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[[Image:niosh.gif|right|thumb|NIOSH logo]]
[[Image:niosh.gif|right|thumb|NIOSH logo]]
The '''National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health''' (or '''NIOSH''') is the [[United States]] federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) within the US [[Department of Health and Human Services]].
The '''National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health''' (or '''NIOSH''') is the [[United States]] federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) within the U.S. [[Department of Health and Human Services]].


NIOSH is headquartered in Washington, DC, with research laboratories and offices in Cincinnati, OH, Morgantown, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, Spokane, WA and Atlanta, GA. NIOSH is a professionally diverse organization with a staff of over 1,400 people representing a wide range of disciplines including epidemiology, medicine, industrial hygiene, safety, psychology, engineering, chemistry, and statistics.
NIOSH is headquartered in Washington, DC, with research laboratories and offices in Cincinnati, OH; Morgantown, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; Spokane, WA; and Atlanta, GA.<ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/im-rsch.html NIOSH Divisions, Labs, and Offices]</ref> NIOSH is a professionally diverse organization with a staff of over 1,400 people representing a wide range of disciplines including epidemiology, medicine, industrial hygiene, safety, psychology, engineering, chemistry, and statistics. The director of NIOSH is [[John Howard (public health administrator)|John Howard]].


The [[Occupational Safety and Health Act]], signed by [[President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]], on [[December 29]], [[1970]], created both NIOSH and the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA). NIOSH was established to help ensure safe and healthful working conditions by providing research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health. NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and [[occupational fatality|death]] by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.<!-- taken from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html -->
The [[Occupational Safety and Health Act]], signed by [[President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]], on [[December 29]], [[1970]], created both NIOSH and the [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA). NIOSH was established to help ensure safe and healthful working conditions by providing research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health. NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and [[occupational fatality|death]] by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.<ref name=about>[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html About NIOSH]. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.</ref>


==Strategic goals==
==Strategic goals==
NIOSH has certain goals and objectives for its [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/strategic/ 2004-2009 Strategic Plan]. According to the [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html NIOSH website], these include:
NIOSH abides by a strategic plan for meeting institutional goals and allocating resources. The Institute has three overarching goals:<ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/strategic/ NIOSH Strategic Plan Outline 2004-2009]. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.</ref>
⚫
* To conduct research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries
<blockquote>
⚫
* To promote safe and healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations and capacity building
⚫
*Conduct[ing] research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.
⚫
* To enhance global workplace safety and health through international collaborations
⚫
*Promot[ing] safe and healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations and capacity building.
⚫
*Enhanc[ing] global workplace safety and health through international collaborations.
</blockquote>


The goals are supported by NIOSH's program portfolio. The portfolio categorizes Institute efforts into 8 groups representing industrial sectors. The program portfolio further subdivides efforts into 24 cross sectors.
==Cross-sector programs==
NIOSH is divided into numerous Cross-Sector Programs that cover a wide range of occupational health and safety areas. These programs are listed below:<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/</ref>
*Authoritative Recommendations
*[[Cancer]], Reproductive and Cardiovascular Diseases
*Communications and Information Dissemination
*[[Economics]]
*[[Emergency management | Emergency Preparedness and Response]]
*Engineering Controls
*[[Exposure Assessment]]
*Global Collaborations
*[[Health Hazard Evaluation]](HHE)
*[[Hearing Loss]] Prevention
*Immune and [[Dermal]] Diseases
*[[Musculoskeletal]] Disorders
*[[Nanotechnology]]
*Occupational Health Disparities
*[[Personal protective equipment | Personal Protective Technology]]
*Prevention Through Design
*[[Radiation]] Dose Reconstruction
*[[Respiratory disease | Respiratory Diseases]]
*[[Small Business]] Assistance and Outreach
*[[Surveillance]]
*Training Grants
*[[Injury | Traumatic Injury]]
*Worklife Initiative
*Work Organization & [[Workplace stress|Stress]]-Related Disorders


== NIOSH Authority ==
== NIOSH Authority ==

Unlike its counterpart, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, NIOSH is not a regulatory agency. It does not issue safety and health standards that are enforceable under US law. Rather, NIOSH's authority under the [[Occupational Safety and Health Act]] [29 CFR § 671] is to "develop recommendations for health and safety standards", to "develop information on safe levels of exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents and substances," and to "conduct research on new safety and health problems." NIOSH may also "conduct on-site investigations ([[Health_Hazard_Evaluation_Program|Health Hazard Evaluations]]) to determine the toxicity of materials used in workplaces" and "fund research by other agencies or private organizations through grants, contracts, and other arrangements."<ref name="About NIOSH">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) ''[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html About NIOSH]</ref>
Unlike its counterpart, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, NIOSH is not a regulatory agency. It does not issue safety and health standards that are enforceable under US law. Rather, NIOSH's authority under the [[Occupational Safety and Health Act]] [29 CFR § 671] is to "develop recommendations for health and safety standards", to "develop information on safe levels of exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents and substances," and to "conduct research on new safety and health problems." NIOSH may also "conduct on-site investigations ([[Health_Hazard_Evaluation_Program|Health Hazard Evaluations]]) to determine the toxicity of materials used in workplaces" and "fund research by other agencies or private organizations through grants, contracts, and other arrangements."<ref name="About NIOSH">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) ''[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about.html About NIOSH]</ref>


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The '''[[National Agricultural Safety Database]]''' is published by NIOSH and contains citations and summaries of scholarly journal articles and reports about agricultural health and safety.
The '''[[National Agricultural Safety Database]]''' is published by NIOSH and contains citations and summaries of scholarly journal articles and reports about agricultural health and safety.


