The NORA Manufacturing Sector Council requests comments from individuals and organizations on the current draft of the "National Manufacturing Agenda."

The Manufacturing sector is categorized by 473 different six-digit NAICS codes (31 – 33). These industry segments are grouped and described by 21 subsectors, three-digit NAICS codes. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

Over 16 million people are employed in the Manufacturing Sector of the United States, based upon the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics data as of December 2008. Workers are at risk for illness and injuries because of long hours; changing shifts; contact with machinery and equipment; slips, trips and falls; physical exertion and repetitive motions causing musculoskeletal disorders; hazardous exposure to toxic substances such as heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides, dust, isocyanates, chemicals, aerosols, nanoparticles, and carbon monoxide; explosions and structural failures; noise and ototoxicants; stress and new technologies in work organization; etc. There are industries both large and small in this sector that pose a high risk of injury and death and contribute to the nearly one million preventable injuries each year as well as 400 or more annual fatalities. The NORA Manufacturing Sector Council has developed ten strategic goals designed to address the most prevalent occupational safety and health issues and to promote the greatest opportunities for elimination and reduction of the incidence of occupational illness, injuries, hazardous exposures, and fatalities within the manufacturing workplace.

The Manufacturing Sector Council seeks comments on the draft strategic, intermediate, and activity/output goals needed to improve occupational safety and health in manufacturing. We are particularly interested in comments from those organizations and individuals who would commit to advancing one or more of these goals through partnerships. In addition, we are seeking comments from those who have insights into the impact of these goals and activities on the well-being of the workforce. Finally, we are looking for new ideas and solutions to common hazards, such as, injuries due to contact with objects and equipment, slips/trips/falls, and hazardous exposures to toxic substances. Use the following links to review and comment on this document.

Draft Preliminary Public Comment Version: National Manufacturing Agenda	ManufDraftAug2009.pdf (107.04kb; 22 pages)
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Public Comment Period

Written comments on the document will be accepted through December 15, 2009 in accordance with the instructions below. All material submitted to NIOSH should reference Docket Number NIOSH-184. All electronic comments should be formatted as Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format, or Plain text; and make reference to docket number NIOSH-184.

Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. ET on December 15, 2009

To submit comments regarding this draft publication, please use one of these options:

• Send NIOSH comments using this online form
  
  
• Send comments by email.
  
  
• Fax comments to the NIOSH Docket Office: 513-533-8285
  
  
• Send by Mail to:
  NIOSH Mailstop: C-34
  Robert A. Taft Lab.
  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

NIOSH Draft Documents for Public Review