NIOSH EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH 

AND TRAINING PROGRAM

ANNUAL REPORT OF FISCAL YEAR 2016

Prepared by the Office of Extramural Programs | National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Cover image components by ©Thinkstock.
NIOSH EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH 

AND TRAINING PROGRAM

ANNUAL REPORT OF FISCAL YEAR 2016

Prepared by the Office of Extramural Programs | National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Sarah A. Felknor, DrPH; Donjanea F. Williams, EdD; and Peter Grandillo, MBA

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
ii NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

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SUGGESTED CITATION

NIOSH [2018]. NIOSH extramural research and training program: annual report of fiscal 

year 2016. By Felknor SA, Williams DF, Grandillo P. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute 

for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-106.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2018106

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-106

December 2017
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 iii

FOREWORD

I am pleased to deliver the FY2016 annual report on the extramural research and training program of NIOSH. This special issue of the annual report marks the end of the second decade of 

the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). It reviews how the extramural research 

program has contributed to improving workplace safety and health over the past 10 years. 

We report on how NIOSH invested in our multidisciplinary centers, investigator-initiated 

research projects, and cooperative research agreements. We also report on our training project grants, state surveillance programs, small business innovation research, and global health 

initiatives. This report doesn’t include World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) grants. 

Information about the WTCHP is available on the NIOSH website.

We analyzed funding and activity by each NORA program area, and reviewed integrated 

research for each NORA sector strategic goal. We include links to the NIOSH website 

throughout the report, giving instant access to additional relevant data and information. The 

appendices report on other highlights of FY2016, including the public health relevance and 

impact of our extramural portfolio.

This special issue of the annual report also shows the investment in extramural research during 

the second decade of NORA, 2006–2016. The full report on NORA’s second decade is included 

in the report, National Occupational Research Agenda: Second Decade in Review, 2006–2016.

We acknowledge the extramural research community’s work to protect the workforce by producing new occupational safety and health knowledge and transferring it into practice. 

John Howard, MD

Director, National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
iv NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In FY2016, NIOSH funded 186 extramural awards totaling $97,799,835—an increase of 

$1,025,568 over FY2015’s total of $96,774,267. 

Multidisciplinary centers received 36 awards totaling $55,417,158 (57%) in these program 

areas: 

■ $28.0 million for 18 Education and Research Centers (ERCs)

■ $16.0 million for 11 Agriculture Safety and Health Centers (Ag Centers)

■ $5.8 million for 1 National Center for Construction Research and Training

■ $5.7 million for 6 Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®

Investigator-initiated and career development research received 68 awards totaling $22,985,270 

(23%). Cooperative research agreements received 42 awards totaling $11,562,722 (12%). Specialty training programs received 31 awards totaling $5,785,944 (6%), and nine small business 

innovation research projects received a total of $2,048,741 (2%). 

Funding for global health initiatives included a cooperative agreement with the World Health 

Organization (WHO) for $249,993 to support the Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health, 

which works to strengthen the capacities of national health systems to respond to the specific 

health needs of workers. 

NIOSH continued its long-standing support of global occupational health research and 

training by cosponsoring the NIH Fogarty International Center Global Environmental and 

Occupational Health Hubs. This program supports institutions in low- and middle-income 

countries that serve as regional hubs for collaborative research and training in responding to 

high-priority environmental and occupational health threats. 

In FY2016, NIOSH extramural researchers wrote 582 peer-reviewed articles in 287 journals, 

an increase of 110 articles over FY2015. Education and Research Centers had the most articles 

(215) published, followed by investigator-initiated R01 research (158). In FY2016, NIOSH 

extramural researchers most often published articles in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  i

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  vi

Sector Programs . .

LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  vi

LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  vi

I. NIOSH EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING PORTFOLIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

National Occupational Research Agenda .

NORA Second Decade in Review .

NIOSH Program Areas .

II. NIOSH EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Funding Distribution FY2016 .

Summary of All Awards by Type of Funding .

Extramural Research Portfolio FY2016 .

Multidisciplinary Centers .

Investigator-initiated Research .

Cooperative Agreements .

Specialty Training Programs . 

Small Business Innovation Research . 

Extramural Research Activity by NIOSH Program Area . 

Success Rates for Research Project Grants in FY2007–FY2016 . 

R01 Success Rates . 

R03 Success Rates . 

R21 Success Rates . 

III. RESEARCH INTEGRATION IN FY2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Integrated Research Activity by Sector Goals, FY2016 . 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing . 

Construction . 

Healthcare and Social Assistance . 

Manufacturing . 

Mining . 

Oil and Gas Extraction . 

Public Safety . 

Services . 

Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities . 

Wholesale and Retail Trade . 

IV. FY2016 EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Summary of Peer-reviewed Publications for FY2016 . 

V. EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH REVIEW: 2006–2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Activities and Outputs . 

Effectiveness . 

Outcomes . 
vi NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

VI. APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

APPENDIX 1: FY2016 NIOSH Funding Opportunity 

Announcements by Mechanism . 

APPENDIX 2: FY2016 Extramural Portfolio Highlights . 

A. Multidisciplinary Centers . 

B. Investigator-initiated Research . 

C. Cooperative Research Agreements . 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

SECTOR PROGRAMS

ALL All Sectors or Multiple Sectors

AFF Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

CON Construction

HSA Healthcare and Social Assistance

MNF Manufacturing

MIN Mining

MIO Oil and Gas Extraction

SPS Public Safety

SRV Services

TWU Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities

WRT Wholesale and Retail Trade

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. NIOSH extramural grant distribution, FY2016. 

Figure 2. Multidisciplinary center awards, FY2016. 

Figure 3. Cooperative agreements, FY2016. 

Figure 4. Research funding by sector program, FY2016. .

Figure 5. Overall success rates for research project grants. .

Figure 6. Success rates for R01 applications, FY2007–FY2016. .

Figure 7. Success rates for R03 applications, FY2007–FY2016. .

Figure 8. Success rates for R21 applications, FY2007–FY2016. .

Figure 9. Integrating NIOSH research goals by sector, FY2016. .

Figure 10. Number of NORA extramural research projects (FY2007–FY2015). .

Figure 11. NIOSH investment in extramural research projects (FY2007–FY2015). .

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. NIOSH Program Areas. 

Table 2. Summary of all awards by type of funding in FY2016. 

Table 3. Investigator-initiated research funding, FY2016. 

Table 4. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing research projects by strategic goal, FY2016.  

Table 5. Construction research projects by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 6. Healthcare and Social Assistance research projects by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 7. Manufacturing research by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 8. Mining research by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 9. Oil and Gas Extraction research by strategic goal, FY2016. .
viii NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Table 10. Public Safety research by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 11. Services research strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 12. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities research by strategic goal, FY2016 29

Table 13. Wholesale and Retail Trade research by strategic goal, FY2016. .

Table 14. Number of publications by funding type, FY2016. .

Table 15. Research outputs by type (FY2007–FY2014). .

Table 16. Strategic goals by sector (FY2007–FY2014). .

Table 17. Citations of NIOSH-funded journal articles by sector. .

Table 2-1. ERC trainees, graduates and employment, FY2016. .

Table 2-2. ERC graduate employment by work setting, FY2016. .

Table 2-3. Continuing education courses by discipline, FY2016. .

Table 2-4. Training project grant trainees, graduates,

and employment by discipline, FY2016. .

Table 2-5. Emergency Responder Training Classes, FY2016. .
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 1

I. NIOSH EXTRAMURAL 

RESEARCH AND TRAINING PORTFOLIO

NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Programs include multidisciplinary research 

and training centers, investigator-initiated research, mentored research scientist development awards, training project grants, and small business innovation research projects in 

occupational safety and health. State surveillance programs and global occupational health 

initiatives complement the breadth and depth of extramural research and training at NIOSH. 

The Research and Training Portfolio webpage describes these programs. The NIH Guide for 

Grants and Contracts publishes extramural funding opportunity announcements, which are 

also included in the Funding Opportunities listed on the NIOSH Extramural Research and 

Training Programs webpage. Appendix 1 lists all the NIOSH funding opportunity announcements published in FY2016.

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH AGENDA

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 the nation and NIOSH that identifies and addresses the most pressing 

issues in occupational safety and health. NORA partners work together to develop goals and 

objectives to address specific, recognized needs through innovative research that is followed 

by research to practice (r2p) actions. This r2p focus is central to NIOSH-funded research. The 

r2p webpage offers more information on the NIOSH r2p program.

The Second Decade of NORA structure applied to the NIOSH program portfolio in FY2016. 

This structure consisted of 10 NORA industry sector programs and 24 cross-sector programs 

representing major occupational safety and health issues and non-health outcomes. Each 

program area establishes research priorities and goals, which include priority goals for the 

extramural program. Table 1 offers links to more information about these program areas and 

research priorities. 

NORA SECOND DECADE IN REVIEW

NORA operates in 10-year cycles, with the second decade of NORA ending in FY2016. NIOSH 

reviewed activities over the second decade (2006–2016),* and this annual report includes a 

look back at 10 years of contributions to improving workplace health and safety. The NORA 

Second Decade in Review Report and the Sector and Cross-Sector Program Supplement offer 

more information about the second decade of NORA. 

*NORA is not organized by calendar year, so a 10-year NORA cycle spans 11 calendar years.
2 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

NIOSH PROGRAM AREAS

Table 1. NIOSH Program Area

NIOSH Sector Program Areas

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Oil and Gas Extraction

Construction Public Safety

Healthcare and Social Assistance Services

Manufacturing Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities

Mining Wholesale and Retail Trade

NIOSH Health Outcome Cross-Sector Program areas

Cancer, Reproductive and Cardiovascular Diseases Respiratory Diseases

Hearing Loss Prevention Traumatic Injury

Immune and Dermal Diseases Work Organization and Stress Disorders

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Non-health Outcome Cross-Sector Program Areas

Authoritative Recommendations Occupational Health Disparities

Communications and Information Dissemination Personal Protective Technology

Economics Prevention Through Design

Emergency Preparedness and Response Radiation Dose Reconstruction

Engineering Controls Small Business Assistance and Outreach

Exposure Assessment Surveillance

Global Collaborations Total Worker Health®

Health Hazard Evaluation Training Grants

Nanotechnology

*Click on a program area name to follow a link to webpages offering more information. This list shows the 

program names in FY2016. 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 3

II. NIOSH EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH

FUNDING DISTRIBUTION FY2016

In FY2016, NIOSH awarded $97,799,835 in extramural funding. The distribution of awards 

by type of activity is shown in Figure 1. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the extramural funding went to multidisciplinary centers, followed by 23% for investigator-initiated and career 

development research grants. Other cooperative research agreements made up 12% of the 

FY2016 portfolio, followed by specialty training programs (6%), and small business innovation 

research projects (2%).

Other 

Cooperative 

Research 

Agreements

$11.6 Million

12%

Specialty Training

Programs

$5.8 Million

6%

Small Business

Innovation

Research (SBIR)

$2.0 Million

2%

Multidisciplinary 

Centers

$55.4 Million

57%

Research and

Career 

Development 

Grants 

$23.0 Million

23%

Figure 1. NIOSH extramural grant distribution, FY201
4 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

In FY2016, NIOSH presented 186 awards. Of these, 62 (33%) were for new projects, while 

124 (67%) were continuing awards. Table 2 is a summary of all NIOSH extramural awards for 

FY2016. Of the 186 awards made, 

■ 36 (19%) funded multidisciplinary research and training centers, which include 

Education and Research Centers, Agriculture Safety and Health Centers (Ag Centers), CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training, and Centers of 

Excellence for Total Worker Health®; 

■ 68 (37%) funded investigator-initiated research and career development; 

■ 42 (23%) funded cooperative research agreements; 

■ 31 (17%) funded training program grants; and 

■ 9 (5%) funded small business innovation research. 

■ A searchable listing of all active awards funded by NIOSH is available on the Office 

of Extramural Programs (OEP) webpage.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 5

SUMMARY OF ALL AWARDS BY TYPE OF FUNDING

Table 2. Summary of all awards by type of funding in FY201

Award category Award mechanism

Number 

of awards Funding

Multidisciplinary Centers 36 $55,417,158 

Education and Research Centers Training Grant (T42) 18 $27,956,791 

Agriculture Safety and 

Health Centers

Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U54)

11 $16,041,284 

National Center for Construction 

Research and Training

Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U60)

1 $5,750,000 

Centers of Excellence for Total 

Worker Health®

Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U19)

6 $5,669,083 

Investigator-initiated Research Grants 68 $22,985,270

Research Grants Investigator-initiated (R01, R03, 

R21,R13, U13)

57 $21,797,538 

Career Developmental Research Mentored Career Scientist (K01) 11 $1,187,732 

Cooperative Research Agreements 42 $11,562,722 

Surveillance Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U60)

26 $6,761,511 

Workers Compensation Surveillance Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U60)

5 $998,279 

Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing 

Safety and Health

Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U01)

9 $2,474,278 

National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U24)

1 $1,078,661 

World Health Organization Cooperative Research 

Agreement (E11)

1 $249,993 

Specialty Training Programs 31 $5,785,944 

Training Project Grants T01 and T03 28 $4,213,119 

Miner Safety and Health 

Training Program 

Cooperative Research 

Agreement (U60)

3 $1,572,825 

Small Business Innovation Research 9 $2,048,741 

Small Business Innovation Research Phase I (R43) & Phase II (R44) 9 $2,048,741 

Total Extramural Funding 186 $97,799,835 
6 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH PORTFOLIO FY2016

The NIOSH extramural research portfolio includes multidisciplinary centers, investigator-initiated research, and cooperative agreements. All applications for extramural funding 

are peer-reviewed for scientific merit and reviewed internally for programmatic relevance. The 

section below describes the elements of the NIOSH extramural research portfolios.

