The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)

The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a partnership program to stimulate innovative research and improved workplace practices. Unveiled in 1996, NORA has become a research framework for NIOSH and the nation. Diverse parties collaborate to identify the most critical issues in workplace safety and health. Partners then work together to develop goals and objectives for addressing these needs. more...

National Sector Agendas

NORA Sector Councils have created sector agendas for the nation to guide research and research-to-practice. The Councils will update these as needed. All comments sent to the NORA Coordinator will be forwarded to the relevant Council.

Sector Agendas

NORA News

Solid Waste Workers

A priority of the NORA Services Sector Council is to reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among solid waste workers. As a result of council activities, David Utterback, NIOSH, and David Biderman, National Solid Wastes Management Association and council member, along with others, have presented safety and health surveillance data and program information at two recent Waste Expo annual meetings and at the 2011 Waste Con annual meeting. Dr. Utterback has been invited to present a webinar in January 2012 for the Solid Waste Association of North America. Since 2003, the overall occupational injury and illness rate reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the solid waste industry has declined by 48% and many in the industry are working to continue the trend. Contact noracoordinator@cdc.gov for more information.

Worker Safety and Patient Safety

The Joint Commission, an influential organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, recently published a Sentinel Event Alert (http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/SEA_48.pdf) that highlights the role of worker fatigue in reducing patient and worker safety. Increasing the awareness of the links between patient safety and worker safety in healthcare has been a goal of the NORA Healthcare and Social Assistance Council, which is working with The Joint Commission on the issue. For more information or to become involved, contact John Decker (JDecker@cdc.gov), coordinator of the NIOSH Healthcare and Social Assistance Program.

Chartbook of Injuries, Illnesses, & Fatalities in Wholesale and Retail Trade

A summary of fatal and nonfatal injury/illness information describing a large population of understudied workplaces and workers: the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2012-106/