Response Nanotechnology Hazards Filtration Research Protective Clothing Research Respirator Research Respirator Certification Workplace Guidance

7 PPT Program Management PPT Program Management Policy & Standards Development Policy & Standards Development PPT Program Activities Surveillance and Communications Technology Evaluation Technology Evaluation Technology Research Technology Research  Respirator Certification Program  Quality Audit Program  Certified Product Investigations  Long Term Field Evaluation Program  Enhancements to 42 CFR Part 84  CBRN respirator standards development  Consensus standard development  Guidance Document Development  Respiratory Protection  Protective Clothing & Ensembles  Integration of Sensors & Electronics  Human Performance  Fall Protection  Hearing Protection  Outreach  Surveillance  Health Communications  Web management  Scientific evaluations  Program evaluations  Emergency response

8 NA PPT Program Evaluation Relevance and Impact Ratings - June 2008 Relevance = 4 The program’s work is in priority subject areas, and NIOSH is engaged in appropriate transfer activities for completed projects or reported results. Impact = 4 The program has made some contributions to end outcomes or well-accepted intermediate outcomes.

9 NA PPT Program Evaluation Recommendations - June Implement and Sustain a Comprehensive National PPT Program 2. Establish PPT Research Centers of Excellence and Increase Extramural PPT Research 3. Enhance the Respirator Certification Process 4. Increase Research on the Use and Usability of PPT 5. Assess PPT Use and Effectiveness in the Workplace Using a Life-cycle Approach

10 Recommendation 1: Implement and Sustain a Comprehensive National PPT Program Oversee certification of all PPT, including an assessment of certification mechanisms PPT Program Activity: Technology Evaluation

11 IOM Certifying PPT Report Recommendations (November 2010)  Develop and Implement Risk-Based Conformity Assessment Processes for Non-Respirator PPT  Enhance Research, Standards Development, and Communication  Establish a PPT and Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance System

12 What are the conformity assessment program challenges?  What is conformity assessment?  How can a risk-based approach to conformity assessment system design be applied to PPT?  How do standards and conformity assessment impact the selection and use of PPE?  How important are PPE standards to PPE achieving the expected level of protection through proper use, maintenance and training?  How can standards coordination be achieved for various types of PPE and PPE systems (i.e., ensembles)?

13 What are the conformity assessment roles and responsibilities challenges?  Under what circumstances is first-party conformity assessment appropriate; when is third-party assessment required?  What mechanisms must be developed or enhanced for federal agencies having authorities in this area to ensure a uniform and consistently applied approach?  How is the PPE user community involved to drive market support for PPE conformity with performance standards?

14 Organizing and Operating Philosophy: “First, do no harm.” The committee recognizes that many conformity assessment processes already in place can fit this (proposed) framework. (p. 114, IOM report) Provide your input to NIOSH PPT Conformity Assessment Docket # 237 available until July 1, 2011

15 Define barriers to and facilitators of PPT use PPT Program Activity: Technology Research and Surveillance and Communication NA Report Recommendation 4 : Increase Research on the Use and Usability of PPT

16 Examples of Current Initiatives Addressing PPT Barriers Improving respirator use among roadway construction workers Improving PPE use among agriculture pesticide handlers Understanding barriers to proper N95 respirator use among healthcare workers

17 PPT Surveillance and Intervention Studies Roadway Construction Objectives - Evaluate and identify methods to improve respirator use and the interfaces of respirators with other PPE 2005 – 2007 – Assess roadway construction practices 2007 – Identify shortcomings in current respiratory protection programs and develop interventions 2008 – Evaluate interventions for utility and acceptance as judged by contractors/workers

18 Agriculture Pesticide Handlers PPT Surveillance and Intervention Studies Objectives - Understand PPT practices and barriers among agricultural pesticide handlers and their employers over time and develop interventions to address PPT barriers to best practices  2009 – Assess current surveillance studies  Develop and pilot data gathering strategies  2011 – Implement questionnaires and focus groups  2013 – Develop and implement interventions

19 Public Health Practice Study of 16 California facilities selected by stratified random sample Objectives: Describe extent to which hospitals in California have implemented required elements of RPPs for H1N1 Influenza and develop interventions to address deficiencies : Assess Healthcare workers during pandemic operations: barriers to proper respirator use knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding N95 respirators Workplace safety climate Interventions to be made available for modification and implementation nationwide Parallel efforts underway in 5 states (NY, NC, MN, IL, MI)

20 Demonstration and Sentinel Surveillance System of PPE Usage in US Healthcare Workers Objectives: Determine the feasibility to identify, describe, develop, pilot, monitor and evaluate PPE surveillance systems used in a medical center setting.  Develop data collection points at VUMC (PPE usage, types, selection, fit-test, clearance, compliance, resources, recalls, outcomes etc.)  Pilot System at VUMC in 2011  Use data to Establish “Best Practices”  Develop a National PPE Usage Surveillance System

21 Project BREATHE - Better Respirator Equipment using Advanced Technology for Healthcare Employees Objective - Improve respirator use compliance among healthcare workers (HCW) by developing information products, respirator performance requirements, and advanced technologies for the next generation of HCW respirators that are more comfortable and tolerable. Comfort & tolerability research and test method development (underway) Respirator clinical effectiveness study (underway) Partnership / prototype development (underway) Prototype lab & field trials Commercialization / standards development

22 PPT Program Stakeholder Meeting March 20-21, 2012 SAVE THE DATE! Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport ADDRESS 1111 Airport Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15231, USA Phone SALES FAX Sector Focus: Agriculture, Construction, Healthcare, Mining, and Public Safety

23 Quality Partnerships Enhance Worker Safety & Health Thank you Visit Us at: Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.