Mobile Apps from the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety
Looking for information at your fingertips during work? NIOSH might have an app for you.
- By Alex Saurman
- Dec 23, 2022
As times have changed so has our ability to quickly access information. 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 multiple free apps to help employers and employees in a variety of industries.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
If you’re looking for a guide to chemicals, NIOSH offers an app for chemical hazards. Users can search for chemicals and review their identities, properties, and required PPE including recommendations for respirator use, symptoms of exposure and first aid. Users can also bookmark specific chemicals and view their chemical search history.
Ladder Safety
Numerous factors go into choosing the right ladder. The Ladder Safety Application walks 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 follow guides through multiple steps of ladder use: decision, selection, inspection, set up, 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
makes 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 various types of PPE in their facility. With 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 settings.
OSHA NIOSH Heat Safety Tool
If you’ve been following our content throughout the year, you might recognize this app. This app calculates the heat index and displays the risk level to workers at the site. It also provides protective measures for the risk level. Users can track the feel-like temperature hour by hour and view 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 need to input the hand location, symmetry, load weight, frequency and duration to get a lifting index. The app can also tell users the recommended weight limit.
NIOSH also offers apps for mining and sound levels, though these are only available on specific devices.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.