Worker Safety

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has been involved in occupational safety and health training for decades. In addition to the Center for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP), two other leaders in worker training and education are the MidAtlantic Public Health Training Center and the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health (ERC). In particular, the Johns Hopkins ERC has an extensive array of continuing education offerings for health and safety professionals; these can be accessed through the Continuing Education section.

The Center for Public Health Preparedness has been a leader in the development of worker training content that addresses chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) threats.

In October 2002, the Center co-sponsored a conference in Baltimore, “Worker Training in a New Era: Responding to New Threats.” This conference, also sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences and the MidAtlantic Public Health Training Center, addressed training needs for a broad range of workers who could potentially be exposed to CBRNE threats. A CD-ROM version of the conference is available from the continuing education program of the NIOSH Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health.

The Center for Public Health Preparedness has developed training modules for workers that address specific hazards, and is working with other worker training organizations in the mid-Atlantic region. The CPHP faculty have delivered training on chemical, biological and radiological hazards, and have also assisted other organizations in the development of materials, websites and risk-communication strategies associated with hazards in the workplace. Besides the CPHP courses, CPHP faculty and staff are available to assist other organizations involved in worker training in the development of curricula.