NIOSHs

NIOSH, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, was established in 1970 by the Occupational Safety and Health Act and is a U.S. federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injury and illness. It is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

NIOSH carries out laboratory and field research on a range of occupational hazards, including chemical, physical, biological risks, ergonomic hazards, and workplace safety practices. It develops guidance, hazard assessments, and exposure recommendations intended to reduce risk; these recommendations are not enforceable standards, which are typically set by OSHA based on its own regulatory process.

NIOSH also runs a respiratory protection certification program that tests and certifies respirators for safety and performance. Products that meet NIOSH standards are listed on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List and may bear the NIOSH seal. In addition, NIOSH conducts surveillance and evaluation projects, such as the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program, and issues health hazard evaluations (HHEs) upon requests from workers or employers.

Key programmatic initiatives include the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), which identifies priority areas for research, and a mix of intramural and extramural research funding to support universities, laboratories, and industry partners. NIOSH disseminates findings through reports, recommendations, and online resources to influence workplaces, regulators, and practitioners.

NIOSH operates under the CDC and collaborates with other federal agencies, states, and international partners. It maintains multiple centers and programs focused on construction, mining, healthcare, and other sectors, reflecting its mission to reduce occupational morbidity and mortality.