Health Hazard Evaluation Program
Encyclopedia
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) program is a workplace safety
program administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH). It was developed by NIOSH to comply with a mandate included in the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 to investigate occupational hazards reported by workers. According to Section 20(a)(6) of the Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized "following a written request by any employer or authorized representative of employees, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found."
The level of aid offered via the HHE program ranges from written correspondence between NIOSH and the inquiring party and a site visit from a NIOSH representative. Following each site visit, NIOSH provides a report detailing the hazards found and outlining remediation recommendations. The final report is given to the requester, the employer, employee representatives, OSHA
, and other appropriate agencies. The employer is required to post the final report; however, NIOSH has no authority to force the employer to comply with the recommendations stated in it.
and Federal workplaces by an employee who is currently an employee at the workplace of concern and has the signatures of two other employees. If the workplace has three or fewer employees, the signature of only one employee is enough. An officer of a labor union that represents employees for collective bargaining can also request an HHE and any management official may request an HHE on behalf of the employer. When the workplace is part of a State or local government, NIOSH authority is more limited than for the private and Federal sectors. The cooperation of the employer may be necessary before NIOSH can do an evaluation.
. This letter of referral is sent within four to six weeks. If needed, a project officer is assigned. This usually happens if a telephone consultation or visit to the workplace is necessary. Before visiting the workplace, however, NIOSH also contacts the employer. NIOSH does not usually conduct surprise visits.
After NIOSH addresses the HHE, NIOSH reports its preliminary findings to employers, employees, and employee representatives (such as labor unions). Verbal reports are usually given to employers and the employee representatives. At this point, the results are mostly incomplete. A written interim report is sometimes proffered.
After more research into the HHE, NIOSH compiles a final report. This report is sent to OSHA
, the employer, the employee representatives, and other agencies. The employer must then post this report and the information therein where all employees can view it.
Additionally, due to the Occupational Safety and Health Act
and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
, employers may not punish employees for reporting the health hazard.
, carbon monoxide
intoxication in sewers
musculoskeletal disorders in textile factories
, and mold
exposure in hospital
s.
Workplace safety
Workplace safety & health is a category of management responsibility in places of employment.To ensure the safety and health of workers, managers establish a focus on safety that can include elements such as:* management leadership and commitment...
program administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States’ federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S...
(NIOSH). It was developed by NIOSH to comply with a mandate included in the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary federal law which governs occupational health and safety in the private sector and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970...
of 1970 to investigate occupational hazards reported by workers. According to Section 20(a)(6) of the Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized "following a written request by any employer or authorized representative of employees, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found."
The level of aid offered via the HHE program ranges from written correspondence between NIOSH and the inquiring party and a site visit from a NIOSH representative. Following each site visit, NIOSH provides a report detailing the hazards found and outlining remediation recommendations. The final report is given to the requester, the employer, employee representatives, OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
, and other appropriate agencies. The employer is required to post the final report; however, NIOSH has no authority to force the employer to comply with the recommendations stated in it.
Requests
A NIOSH HHE can be requested in the private sectorPrivate sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
and Federal workplaces by an employee who is currently an employee at the workplace of concern and has the signatures of two other employees. If the workplace has three or fewer employees, the signature of only one employee is enough. An officer of a labor union that represents employees for collective bargaining can also request an HHE and any management official may request an HHE on behalf of the employer. When the workplace is part of a State or local government, NIOSH authority is more limited than for the private and Federal sectors. The cooperation of the employer may be necessary before NIOSH can do an evaluation.
HHE process
NIOSH first sends a letter to the person making the request. Then NIOSH sends information back to this person or can make a referral to another agencyGovernment agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
. This letter of referral is sent within four to six weeks. If needed, a project officer is assigned. This usually happens if a telephone consultation or visit to the workplace is necessary. Before visiting the workplace, however, NIOSH also contacts the employer. NIOSH does not usually conduct surprise visits.
After NIOSH addresses the HHE, NIOSH reports its preliminary findings to employers, employees, and employee representatives (such as labor unions). Verbal reports are usually given to employers and the employee representatives. At this point, the results are mostly incomplete. A written interim report is sometimes proffered.
After more research into the HHE, NIOSH compiles a final report. This report is sent to OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
, the employer, the employee representatives, and other agencies. The employer must then post this report and the information therein where all employees can view it.
Employee protection
There is some protection for employees who report the health hazard. If an employee requests it, NIOSH can refuse to give the employer the name of the employees who report the health hazard.Additionally, due to the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is the primary federal law which governs occupational health and safety in the private sector and federal government in the United States. It was enacted by Congress in 1970 and was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970...
and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 amended the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969. It can be found in the United States Code under Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, Chapter 22, Mine Safety and Health...
, employers may not punish employees for reporting the health hazard.
Completed reports
NIOSH has completed over 3,000 HHE reports detailing on-site workplace evaluations in all 50 states. All final HHE reports are available from the NIOSH website. These include HHEs for tobacco smoke exposure among casino dealersCroupier
A croupier or dealer is someone appointed at a gambling table to assist in the conduct of the game, especially in the distribution of bets and payouts. Croupiers are typically employed by casinos.-Origin of the word:...
, carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
intoxication in sewers
Sewerage
Sewerage refers to the infrastructure that conveys sewage. It encompasses receiving drains, manholes, pumping stations, storm overflows, screening chambers, etc. of the sanitary sewer...
musculoskeletal disorders in textile factories
Textile industry
The textile industry is primarily concerned with the production of yarn, and cloth and the subsequent design or manufacture of clothing and their distribution. The raw material may be natural, or synthetic using products of the chemical industry....
, and mold
Mold
Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are not considered to be microbes but microscopic fungi that grow as single cells called yeasts...
exposure in hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s.