Multidisciplinary Centers

NIOSH funds targeted research and outreach activities through multidisciplinary centers, 

focusing on high-risk industries that contribute disproportionately to occupational injury and 

illness in the United States. A variety of grant mechanisms, including cooperative research 

agreements and center training grants, fund these centers. The Agriculture Safety and Health 

Centers (Ag Centers) and CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training perform critical research and training into the many safety and health hazards in agriculture 

and construction.

Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® offer a multidisciplinary and multifactorial 

approach to worker health and wellbeing. The activities of these centers reflect a broader 

understanding of the critical relationship between work, health, and productivity.

Multidisciplinary education and research activities are carried out through a national network 

of Education and Research Centers (ERCs). ERCs are university-based centers that provide 

graduate training in the core and allied fields of occupational safety and health. In addition to 

degree training, ERCs provide continuing education and outreach to the occupational safety 

and health community throughout the federal health region they serve. 

NIOSH awarded about $55.4 million to 36 multidisciplinary centers in FY2016:

■ 18 ERCs received $28 million.

■ 11 Ag Centers received $16 million.

■ CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training received $5.8 million. 

■ 6 Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® received $5.7 million (see Figure 2). 

Appendix 2 describes each of these center portfolios and lists individual center grants. 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 7

$28.0 M

$16.0 M

$5.8 M $5.7 M

$0 M

$5 M

$10 M

$15 M

$20 M

$25 M

$30 M

ERCs (n=18) AFF (n=11) CPWR (n=1) TWH (n=6)

$55.4 Million in Funding for Center Grants in FY2016

ERCs = Education and Research Centers; AFF = Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; CPWR = National Center or 

Construction Research and Training; and TWH = Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®

Figure 2. Multidisciplinary center awards, FY201

Investigator-initiated Research

Research Grants

Through its funding awards for investigator-initiated research, the NIOSH extramural research 

program supports relevant, quality scientific investigations that will help reduce occupational 

injuries and illnesses. These diverse awards include funding for large occupational safety and 

health research projects (R01), small occupational safety and health research grants (R03), 

and exploratory occupational safety and health research grants (R21). The extramural research 

portfolio includes research scientist career development awards (K01), which provide mentored training for the next generation of occupational safety and health scientists. These 

competitive K01 awards provide up to 3 years of funding and a scientific focus designed to 

develop the skills and productivity of new career scientists. NIOSH awarded $23 million to 

new and continuing research projects and mentored scientist grants in FY2016 (see Table 3). 

Appendix 2 describes investigator-initiated research outputs. 
8 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Conference Grants

NIOSH values quality scientific meetings that can help prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by hazards in the workplace. Conference grants are awarded under research grant 

mechanisms (R13 and U13). In FY2016, NIOSH funded three R13 conference grants and one 

U13 cooperative agreement conference grant (see Table 3).

Table 3. Investigator-initiated research and conference grant funding, FY201

Type of

grant

New 

awards

New 

funding

Continuing

awards

Continuing

funding

Total 

funding

R01 9 $4,563,719 34 $15,606,063 $20,169,782

R21 2 $ 442,567 4 $ 797,128 $1,239,695

K01 2 $ 216,000 9 $ 971,732 $1,187,732

R03 1 $ 76,997 3 $ 221,064 $298,061

R13 2 $ 40,000 1 $20,000 $60,000

U13 1 $ 30,000 0 $0 $30,000

Total 17 $5,369,283 51 $17,615,987 $22,985,270
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 9

Cooperative Agreements

NIOSH uses cooperative agreements to arrange collaborative surveillance and research opportunities with state health departments, universities, labor unions, and nonprofit organizations. 

NIOSH funds a broad array of cooperative agreements to develop knowledge for preventing 

occupational diseases and injury.

Unlike grants, which are conducted independently of the sponsoring agency, cooperative 

agreements bring together the expertise of federal and nonfederal researchers to accomplish 

public health efforts that would not otherwise occur. A cooperative agreement requires a clear 

need for a program’s staff to perform the proposed project. NIOSH evaluates whether the 

cooperative agreement is of sufficient priority to warrant committing staff resources needed 

to collaborate during the term of the cooperative agreement award.

Cooperative research agreements funded in FY2016 totaled $11.6 million and included 

long-standing state surveillance programs and the second year of funding for workers’ compensation surveillance. AFF funding to support forestry safety research was also funded, along 

with the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank and support for the World Health Organization’s Global Health Program. Figure 3 shows how NIOSH distributes funds and how many 

cooperative research agreements receive funding. 

$6.8 M

$1.0 M

$2.5 M

$1.1 M $0.2 M

$0 M

$1 M

$2 M

$3 M

$4 M

$5 M

$6 M

$7 M

State Surveillance

(n=26)

Workers

Compensation

Surveillance (n=5)

AFF (n=9) National

Mesothelioma

Virtual Bank (n=1)

World Health

Organization (n=1)

Cooperative Research Agreements: $11.6 Million in FY2016

Figure 3. Cooperative agreements, FY201
10 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

State Surveillance Program

The state surveillance program helps states develop capacity to monitor occupational injuries, 

illnesses, and fatalities. This program helps expand the role of states in conducting in-depth 

surveillance and follow-up through investigations and interventions. These 26 NIOSH-sponsored programs contribute to a national occupational health surveillance strategy for 

identifying workplace injury and illness and opportunities for research and intervention. The 

State Surveillance Portfolio Annual Performance Reports focus on these state-based initiatives. Table 2 reports the total number and funding for all state surveillance awards (new and 

continuing) for FY2016.

Workers’ Compensation Surveillance 

The Workers’ Compensation Surveillance Cooperative Agreement compiles, analyzes, and 

disseminates workers’ compensation data. This collaboration works to prevent occupational 

injuries, illnesses, fatalities, and hazards within states and across the nation. These agreements 

provide resources to state health and workers’ compensation agencies, allowing them to start 

or expand state-based workers’ compensation surveillance and partnering efforts. States can 

use their data to find trends and emerging issues, along with high-risk occupations, industries, 

and worker populations. In FY2016, NIOSH awarded three new awards to Michigan State University, Ohio State Bureau/Workers’ Compensation, and University of Tennessee–Knoxville. 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

The NIOSH Office of Agriculture Safety and Health began this research cooperative agreement 

program in FY2014 to accomplish the following: 

■ Further the understanding of risks and conditions associated with forestry- or logging-related occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

■ Explore methods to reduce risks and prevent or minimize exposure to hazardous 

conditions in these work environments.

■ Translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that 

will effectively reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in this area. 

The cooperative agreement program also enhances knowledge about the effectiveness of existing interventions and the best ways to disseminate, diffuse, and translate proven interventions 

to benefit workers in this sector—in particular the ability to address the unique needs of 

vulnerable workers.

National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank 

The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank advances translational research for the scientific 

community by collecting quality data and biospecimens for mesothelioma. This resource gives 

researchers access to de-identified clinical data associated with a multitude of biospecimens. 

It will support scientific discovery, improve detection, and help develop effective treatments 

for mesothelioma. This work supports research that addresses the complex mechanisms and 

biological changes associated with mesothelioma and its disease progression. The National 

Mesothelioma Virtual Bank may ultimately help improve the quality of life of current and 

former workers who have malignant mesothelioma.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 11

Global Partnerships

Global partnerships help NIOSH accomplish its mission of leading the nation and world in 

preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Global collaborations can take the 

form of participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) global network for occupational health as a collaborating center, forming partnerships to investigate alternative 

approaches to workplace illness and injury reduction and provide technical assistance to put 

solutions in place, performing international collaborative research, and building global professional capacity to address workplace hazards through training, information sharing and 

research experience.

NIOSH supports global occupational safety and health initiatives through long-standing collaborations with the World Health Organization. NIOSH has been the WHO Collaborating 

Center in Occupational Health since 1976. NIOSH has been involved in program planning; 

collaborative research, training, and management; and interacting with WHO’s Program 

on Workers’ Health. Additional support of global health activities included cosponsoring 

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center Global Environmental 

and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) program. This interagency agreement has supported 

dozens of research training grants across the globe designed to prepare the next generation 

of scientists, researchers, and practitioners to effectively deal with the increasing burden of 

occupational injury and illness. The program aims to support and catalyze a multi-national 

network of regional hubs led by an institution in low- or middle-income countries and a 

United States institution to conduct research and research training, develop relevant curricula, and support the science needed to inform nationally-relevant policy development. The 

GEOHealth website has more information about the global health collaboration with NIH 

and other partners. 

Specialty Training Programs

Along with the ERCs described under “Multidisciplinary Centers” above, NIOSH supports 

professional training in occupational safety and health in single disciplines through Training 

Project Grants (TPGs). Most TPGs are academic training programs that support undergraduate and graduate training. These programs throughout the United States complement the 

national network of graduate training that ERCs provide.

NIOSH funds the Emergency Responder Training Program, a TPG, through the International 

Association of Fire Fighters. This grant supports a comprehensive, nationwide hazardous 

substance training program for firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency responders 

across the United States.

The Miner Safety and Health Training Program–Western United States cooperative agreement 

connects the mining community with mining-relevant information, resources, and methods 

that increase the capacity and efficacy of safety training for western states’ miners. The Western 

Mining Safety and Health Training Resource Center provides these programs and activities at 

the University of Arizona, along with the Energy, Mining and Construction Industry Safety 

Program at the Colorado School of Mines, and the University of Texas at Arlington Division 

for Enterprise Development. 
12 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Table 2 shows the number and funding of all specialty-training grants (new and continuing) 

awarded in FY2016.

Small Business Innovation Research

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program helps stimulate the private sector to 

innovate technology. The SBIR program also helps small businesses commercially apply federally supported research, helping them meet federal research needs as well as their own research 

and development needs. The SBIR program funds small businesses in their early stages as they 

commercialize innovative technologies for occupational safety and health. This competitive 

program helps small businesses participate in federal research and development, produce 

life-saving technologies, and create jobs. Improving the return on investment from federally 

funded research boosts the nation’s economy and improves society. NIOSH solicits Phase I 

and Phase II research proposals from science and technology-based firms. Phase II proposals 

are limited to small businesses that have successfully completed their Phase I projects. Table 

2 shows awards and funding for all FY2016 SBIR grants.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 13

EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH ACTIVITY BY NIOSH 

PROGRAM AREA

The Second Decade of NORA sector structure organizes the NIOSH research program portfolio. Extramural research in FY2016 took place across all NIOSH sector program areas. Figure 

4 shows FY2016 funding for investigator-initiated research and career development research 

across NORA sectors. Figure 4 shows that in FY2016, projects in the Healthcare and Social 

Assistance Sector received the most funding, followed by Manufacturing and All Sectors.

$4.3 M $4.2 M $4.1 M

$3.6 M

$2.2 M

$1.6 M

$1.1 M $1.1 M

$0.4 M $0.2 M $0.2 M $0 M

$1 M

$2 M

$3 M

$4 M

$5 M

HSA MNF ALL AFF SRV TWU SPS CON MIN MIO WRT

Research Funding by NORA Sector in FY2016

*

Figure 4. Research funding by sector program, FY201

*Shows projects that contribute to advancing all or most of the NIOSH sector programs, includes public health 

activities tools that cut across NORA industry sectors. 
14 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

SUCCESS RATES FOR RESEARCH PROJECT GRANTS

IN FY2007–FY2016

The success rate is the percentage of reviewed applications that receive funding in a given fiscal 

year. Success rates help measure the viability of the research grants program. Success rates for 

new awards are calculated for the investigator-initiated research only, which includes the R01, 

R03, and R21 grant mechanisms. 

In FY2016, NIOSH gave 12 new research awards (R01, R03, and R21 combined) out of 188 

new applications (Figure 5), resulting in a 6% success rate. FY2016 had 23 more applications 

than FY2015, when NIOSH received 165 applications. The success rate is a function of the 

number of applications received and the number of applications funded. The success rate 

remained stable from 2007 through 2014, but has decreased since 2015 to its lowest percentage 

(6%). For the FY2007–FY2016, the mean annual number of applications was 173, the mean 

number of awards was 29, and the mean annual success rate was 17%. 

192

33

207

39

159

38

180

36

183

24

170

31

135

31

154

26

165

20

188

12

17% 19%

24%

20%

13%

18%

23%

17%

12%

6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0

50

100

150

200

250

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Applications New Awards Overall Success Rate

Figure 5. Overall success rates for research project grant
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 15

R01 Success Rates

Figure 6 shows the success rates for R01 applications from FY2007 to FY2016. The success 

rate over time has remained somewhat stable, with a high of 28% in FY2010 and low points in 

FY2011 (14%), FY2012 (13%) and FY2016 (11%). However, while the number of applications 

declined from 135 in FY2007 to 58 in FY2014, this figure rose to 81 in FY2016. There has also 

been a decline in the number of new R01 awards, from a high of 29 new awards in FY2008 

to a low of nine awards in FY2012 and FY2016. New awards declined after FY2008 to nine 

awards in FY2012 and then increased slightly before declining to nine awards again in FY2016.

