NYCOSH

NYCOSH is one of the preeminent providers of worker safety and health training in the New York City metropolitan area and beyond. Each year, we train thousands of workers on a wide range of safety and health topics - from green jobs to workplace violence to OSHA 10- and 30-hour courses. Our expert staff includes an industrial hygienist, experienced organizers, and staff who are OSHA-authorized and have advanced degrees in public health.


NYCOSH’s trainings help to keep workers healthy and safe.  A needs assessment is conducted beforehand to ensure that each training is tailored to the hazards, conditions, and concerns of participants. Participants learn how to develop strategies for addressing workplace hazards. Sessions are highly participatory and may include small group activities, role-playing, discussion, and hands-on training.Training is made available in various ways. Most programs are arranged through unions, community organizations such as the Long Island Immigrant Alliance, and New York area labor councils and build upon the training that these organizations may already offer.

Many of NYCOSH’s trainings and industrial hygiene services are funded by federal and state grants and are available to participants free or at a nominal cost. Other trainings and industrial hygiene services are available on a low-cost, fee-for-service basis. Please consult with your organization’s NYCOSH contact for further information or call Associate Director Maureen LaMar at 212-227-6440, ext. 21.

NYCOSH also offers open-enrollment public trainings and conferences on topics ranging from workers’ compensation to safe patient handling. To stay informed about upcoming open-enrollment training and conferences, please sign up for our NYCOSH Update.

Here is a sample of topics and agendas for NYCOSH trainings:

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY

principles of hazard recognition

toxicology - how chemicals enter and affect our bodies

history and scope of federal and state health and safety laws

overview of basic legal rights

rights and requirements under hazard communication and NY State right to know standards

how to utilize material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

alternative sources of information

RECOGNITION, EVALUATION, AND CONTROL OF HAZARDS

definition of safety, definition of health

types of hazards

toxicology - how chemicals enter and affect our bodies

history and politics of health hazards - asbestos, silicosis, black   lung, etc.

obstacles to identification of occupational disease

risk mapping

hierarchy of controls

resources

OSHA/PESH RIGHTS

what are OSHA and PESH?

history

who is covered

NIOSH

general duty clause

standards

rights, including access to information

inspections

recordkeeping

enforcement

strengths and weaknesses

HAZARD COMMUNICATION/RIGHT TO KNOW

your legal right to information

federal OSHA and state OSHA plans

OSHA hazard communication standard, NY State right to know law

introduction to toxicology

how to use the law

how to use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

how to use the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

other sources of chemical information

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEES

basic health and safety rights

advantages and disadvantages of labor-management committees

advantages and disadvantages of union-only committees

functions and strategies

workplace inspections

sources of information

COLLECTING INFORMATION ON HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS

investigating workplace hazards

injury and illness records

exposure records

medical records

freedom of information requests

how to conduct a workplace inspection

how to investigate health problems

NIOSH health hazard evaluations

INTRODUCTION TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY

definitions of indoor air quality

sick building syndrome

building-related illness

indoor pollutants

regulatory issues

how to resolve indoor air quality concerns

resource materials

PROTECTING BUILDING OCCUPANTS DURING CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION

types of construction processes

potential hazards

movement of contaminants

control measures

planning and supervision

guidance documents

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES, INCLUDING INFLUENZA AND TUBERCULOSIS

symptoms

transmission, including workplace exposure

diagnosis

treatment

workplace prevention strategies

OSHA enforcement guidelines

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

history and scope of OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

HIV/AIDS

hepatitis

routes of transmission

occupational exposure

universal precautions

OSHA requirements and rights

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

definition, statistics

types

risk factors

examples and causes

OSHA guidelines, NYS Workplace Violence Prevention Rule

solutions

STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE

definition

causes

risk factors

workplace stress and health

how to prevent workplace stress

resources

ERGONOMICS/REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES/BACK INJURIES

definitions, incidence, costs

common RSIs

risk factors

controlling risk factors in the workplace

equipment design

workstation design

safe work practices

model union-employer ergonomics agreements

quick and long-term ergonomic fixes

NOISE

definitions

how to tell if there is a noise problem at work

health effects

OSHA noise and hearing conservation standards

noise measurement

methods of control

CONFINED SPACE

definition

testing the air

atmospheric hazards

other hazards

OSHA requirements

teamwork

permits

lockout / tagout

ventilation

respirators

fall protection

external retrieval

HAZARDOUS WASTE

introduction to toxicology

regulatory overview

environmental regulations

Superfund

SARA Title III

RCRA

occupational safety and health regulations

Hazard Communication / Right to Know

generation, handling, temporary storage, transport, disposal

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT

why lockout / tagout is necessary

provisions of the OSHA lockout / tagout standard

requirements for lockout / tagout devices

energy control procedures

special situations

equipment startup and operation

Additional examples of topics for which NYCOSH can provide training include:

green jobs

health and safety for immigrant workers

respirator training

chemical safety

ventilation

diesel exhaust, carbon monoxide

lead

asbestos

fire safety, egress and emergency evacuation

machine guarding

heat stress

ergonomics

workers’ compensation

laboratory safety

electromagnetic fields

other health and safety issues of concern to your organization.