What is the primary responsibility of NIOSH?

The primary responsibility of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is to conduct research and development programs related to occupational safety and health. This involves gathering scientific evidence to understand hazards in the workplace, developing new methods to improve working conditions, and disseminating information to enhance worker safety. NIOSH helps create guidelines and recommendations based on its research, which can then be used by regulatory bodies, employers, and workers to improve safety standards.

While implementing workplace safety rules, providing training to workers, and regulating chemical uses are critical aspects of workplace safety, these tasks are generally the responsibilities of other organizations or regulatory bodies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for rule implementation and enforcement, or companies themselves for training. NIOSH's unique focus on research positions it as an essential entity that informs these activities through its evidence-based findings.