135

107

82 80

73

68

62 58

70

81

25 29 19 22 10 9 16 12 13 9

19%

27%

23%

28%

14% 13%

26%

21% 19%

11%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

No. Applications No. New Awards Success Rate

Figure 6. Success rates for R01 applications, FY2007–FY201
16 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

R03 Success Rates

Figure 7 shows R03 applications and new awards made annually from FY2007 to FY2016. 

Except for a sharp increase in the success rates to 30% in 2009, and a decrease to a low of a 3% 

success rate in FY2016, rates have remained stable from FY2007 through FY2016. 

29

43

23

46 46

44

31 31

28

31

3 7 7 5 5 6 3 4 3 1

10%

16%

30%

11% 11%

14%

10%

13% 11%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

No. Applications No. New Awards Success Rate

Figure 7. Success rates for R03 applications, FY2007–FY201
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 17

R21 Success Rates

Figure 8 shows R21 applications and new awards made from FY2007 to FY2016. R21 applications increased substantially over this time, reaching a high of 76 applications in FY2016. 

New awards in FY2016 (two awards) marked its lowest point, although the trend remained 

fairly stable from FY2009 through FY2014, peaking with 16 new awards in FY2012. Awards 

started to significantly decline in FY2015.

28

57

54 54

64

58

42

65 67

76

5 3 12 9 10 16 12 10 4

2

18%

5%

22%

17% 16%

28% 29%

15%

6%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

No. Applications No. New Awards Success Rate

Figure 8. Success rates for R21 applications, FY2007–FY201
18 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 19

III. RESEARCH INTEGRATION IN FY2016

Research integration at NIOSH strategically aligns research, making it more productive 

through coordinating, cooperating, and collaborating across intramural and extramural programs. One way to measure integrated research programs 

is to count sector program goals that intramural and 

extramural research address. NIOSH annually assesses 

intramural and extramural projects that address strategic 

goals in the NORA Sector Agendas. NORA sector councils, co-chaired by NIOSH, identified strategic goals to 

address the most pressing occupational safety and health 

issues workers face. Intramural and extramural researchers address these goals through research, service, and 

outreach activities. 

Figure 9 shows the number of strategic goals by sector 

and the number of goals addressed by intramural 

researchers, extramural researchers, or both. Figure 

9 also shows which goals were not addressed or were 

inactive in FY2016. In FY2016, research projects 

addressed 104 of the 109 (95%) NORA strategic goals, 

in particular intramural studies. Extramural projects 

addressed 55 (50%) of the strategic goals. Extramural 

research in CON addressed the most goals, followed 

by AFF, SPS and MNF. The AFF sector’s intramural 

and extramural research addressed all strategic goals. 

Extramural researchers 

addressed the greatest number 

of goals in CON, followed by 

AFF, SPS, and MNF.

95% of all strategic goals 

were addressed in FY2016. 

Extramural researchers addressed 

50% of all strategic goals.

Research integration was most 

evident in the AFF sector where 

intramural and extramural 

researchers addressed all 

strategic goals in this sector. 
20 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Intramural Project Extramural Project Intramural & Extramural Project

Unaddressed Goal Inactive Goal

9

3

2

3

9

13

4

4 1

2

3

11

AFF

CON

HSA

MNF

MIN

MIO

SPS

SVC

TWU

WRT

2

1

1

11

7

5 4

1

6

5 2

Agriculture, 

Forestry 

and Fishing 

Construction 

Healthcare 

and Social 

Assistance 

Manufacturing 

Mining

Oil and Gas 

Extraction 

Public Safety

Services

Transportation, 

Warehousing 

and Utilities

Wholesale and 

Retail Trade 

9 Total Goals

15 Total Goals

11 Total Goals

10 Total Goals

7 Total Goals

11 Total Goals

18 Total Goals

18 Total Goals

4 Total Goals

6 Total Goals

HOW TO READ THIS VISUALIZATION

Each sector program is displayed with its own icon. To the right of the icon, the number of strategic goals 

addressed by research in FY2016 is indicated. Some projects are both intramural and extramural. Please 

see the key below.

Figure 9. Integrating NIOSH Research Goals by Sector, FY201
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 21

INTEGRATED RESEARCH ACTIVITY BY 

SECTOR GOALS, FY2016

To better describe NIOSH-funded research in FY2016, NIOSH reviewed, by industry sectors, 

the strategic goals that extramural and intramural projects addressed. The tables that follow 

show how extramural and intramural research projects addressed the NORA sector strategic 

goals. The NORA Sector Agendas webpage describes each sector’s strategic goals.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Table 4 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects addressed strategic goals in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector. Both intramural and extramural 

research projects addressed all nine strategic goals for this sector. Extramural projects most 

often (n=28) addressed the SG1 (Surveillance) strategic goal. Intramural research most often 

addressed SG5 (Agricultural Health). 

Table 4. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing research projects by strategic

goal, FY2016 

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Surveillance 28 23

SG2: Vulnerable Workers 21 23

SG3: Outreach and Partnerships 19 9

SG4: Agricultural Safety 17 5

SG5: Agricultural Health 26 27

SG6: Forestry Injuries 5 6

SG7: Forestry Illness/Disease 3 8

SG8: Commercial Fishing Injuries 4 9

SG9: Commercial Fishing Illness/Disease 6 8
22 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Construction 

Table 5 shows how extramural and intramural FY2016 research projects addressed the Construction Sector’s strategic goals. Both intramural and extramural research FY2016 projects 

addressed 12 of 13 active strategic goals for this sector. Two strategic goals (SG2 and SG10) 

were inactive in FY2016. SG14: Surveillance was the most-often-addressed strategic goal in 

FY2016 (n=63).

Table 5. Construction research projects by strategic goal, FY2016

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Falls Prevention 1 13

SG2: Electrocution (inactive after FY2011) 0 1

SG3: Struck-by Incidents Prevention 1 9

SG4: Hearing Loss Prevention 1 5

SG5: Silica 1 26

SG6: Welding Fumes 1 17

SG7: Musculoskeletal Disorders 4 9

SG8: Safety and Health Cultures 1 11

SG9: Safety and Health Management 2 7

SG10: Industry and Work Organization 

(inactive after FY2011) 

1 4

SG11: Training and Education 0 4

SG12: Health Disparities 1 20

SG13: Prevention through Design 1 11

SG 14: Surveillance 37 26

SG 15: Engaging Media 0 0
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 23

Healthcare and Social Assistance

Table 6 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Healthcare and 

Social Assistance Sector addressed strategic goals. Both intramural and extramural research 

FY2016 projects addressed 5 of 11 strategic goals, while only intramural research supported 

SG8, SG10, and SG11. Research projects did not support three strategic goals (SG6, SG7, and 

SG9), added in FY2014. Extramural research (n=9) and intramural research (n=36) most often 

addressed SG1: Safety Culture.

Table 6. Healthcare and Social Assistance research projects by strategic

goal, FY2016 

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Safety Culture 9 36

SG2: Musculoskeletal Disorders 6 12

SG3: Hazardous Drugs and Chemicals 4 35

SG4: Sharp Injuries 1 7

SG5: Infectious Disease 3 32

SG6: Zoonotic Diseases In Veterinary 

Medicine and Animal Care 

0 0

SG7: Injuries In Veterinary Medicine 

and Animal Care

0 0

SG8: Respiratory Hazards In Veterinary 

Medicine and Animal Care

0 2

SG9: Reproductive Hazards In Veterinary 

Medicine and Animal Care

0 0

SG10: Physical Hazards In Veterinary 

Medicine and Animal Care

0 1

SG 11: Cross-cutting Issues 0 1
24 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Manufacturing

Table 7 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Manufacturing 

Sector addressed 10 strategic goals. Both intramural and extramural research supported six 

projects in FY2016, while only intramural research projects addressed SG4, SG7, SG8, and 

SG10. Intramural and extramural projects (n=97) most often addressed the strategic goal, 

SG5: Respiratory Diseases. 

Table 7. Manufacturing research by strategic goal, FY2016

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Contact with Objects and Equipment 1 12

SG2: Falls 2 4

SG3: Musculoskeletal Disorders 6 24

SG4: Hearing Loss 0 11

SG5: Respiratory Diseases 7 90

SG6: Cancer 2 29

SG7: Vulnerable Populations 0 23

SG8: Small Business 0 12

SG9: Emerging Risks 3 66

SG10: Catastrophic Incidents 0 2
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 25

Mining

Table 8 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Mining Sector 

addressed strategic goals. Projects addressed all seven strategic goals for this sector. Both 

intramural and extramural research projects addressed 5 strategic goals for this sector, while 

only intramural research projects supported SG6 and SG7. SG1: Respiratory Diseases was the 

strategic goal most often (n=50) addressed.

Table 8. Mining research by strategic goal, FY201

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Respiratory Diseases 3 47

SG2: Noise-induced Hearing Loss 1 14

SG3: Musculoskeletal Disorders 2 14

SG4: Traumatic Injuries 3 25

SG5: Disaster Response and Prevention 3 31

SG6: Ground Failure Fatalities and Injuries 0 20

SG7: Interventions with New Technologies 0 11
26 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Oil and Gas Extraction

Table 9 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Oil and Gas 

Extraction Sector addressed strategic goals. Projects addressed 10 active strategic goals in this 

sector, and only intramural research projects supported nine goals. Two strategic goals (SG5 

and SG7) are inactive, and research did not address SG5. Extramural and intramural projects 

most often addressed strategic goal SG6: Chemical Exposures (n = 27). 

Table 9. Oil and Gas Extraction research by strategic goal, FY201

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Transportation-related Injuries and Fatalities 0 8

SG2: Contact Injuries 0 2

SG3: Falls 0 2

SG4: Fires and Explosions 0 2

SG5: Improvement in Workplace Practices, 0 0

Procedures and Policies (inactive after FY2011)

SG6: Chemical Exposures 1 26

SG07: Develop Industry-Specific Products 0 3

(inactive after FY2014)

SG8: Fatigue 0 1

SG9: Vulnerable Workers 0 8

SG10: Small Businesses 0 2

SG11: Storage and Transportation 0 1
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 27

Public Safety

Table 10 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Public Safety 

Sector addressed strategic goals. Research projects addressed all 18 strategic goals within this 

sector. Intramural projects supported 11 strategic goals, while both intramural and extramural 

research projects supported the other goals. Projects most often addressed strategic goal SG1: 

Chronic Disease in Firefighters (n=46). 

Table 10. Public Safety research by strategic goal, FY201

Strategic goal (SG)

Extramural 

projects

Intramural 

projects

SG1: Chronic Disease in Firefighters 0 46

SG2: Structural Firefighting Operations 1 18

SG3: Vehicle-related Injuries in Firefighters 0 9

SG4: Musculoskeletal Disorders 3 4

SG5: Surveillance in Law Enforcement 3 16

SG6: Vehicle-Related Injuries in Law Enforcement 0 12

SG7: Criminal Assaults in Law Enforcement 0 3

SG8: Cardiovascular Disease in Law Enforcement 1 6

SG9: Traumatic Injury in Corrections 1 4

SG10: Infectious Disease in Corrections 0 7

SG11: Occupational Stress in Corrections 2 3

SG12: Vehicle-related Injuries in EMS 0 5

SG13: Patient- and Equipment-handling Injuries in EMS 0 2

SG14: Infectious Disease and Hazardous Exposures in EMS 0 25

SG15: Work Organization in EMS 1 3

SG16: Surveillance in EMS 0 8

SG17: Injuries and Illnesses in Wildland Firefighting 0 5

SG18: Health and Safety in Wildland Firefighting 0 2
28 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Services

Table 11 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Services 

Sector addressed strategic goals. Projects addressed all 18 strategic goals for this sector. Both 

intramural and extramural research projects supported 4 strategic goals (SG3, SG10, SG16, 

and SG17), while only intramural research supported the other goals. Projects most often 

addressed strategic goal SG17: Surveillance (n=58).

Table 11. Services research strategic goal, FY201

Strategic goal (SG)

Extramural 

projects

Intramural 

projects

SG1: Illnesses and Fatal Injuries in Auto Repair 0 4

SG2: Illnesses and Injuries in Building Services 0 11

SG3: Health Disparities in Building Services 1 3

SG4: Illnesses and Injuries in Schools 0 18

SG5: Injuries in Hotel/Motel Industry 0 5

SG6: Illnesses in Hotel/Motel Industry 0 8

SG7: Health Disparities in Hotel/Motel Industry 0 2

SG8: Injuries/Illnesses in Government 0 9

SG9: Traumatic Injuries in Recreation and

 Entertainment Industries 0 2

SG10: Injuries in Food Services 1 3

SG11: Violence in Food Services 0 1

SG12: Injuries/Illnesses in Telecommunications 0 4

SG13: Traumatic Injuries in Telecommunications 0 1

SG14: Temporary Labor/Contractors/ Contingent Workers 0 2

SG15: Injuries in Waste Collection, Disposal, and 

Recycling Industries 0 3

SG16: Musculoskeletal Disorders 2 5

SG17: Surveillance 32 26

SG18: Injuries/Illnesses in Nail and Hair Salons 1 0
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 29

Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities

Table 12 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities Sector addressed strategic goals. Both intramural and 

extramural research addressed 3 out of 4 strategic goals for this sector. Projects most often 

addressed the strategic goal SG4: Chemical/Biological/Physical Hazards (n=34).