The [[Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE)]] program publishes [[occupational fatality]] data. Data is used to publish fatality reports by specific sectors of industry and types of fatal incidents.
The [[Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE)]] program publishes [[occupational fatality]] data. Data is used to publish fatality reports by specific sectors of industry and types of fatal incidents.<ref>National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) ''[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pubs/type.html NIOSH Publications by Category]</ref>

<ref>National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) ''[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pubs/type.html NIOSH Publications by Category]</ref>


== In Popular Culture ==
== In Popular Culture ==
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*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh NIOSH homepage]
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh NIOSH homepage]
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ NIOSH topics]
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ NIOSH topics]
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/default.html NIOSH e-News]- the monthly newsletter for NIOSH
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/default.html NIOSH e-News] the monthly newsletter for NIOSH
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards]- provides general industrial hygiene information
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards] provides general industrial hygiene information
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/ NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)]- collection of methods for sampling/analyzing contaminants in workplace air and blood/urine of exposed workers.
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/ NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)] collection of methods for sampling/analyzing contaminants in workplace air and blood/urine of exposed workers.
*[http://www.geolibrary.org Global Environmental and Occupational Health e-Library]- online database with worker health and safety training materials and supporting documents (Note: In development!)
*[http://www.geolibrary.org Global Environmental and Occupational Health e-Library] online database with worker health and safety training materials and supporting documents (Note: In development!)
*[http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_vii/otm_vii_1.html OSHA Technical Manual: Back Disorders and Injuries]
*[http://www.ntis.gov/products/bestsellers/nioshguide.asp Printed and CD-ROM versions available from the National Technical Information Service]
* [http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/ National Ag Safety Database]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
<references/>
* [http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/niehs/niosh/ Miami NIOSH Research Group]
* http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000427/p0000427.asp


{{HHS agencies}}
{{HHS agencies}}

Revision as of 17:02, 15 September 2009

NIOSH logo

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (or NIOSH) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

NIOSH is headquartered in Washington, DC, with research laboratories and offices in Cincinnati, OH; Morgantown, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; Spokane, WA; and Atlanta, GA.[1] NIOSH is a professionally diverse organization with a staff of over 1,400 people representing a wide range of disciplines including epidemiology, medicine, industrial hygiene, safety, psychology, engineering, chemistry, and statistics. The director of NIOSH is John Howard.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970, created both NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NIOSH was established to help ensure safe and healthful working conditions by providing research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health. NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and death by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.[2]

Strategic goals

NIOSH abides by a strategic plan for meeting institutional goals and allocating resources. The Institute has three overarching goals:[3]

  • To conduct research to reduce work-related illnesses and injuries
  • To promote safe and healthy workplaces through interventions, recommendations and capacity building
  • To enhance global workplace safety and health through international collaborations

The goals are supported by NIOSH's program portfolio. The portfolio categorizes Institute efforts into 8 groups representing industrial sectors. The program portfolio further subdivides efforts into 24 cross sectors.

NIOSH Authority

Unlike its counterpart, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, NIOSH is not a regulatory agency. It does not issue safety and health standards that are enforceable under US law. Rather, NIOSH's authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act [29 CFR § 671] is to "develop recommendations for health and safety standards", to "develop information on safe levels of exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents and substances," and to "conduct research on new safety and health problems." NIOSH may also "conduct on-site investigations (Health Hazard Evaluations) to determine the toxicity of materials used in workplaces" and "fund research by other agencies or private organizations through grants, contracts, and other arrangements."[4]

Also, pursuant to its authority granted to it by the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, NIOSH may "develop recommendations for mine health standards for the Mine Safety and Health Administration", "administer a medical surveillance program for miners, including chest X-rays to detect pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) in coal miners", "conduct on-site investigations in mines similar to those authorized for general industry under the Occupational Safety and Health Act; and "test and certify personal protective equipment and hazard-measurement instruments."[4]

NIOSH Publications

Alerts are put out by the agency to request assistance in preventing, solving, and controlling newly identified occupational hazards. They briefly present what is known about the risk for occupational injury, illness, and death.

Criteria Documents contain NIOSH's recommendations for the prevention of occupational diseases and injuries. These documents are submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the Mine Safety and Health Administration for consideration in their formulation of legally-binding safety and health standards.

Current Intelligence Bulletins analyze new information about occupational health and safety hazards.

The National Agricultural Safety Database is published by NIOSH and contains citations and summaries of scholarly journal articles and reports about agricultural health and safety.

The Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program publishes occupational fatality data. Data is used to publish fatality reports by specific sectors of industry and types of fatal incidents.[5]

In Popular Culture

  • In the Iris Alternate Reality Game to hype Halo 3, it is called the NIOSH and is referenced alongside the CDC in helping in a "cleanup".

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ NIOSH Divisions, Labs, and Offices
  2. ^ About NIOSH. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
  3. ^ NIOSH Strategic Plan Outline 2004-2009. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
  4. ^ a b National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) About NIOSH
  5. ^ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US) NIOSH Publications by Category
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