NORA Manufacturing Sector Council
The NORA Manufacturing Council brings together individuals and organizations to share information, form partnerships, and promote adoption and dissemination of solutions that work. It was formed in 2006 for the second decade NORA. The Council seeks to facilitate the most important research, understand the most effective intervention strategies, and learn how to implement those strategies to achieve sustained improvements in workplace practice. Contact the Council Co-Chair or NORA Coordinator with any questions, comments, or to volunteer.
Understanding Respiratory Protection and Face Coverings
The NORA Manufacturing Council recently published Understanding Respiratory Protection and Face Coveringsexternal icon on the National Association of Manufacturers website. The publication aims to help small businesses understand the difference between face coverings and respirators as part of deploying a respiratory protection program.
The Manufacturing sector includes establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products under NAICS codes 31-33external icon. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Sector 23external icon, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and materials-handling equipment. There are over 15 million workers in manufacturing, who are at risk for hearing loss, musculoskeletal disorders, traumatic injuries, and hazardous chemical exposures. More information can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Industries at a Glance: Manufacturingexternal icon website.
Information is available about the NIOSH Manufacturing Program which facilitates the work of the Council