Table 12. Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities research by strategic

goal, FY2016

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Traumatic Injuries 3 17

SG2: Musculoskeletal Disorders 4 15

SG3: Health and Wellness Programs 0 14

SG4: Chemical/Biological/Physical Hazards 2 32
30 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Table 13 shows how FY2016 extramural and intramural research projects in the Wholesale 

and Retail Trade Sector addressed strategic goals. Projects addressed all six strategic goals 

within this sector. Both intramural and extramural research projects supported two strategic goals (SG1 and SG2), while only intramural research supported the others. Extramural 

research most often addressed the strategic goal SG1: Musculoskeletal Disorders (n=3), while 

intramural research most often addressed the strategic goal SG6: Vulnerable workers (n=15).

Table 13. Wholesale and Retail Trade research by strategic goal, FY201

Strategic goal (SG) Extramural projects Intramural projects

SG1: Musculoskeletal Disorders 3 12

SG2: Traumatic Injuries 1 7

SG3: Violence 0 4

SG4: Vehicle-related Injuries 0 5

SG5: Small Business Outreach 0 4

SG6: Vulnerable Workers 0 15
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 31

IV. FY2016 EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH OUTPUTS 

AND OUTCOMES

Outputs are the products of research activities. Examples include publications, reports, 

conference proceedings, presentations/posters, databases, tools, methods, guidelines, recommendations, education and training materials, inventions, and patents. This section describes 

the outputs of NIOSH-funded extramural research during FY2016 and outcomes.

SUMMARY OF PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS 

FOR FY2016

Publications by NIOSH-funded extramural researchers were collected from principal investigator reports to NIOSH, the NIH Reporter database, NIOSHTIC-2 database, and PubMed 

database. From October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, there were 582 publications across 287 

different journals. Table 14 shows the number of publications by funding activity. Researchers 

published their NIOSH-funded research in an array of journals related to occupational safety 

and health. The journal most frequently published in was the Journal of Occupational and 

Environmental Medicine (n=57) followed by the American Journal of Industrial Medicine 

(n=30), the Journal of Agromedicine (n=19) and Journal of Occupational and Environmental 

Hygiene (n=17). A searchable database of NIOSH publications can be found at Grantee Award 

Final Reports and Publications on the OEP webpages.
32 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Table 14. Number of publications by funding type, FY201

Funding type Number of publications

Education and Research Center Grant (T42) 215

Research Project Grants (R01) 158

Agricultural Safety and Health Center (U50, U54) 56

Exploratory Development Grant (R21) 58

Training Project Grant (T01, T03) 54

National Center for Construction Research and Training, 

State Surveillance Program (U60) 41

Total Worker Health® Center (U19) 26

Research Project Cooperative Agreement (U01) 20

Small Research Grant (R03) 11

Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) 8

Mesothelioma (U19, U24) 2

Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grant (R18) 1

Conference (R13) 1

Education Projects (R25) 1

Miner Safety and Health Training Program 1

Total* 653*

*Total exceeds 582 publications because a publication could acknowledge more than one source of funding.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 33

V. EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH REVIEW: 2006–2016

This section of the FY2016 Annual Report focuses on the extramural research contributions 

during the second decade of NORA (2006–2016). The data presented show overall research 

activities and investment, and examples of the effectiveness and outcomes of extramural 

research during NORA’s second decade. The NORA Second Decade in Review Report, and the 

Sector and Cross-Sector Program Supplement offer a full report on the NORA second decade. 

ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS

One measure of NIOSH research activity is the number of research projects supported each 

fiscal year. Figure 10 shows the number of extramural research projects per year. An average of 

275 active extramural research projects were funded annually during the reporting period of 

FY2007 through FY2015. The decade started with 239 active projects, reported a high of 283 

active projects in FY2010, and ended the reporting period with 215 active projects in FY2015.

239 260 270 283

268

239 235 233 215

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Note: An individual research project is typically active several years. Project counts are reported for each fiscal 

year a project was active. 

Figure 10. Number of NORA extramural research projects (FY2007–FY2015)

Figure 11 shows funding of extramural research projects from FY2007 through FY2015. 

NIOSH funded $905.6 million in projects during the reporting period. Figure 11 shows totals 

in millions of dollars.
34 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

$85.8 M

$104.6 M

$98.7 M

$107.6 M

$99.2 M $102.4 M $102.0 M $105.2 M

$100.1 M

$0 M

$20 M

$40 M

$60 M

$80 M

$100 M

$120 M

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Figure 11. NIOSH investment in extramural research projects

(FY2007–FY2015)

Another measure of research activity is the number and types of outputs generated by research 

projects. The most common output is a publication. Extramural investigators describe the 

results of their research in a variety of types of publications. The table below displays publication counts by type that are found in the NIOSHTIC-2 bibliographic database. The publication 

numbers likely underestimate publications produced during the second decade of NORA 

because of the limitations of the data collection methods available. Not all publications from 

extramural research are included in the NIOSHTIC-2 bibliographic database.

Table 15. Research outputs by type (FY2007–FY2014

Publication Category Extramural Publications

Journal article 2,680

Numbered publication or field study report 350

Abstracts or conference proceedings 423

Book or book chapter 102

Newsletter, trade, or lay publication 75

Other 650

Total 4,280
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 35

EFFECTIVENESS

One measure of research effectiveness in the second decade review is the degree to which 

research activities addressed NORA strategic goals. The table below shows the number of 

strategic goals within each sector program that were addressed by at least one extramural 

research project that contributed 50% or more effort to the sector program. During the decade, 

extramural research addressed 68 of the 106 (64%) NORA strategic goals. The sector with the 

highest number of strategic goals addressed was Public Safety, followed by Construction. All 

of the strategic goals in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing were addressed by extramural 

research. No goals were addressed by extramural research in the Oil and Gas Extraction sector, 

which was only established late in the second decade. 

Table 16. Strategic Goals by Sector (FY2007–FY2014

Sector Number of Strategic Goals Goals Addressed Extramural

AFF 9 9

CON 15 13

HSA 10 6

MNF 10 7

MIN 7 6

MIO 10 0

SPS 17 14

SVC 18 7

TWU 4 3

WRT 6 3

Total 106 68 (64%)

OUTCOMES

One way to measure outcomes is through citations of NIOSH-funded scientific journal articles. The Scopus database, which tracks publications and their citations, shows citations of 

NIOSH articles. Table 17 shows data for extramural journal articles in the NIOSHTIC-2 bibliographic database, which Scopus database listed as of September 6, 2016. More detailed 

analysis of publication citations is available in the NORA Second Decade in Review Report.

The Scopus database shows that 2,448 extramural journal articles had 42,722 citations. These 

data underestimate the true impact, because the Scopus database lists only 91% of extramural 

journal articles.
36 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Table 17 shows citation data for all publications (intramural and extramural) and extramural 

publications only, by the categories of NORA sectors, All Sectors, and publications for which 

no sector could be assigned. The sum of publications and citations may exceed the total. Some 

publications were assigned to more than one sector.

Table 17. Citations of NIOSH-funded journal articles by secto

Sector

Total Number of 

Journal Articles

Total Number of 

Citations

Extramural 

Journal Articles

Extramural 

Citations

AFF 259 4,175 166 2,628

CON 299 3,314 94 934

HSA 213 2,686 79 1,048

MNF 924 24,788 285 6,589

MIN 311 3,739 21 263

MIO 5 83 0 0

SPS 106 991 29 316

SVC 152 2,163 43 395

TWU 76 1,057 12 154

WRT 22 206 7 107

All Sectors 888 14,585 707 10,819

No Sector 1,966 37,121 1,126 21,091

Totals 4,819 89,035 2,448 42,722

For a complete review of the second decade of NORA, please see the NORA Second Decade 

in Review Report, and the Sector and Cross-Sector Program Supplement.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 37

VI. APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1: NIOSH PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MECHANISM . . . . . . . . . .  3

APPENDIX 2: FY2016 EXTRAMURAL PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4

A. Multidisciplinary Centers . 

B. Investigator-initiated Research . 

C. Other Cooperative Agreements . 
38 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

APPENDIX 1: FY2016 NIOSH FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MECHANISM 

Funding Opportunity Mechanism Title

Investigator-initiated Research

PAR-13-245 K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award

PAR-13-129 R01 Occupational Safety and Health Research

PAR-12-200 R03 NIOSH Small Research Program

PAR -14-246 R13 NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings

PAR-12-252 R21 NIOSH Exploratory/Developmental Grant Program

Training Programs and Centers

PAR-15-352 T03 Occupational Safety and Health Training Project Grants

PAR-15-303 T42 Occupational Safety and Health Education and 

Research Centers 

Cooperative Agreements

PAR-14-175 U01 Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing Safety and 

Health Research

PAR-14-229 U13 NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings

PAR-15-361 U19 NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®

RFA-OH-14-010 U24 National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank for 

Translational Research

PAR-15-303 U54 National Center of Excellence for the Prevention of 

Childhood Agricultural Injury

PAR-14-227 U60 Workers’ Compensation Surveillance

PAR-14-275 U60 State Occupational Health and Safety 

Surveillance Program

RFA-OH-13-001 U60 National Center for Construction Safety and Health 

Research and Translation

RFA-OH-14-004 U60 Miner Safety and Health Training Program—Western 

United States

RFA-OH-14-002 E11 Cooperative Agreement on Occupational Health with the 

World Health Organization: Implementing ‘Global Plan 

of Action for Workers’ Health 2008–2017’

(Continued)
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 39

Funding Opportunity Mechanism Title

Cosponsored Research with the National Institutes of Health 

PA-15-269 R43, R44 PHS 2014-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, 

FDA and ACF for Small Business Innovation Research 

Grant Applications

RFA-TW-14-001 U01 Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in 

Global Environmental and Occupational Health 

(GEOHealth)—Research

RFA-TW-14-002 U2R Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Global 

Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth)—

Research Training
40 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

APPENDIX 2: FY2016 EXTRAMURAL PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS

A. Multidisciplinary Centers

NIOSH funds targeted research and outreach activities through multidisciplinary centers, with 

a focus on high-risk industries that contribute disproportionately to occupational injury and 

illness in the United States. These centers are funded through a variety of grant mechanisms, 

including cooperative research agreements and center training grants.

1. Agricultural Safety and Health Center

a. Overvie

The Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention 

(Ag Centers) represent a major NIOSH effort to protect the safety and health of agricultural workers and their families. In 1990, the NIOSH Ag Centers were established 

as a part of the NIOSH Agricultural Safety and Health Initiative. The Ag Centers were 

established by cooperative agreement to conduct research, education, and prevention 

projects to address the nation’s pressing agricultural safety and health problems. Geographically, the centers are distributed throughout the nation to be responsive to the 

agricultural safety and health issues unique to the different regions. There are currently 10 regional Ag Centers. NIOSH also supports the National Children’s Center 

for Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health (Child Ag Center) within the National 

Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield, WI. The Child Ag Center’s mission is to enhance 

the safety of all children exposed to hazards associated with agricultural work and has 

a national focus. 

b. Public Health Relevanc

In 1990, Congress established a national initiative in agriculture safety and health under 

Public Law 101-517. Congress anticipated that this initiative, “... when sustained over 

a period of time, would result in a significant and measureable impact on ... health 

effects among rural Americans.” In response, NIOSH began funding the Centers for 

Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention (Ag Centers) in 

1991. The aim was to improve worker safety and health in the agriculture, forestry and 

fishing industries—occupations that consistently ranked among the most dangerous 

in the United States. Currently, NIOSH funds 10 regional centers and a national center 

that focuses exclusively on childhood agricultural risks. Although it is still true today 

that these occupations rank as some of the most dangerous, significant decreases in 

injuries, illnesses, and death among agriculture workers have occurred in the more 

than 25 years since the act took effect. Some of these averted injuries and deaths can 

be attributed to the work done by the Ag Centers.

The Ag Centers’ work spans the full research-to-practice continuum. They conduct 

basic science to evaluate and quantify a problem, as well as translating these results into 

engineering controls, educational outreach efforts, or policy changes aimed at preventing or mitigating the problem. The Ag Centers’ research is fundamental to creating and 

validating evidence-based approaches, but the real impacts occur when these 

approaches are actively implemented through practical education, outreach, and 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 41

4

11

9

2

10

6

7

1

5

8 3

NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health

1. Bassett Healthcare 

2. Colorado State University

3. National Farm Medicine Center

4. University of California, Davis

5. University of Florida 

6. University of Iowa

7. University of Kentucky

8. University of Minnesota

9. University of Nebraska Medical Center

10. University of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler

11. University of Washington

prevention projects within their respective regions. Geographic diversity in agriculture, 

forestry and fishing activities drives the need for regional engagement by the centers.

The contributions of the Ag Centers to public health include the following:

■ Integrating expertise from multiple disciplines, institutions, and community 

partners to solve complex problems.

■ Providing a continuum of basic research through translation and outreach 

activities that turn findings into evidence-based prevention programs.
42 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

■ Addressing the many cultural, ethnic, educational, and language obstacles that are significant barriers to safety and health for many laborers in 

this workforce.

