English: Dr. Donald Birmingham, prominent dermatologist of the U.S. Public Health Service, observes two women ordnance workers pour TNT into mortar shells at the Ravenna, Ohio Ordnance Plant. The Ravenna Ordnance Plant manufactured ordnance containing trinitrotoluene (TNT) for the military during World War II. Dr. Birmingham wears an Army uniform because he is working at an Army-run facility. The photograph was made during the industrial hygiene and engineering activities conducted by U.S. Public Health Service personnel at the plant in September 1943. Occupational safety and health concerns included preventing dermatitis among the workers and reducing the risk of explosions in the plant.

Additional Information: The NIOSH Historic Photo Collection from which this photograph was derived, began as the Picture File of the Industrial Hygiene Division of the USPHS, c. 1930-1960. It is a unique collection of mid-20th Century images of American workers and workplaces, and documents occupational safety and health research of that era. The collection consists of approximately 1,000 original photographs and schematic drawings.