Karl Sieber - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Karl Sieber

The N ational Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) was a nationw ide o b se rv a tio n a l survey ... more The N ational Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) was a nationw ide o b se rv a tio n a l survey conducted in a sample o f n early 5,000 esta b lish m en ts from 1981-1983. The goal o f th e NOES was to com pile data on th e typ es o f p o te n tia l exposure agents found a t the w orkplace, and th e kinds o f s a fe ty and h ealth programs which had been Implemented a t the p la n t l e v e l. The sample of esta b lish m e n ts included in th e survey was designed to rep resen t th ose segments o f American in d u stry covered under th e O ccupational S a fe ty and Health Act o f 1970. This volume d e sc r ib e s the method used to s e le c t the sample o f p la n ts to be surveyed, and the estim a tio n tech n iq u es used to p r o je c t survey data to n a tio n a l e s tim a te s .

In the event of the release of a lethal agent (i.e. Bacillus anthracis) inside a building, law en... more In the event of the release of a lethal agent (i.e. Bacillus anthracis) inside a building, law enforcement and public health responders take samples to identify and characterize the contamination. Sample locations may be rapidly chosen based on available incident details and professional judgment. To achieve greater confidence of whether or not the decision area was contaminated, or to certify that detectable contamination is not present after decontamination, we developed a Bayesian model for combining the information gained from both judgmental and randomly placed samples. The approach permits investigators to determine the sample size required to achieve a defined level of statistical confidence that a decision area is free of detectable contamination, when none of the samples indicate the presence of contamination. We present herein the model, an example of how it may be used, a discussion of its sensitivity to parameter inputs, and recommendations for its practical use.

American Industrial Hygiene Association journal, Mar 1, 2002

Although hearing protectors have been available for more than 60 years, little field surveillance... more Although hearing protectors have been available for more than 60 years, little field surveillance has been done to assess their appropriate wear in noisy occupational environments. This study examined historical field survey data to determine whether workers use hearing protection when exposed to loud noise. Data from the 1981-83 NIOSH National Occupational Exposure Survey were analyzed to determine whether workers in noise greater than or equal to 85 dBA were using hearing protection. The study also looked at the effect of company personal protective equipment (PPE) policies on hearing protector compliance. This study found that, in 1981-83, an estimated 4.1 million industrial workers were exposed to noise greater than or equal to 85 dBA. Of these, 41% were wearing some form of hearing protection. This percentage varied from 79% of workers exposed in SIC 76 (Miscellaneous Repair Service) to less than 1% in Communications (SIC 48), Wholesale Trade Nondurable Goods (SIC 51), and Automotive Dealers &amp;amp;amp;amp; Service Stations (SIC 55). Whether an establishment had a written policy on wearing PPE seemed to make no difference, because there appeared to be no tie between the percentage of workers wearing of hearing protection and presence of a PPE policy.

OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information), Dec 1, 2002

Background: We evaluated relationships between lower respiratory symptoms and risk factors for mi... more Background: We evaluated relationships between lower respiratory symptoms and risk factors for microbiological contamination in office buildings. Methods: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health collected data from 80 office buildings during standardized indoor environmental health hazard evaluations. Present analyses included lower respiratory symptom-based outcome definitions and risk factors for potential microbiologic contamination. Multivariate logistic regression models for selected outcomes identified key risk factors. Results: Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for "at least three of four work-related lower respiratory symptoms" were, for debris in ventilation air intake, 2.0 (1.0-3.9), and for poor drainage in airconditioning drip pans, 2.6 (1.3-5.2). Adjusted associations with risk factors were consistently stronger for outcomes requiring both multiple symptoms and improvement away from work, and somewhat stronger among diagnosed asthmatics. Conclusions: Moisture and debris in ventilation systems, possibly by supporting microbiologic growth, may increase adverse respiratory effects, particularly among asthmatics. Data from more representative buildings are needed to confirm these findings.