■ Contributing expertise to agricultural industries in the fields of medicine, 

nursing, industrial hygiene, epidemiology, engineering, and education. 

c. Program Highlights in FY201

Regional Centers Address Risks to Workers in Various Fishing Industries 

Fishing—including shrimping, crabbing, oystering, and harvesting of other aquatic 

food sources—is a dangerous occupation even when compared with other high risk 

jobs in crop-oriented agriculture or animal husbandry. Along with the ever-present 

danger of drowning, other hazards may lead to musculoskeletal disorders, traumatic 

injuries, or mental health challenges. Complex health and safety standards, regulations, and jurisdictions—which reflect the significant variability of tasks, equipment 

and vessels—further obscure efforts to improve occupational health in this workforce. A few of the regional Ag Centers are in or near coastal states and focus some 

of their efforts in this diverse work environment. 

The 10 regional Ag Centers began a new 5-year project period in FY2016. Centers 

with projects addressing fishing hazards include the following:

Washington: Safety Surveillance for Pacific Northwest Fisheries 

This project, based at Oregon State University, is developing and testing a surveillance system for commercial fishing that will be used to evaluate and inform safety 

initiatives to prevent injuries. The study is using multiple data sources from NIOSH 

and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with insurance claims and primary data collection, 

to assess morbidity and mortality in the industry. A more comprehensive system 

for injury ascertainment should result from this project, and that will contribute to 

hazard assessments and intervention evaluations in this industry. 

Details: 

Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center

Texas: Preventing Injuries and Heat Related Illness in the 

Shrimping Industry 

The Southwest Ag Center at the University of Texas at Tyler is implementing multiple projects in the shrimping industry during the 2016–2021 funding period, 

following a successful project addressing hazards in this industry during the prior 

five-year funding period. Both projects focus on hazards in the Gulf shrimping 

industry, particularly among Vietnamese commercial fishermen. One of the projects is evaluating the contributing factors to slips, trips, and falls while the other is 

assessing personal flotation device use and how this equipment can increase thermal 

load and present a barrier to use.

Details: 

Current Projects/UT Health Northeast
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 43

Florida: Health and Safety Surveillance for Gulf Seafood Workers 

The newest Ag Center, at the University of Florida, has a research project that will 

assess commercial fishery worker safety in the U.S. Southeast. This project focuses 

on the coastal Gulf of Mexico workforce in Florida and Alabama. Plans include 

developing, validating, and implementing an in-person questionnaire to identify 

hazards and adverse outcomes associated with occupational injuries, illnesses, and 

fatalities in the region.

Details: 

Research Projects—Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health 

and Safety

New York: Ergonomics in the Lobster Industry

and Safety Improvements for Commercial Fisherman 

The NY Ag Center is currently working on two research projects in the commercial 

fishing industry. One of the projects, being conducted by investigators at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, has a goal to develop feasible ergonomic interventions 

in the lobster industry to reduce the overall rates of musculoskeletal disorders 

among lobster harvesters. The second project, conducted by researchers at Johns 

Hopkins and University of Massachusetts Amherst, is testing the acceptance and use 

of two mobile applications that monitor vessel motion and facilitate safety checks in 

order to improve overall safety and health on vessels.

Details: 

Fishing Research—Northeast Center for Occupational Safety and Health, 

Northeast Center for Occupational Safety and Health

2. National Center for Construction Research and Trainin

a. Overvie

The CPWR—Center for Construction Research and Training received a NIOSH 

National Construction Center cooperative agreement for 2014–2019 through an extramural competition. This partner, with its diverse construction community, serves as 

a leader in applied construction research, diffusing and disseminating effective interventions to the construction industry. The CPWR, along with its consortium of six 

academic partners, researches safety and health risks that construction workers face 

on the job, including their causes and solutions. Most of the research projects support 

NORA Construction Sector research goals as well as emerging issues.

b. Public Health Relevanc

For the past 25 years, the CPWR—Center for Construction Research and Training 

has been funded through a series of competitive program announcements, as the 

NIOSH-sponsored Center of Excellence for Construction Safety and Health Research. 

For FY2016, CPWR’s research activities addressed NORA Construction Goals 1 

through 15, spanning applied research for hazards and health conditions, research to 

practice for various construction trades, emerging issues research in nanomaterials, 

construction industry data and tracking, and dissemination and transfer of research. 
44 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Research projects also respond to the National Academy of Sciences’ recommendations 

for the NIOSH construction research program, including disseminating and diffusing 

research-to-practice solutions. CPWR has cultivated and optimized external partnerships for prevention, protections, research, and research translation for protecting U.S. 

construction workers.

c. Program Highlights in FY2016

CPWR’s research and outreach activities in FY2016 led federal agencies to adopt evidence-based products and leverage existing partnerships to build new collaborations 

focused on emerging issues. Additionally, scientists outside of CPWR developed studies 

based on the center’s research findings. Examples are described below.

OSHA Enhances Safety Climate Through CPWR Leadership Training

More than 100,000 construction workers, foremen, and other supervisory staff take 

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30-hour outreach 

training course annually. The training taught them how to identify and control occupational hazards, but it lacked leadership skills content. OSHA filled this need by 

adding “CPWR’s Foundations for Safety Leadership training module” to its 30-hour 

Construction Industry Outreach Training Program. OSHA approved the newly 

developed 2.5 hours module as an elective in its program. CPWR developed the 

“Foundations for Safety Leadership training module” with feedback from OSHA 

outreach trainers, construction workers, safety and health professionals, and safety 

climate specialists. The module focuses on five leadership skills: (1) leading by example; (2) engaging team members; (3) active listening; (4) developing team members 

through teaching, coaching and feedback, and (5) recognizing team members. It 

consists of presentation slides, videos, case study scenarios, and facilitator and student guides. 

Details: 

Foundations for Safety Leadership

Responding to Industry Needs: Roofing r2p Partnership Leads 

to Multi-Trade, Labor-Management Focus on Emerging Hazard

A Roofing r2p Partnership—developed by CPWR, the National Roofing Contractors 

Association and the United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers & Allied Workers—led to a larger collaboration in FY2016. The Roofing r2p Partnership aims 

to reduce job-related injuries and illnesses in the roofing industry and has identified radiofrequency radiation as a priority area. It selected this emerging hazard 

because of growing concern over the surge of radiofrequency generating antennas 

on sites where roofing and other construction work are performed. Through these 

efforts, the partnership found other trade and contractor associations sharing the 

same concern. This led to creating the multi-trade, labor-management Radiofrequency Radiation Work Group. Its members come from eight union, trade, and 

professional association organizations, representing varied industries ranging from 

electrical work, to bricklaying, to plumbing. The work group identifies ways to 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 45

protect construction workers from overexposure to radiofrequency and has developed awareness materials and training programs on this topic. The Radiofrequency 

Radiation Work Group and the Roofing r2p Partnership also collaborated to develop 

the Radiofrequency Radiation Awareness Program. The program raises construction contractors’ awareness of potential risks for overexposure to radiofrequency, 

including how to identify these hazards and work safely. The program includes 

presentations, videos, hazard alert cards, and a Toolbox Talk.

Details: 

RF Radiation Awareness/CPWR

CPWR Study on Construction Workers’ Exposure to Highly Reactive 

Chemicals Spawns External Research

The construction industry widely uses epoxies and isocyanates, but these highly 

reactive chemicals are associated with known skin disorders and asthma risks. 

This CPWR study aims to find accurate approaches to measure exposure to these 

substances and determine where exposures exist within the construction industry. 

Researchers are also assessing the effectiveness of current engineering controls for 

minimizing this hazard and developing methods to lower worker exposure. In particular, researchers are now focused on the level of isocyanate exposure to spray 

foam insulation installers and industrial painters—both in the air and on their skin. 

These scientists continuously disseminate their emerging findings to other researchers through webinars and presentations—a move that has recently spawned new 

research outside of CPWR. In response to rising health concerns, these external 

studies focus on exposure to chemicals like amine catalysts and flame retardants in 

spray foam insulation. 

Details: 

Assessment and Control of Exposures to Reactive Chemical Resins in 

Construction

3. Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health

a. Overvie

NIOSH has funded Centers of Excellence to explore and research the concepts of Total 

Worker Health (TWH). NIOSH defines TWH as policies, programs, and practices that 

integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of 

injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being. In FY2016, two 

new Centers of Excellence, in Colorado and Illinois, joined the four existing centers in 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Oregon. The centers’ research studies integrate 

and cross-promote worker protection, worksite enhancement, and interventions to 

enhance the safety, health, and well-being of diverse workers across the United States. 

The effort recognizes the synergy in combining efforts to reduce personal health risk 

factors with traditional safety measures and approaches to reduce psychosocial stress 

hazards in the workplace. 
46 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health®

Oregon Healthy Workforce Center

University of Iowa Healthier 

Workforce Center for Excellence

Center for the Promotion of Health 

in the New England Workplace

Rocky Mountain Center 

for Total Worker Health UIC Center for Healthy Work

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public 

Health Center for Work, Health, & Well-being

Efforts include the following:

■ Pilot testing of promising workplace policies and programs.

■ Developing and disseminating best practices and tool kits. 

■ Developing strategies for overcoming barriers to organizations accepting and 

adopting comprehensive, coordinated work-based interventions to protect 

and promote health.

■ Investigating costs and benefits associated with integrated programs. 

■ Promoting increased development and application of physiological and biological markers of stress, sleep, and depression, as well as using them to protect 

workers and improve worker health.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 47

b. Public Health Relevanc

The Centers of Excellence develop and evaluate interventions that have improved safety, 

health, and well-being—TWH approaches—in high-risk industries that can reduce 

healthcare costs when adopted on a broad scale. The centers facilitate translation 

from research to practice, testing the process and feasibility of implementing TWH 

approaches in real-world environments spanning the multiple sectors of manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. Efforts include an integrative and comprehensive 

approach to reduce workplace hazards and promote worker health, through its identification of the links between workplace culture and personal high-risk behaviors, as 

well as issues that transcend the workplace, such as work-family strain.

c. Selected Program Highlights FY201

Labor Union Nationally Promotes CPH-NEW Peer Health Mentoring 

Program for Correctional Workers 

The Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace (CPHNEW) conducted a 5-year study revealing that correctional officers experience 

significant health declines within the first 3 years on the job. During the second 

phase of this study, “Health Improvement Through Training & Employee Control (HITEC II),” CPH-NEW built on the phase one research finding. CPH-NEW 

developed and implemented a peer health mentoring program at the Connecticut 

Department of Corrections (DOC) for HITEC II, targeting new cadet correctional 

officers to support improved health behavior. The intervention, which started in 

August 2011, paired a group of trained and experienced correctional workers with 

new recruits for a yearlong mentor relationship. These trained mentors guided the 

new cadets as they “learned the ropes” and dealt with job conditions impacting 

health. CPH-NEW reported the health-mentoring program demonstrated promising outcomes. Research results showed introducing preventive health interventions 

to new recruits can help correctional officers avoid early and significant health 

declines. In FY2016, program leadership transitioned from the research team who 

managed the program in previous years to facility-specific committees for program 

sustainability. Two DOC sites implemented the program, but their approaches differed, with one site having a participatory, officer-led “design team.” A series of 

labor-management problem-focused kaizen (continuous improvement) teams were 

used at the other site.

At the kaizen team site, the Corrections Supervisors Bargaining Unit developed its 

own design team and created a program focused on sleep intervention. The group 

successfully competed for a pilot grant to develop multiple products related to the 

intervention, including a mobile sleep application and sleep education. The Service 

Employees International Union, which represents 1.5 million workers including 

public service workers and security guards, plans to disseminate information about 

this program nationally to line supervisors. 

Details: 

Safety & Health in Corrections History
48 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Nearly 100 Companies, State Government, and Researchers 

Across the United States Use Healthy Workplace Participatory Program 

The Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace developed 

the Healthy Workplace Participatory Program Toolkit to help employer organizations 

adopt and implement a TWH program approach. The toolkit engages employees in 

designing TWH solutions that address a wide range of issues related to the work 

environment, work organization, safety, and employee health. Toolkit materials are 

organized around initiating, implementing, and evaluating these programs. During 

FY2016, New Hampshire adopted the toolkit as a key benefits program for all state 

agencies, and it trained 30 agency wellness program coordinators for full adoption of 

the program. CPH-NEW also delivered Healthy Workplace Participatory Program 

implementation trainings to safety program managers within 39 California and 51 

Massachusetts businesses. Additionally, six newly funded studies are utilizing toolkit 

materials as a core intervention to enhance health, safety, and well-being for lowwage workers. 

