At a glance
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal institute 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 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Our mission
To develop new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice.
Our organization
NIOSH has the mandate to assure "every man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources." The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a research institute focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces. It has more than 1,300 employees spread across the United States, from a diverse set of fields including epidemiology, medicine, nursing, industrial hygiene, safety, etc. Visit the NIOSH Careers page to learn more.
Learn more about the history of NIOSH on the NIOSH 50th Anniversary and Milestones in NIOSH History web pages.
Strategic Plan
The NIOSH Strategic Plan reports the Institute's research and service goals. These goals address a broad range of occupational health and safety hazards, affecting an ever-changing workforce.
Advisory Committees
There are five advisory committees that provide advice and guidance to NIOSH under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
Organizational Areas
Centers
- Center Direct Reading and Sensor Technologies
- Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies
- Center for Motor Vehicle Safety
- Nanotechnology Research Center
- Center for Occupational Robotics Research
- National Center for Productive Aging and Work
- Center for Work and Fatigue Research
- Center for Workers' Compensation Studies
Divisions
- Division of Compensation Analysis and Support
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering
- Division of Science Integration
- Division of Safety Research
- Health Effects Laboratory Division
- Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
- Spokane Mining Research Division
- National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
- Respiratory Health Division
- Western States Division
- World Trade Center Health Program
Global Collaborations
NIOSH works with global partners in areas of mutual interest to fill knowledge gaps and to enhance the impact of translating research into practice for workers both in the U.S. and in other countries. This includes:
- Knowledge exchange of information and research
- Contributing and reviewing international documents
- Participating in international committees, standards development, and professional associations
- Contributing to international training materials
- Presenting at international conferences and meetings
NIOSH is committed to building strong connections with partners in the international occupational health and safety community. Learn more about some of our global collaborations and improving worker health across the globe in this document from NIOSH and the Finnish Institute and in the NIOSH Science Blog.