American Journal of Epidemiology, May 15, 1998

The relative risk of coronary artery disease among never smokers exposed to environmental tobacco... more The relative risk of coronary artery disease among never smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) versus never smokers not exposed to ETS is approximately 1.2 based on more than a dozen epidemiologic studies. Most of these studies have controlled for the major heart disease risk factors, but residual or uncontrolled confounding remains a possible explanation for the epidemiologic findings. The authors studied 3,338 never-smoking adults aged 17 years or older, who are representative of all US never smokers, in the 1988-1991 Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to determine whether selected risk factors for heart disease differ between ETS-exposed and-nonexposed persons. Both setfreported ETS exposure (at home and at work) and serum cotinine levels were available, the latter reflecting recent ETS exposure. After adjustments were made for age, sex, race, and education among adults aged 17 years or older, no significant differences were found between the ETS exposed and the nonexposed for any of 13 cardiovascular risk factors with the exception of dietary carotene, which was lower among the exposed. On the other hand, significant positive linear trends were found between serum cotinine and two risk factors (body mass index and alcohol consumption), and significant inverse trends were found with dietary carotene. There were also few differences between exposed and nonexposed never smokers among adults aged 40 years or older, who are most at risk of heart disease. In this group, however, there was an inverse linear trend between serum cotinine and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001). This finding could result from ETS exposure rather than be an indication of confounding; a similar inverse trend was found for children, confirming other results in the literature. Overall, these data suggest little potential for confounding by the heart disease risk factors studied here when ETS exposure is determined by self-report.

American Journal of Public Health, Dec 1, 1997

American Industrial Hygiene Association journal, May 1, 2001

Sampling was conducted in 79 small machine shops to assess airborne exposures to metalworking flu... more Sampling was conducted in 79 small machine shops to assess airborne exposures to metalworking fluids (MWFs). Measured exposures were compared with data from the literature and exposure criteria currently recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration MWF Standards Advisory Committee. Sixty-two percent of 942 personal samples collected were less than the recommended exposure limit (REL) of 0.50 mg/m3 for total particulate. However, at least 1 sample exceeded the REL in 61 of the 79 facilities studied; 100% of the samples collected in 10 shops were greater than the REL. Similar trends were found for thoracic particulate exposures where 75% of 238 samples were below the thoracic particulate REL of 0.40 mg/m3. The ratio between thoracic and total particulate for 238 paired samples was 0.55 (r2=0.73). Workers exposed to straight fluids had the highest exposures (GM=0.67 mg/m3) when compared with workers exposed to other classes of MWFs. The highest exposures were measured for grinding and hobbing (GM=0.67 and 0.60 mg/m3, respectively). Measurements using personal impactors indicated that particle size distributions of MWF aerosols had an average mass median aerodynamic diameter of 5.3 microm. Straight oils and soluble fluids tended to be associated with larger particles than were other fluid types; grinding and turning produced the largest particles, whereas hobbing resulted in the smallest. In general, exposures were similar in magnitude and particle size to those previously reported in large automotive plants. Therefore, workers in these small shops may have risks of adverse health effects similar to those demonstrated in the automotive industry.

Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States in 2... more Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States in 2012, accounting for 25% of deaths. Truck drivers accounted for 46% of these deaths. This study estimates the prevalence of seat belt use and identifies factors associated with nonuse of seat belts among long-haul truck drivers (LHTDs), a group of workers at high risk for fatalities resulting from truck crashes. CDC analyzed data from its 2010 national survey of LHTD health and injury. A total of 1,265 drivers completed the survey interview. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between seat belt nonuse and risk factors. An estimated 86.1% of LHTDs reported often using a seat belt, 7.8% used it sometimes, and 6.0% never. Reporting never using a belt was associated with often driving ≥10 mph (16 kph) over the speed limit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.9), working for a company with no written safety program (AOR = 2.8), receiving two or more tickets for moving violations ...

