National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a federal agency established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. NIOSH, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services, is a research agency responsible for identifying the causes of work-related diseases and injuries and the potential hazards of new work technologies and practices. With this information, NIOSH determines new and effective ways to protect workers from chemicals, machinery, and hazardous working conditions. The Institute’s responsibilities include investigating potentially hazardous working conditions as requested by employers or employees; evaluating hazards in the workplace; creating and disseminating methods for preventing disease, injury, and disability; and conducting research and providing scientifically valid recommendations for protecting workers. NIOSH has a web site on the Internet that provides information on NIOSH activities in all states within the United States; NIOSH database information; a searchable NIOSH directory; NIOSH publications; “What’s New at NIOSH,” which enables online users to read full-text press releases (listed by month and year) on topics ranging from preventing work-related latex allergies to surveillance reports on work-related lung disease; a compendium of occupational and environmental questionnaires; information concerning ergonomics; dynamic linkage to additional, helpful sources of information on the Web; and more.