A Cumulative Risk Perspective for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Professionals

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Int J Environ Res Public Health
• Personal Author:
  Niemeier, Richard Todd ; Williams, Pamela R.D. ; Rossner, Alan ; Clougherty, Jane E. ; Rice, Glenn E.
• Description:
  Cumulative risk assessment (CRA) addresses the combined risk associated with chemical and non-chemical exposures. Although CRA approaches are utilized in environmental and ecological contexts, they are rarely applied in workplaces. In this perspectives article, we strive to raise awareness among occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and foster the greater adoption of a CRA perspective in practice. Specifically, we provide an overview of CRA literature as well as preliminary guidance on when to consider a CRA approach in occupational settings and how to establish reasonable boundaries. Examples of possible workplace co-exposures and voluntary risk management actions are discussed. We also highlight important implications for workplace CRA research and practice. In particular, future needs include simple tools for identifying combinations of chemical and non-chemical exposures, uniform risk management guidelines, and risk communication materials. Further development of practical CRA methods and tools are essential to meet the needs of complex and changing work environments.
• Subjects:
  Article CRA Cumulative Risk Exposure Assessment Humans Industrial Hygiene Occupational Exposure Occupational Health OHS Professionals Risk Assessment Risk Management Workplace

  More +
• Source:
  Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(17)
• Pubmed ID:
  32878292
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC7503320
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  17
• Issue:
  17
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:913284b36b76a39fad0698597588d13f04dd4210758302146cee6aae1ea87942
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/100343/cdc_100343_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 348.40 KB ]