Details:

Healthy Workplace Participatory Program

Investigating Cancer Risks in the Firehouse: A Total Worker Health®

Collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston 

Fire Department

Researchers have conducted many studies on connections between firefighters’ constant exposure to toxic compounds during a fire and their cancer risk. However, this 

novel pilot study focused on possible links between cancer risk factors and the fire 

station. The Harvard Center for Work, Health, and Well-being collaborated with 

multiple groups on the study, including the NIOSH-funded Harvard Education and 

Research Center (ERC), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Fire Department, and 

Boston Firefighters Union Local 718. Researchers conducted the study in four Boston 

Fire Department stations, after the city’s Deputy Fire Chief expressed concern that 

local firefighters were diagnosed with and dying from cancer at high rates. Dr. Glorian Sorensen, Director of the Harvard Center for Work, Health, and Well-being, 

and Dr. Emily Sparer, Harvard ERC postdoctoral fellow, led the study. It explored 

exposure to cancer risk factors within fire stations, including diesel exhaust from 

idling trucks, off-gassing from bunker gear, disrupted sleep patterns, and high stress 

levels. The research team completed data collection in FY2016, involving air sampling 

and key informant interviews. Pilot study results identified fire trucks as a possible 

source of poor air quality in the fire stations and demonstrated positive outcomes of 

installing bunker gear washing machines in the facilities. Preliminary findings will 

inform both future research on firefighter cancer prevention and long-term workplace interventions. 

Details: 

Firefighters and Cancer: Dana-Farber Scientists Investigate,

Study Looks at Possible Health Risks in Fire Stations
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 49

Safety and Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Disseminated by OSHA 

and Professional Associations

The Oregon Healthy Workforce Center designed the Safety and Health Improvement 

Program (SHIP) as an evidence-based workplace training intervention to reduce 

stress and enhance employee health, safety, and work-life balance. The program 

consists of family-supportive and safety-supportive supervisor training, 2 weeks 

of supervisor behavior tracking, facilitated team sessions with supervisors and 

employees, and guided follow-up. SHIP aims to enhance supervisor support, team 

communication, and team effectiveness, and it is shown successful in improving 

employee blood pressure and employee perceptions of work effectiveness and worklife balance. The center evaluated the use of SHIP with construction workers, and, in 

FY2016, redesigned program materials based on program feedback for utilization in 

multiple industries. Information about SHIP is now being disseminated by federal 

agencies and professional associations, including the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration, American Society of Safety Engineers, and the Society for Human 

Resource Management.

Details: 

Safety & Health Improvement Program/Oregon Healthy Workforce Center

Violence Prevention Policies, Programs, and Practices in a National 

Sample of Small, Mid-Sized and Large Employers

How do workplace violence prevention policies, programs, and practices vary with 

business size? The University of Iowa Healthier Workforce Center supported research 

to answer this question, because workplace violence is the fourth-leading cause of 

occupational fatalities in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The center funded a pilot study led by University of Iowa faculty researcher, Carri 

Casteel, in collaboration with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. 

Casteel and her research team administered a survey to the association’s membership, 

which includes large corporations, and also sent the survey to a national sample of 

small and mid-sized businesses from the Dunn and Bradstreet businesses listing. 

Study findings determined 97% of large companies and 91% of small and mid-sized 

companies have workplace violence prevention programs. Most large businesses 

also had policies related to reporting safety concerns, including drug use and onsite 

weapons, while 83% of small businesses had these policies. Additionally, larger companies had more industry standards related to workplace violence than small- and 

mid-sized companies.

However, small employers more often had policies allowing employers to inspect 

employees’ work spaces and devices. Large companies had higher rates of reported 

violence and possession of weapons more frequently and had higher rates of investigating such incidences. The Association of Threat Assessment Professionals shared 

these findings with its membership, which includes safety directors at Fortune 500 

companies. The study builds on past research conducted by Casteel, focused on workplace violence prevention programs (WVPPs). 

Details: Prevalence and Comprehensiveness of Intimate Partner Violence 

Programs, Policies and Training in Mid-sized U.S. Businesses
50 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

4. Education and Research Center

a. Overvie

NIOSH supports professional training in occupational safety and health through training programs in Education and Research Centers (ERCs). ERCs are university-based, 

multidisciplinary centers that provide graduate training in the core and allied fields of 

occupational safety and health. ERCs also provide continuing education and outreach 

to the occupational safety and health community throughout the federal health region 

they serve. ERCs are interdisciplinary programs that address safety and health training 

and research training in a crosscutting and integrated manner. ERCs are the major 

part of a network of training grants that help ensure an adequate supply of qualified 

professional practitioners and researchers. Outreach and research-to-practice activities 

with other institutions, businesses, community groups, or agencies within their region 

are essential ERC components. Programs are encouraged to address area needs and 

implement innovative strategies to meet those needs, with a focus on worker health 

and safety. 

b. Public Health Relevanc

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-596) establishes the 

NIOSH mandate to conduct education programs to ensure an adequate and steady 

supply of qualified personnel in this discipline. NIOSH responds to this mandate by 

funding training programs in the core and allied disciplines of occupational safety and 

health to increase the number and competencies of the occupational safety and health 

workforce in the United States. NIOSH-funded ERCs are central to this mandate and 

serve a vital role in protecting and promoting the health and safety of the nation’s workforce. Aligning with the goals of Healthy People 2020—to prevent diseases, injuries, 

and deaths that are due to working conditions—ERCs improve occupational safety 

and health through education, research, and collaboration. They are the regional and 

national resource on these issues for business, labor, government, and the public. 

ERCs meet the critical need to produce researchers and practitioners—vital to maintaining workplace health and safety—and reducing the burden of preventable work-related 

injury, illness, and death by performing the following actions: 

■ Providing the U.S. workforce with the occupational safety and health expertise 

needed to reduce the burden of occupational injury, illness, and death.

■ Developing the major research innovations needed to prevent occupational 

injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the United States.

■ Providing regional and industry-specific outreach and consultation to more 

than 5,000 small-, medium-, and large-sized U.S. businesses annually.

■ Serving as the primary source of accessible experts to the public and government leaders for occupational safety and health issues, while not duplicating 

any other U.S. government program. 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 51

2

NIOSH Education and Research Centers

1. University of Alabama at Birmingham

2. University of California, Berkeley

3. University of California, Los Angeles

4. University of Cincinnati

5. University of Colorado Denver

6. Harvard University

7. University of Illinois at Chicago

8. Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine

9. University of Iowa

10. Johns Hopkins University

11. University of Kentucky

12. University of Michigan

13. University of Minnesota

14. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

15. University of South Florida

16. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

17. University of Utah

18. University of Washington

3

2

1

8

18

7

5

17

16

9

11

13

12

14

15

10

6

4
52 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

c. Selected Program Highlights FY201

Trainees, Graduates, and Employment of Graduates

In academic year 2015–2016, 252 students graduated from ERC programs with 

specialized training in disciplines that included industrial hygiene, occupational 

health nursing, occupational medicine, occupational safety, and other closely related 

occupational safety and health fields of study. A highlight is that the number of ERC 

trainees increased from 763 in FY2015 to 945 in FY2016. The following table shows 

the number of students enrolled, graduates, and employment status during FY2016.

Table 2-1. ERC Trainees, Graduates and Employment, FY201

Program Area Enrolled Graduates

Employed or seeking occupational 

safety and health employment (%)

Industrial Hygiene 289 77 77 (100)

Occupational Health Nursing 131 39 37 (95)

Occupational Medicine 87 38 38 (100)

Occupational Safety 126 29 29 (100)

Other Related Disciplines 312 69 61(88)

Total 945 252 242 (96)
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 53

ERC graduates work in a variety of industries related to occupational safety. The 

placement of FY2016 graduates is shown in the following table by program area 

and work setting. Graduates who are seeking employment in the occupational safety 

and health field and have not taken employment outside their field are considered 

as remaining in the field.

Table 2-2. ERC Graduate Employment by Work Setting, FY201

Work Setting/ 

Program Area

Industrial 

Hygiene 

(n=77)

Occupational 

Health 

Nursing 

(n=37)

Occupational 

Medicine 

(n=38)

Occupational 

Safety

(n=29)

Other 

(n=61)

Total 

(N=242)

Academic 

Institution

10 1 2 4 10 27

Clinic/Hospital 5 16 21 2 5 49

Federal/

State/Local 

Government

15 5 5 4 19 48

Private 

Industry

34 4 7 12 12 69

Other OSH 

Employment

0 0 1 1 0 2

Seeking OSH 

Employment

13 11 2 6 15 47

Total 77 37 38 29 61 242
54 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Continuing Education Outputs

Continuing education of occupational safety and health professionals is a required 

component of ERCs. Each year, NIOSH ERCs train thousands of these professionals 

around the United States through course offerings in the occupational safety and 

health core and related disciplines. The following table shows the continuing education activity by discipline. In FY2016, the ERCs provided more than 430,000 person 

hours of training to more than 53,000 occupational safety and health professionals, 

who took a total of 1,693 courses.

Table 2-3. Continuing Education Courses by Discipline, FY201

Discipline

Number 

Courses

Number

Trainees

Person-Hours 

of Training

Industrial Hygiene 209 5,704 52,011

Occupational Health Nursing 199 9,455 58,570

Occupational Medicine 190 5,258 19,937

Occupational Safety 807 21,867 194,987

Ag Safety and Health 50 1,565 6,261

Other 238 9,786 99,230

Total 1,693 53,635 430,996

Collaborating to Build Best Practices to Protect Animal Workers

Workers have close contact with animals in a wide range of worksites that include 

veterinary clinics and hospitals, zoos and aquariums, agricultural sites such as 

farming and fisheries, pet stores, kennels, wildlife refuges, and research sites. The 

animal care sector has higher-than-average rates for occupational injuries and illnesses. For example, veterinary services ranks 15th among the highest incidence 

rates for occupational illness and injury, according the CDC’s Veterinary Safety and 

Health webpage. The University of Washington Northwest ERC designed a course 

to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills to reduce exposures to occupational 

hazards in an underserved workforce—animal workers. The course introduces best 

practices to prevent injury using a “One Health Model” that incorporates human 

and animal factors, as well as the physical and psychosocial environments to develop 

a safety culture and protocols. Topics include the hazards of chemotherapeutic 

agents in veterinary practices and detailed practical strategies for safe handling of 

these hazardous drugs, which can cause serious health and safety harm to exposed 

workers. The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association is collaborating with 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 55

the Northwest ERC to offer the course through its organization. This significant 

effort was developed through the Northwest ERC’s academic program, Occupational 

Health at the Human-Animal Interface, an innovative, unique training program that 

addresses workplace hazards for this underserved worker population.

Details: Occupational Health at the Human-Animal Interface 

MPH Scholars Program

Preventing Workplace Violence in Correctional Institutions 

Workers in healthcare settings—such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics—

face significant risks of workplace violence. The rate of serious workplace violence 

incidents was more than four-times greater in healthcare settings than in private 

industry on average. Based on the results of a needs assessment, an ERC trainee 

in occupational health nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

developed and implemented a health promotion/health protection program for 

nursing staff. The ERC trainee presented a training program, Workplace Incivility, to Federal Bureau of Prisons’ medical staff at the Butner Correctional Facility 

Workforce Conference during Nurses Week, 2016. The Federal Bureau of Prisons 

leadership was so impressed with the program that it has been recommended for 

annual training to the bureau’s medical staff across the United States in 122 bureau 

institutions. 

Advancing Research on Heat Exposure among Agricultural Workers 

The CDC reports heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and can cause 

death or disability. Because agricultural workers are exposed to strenuous physical labor while outdoors in extreme heat, they are at risk for heat stroke or other 

heat-related illnesses. The Agricultural Safety and Health Program at University 

California, Davis is at the forefront of research into heat exposures of agricultural 

workers. One NIOSH trainee is conducting a cross-sectional study involving a 

sample of agricultural workers in California’s Central Valley, which assesses their 

clothing to find the optimal and feasible garments to wear when working in extreme 

heat. The study will determine the effects of wearing multiple layers of clothing when 

working in hot, outdoor conditions. This will help to develop protective steps for 

farm workers that will be practically implemented in agricultural and other outdoor 

occupational settings and help reduce the prevalence of heat-related illness among 

this vulnerable population.

Harvard ERC and NEC Ag Center Collaborate

to Improve Winch Safety in Northeast Fishing Industry

Commercial fishing continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in the 

United States, with a fatality rate in 2011 that was 35 times higher than that for 

all American workers. Common causes of death for fishermen are sunken vessels, 

falls overboard and injuries occurring onboard vessels, including entanglement in 

machinery. Commercial fishing operations often involve hazardous working conditions, strenuous labor, long work hours, and harsh weather. A potentially dangerous 
56 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

piece of machinery on a fishing vessel is the winch—a powered, spool-like device 

used to wind up and wind out rope and nets. In some instances, often due to harsh 

weather or other hazardous working conditions, the winch mechanism can entangle 

crewmembers, sometimes with deadly results. Although an easily accessible shutoff switch can prevent winch entanglements, these switches are not always easy to 

reach in an emergency. The Harvard ERC is collaborating with the NIOSH-funded 

Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, Forestry and 

Fishing (NEC) to disseminate and push for the adoption of a new mechanical 

device to enhance the safety of fishing vessel winches. The device was developed by 

researchers at Harvard University, who were funded through an NEC sub award. 

A survey, administered during the study to more than 45 active sea captains in the 

Gloucester and New Bedford ports in Massachusetts, found most sea captains had 

both a hydraulic powered winch and a winch shut-off switch on their fishing vessels, 

but 39% reported the switch was more than an arm’s length away, which poses a 

challenge in an emergency. Four focus groups with trawler captains in Point Judith, 

Rhode Island, also provided general information on experiences, concerns, and 

advice on winches, as well as feedback on the proposed emergency shut-off guard. 

