With summer around the corner, the Pittsburgh Local Section headed to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) to learn about cutting-edge research being led by Dr. W. Jon Williams on heat stress. Dr. Williams is a Senior Research Physiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who currently serves as the Vice Chair of the AIHA Thermal Stress Working Group. Even more impressive than Dr. Williams’ resume is his research. During the seminar with our local section, he discussed the team of scientists that he leads to study the physiological responses of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and the means to mitigate these responses. The physiological responses that they study include cardiovascular strain, heat stress, cooling technologies, and pharmacological interventions to improve PPE and reduce the physiological strain from wearing PPE. They also focus on the ergonomic impacts of PPE. The research that was presented to the section is truly innovative and will improve the lives of workers and first responders in the future.
The Pittsburgh Local Section would like to thank Jon Williams, PhD., Research Physiologist, National Personal Protective Technology Lab for inviting us to NIOSH, sharing his research with us, and showing us one of his labs. We would also like to thank Matt Zock, CIH for coordinating the event at NIOSH on April 18, 2023.
Finally, we would like to thank all the following members for attending this event:
The Pittsburgh Local Section would like to thank Jon Williams, PhD., Research Physiologist, National Personal Protective Technology Lab for inviting us to NIOSH, sharing his research with us, and showing us one of his labs. We would also like to thank Matt Zock, CIH for coordinating the event at NIOSH on April 18, 2023.
Finally, we would like to thank all the following members for attending this event:
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By Dane Mitcheson, CIH, CSP, President-Elect, Pgh. AIHA, Photos submitted by Matt Zock, CIH, Past President, Pgh. AIHA
