Opening Session and Keynote Presentation by Frank Hearl

Mr. Hearl will discuss NIOSH’s work with protective ensembles, especially as related to nanoparticles and infectious diseases, (example: Ebola). He will also cover NIOSH’s work with respiratory protection and new programs in occupational safety and health research at NIOSH. Mr. Hearl will address asphalt paving and exposure to silica and asphalt fumes.

About the Speaker: Frank Hearl is Chief of Staff for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). He coordinates activities of NIOSH providing scientific input to the regulatory process of OSHA and MSHA, the agencies responsible for issuing standards and enforcing workplace regulations in general industry and mining respectively. Frank has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University (1974), and a Master’s degree from the MIT (1980). He has been with NIOSH since 1974. Some of his past experience includes field industrial hygiene and epidemiology research related to coal workers pneumoconiosis, silicosis, lung cancer, and various lung disease-producing agents