Collaborating with a private company, Rhode Island Engine, researchers designed 

and completed a sea trial of an innovative, drum winch emergency shut-off guard 

for fishing trawlers. The Active Pressure Sensitive Winch Guard was installed on 

the fishing vessel, Lightning Bay. Video showing the successful sea trial, in which 

the drum winch stopped within milliseconds of being activated, is available online

and being disseminated by the Harvard ERC. The Harvard ERC is leading ongoing 

efforts to promote the device—in particular marketing to trawler captains to convince them to adopt it.

Details: 

The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, 

Forestry and Fishing: Year in Review

Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries Involving Fishing Vessel Winches—Southern Shrimp 

Fleet, United States, 2000–2011

Partnering to Target Farmworker Safety and Health

Along with occupational hazards, farmworkers in Iowa experience chronic health 

conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension) at greater rates than the general population. A NIOSH trainee partnered with Proteus, Inc., a nonprofit migrant 

healthcare organization, to identify occupational and nonoccupational injuries and 

illnesses among farmworkers in Iowa, and farmworkers use of healthcare services. 

With farmworkers receiving care through nonprofit or community-based healthcare 

organizations, an opportunity arose to disseminate safety messages and treat injuries 

and illnesses. The ERC trainee presented this project at the International Society for 

Agricultural Safety and Health Conference in June 2016. 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 57

B. Investigator-initiated Research

1. Research Grant

a. Overvie

The NIOSH extramural research program supports relevant, quality scientific investigation that reduces occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. NIOSH responds 

to that goal by funding investigator-initiated research. These diverse awards include 

funding for large occupational safety and health research projects (R01), small research 

grants (R03), and exploratory research grants (R21). The extramural research portfolio 

includes mentored research scientist development awards (K01) that provide mentored training for the next generation of occupational safety and health scientists. These 

highly competitive K01 awards provide up to 3 years of funding and a scientific focus 

designed to develop the skills and productivity of new career scientists. Conference 

grants are also awarded under research grant mechanisms (R13 and U13).

b. Public Health Relevanc

Large Occupational Safety and Health Research Grants (R01)

This funding opportunity focuses on understanding the risks and conditions associated with occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. It will also explore methods 

to reduce risks and prevent or minimize exposure to hazardous conditions in the 

workplace, and to translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices 

and products to effectively reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

Small Research Grants (R03)

This grant mechanism supports different types of projects, including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research 

projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research 

technology. The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short time with limited resources.

Exploratory Grant Program (R21)

The R21 mechanism encourages new exploratory and developmental research 

projects. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a new area of 

investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance 

health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative 

use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. These studies may 

involve high risk/high reward research that may lead to a breakthrough in an area. 

The research projects may develop new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, 

or applications that could greatly impact a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical 

research. Applications for R21 awards should describe projects distinct from those 

supported through the traditional R01 mechanism. Projects of limited cost or scope 

that use widely accepted approaches and methods within well-established fields are 

better suited for the R03 small grant mechanism. 
58 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Mentored Research Scientist Development (K01)

This K01 mechanism helps prepare the next generation of occupational safety and 

health researchers and educators. The funding mechanism emphasizes funding on 

projects that specifically address the priority goals of the National Occupational 

Research Agenda (NORA). These research projects may include a wide range of 

training modalities, reflecting the diverse approaches needed to effectively address 

occupational safety and health problems effectively. 

Conference and Scientific Meeting (R13 and U13)

NIOSH recognizes the value of supporting high-quality scientific meetings that 

are relevant to the mission of preventing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused 

by hazards in the workplace. Conference grants are awarded under these research 

grant mechanisms.

c. Selected Program Highlights FY201

Highlights from R01 Grants

Worn Shoe Slip Prevention Study Results in New Testing Technique and Potential 

Industry Standard

Slip and fall accidents are a major and growing source of occupational injuries in the 

United States. Workers’ compensation and medical costs related to workplace falls 

are estimated at $70 billion a year. Heavily worn shoes increase the risk of slipping 

because of their reduced coefficient of friction. Worn shoes lose traction when they 

come into contact on the ground with fluids such as oil and water, and the shoes 

are no longer able to release these liquids. The fluid is then trapped in the shoe and 

becomes pressurized, decreasing the shoe’s coefficient of friction and increasing 

the risk of slipping. Limited knowledge exists about the rate at which shoe tread 

becomes worn and the point at which shoe wear causes a reduced coefficient of friction. This knowledge gap makes it challenging for workers to select wear-resistant 

shoes. To address this problem, this study focuses on identifying key causes of worn 

shoe tread and the tread thresholds where shoes become unsafe. Although research 

is ongoing, the principal investigator for this study developed a new standard testing 

technique for measuring shoe-floor coefficient of friction. The standard is on the 

ballot for an American Standard Institute (ANSI) and National Floor Safety Institute 

(NFSI) standard. If accepted, the testing technique will become an industry standard 

with broad impacts on shoe manufacturers. 

(R01 10940, Project Title “Impact of Worn Shoes on Slipping,” Beschorner)

Hospital Violence Surveillance Study Findings in Government Report and 

Nursing Textbook 

Healthcare workers face the risk of physical and nonphysical violence on the job. In 

2014, workplace violence injured more than 9,000 healthcare employees, requiring 

days away from work. Workplace violence in healthcare settings happens in many 

forms, including an active shooter, a disruptive patient or family member, or ongoing incivility from colleagues. In hospitals, the most commonly reported form of 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 59

violence is from disruptive patients or visitors—known as Type 2 violence involving 

a customer/client. However, estimated reports of workplace violence against nursing 

staff and doctors are considered conservative, as several studies observed significant underreporting of these incidents. A lack of standard surveillance methods 

makes it difficult to document workplace violence in hospitals and details about 

these incidents. This often results in preventive policy made on an informal basis or 

triggered by events. This 5-year study designed and implemented a comprehensive 

violence surveillance system that effectively captured episodes of workplace violence against hospital workers by patients and visitors. The study involved two large 

hospital systems in Texas and North Carolina, consisting of six medical facilities. 

Researchers completed a needs assessment of workplace violence reporting systems 

in these hospitals and conducted a baseline assessment of the 12-month prevalence 

of Type 2 violence. Researchers collected baseline workplace violence data on nearly 

5,400 employees in the six hospitals via a survey. Changes in hospital system leadership prevented the surveillance system from being implemented and evaluated, 

but researchers disseminated baseline data findings via publications. Researchers 

also developed recommendations for surveillance of Type 2 violence in hospitals. A 

U.S. Government Accountability Office report highlighted these research findings 

and recommendations. The textbook, “Not Part of the Job: How to Take a Stand,” 

cited these study findings, and a Canadian-based Institute for Work & Health task 

force used them. The task force focuses on improving occupational surveillance in 

national hospitals. 

Details: 

Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses

(R01 9697, Project Title “Development and Evaluation of a Hospital Violence Surveillance 

System,” Pompeii)

Preventing Exposure to Tick-Borne Diseases Among Outdoor Workers 

Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases pose a significant health threat to outdoor workers, especially if they work in areas with woods, bushes, or leaf litter 

that are more likely to have ticks. This study assesses the effectiveness and safety of 

long-lasting permethrin-treated clothing when worn by outdoor workers at high 

risk for tick-borne diseases. Researchers recruited state and municipal employees in 

Rhode Island as study participants and also recruited at private organizations that 

employed outdoor workers. To create interest in tick bite prevention, investigators 

developed three short videos that train about tick safety for outdoor workers. This 

includes wearing long-lasting permethrin-treated clothing. Multinational electricity 

and gas company, National Grid, widely disseminated the videos to its workers, and 

the company reports they have been well received. Researchers are hoping to include 

National Grid workers in its study sample. 

Details:

Tick Safety in the Workplace

Tick Bite: Know What to do Next

Adult Deer Ticks: Fall is their Season

Tick-Borne-Diseases

(R01 10791, Project Title “Steps to Health: Preventing Lyme Disease Exposure Among 

Outdoor Workers,” Mather)
60 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Highlights from R21 Grants

Cost-Efficient Screening Tool for Potential Reproductivity Toxicity in the Workplace

Workplace exposure to reproductive toxic substances like Bisphenol A (BPA) can 

happen through inhaling, absorbing through the skin, or eating and drinking. However, limited or no toxicological data are available on how severely such chemicals 

can damage a person’s reproductive system. This research focused on alternative 

methods for testing reproductive toxicity that do not involve using animal models. 

The study utilized testicular cell lines to create a “mini-testis” model for the investigation, eliminating the need for more costly animal testing for impaired male 

reproductive function. Using the mini-testis model, the researchers developed an 

automated, multi-parametric, high-content analysis and high throughput screening 

assays, which allowed for in vitro testing of the chemicals. The testing determines 

which substances impair male reproductivity. While BPA has been shown to be a 

testicular toxicant in animal models, this study compared it with other chemicals 

considered to be potentially less toxic alternatives, like Bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol AF (BPAF), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). However, research findings 

determined some of these BPA-related chemicals (BPAF and TBBPA) had a more 

damaging effect on a cell’s genetic materials than BPA. One key outcome of this 

study was developing the in vitro “mini-testis” model, which is a cost-efficient tool in 

screening whether or not a chemical could be toxic to the reproductive system. This 

model will provide critical data for setting workplace exposure limits to chemicals 

and effective prevention of reproductivity and developmental toxicity in some sectors. These include the Manufacturing Sector, Mining Sector, Oil and Gas Extraction 

Sector and Public Safety Sector.

(R21 10473, Project Title “A 3D Mini-Testis Model for Reproductive Toxicity Testing” Yu)

Identification of Potential New Biomarkers of Artificial Flavoring Toxicity 

in Workers 

Flavorings are complex mixtures of natural and manmade substances. The U.S. Food 

and Drug Administration evaluates flavoring ingredients to determine whether 

they are “generally recognized as safe” to be eaten. However, even if they are safe 

to eat, these ingredients can be harmful to inhale in the forms and quantities to 

which food manufacturing and chemical industry workers may be exposed. Prior 

NIOSH research found occupational exposure to the flavoring chemicals diacetyl 

and 2,3-pentanedione are associated with significant risk for serious, irreversible 

lung diseases, including bronchiolitis obliterans. This study aimed to improve the 

diagnosis and treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans, which occurs because of workplace exposure to flavorings. Researchers aimed to identify new biomarkers of early 

lung injury after exposure to flavorings like diacetyl. They treated human lung cells 

(human bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells) with diacetyl concentrations relevant 

to workplace settings and observed varying protein expressions or production of 

proteins by the cells. Investigators found polarized and highly regulated changes 

in intracellular and secreted protein expression in the cells. These results indicate 

the cells might serve as a regulator of bronchiolitis obliterans, and they identify 

new potential proteins and pathways that future research can target as possible 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 61

biomarkers of flavoring toxicity. These future studies could improve early recognition of airway toxicity in the workplace related to flavorings and could identify 

workers at higher risk for bronchiolitis obliterans. 

Details: 

Proteomics of Flavorings-induced Airway Disease 

Flavorings-related Lung Disease

(R21 10490, Project Title “Proteomics of Flavorings-induced Airway Disease,” Foster 

and Palmer)

Highlights from K01 Grants

Infection Prevention Training Approved for CE Hours and Disseminated to 

Thousands of Nurses in New York and New Jersey 

The CDC webpage, HAI Data and Statistics, reports that nearly 1 in 25 patients 

has a hospital infection at any given time, and 1 in 25 nurses suffers a blood-borne 

exposure every year. Basic procedures, termed “standard precautions,” may prevent 

these outcomes, but healthcare workers do not always use them. This study examines organizational factors associated with higher levels of adherence to standard 

precautions and lower levels of healthcare worker exposures and hospital patient 

infections. Researchers have developed a continuing education program entitled 

“Standard Precautions Observation and Safety Climate Tools Research,” in collaboration with Columbia University‘s School of Nursing, and Hackensack Meridian 

Health’s Ann May Center for Nursing. The New Jersey State Nurses Association 

approved this program for 0.5 continuing education hours. Hospitals disseminated 

the program to their leadership and to direct-care nurses—potentially reaching 

6,000 nurses. These same hospitals also participated in pilot research activities 

(developing and testing instruments) leading to this K01 study. 

Details: 

(K01 11186, Project Title “Impact of Patient Safety Climate on Infection Prevention Practices 

and Healthcare Worker and Patient Outcomes,” Hessels)

Global Participation in Study on Injury and Illness Risk Factors for Seafarers 

The ocean environment presents multiple challenges to seafaring workers’ safety 

and health. Workers in marine industries are at higher risk for work-related fatalities than other workers. The commercial fishing industry regularly has the highest 

annual fatality rate among all U.S. occupations, and the water transportation industry has a fatality rate 11 times higher than the rate for all American workers. Bureau 

of Labor Statistics data on the U.S. workforce (2011–2015) reports about 7,300 nonfatal occupational injuries due to slips, trips, and falls for these workers. This study 

focuses on risk factors or hazards associated with illnesses, injuries and fatalities for 

seafarers. The study involves a cross-sectional sample of more than 1,000 seafarers 

in the United States and across seas who completed surveys. The project utilizes 

the survey and other international and domestic datasets to assess exposures or 

predictors of injury and illness for these workers, including those associated with 

vessel accidents. Baseline demographic and health data for seafaring workers are 

being linked to medical events data and job exposure to produce stratified incidence 
62 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

rates by individual, job, and environment factors. Several global seafarer-related 

organizations now promote participation in the study, including the Sailors’ Society 

and Seamen’s Church Institute. The data from this study will be used to generate 

new descriptive statistics and predictors of injury and illness for this understudied 

workforce with significant health disparities.

