National Institute of Safety and Health site:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency 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.
The Institute is authorized to:
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 delegated additional authority to NIOSH for coal mine health research. The mine health and safety law authorized NIOSH to:
Emergency Preparedness and Response link:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency 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.
The Institute is authorized to:
- Develop recommendations for occupational safety and health standards;
- Perform all functions of the Secretary of Health and Human Services under Sections 20 and 21 of the Act <dd>? Conduct Research on Worker Safety and Health (Section 20)</dd> <dd>? Conduct Training and Employee Education (Section 21)</dd>
- Develop information on safe levels of exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents and substances;
- Conduct research on new safety and health problems;
- Conduct on-site investigations (Health Hazard Evaluations) to determine the toxicity of materials used in workplaces (42 CFR Parts 85 and 85a); and
- Fund research by other agencies or private organizations through grants, contracts, and other arrangements.
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977 delegated additional authority to NIOSH for coal mine health research. The mine health and safety law authorized NIOSH to:
- Develop recommendations for mine health standards for the Mine Safety and Health Administration;
- Administer a medical surveillance program for miners, including chest X-rays to detect pneumoconiosos (black lung disease) in coal miners;
- Conduct on-site investigations in mines similar to those authorized for general industry under the OSH Act; and
- Test and certify personal protective equipment and hazard-measurement instruments.
Emergency Preparedness and Response link:
Comment