Mobile apps from the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety
Looking for information while at work? NIOSH may have an app for you.
As times have changed, so has our ability to get information quickly. Decades ago, getting the information you need could have taken hours and sorting through multiple folders or drawers. Now, the information you need is almost always a click, or tap away.
Mobile apps can be a great resource for workers. The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) offers several free apps to help employers and employees in various industries.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
If you’re looking for a guide to chemicals, NIOSH offers a chemical hazards app. Users can search for chemicals and review their identities, properties, and required PPE, including recommendations for respiratory protection use, symptoms of exposure, and first aid. Users can also highlight specific chemicals and view their chemical search history.
Ladder safety
Many factors go into choosing the right ladder. The Ladder Safety application guides users through decisions and important information when using a straight/extension or step ladder. This app is great for ladder setup, inspection and use. On the app, users can use guides through different steps of the ladder: decision, selection, inspection, setup, proper use and accessories. Each section provides step-by-step processes. The app even includes a measuring tool to determine the correct angle of the ladder.
NIOSH PPE Tracker
Keeping a record of PPE inventory can be a daunting task. The NIOSH PPE Tracker
making it easier to track and log this information. After entering the facility type and PPE counting method (boxes or units), users can record the daily inventory of different types of PPE in their facility. Using this data, NIOSH provides a report that tracks the burn rate, total restocked and total consumed numbers. This app can help those in healthcare or non-healthcare.
OSHA NIOSH Heat Safety Tool
If you’ve been following our content throughout the year, you may recognize this app. This app calculates the heat index and indicates the level of risk for workers on the site. It also provides safeguards for the risk level. Users can track the feel-like temperature hour by hour and see their risk of heat exposure. It also includes symptoms of heat-related illnesses and first aid steps.
NLE Calc
This app can determine the risk index of lifting tasks based on information the user provides about the job. Users must enter hand location, symmetry, load weight, frequency and duration to obtain a lift index. The app can also tell users the recommended weight limit.
NIOSH also offers apps for mining and sound levels, although these are only available on specific devices.
About the author
Alex Saurman is the content editor for Occupational Health and Safety.