AIHce 1996 - Health Care Industries Papers, 1999

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2022

BACKGROUND The transportation and utilities industries include establishments engaged in the move... more BACKGROUND The transportation and utilities industries include establishments engaged in the movement of passengers and freight, or the provision of public power, water, and other services. Along with the warehousing industry, they make up the US National Occupational Research Agenda's Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (TWU) industry sector. In 2018 the sector composed 5% of the US workforce, with approximately 8 million workers. TWU workers experienced 19% of all fatalities among U.S. workers in 2018 and 7% of total occupational injuries and illnesses. METHODS Around-the-clock operations, heavy workloads, long and irregular shifts, complicated schedules, and time pressures characterize work across the US TWU sector. However, there are considerable differences in worker priorities and concerns between TWU industries. Major areas of concern within the sector include disparities in work schedules; required training for employee fatigue awareness and prevention; physical and mental job demands; and safety culture. RESULTS Strategies for fatigue mitigation are critical to reduce the prevalence of injuries, safety-critical events, and crashes in TWU workers. Further research on the incidence and characterization of fatigue among TWU workers will guide the development of effective mitigation strategies. The influence of work scheduling on missed sleep opportunities and disrupted circadian rhythms should be determined. Evaluation of fatigue mitigation strategies can lead to the adoption of the most effective ones for each TWU industry. CONCLUSION Implementation of effective strategies is critical for the health, safety, wellbeing, and productivity of workers in the TWU sector.

This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specif... more This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved. Additional HHE reports are available at

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2014

Background Drivers of heavy and tractor-trailer trucks accounted for 56% of all production and no... more Background Drivers of heavy and tractor-trailer trucks accounted for 56% of all production and nonsupervisory employees in the truck transportation industry in 2011. There are limited data for illness and injury in long-haul truck drivers, which prompted a targeted national survey. Methods Interviewers collected data during 2010 from 1,670 long-haul truck drivers at 32 truck stops across the 48 contiguous United States that were used to compute prevalence estimates for self-reported health conditions and risk factors. Results Obesity (69% vs. 31%, P < 0.01) and current smoking (51% vs. 19%, P < 0.01) were twice as prevalent in long-haul truck drivers as in the 2010 U.S. adult working population. Sixty-one percent reported having two or more of the risk factors: hypertension, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, no physical activity, 6 or fewer hours of sleep per 24-hr period. Conclusion Survey findings suggest a need for targeted interventions and continued surveillance for long-haul truck drivers.

American Journal of Epidemiology, 1998

MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, Jan 6, 2015

Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2000

A ®eld study was conducted with the goal of comparing the performance of three recently developed... more A ®eld study was conducted with the goal of comparing the performance of three recently developed or modi®ed sampling and analytical methods for the determination of airborne hexavalent chromium (Cr VI). The study was carried out in a hard chrome electroplating facility and in a jet engine manufacturing facility where airborne Cr VI was expected to be present. The analytical methods evaluated included two laboratory-based procedures (OSHA Method ID-215 and NIOSH Method 7605) and a ®eld-portable method (NIOSH Method 7703). These three methods employ an identical sampling methodology: collection of Cr VI-containing aerosol on a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ®lter housed in a sampling cassette, which is connected to a personal sampling pump calibrated at an appropriate¯ow rate. The basis of the analytical methods for all three methods involves extraction of the PVC ®lter in alkaline buffer solution, chemical isolation of the Cr VI ion, complexation of the Cr VI ion with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide, and spectrometric measurement of the violet chromium± diphenylcarbazone complex at 540 nm. However, there are notable speci®c differences within the sample preparation procedures used in three methods. To assess the comparability of the three measurement protocols, a total of 20 side-by-side air samples were collected, equally divided between a chromic acid electroplating operation and a spray paint operation where water soluble forms of Cr VI were used. A range of Cr VI concentrations from 0.6 to 960 mg m 23 , with Cr VI mass loadings ranging from 0.4 to 32 mg, was measured at the two operations. The equivalence of the means of the log-transformed Cr VI concentrations obtained from the different analytical methods was compared. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, no statistically signi®cant differences were observed between mean values measured using each of the three methods. Small but statistically signi®cant differences were observed between results obtained from performance evaluation samples for the NIOSH ®eld method and the OSHA laboratory method.

American Journal of Public Health, 1997

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1989

As a result of national surveys of occupational health and safety conditions in the American work... more As a result of national surveys of occupational health and safety conditions in the American workplace, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has collected data on the provision of health care to workers as a consequence of their employment. Two of these surveys, initiated in 1972 and 1981, permit a preliminary examination of the trends in worker access to such care. This paper presents data on the provision of some aspects of medical care to workers in manufacturing and nonmanufacturing facilities as a result of employment. Among the principal findings are increases in general health care provided to workers, increased use of off-site physicians, and increased use of screening examinations or tests. Other analyses indicate a decreased use of on-site physicians and pre-employment examinations and decreased industrial retention of health information on new employees.