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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the U.S. 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) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

NIOSH Origins and Mission

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 created both NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is in the U.S. Department of Labor and is responsible for developing and enforcing workplace safety and health regulations. NIOSH is in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is an agency established to help assure “safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women 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.

Strategic Goals

The Institute’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting a focused program of research to reduce injuries and illnesses among workers in high-priority areas and high-risk sectors.

• Implementing and maintaining a system of surveillance for major workplace illnesses, injuries, exposures, and health and safety hazards.

• Increasing prevention activities through workplace evaluations, interventions, and recommendations.

• Providing workers, employers, the public, and the occupational safety and health community with information, training, and capacity to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.

NIOSH Locations

NIOSH has a staff of over 1,400 people. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NIOSH has research laboratories and offices in Cincinnati, OH, Morgantown, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, Spokane, WA, Atlanta, GA, Anchorage, AK, and Denver, CO.

NIOSH Research

NIOSH scientists carry out a focused program of intramural and extramural research to prevent or reduce work-related injury and illness. The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), is the framework that guides the efforts of the occupational safety and health community in selected priority research areas, such as:

• Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing
• Construction
• Healthcare & Social Assistance
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Services
• Wholesale & Retail Trade
• Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities

For additional information, contact 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit the NIOSH Web site at: www.cdc.gov/niosh