Attachment D_Introductory recruitment letter

Attachment D- Introductory Recruitment Letter

Dear [COMPANY CONTACT] [DATE]

My name is Bradley King, and I am a research industrial hygienist from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an agency located within the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NIOSH is a non-regulatory government agency that conducts occupational safety and health research to provide guidance, information, and service to U.S. industries, academia, unions, non-profits, and other partners. Our mission is to develop new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice. NIOSH carries out this research under the authority, Part 85(a) of the Public Health and Welfare Code (Title 42) which allows us to enter all places of employment for the purpose of conducting occupational research and investigations.

I am contacting you because we have identified [COMPANY NAME] as meeting the qualifications for our current study focused on characterizing workplace noise exposures and hearing loss health effects experienced during upstream oil and gas operations, drilling, completions, and servicing activities. We believe [COMPANY] would be a valuable addition to our study. This study, titled “Noise Exposures and Hearing Loss in the Oil and Gas Extraction Industry”, aims to learn about current workplace exposures to noise and ototoxic chemical compounds encountered in upstream oil and gas industry worksites that may be associated with hearing loss among workers. As part of the study, we will offer 500 workers an opportunity to complete a questionnaire about work history, potential exposures, controls, and hearing loss symptoms. For a subgroup of 100 workers, we would conduct assessments to characterize personal noise and ototoxic chemical exposures. We will determine exposures to these compounds through collection of personal and area samples for noise and chemical exposures. We will also offer an audiometric exam to evaluate levels of hearing loss to a subgroup of 100 workers. Some, but not all, of these may be in the group of workers for whom we conduct exposure assessments.

These exposures and hearing loss amongst workers are not well-characterized in this industry. This study is the first step in better understanding these exposures and effective controls aimed at protecting workers like those at [COMPANY NAME]. If you are interested in participating in our study, we will travel to your company location for up to 4–5 business days to collect environmental samples during your normal working hours as you and your workers go about your normal tasks. Additionally, NIOSH team members can visit your facility, training center, or worker lodging camps for one-on-one visits with workers who wish to participate in the questionnaire or audiometric exam components of the study. Your company will benefit from participating in this study by learning about potential workplace exposures during upstream oil and gas activities and ways to control those exposures. There is no cost to the company to participate in the study.

If you have any questions about our project or wish to participate, please do not hesitate to call me at (303)-236-5933 or email me at bradley.king@cdc.hhs.gov. Thank you and I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you soon!

Sincerely,

Bradley S. King, PhD, MPH, CIH

Research Industrial Hygienist

NIOSH Western States Division