Achieving impact through research and partnerships

Abstract

"In December 2009, 170 representatives from the occupational safety and health and environmental communities within industry, labor, academia, government agencies, and nongovernment organizations met to consider how to emphasize that green jobs should be safe and healthy for workers. This report is a summary of their words and deliberations." - NIOSHTIC-2Green jobs--good for the environment, good for the economy. But how do we assure that green jobs are also good for workers? The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), through the Prevention through Design Program, launched the Going Green: Safe and Healthy Jobs initiative to make sure that green jobs are good for workers by integrating worker safety and health sustainability. Green jobs, which have been defined broadly as jobs that help improve the environment and enhance sustainability, offer opportunities as well as challenges for workers. Examples of green jobs include manufacture, installation, and maintenance of solar panels and generators; construction and maintenance of wind energy turbines; jobs related to recycling; jobs related to the manufacture of green products; and jobs where green products are used in traditional fields such as agriculture, healthcare, and the service sector. In some instances, the hazards to workers may be similar to those in established industries. However, some green and sustainable practices may pose new health concerns for workers.Includes bibliographical references (p. 70)