EOH: Occupational Health & Safety

Research

Occupational health and safety prioritizes the understanding of the nature and extent of workplace exposures, how they impact worker's well-being, and the development of regulations and strategies for ensuring safe and healthy working environments. Vulnerable worker populations in "essential" industries such as agriculture, transportation, and warehousing are frequently at a higher risk of exposure to environmental contaminants, disease, and injury. EOH research has highlighted that implementing protective actions such as paid medical leave and increased safety inspections, using engineering controls such as improved ventilation systems, and employing administrative controls to reduce crowding, are ways to prevent workplace exposure to airborne pathogens [Michaels]. EOH research has also evaluated the impact that lost-time occupational injuries have on all-cause mortality, finding that all-cause mortality was higher for workers in Washington State with lost-time injuries when compared to those with medical-only injuries [Applebaum].

Learn more about research programs: Applebaum, Michaels

Research Experts

Kate Applebaum
Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health

Robert Canales
Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health

Peter LaPuma
Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health

David Michaels 
Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health