Robotics and Workplace Safety

"We are in a period of rapid growth and advancements in robotics technology. Workplaces are increasingly using robots that enhance worker safety, health, and well-being. As robots are increasingly used in workplaces there are also safety concerns. Learn more about CDC’s role in robotics and workplace safety.

Robots are machines or automated technologies that can perform a series of actions to do everything from drive cars to perform surgery. Robots have existed in the workplace for years, but their presence on jobsites is increasing, as are their capabilities. Industrial robots are no longer confined to cages or cells. Today’s robots are designed to work alongside, move amongst, and be worn by human workers.

Taking on dangerous jobs

Robots can improve worker safety by doing work that is especially dangerous. They remove the worker from the hazard. Some examples include:

• Robots can inspect offshore oil rigs while people remain safely on shore.
• Drones might allow farmers to apply pesticide without exposure to chemicals.
• Service robots may help healthcare workers safely lift patients eliminating debilitating musculoskeletal injuries.
• A fleet of self-driving vehicles could reduce motor vehicle crashes among delivery workers.

Safety concerns

While robots have potential benefits for safety and productivity, there are also safety concerns. Working closely with robots such as in a warehouse or on a construction site, may pose different hazards. For example, a drone flying near a worker may also pose a threat to workers from distraction, however, there is little data on distraction and the potential for drones to cause a fall. Information about both the number and specific details of robot-related injuries to workers involving newer robotics technologies are not well-documented. This information is critical to inform policy changes and actions to improve worker safety and health.

CDC’s Center for Occupational Robotics Research

The Center for Occupational Robotics Research within CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is addressing the safety of today’s workers who use, wear, or work near robots. The Center focuses on:

• Evaluating the potential for robotics technologies to prevent worker injuries and musculoskeletal disorders
• Increasing understanding of human and robot interactions to ensure human worker safety
• Improving the ability to identify and track injuries involving robotics technologies
• Providing guidance on working safely with robotics technologies

The Center for Occupational Robotics Research works in partnership with academic researchers, trade associations, robotics manufacturers, employers using robotics technology, integrators who set-up robotic systems in workplaces, labor organizations, and other federal agencies. The Center addresses traditional robots and emerging technologies such as collaborative robots, mobile robots, powered exoskeletons, and remotely controlled or autonomous vehicles and drones..."
Robotics and safety 

Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel

"By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1.  Policy.

Science-based public health measures are critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by travelers within the United States and those who enter the country from abroad.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Surgeon General, and the National Institutes of Health have concluded that mask-wearing, physical distancing, appropriate ventilation, and timely testing can mitigate the risk of travelers spreading COVID-19.  Accordingly, to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely, it is the policy of my Administration to implement these public health measures consistent with CDC guidelines on public modes of transportation and at ports of entry to the United States.
 

Sec. 2.  Immediate Action to Require Mask-Wearing on Certain Domestic Modes of Transportation.
 

(a)  Mask Requirement.  The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Secretary of Transportation (including through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)), the Secretary of Homeland Security (including through the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard), and the heads of any other executive departments and agencies (agencies) that have relevant regulatory authority (heads of agencies) shall immediately take action, to the extent appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to require masks to be worn in compliance with CDC guidelines in or on:
 

(i)    airports;
(ii)   commercial aircraft;
(iii)  trains;
(iv)   public maritime vessels, including ferries;
(v)    intercity bus services; and
(vi)   all forms of public transportation as defined in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code..."
COVID-19 Safety and travel 

Brain Safety and YOU

"Brain Safety Starts with You. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs, affect the lives of Americans nationwide. Anyone can experience a TBI, but data show that children and older adults (ages 65 and older) are at greater risk. Many TBIs, including concussions, are preventable, and you can help.

Change Your Mind about Brain Injury

Brain Injury Awareness Month is recognized each year in March. During this time, CDC focuses on helping to increase the knowledge and understanding of brain injuries. A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” to “severe,” and can change the way you think, act, move, and feel. Falls account for almost half (47 percent) of all TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. Other common causes include being struck by or against an object (such as colliding with another person) and motor vehicle crashes.

Parents have an important role in protecting their children from TBIs and can learn what can cause brain injuries and how to avoid them. Public health professionals can also help inform prevention strategies and identify research and education priorities to protect people from TBIs and their potentially devastating effects..."
Brain safety

Keep Kids Safe This Summer

"Hot weather provides opportunities for kids to enjoy the outdoors. Take steps to keep them safe and healthy, both indoors and outdoors.

Master Water Safety

Swimming and other water activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity and health benefits needed for a healthy life. Get the most from these activities while helping everyone stay safe and healthy.

• Parents and caregivers play a key role in protecting children from drowning. When kids are in or near water, closely supervise them at all times.
• Help prevent recreational water illnesses, which is illness caused by germs and chemicals found in the water we swim in. Keep the pee, poop, sweat, and dirt out of the water. Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers every hour, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–not poolside–to keep germs away from the pool.
• Stay safe while boating by wearing a life jacket. Properly fitted life jackets can prevent drownings and should be worn at all times by everyone on any boat...."

Kids and Summer

Working in Workplace Safety

"Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces is a top priority of the Labor Department. It’s also a smart career path for people interested in making sure offices, factories, mines and other workplaces are safe from hazards and adhere to regulations concerning health, safety and the environment.

The median wages for all of these jobs are also higher than the median wage for all occupations ($36,200). Here’s a closer look at nine options (chart text available below):..."
Workplace safety

Preventing sexual violence

"Prevent sexual violence on college campuses.

