NIOSH

About Division of Safety Research (DSR)

At a glance

The Division of Safety Research (DSR) is part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). DSR conducts research to reduce a wide variety of occupational safety hazards. DSR is the focal point for traumatic injury research at NIOSH. Research across the Division's three branches seeks to identify, reduce, and prevent work-related injuries and deaths across all industries.

What we do

Surveillance

DSR uses a number of fatal and non-fatal injury surveillance systems. These data surveillance systems allow us to prioritize research needs, target prevention efforts, and monitor work-related injury and death trends.

Surveillance Systems

Field Research

DSR's descriptive and analytic epidemiology programs aim to determine causes and risk factors for work-related injuries, and evaluate the efficacy of interventions through field investigations and studies. To do this, researchers investigate some worker deaths, and work with industry partners to evaluate best practice solutions and emerging technologies to prevent work-related injuries.

Our recent field research

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the North American Fatigue Management Program in reducing commercial truck driver crashes
  • Evaluating the impact of a comprehensive fall prevention program to reduce injuries from falls to a lower level and falls on the same level to US Air Force military and civilian personnel
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status certification in reducing injuries
  • Evaluating the contributions of in-vehicle monitoring systems for improving driver safety and motor vehicle crash reduction in the oil and gas extraction industry

Lab Research

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has many research labs. DSR uses a number of these labs to conduct traumatic occupational injury research in a safe and controlled environment. Each lab is equipped with state-of-the art technology.

Our recent lab research

  • Evaluating the ability of passive, upper-extremity exoskeletons to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders and whether exoskeletons will create associated fall-induced injury risks on elevated work platforms
  • Evaluating driver vehicle interface problems concerning aftermarket police equipment to improve police vehicle interior design and operational safety
  • Evaluating the human-robot interface with new and emerging types of collaborative robots to ensure adequate worker protection from injury
  • Investigating machine, human, and environmental casual factors of demolition robot hazards that may lead to traumatic injuries and fatalities among construction workers

The labs are essential to our research program and vital to building a safe, healthy, and capable workforce. For more information about DSR's labs, see our Traumatic Occupational Injury Research Labs brochure.

Focus

DSR manages several NIOSH research programs, including:

Center for Motor Vehicle Safety
This center conducts research and develops strategies to prevent work-related motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

Center for Occupational Robotics Research
This center guides the development and use of occupational robots that enhance worker safety and health.

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program
This program and its state partners study select, fatal workplace injuries and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths and injuries.

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
This program conducts investigations of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths and makes recommendations to prevent similar deaths and injuries.

Human Factors and Safety Engineering Research Program
This program focuses on the relationship between people and their work environments, tools, and equipment, and supports the development of protective technology and controls.

Technology and product highlights

Ladder Safety App

This free, award-winning mobile app provides tools and information to correctly setup and use extension and step ladders.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses Training

This award-winning online course educates healthcare professionals on the scope and nature of violence and how to prevent it in the workplace.

Improving EMS Worker Safety Through Ambulance Design and Testing Video Series

This award-winning video series highlights 10 new crash test methods published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to improve the crashworthiness of an ambulance and keep workers and patients safe. This work was done in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and other public and private sector partners.

Behind the Wheel at Work

This quarterly eNewsletter provides research updates, links to motor vehicle safety resources, practical tips on workplace driving, and the latest news from the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety.