Funding Announcements NIOSH Funding Supports Katrina Health Study at Tulane Under a competitive research grant from NIOSH, researchers at Tulane University are conducting a health study to determine if post-Hurricane Katrina exposures of workers to dusts containing bio-aerosols (bacteria and mold) are associated with changes in respiratory health. The study will include approximately 1,000 New Orleans area workers performing demolition and remediation work; trash and debris removal/disposal and landfill work; street, sewerage and water-line repair; general construction work; tree cutting and landscape restoration; and facilities services work. More information on the study is available from the Tulane program at KatrinaWorkerStudy@tulane.edu or by phone at 504-988-3846. New Extramural Research Funding Opportunities With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 in late December, NIOSH received increased funding targeted to its extramural programs. An increase in NORA and Mining research funding will enable NIOSH to sponsor several new research initiatives and to fund additional research under its general program and cooperative agreement announcements. Potential extramural applicants are encouraged to monitor funding opportunity websites (NIH Guide at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/search_guide.htm and http://www.grants.gov/) for existing funding opportunities, and for opportunities that will be published in the near future. Examples of relevant opportunities are below. Career Development Grants in Occupational Safety and Health Research (K01): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-070.html The upcoming deadlines are Feb. 12, 2008 and June 12, 2008 for new applications, and March 12, 2008 and July 12, 2008 for renewals, resubmissions, and revisions. NIOSH Small Research Grant Program (R03): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-551.html The upcoming deadlines are Feb. 16, 2008 and June 16, 2008 for new applications, and March 16, 2008 and July 16, 2008 for renewals, resubmissions, and revisions. NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13): http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-072.html The upcoming deadlines for all applications (new, renewals, resubmissions, and revisions) are April 12, 2008 and August 12, 2008. Workplace Violence Prevention Research: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-08-004.html Application deadline of March 26, 2008. Upcoming Events 8th Conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology November 12 – 14, 2008, Valencia, Spain. http://www.ea-ohp.org. 1st International Conference on Workplace Violence in Health Sector October 22-24, 2008, Amsterdam. http://www.oudconsultancy.nl/WorkplaceViolence/index.html?1204049939814 3rd ICOH-WOPS International Conference on Psychosocial Factors at Work September 1-4, 2008, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada http://www.icoh-wops2008.com/Afficher.aspx?langue=en Other Announcements and Resources Sloan Work and Family Research Network Newsletter and Resources for Teaching Newsletter, January 2008 http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/The_Network_News/43/newsletter.shtml The Sloan Work and family Research Network offers resources for teaching work and family at the following website: http://wfnetwork.bc.edu/activities.php?area=business NIOSH seeks Work Organization and Human Factors Branch Chief Job Announcement: Chief, Organizational Science and Human Factors Branch, Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The OSHFB Chief formulates, develops, conducts, and directs broad programs of occupational health research in work organization and human factors and ergonomics. Research areas include identification of work organization risk factors and intervention strategies for stress, illness, and injury; exploration of changing organizational practices; job and tool design to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders; and biomechanics and work physiology. The position is an Interdisciplinary Supervisory Research Psychologist/Supervisory Research Health Scientist, GS-01801/0601-15 (Chief, OSHFB) Open: February 14 - March 5, 2008 Information about this opportunity is available from http://www.cdc.gov/employment Studies Show Contingent Workers at Higher Risk, NIOSH Researchers Report U.S. and European studies suggest that contingent workers such as part-time, temporary, or contract workers are at higher risk for occupational injuries and illnesses than workers in traditional employment situations, NIOSH researchers report. Several possible reasons for the higher risk are suggested in the increasing scientific evidence, and warrant further scientific investigation, the researchers stated. The article, “Contingent Workers and Contingent Health: Risks of a Modern Economy,” by Kristin J. Cummings, M.D., M.P.H., and Kathleen Kreiss, M.D., was published in the January 30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The report is available on line at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/4/448. NIOSH Delivers Research Report on Coal Mine Refuge Alternatives On January 23, NIOSH delivered the "Research Report on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines." The report responded to a provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (the MINER Act) requiring NIOSH to conduct research, including field tests, concerning the utility, practicality, survivability, and cost of various refuge alternatives. Such alternatives are intended to provide safe refuge to miners who are trapped underground, awaiting rescue, after a mine explosion or roof collapse. The report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2643.htm. Comments Requested on WorkLife Initiative NIOSH is requesting public comment (Docket Number NIOSH 132) on a new resource document intended to facilitate the development of workplace programs, policies, and practices to sustain and improve workforce health: The Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for Improving Worker Health and Wellbeing. The development and dissemination of these Elements as a useful tool is a key effort of the NIOSH WorkLife Initiative, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife. You may find instructions for submitting comments here, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/132.