Preventing sexual violence (SV) of all types requires a shift in culture and climate. Primary prevention—preventing violence before it occurs—is difficult work and change takes time. Culture change doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen. To address this problem, the White House established the Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault in 2014. The task force had a mandate to strengthen federal enforcement efforts and to provide schools with additional tools to help prevent SV on their campuses..."
Preventing sexual violence

Be a aSafe Patient

"Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from infections.

People receiving medical care can get serious infections called healthcare-associated infections, which may lead to sepsis or death. Healthcare-associated infections are not limited to hospitals. They can happen wherever patients receive medical care – outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities, but are often associated with the devices used in medical procedures, such as catheters or ventilators..."
Patient safety

Protect Your Wallet and Your Information This Holiday Season

"As the holiday shopping season officially gets underway, the FBI would like to take this opportunity to warn shoppers to be aware of the increasingly aggressive techniques of cyber criminals who want to steal your money and your personal information.

For example, watch out for online shopping scams—criminals often scheme to defraud victims by offering too-good-to-be-true deals, like brand name merchandise at extremely low discounts or gift cards as an incentive to buy a product. Beware of social media scams, including posts on social media sites that offer vouchers or gift cards or that pose as holiday promotions or contests. Always be careful when downloading mobile applications on your smartphone—some apps, disguised as games and offered for free, maybe be designed to steal personal information. And if you’re in need of extra cash this time of year, watch out for websites and online postings offering work you can do from home—you may actually become the victim of an advance fee, counterfeit, or pyramid scheme, or become an unknowing participant in criminal activity..."
Holiday money issues

Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge Available for New School Year

"The FBI’s Safe Online Surfing (SOS) Internet Challenge—a free, fun, and innovative program that educates students in grades 3-8 on cyber safety and promotes cyber citizenship—is now open for business for the 2015-2016 school year.

The program engages participants in age-appropriate games, videos, and other interactive materials that cover such topics as cell phone safety, protection of personal information, password strength, instant messaging, social networking, and online gaming safety. FBI-SOS is coming off a banner year with the 2014-2015 school year, when a total of 275,656 students completed the exams, more than triple the previous year. Hopefully, the number of participants will continue to increase during this school year.   

Anyone can complete the activities on the FBI-SOS website. The testing and competition, though, is only open—through teachers and/or administrators—to students in grades 3-8 at public, private, or home schools in the U.S. And at the end of each month during the school year, test scores are aggregated, and top-scoring schools receive an award from the FBI.
More information | SOS brochure | FBI-SOS website.."
Safe online surfing

Keeping Children Safe

"School is back in session. As you stock up on pencils, take first-day pictures, and adjust to new bus schedules, take a few, quick steps that can keep your child safer during an emergency.

January 15, 2015. A water main break near Atlanta, Georgia cuts off water pressure to 12 schools. With no water to drink or to use to flush toilets, some schools close early while others bus their students to nearby schools with working bathrooms. Parents rush to keep up with notifications on when and where to pick up their children. If this were to happen in your neighborhood, would you know what to do and where to go?

From tornadoes to water main breaks, emergencies can occur with little or no warning—even during the school day. As children head back to school, take a few steps to help protect your child from an emergency and to reunite with your child quickly and safely..."
Children and safety

Rail safety

"Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation is issuing a final rule that will enhance the safety of transporting flammable liquids –including crude oil and ethanol– by rail...

The final rule applies to trains transporting large volumes of flammable liquids and regulates their operation.  It includes a new requirement for a modern, robust braking system that will be a game-changer in mitigating damage in the event of an accident. It requires significant safety improvements in tank car design standards, for both new cars and existing cars used for flammable liquid service. It addresses the need for greater accuracy in the sampling and classification of the products being put into those tank cars. And it requires selective routing requirements and contact with public safety and emergency first responders so they know what is being transported through their jurisdictions and can better prepare..." 
New rail safety

Protect your hearing

"Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work-related illness in the United States. Each year, an estimated 22 million U.S. workers encounter noise exposures loud enough to be potentially hazardous. In addition to damaging workers' quality of life, occupational hearing loss can carry a high economic price to society..."
Hearing safety

Six Tips for College Health and Safety

"Going to college is an exciting time in a young person’s life. It’s the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. College is a great time for new experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. Here are a few pointers for college students on staying safe and healthy..."
College, health, and safety

Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter

"Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.
Many people prefer to remain indoors in the winter, but staying inside is no guarantee of safety. Take these steps to keep your home safe and warm during the winter months..."
Winter Weather

Wildfire Safety

"When wildfires burn in your area, they produce smoke that may reach your community. Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases..."
Wildfires

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Find safety tips fro preventing poisoning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Tips for Preventing Poisonings

On Safety: CPSC Stands for Safety

View a variety of videos on safety issues from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Child Safety:Keep Your Little One Safe When You Fly

"Did you know that the safest place for your child on an airplane is in a government-approved child safety restraint system (CRS) or device, not on your lap? Your arms aren't capable of holding your child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges you to secure your child in a CRS or device for the duration of your flight. It's the smart and right thing to do so that everyone in your family arrives safely at your destination. The FAA is giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your family's travel plans..."

ABC's of School Safety

Kids talk about school safety! Always wear the right helmet. Be safe and have fun. Careful with the clothing, Mom and Dad.

Teen to Teen:Magnet Talk

"High-powered magnets are a deadly safety risk to children age toddler through teen. Swallowing incidents are on the rise and can result in surgery."