Details: 

Risk Factors for Injury and Illness in Seafarers

Risk Factors for Injury and Illness in Seafarers—Rafael Lefkowitz Maritime 

Safety & Health Studies

(K01 10681, Project Title “Risk Factors for Injury and Illness in Seafarers,” Lefkowitz) 

Highlights from R13 Grants

Fire Service Leaders, OSH Researchers, and Heart Disease Experts Strategize to 

Reduce Cardiac Disease and Death in Firefighters 

Heavy physical exertion is a potential trigger for heart attacks and sudden cardiac 

arrest. For firefighters, these cardiac issues can link especially to alarm response 

and strenuous firefighting efforts. These findings are discussed in a 2016 NIOSH 

firefighter fatality investigation report, Firefighter Suffers Cardiac Event Following 

Residential Fire—NY. During FY2016, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation hosted a conference in Washington, D.C., to address cardiac disease in the fire 

service. More than 60 representatives of fire service constituency organizations, 

fire departments, and subject matter experts attended the event. They represented 

fields of research associated with occupational health and cardiac health. Researchers presented the current state of the science related to cardiovascular disease and 

firefighters, and they collaborated with fire service leaders during the conference. 

The collaboration focused on a consensus-building framework to identify recommendations to reduce cardiovascular incidents. The group also identified ways to 

translate scientific findings and best practices to the fire service with the goal of 

increasing the adoption of best practices for cardiovascular disease prevention and 

treatment. The conference led to a white paper—developed after the event—that 

documents the relationship between firefighters and cardiovascular incidents. The 

paper also provides specific recommendations from the conference that firefighters, 

fire service leaders, and others can follow to reduce cardiovascular disease. 

Details: 

Heart to Heart: Strategizing an Evidence-based Approach to Reduce Cardiac 

Disease and Death in the Fire Service

(R13 11005, Project Title “Heart to Heart: Strategizing an evidence-based approach to 

reduce cardiac disease in the fire service,” Smith)
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 63

C. Cooperative Research Agreements

Cooperative agreements give NIOSH the ability to arrange collaborative surveillance and 

research opportunities with state health departments, universities, labor unions, and nonprofit 

organizations. NIOSH funds a broad array of cooperative agreements to develop knowledge 

that can be used in preventing occupational diseases and injury. In FY2016, NIOSH funded 

the state surveillance program to support capacity development among states to conduct surveillance of occupational injuries, diseases, deaths, and hazards. NIOSH also provided new 

funding for workers’ compensation surveillance, maintained AFF funding to support forestry 

safety research, and continued support of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank. NIOSH 

also supported training programs through cooperative agreements, including the Miner Safety 

and Health Training Program. 

Unlike grants conducted independently of the sponsoring agency, cooperative agreements 

bring together the expertise of federal and nonfederal researchers to accomplish public health 

efforts that would not otherwise occur. For a cooperative agreement to be awarded, a clear 

need must exist to involve programmatic staff in a proposed project. NIOSH evaluates whether 

the cooperative agreement is of sufficient priority to warrant the committing staff resources 

required for a collaborative effort during the term of the cooperative agreement award.

1. State Surveillance Progra

a. Overvie

The state surveillance program supports developing capacity among states to do surveillance of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. It also helps expand the role of 

states to conduct in-depth surveillance and follow-up investigations and interventions. 

These local state-based skills and abilities help meet the NIOSH mandate to ensure a 

safe workplace. See the State Surveillance Portfolio Annual Performance Reports for 

more information on these state-based initiatives.

b. Public Health Relevanc

The NIOSH surveillance research program acknowledges and values state programs that 

contribute to occupational safety and health surveillance. NIOSH gives financial and 

technical assistance to state health and labor agencies to develop and expand capacity 

for programs dealing with occupational health surveillance. The extramural surveillance portfolio comprises 26 state recipients, encompassing 49 projects for addressing 

work-related injuries and death, exposures and hazards, and special worker populations of interest. These programs use and disseminate occupational health surveillance 

data to identify the incidence and prevalence of occupational injuries, illnesses, and 

fatalities. They identify occupational health surveillance trends, research opportunities, 

emerging issues, and high-risk worker populations. They create and disseminate targeted educational and prevention materials to make them optimally beneficial, and they 

adapt materials to protect workers. The projects also do outreach and engage partners 

in public health and safety to advance “data into action.”
64 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

NIOSH Sponsored State Occupational Health & Safety Surveillance Program

Georgia

Iowa

Minnesota

Mississippi

Montana

New Jersey

Tennessee

Wisconsin

Fundamental 

Programs

California

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Michigan

New York

Oregon

Washington

Expanded 

Programs

Fundamental-Plus 

Programs

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Illinois

Louisiana

Maryland

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Carolina

Texas

California

Massachusetts

Michigan

New York

Washington

Respiratory

Diseases Projects

California

Kentucky

Massachusetts

Michigan

New York

Oregon

Washington

Fatality Assessment

& Control Evaluation

*California

*Massachusetts

*Michigan

*Ohio

*Tennessee

 Washington

Workers’ Compensation 

and Other Surveillance

* Date updated 2016. Lists 26 awards, including workers compensation surveillance awards.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 65

c. Selected Program Highlights FY201

Cleaning for Asthma-Safer Schools Receives National Recognition

California’s Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program (WRAPP) continues to 

achieve national recognition of its Cleaning for Asthma Safe Schools (CLASS) 

Program. The program assists state K–12 school districts transition to asthma-safer cleaning products and practices through tools like the Healthy Cleaning 

& Asthma-Safer Schools: A How-To Guide. In FY2016, the National Public Health 

Information Coalition honored the CLASS Program’s guide with a bronze medal 

for excellence in public health communication. The guide is also now included in 

the application and scoring criteria for the U.S. Department of Education Green 

Ribbon Schools Program award. This award nationally recognizes schools, districts, 

and postsecondary institutions for exemplary environmental health practices. These 

include reducing environmental impact and costs, along with improving the health 

and well-being of students and staff. California’s Department of Education is now 

promoting the guide as a resource to help schools improve air quality and become 

a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program awardee.

Details: 

Cleaning for Asthma-Safe Schools (Class)

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

FMCSA Revises Rule on Passenger Safety Belt Usage in Commercial 

Motor Vehicles

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised a regulation 

on the use of commercial motor vehicle passenger safety belts, based on research 

from the Kentucky Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program. The 

study focused on the increased odds of semi-truck crash injuries when seat belts 

are not worn. It was published in the Journal of Safety Research.

†

 The final revised 

FMCSA rule‡

 requires passengers in commercial motor vehicles to wear safety 

belts whereas only the driver was previously required to do this. The rule took 

effect August 8, 2016.

Details: 

Motor Vehicle Injuries among Semi Truck Drivers and Sleeper Berth Passengers

eCFR—Code of Federal Regulations

New Hampshire Surveillance Research Results in New Safety and 

Heath Trainings

The New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance Program partnered with 

the State Office of Rural Health to publish a report on farm injury surveillance. The 

document, Identifying the Gaps in the Methodology of New Hampshire Farm Injury 

†

Bunn T, Slavova S, Sobertson, M [2013]. Motor vehicle injuries among semi truck drivers and sleeper berth 

passengers. J Safety Res 44:51–55, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2012.09.003

‡

Driving of commercial motor vehicles: Use of seat belts. 49 CFR 392.16 (2017).
66 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

Surveillance Using Hospital Discharge Data, was published in December 2015. Dartmouth College is now using information from the report as it engages in discussions 

with a large medical facility to start a new training for rural medical providers on 

farm-specific health issues. The New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance 

Program also published findings in FY2016 from a survey, administered to state 

agencies to assess knowledge and prevention of tick-borne disease in outdoor workers. The surveillance program collaborated with the state’s Environmental Public 

Health Tracking Program to release these results in the document, Tickborne Disease 

Prevention Among State Agencies. The state’s Bureau of Infectious Disease Control 

is now partnering with the New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance Program to use the data to develop and implement peer to peer training programs for 

prevention of tick-borne disease.

Details: 

Identifying the Gaps in the Methodology of New Hampshire Farm Injury 

Surveillance Using Hospital Discharge Data

Tickborne Disease Prevention Among State Agencies

Widespread Use and Dissemination of Washington State’s TIRES Project

In Washington State, the trucking industry has high workers’ compensation claim 

rates and costs. Past research by Washington State’s Safety and Health Assessment 

and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program indicates the most common and 

costly injuries include musculoskeletal disorders, falls, and motor vehicle collisions. 

In response to this problem, the SHARP Program developed the Trucking Injury 

Reduction Emphasis through Surveillance (TIRES) project. TIRES researchers 

partnered with occupational safety and health stakeholders in the trucking industry, such as safety and health professionals and employers, to develop educational 

materials. These products focus on identifying workplace hazards and providing 

low-cost, simple solutions to prevent injuries. In FY2016, more than 150,000 people 

accessed TIRES publications online via the project website, Trucking Injury Reduction Emphasis. TIRES training materials are used as a major component of the 

Washington Teamsters Training—a train-the-trainer program for the trucking and 

construction industries. TIRES researchers also developed an online simulation 

training for young truck drivers, safety directors, and company leaders, in response 

to requests for more interactive education. These tools have been downloaded more 

than 30,000 times all over the world, including by TIRES partners in the Alabama 

Trucking Association Workers’ Compensation Fund, the Motor Carriers of Montana, and Safety Driven—Trucking Safety Council of British Columbia. 

Details: 

Trucking Initiative

OR-FACE Partners with Insurance Carrier to Prevent Agricultural-related 

Fatalities among Young and Older Workers

A higher fatality risk among agricultural workers younger than 19 and older than 

65 led the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) Program 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 67

to collaborate with the State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF) Corporation. SAIF is 

Oregon’s largest workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The partnership focused 

on reaching this target population through developing a training module included 

in the 2015–2016 annual SAIF Safety Seminar Series. The module covers topics like 

risk assessment, hazard identification, and cause analysis of an OR-FACE investigation related to the death of a vineyard worker who fell from a trailer. The training 

is offered in English and Spanish, and 2,500 people attended 27 English trainings 

in Oregon between November 2015 and March 2016. Nearly 680 people attended 

eight trainings offered in Spanish.

Raising Awareness through Media Influence

The Iowa Occupational Health & Safety Surveillance Program promotes and seeks to 

protect the health and safety of Iowans in the workplace through improved surveillance data, dissemination of information, and outreach activities. Program manager, 

Kathy Leinenkugel, appeared on a state radio show and a local television station in 

Des Moines this year to discuss worker injuries. Leinenkugel did an interview on 

this topic for the Iowa Public Radio show, “River to River,” during its series on jobs 

and workers. She also discussed construction fall injuries in Iowa while on local CBS 

affiliate station, KCCI, in Des Moines.

Success in Reaching Young Workers about Health and Safety through 

Social Media 

Young workers, ages 14 to 24, have a higher risk for occupational injuries for a 

multitude of reasons. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies 

these as a lack of job experience, inability to identify workplace hazards, and reluctance to ask questions, along with the cognitive and physical developmental state 

of youth. The Massachusetts Youth Employment and Safety (YES) Team—chaired 

by the state’s Department of Public Health Young Workers Project—addresses this 

problem by bringing together representatives from six states and two federal agencies that share responsibility for protecting youth at work. Established in 2003, the 

YES Team has successfully collaborated to promote safe jobs for teenage workers. 

The group expanded its focus in 2016 to include young adults, ages 18–24, raising 

new challenges to reach this target population. The team developed a social media 

campaign to engage young workers in workplace health and safety, as well as their 

on-the-job rights. “Getting hurt is not in your job description” was chosen as the 

campaign concept and tagline, with input from youth during focus groups. The team 

also created a single one-stop website with content from all agencies, including work 

permits, child labor laws, workplace hazards and workers’ rights. All social messaging directed people to the website. Additionally, six scenarios depicting hazards in 

common youth jobs were designed and photographed and included the campaign 

tagline. The campaign included Facebook ads, tweets, blogs, and Instagram posts. 

During the 3 week early summer campaign, 175,390 people saw the Facebook ads, 

with 17,560 people taking some action such as liking or sharing them. Close to 

40,000 website clicks resulted from the Facebook ads—almost double the 20,000 
68 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

website clicks expected based on other similar state Department of Public Health 

campaigns. The social media campaign was to relaunch on Facebook in 2017, and 

images were to be placed on digital bill boards throughout the state and on public 

transportation in Boston.

Details: 

Massachusetts Youth Employment and Safety Team (YES Team)

2. Training Project Grant

a. Overvie

NIOSH supports professional training in occupational safety and health in single disciplines through Training Project Grants (TPGs). Most TPGs are academic training 

programs that support undergraduate and graduate training. These programs complement the national network of graduate training the ERCs provide, and they are 

throughout the United States. Along with TPGs for traditional degree training programs, NIOSH also supports TPGs that address the unique training needs of specialty 

groups. These include the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics 

(AOEC) Occupational Health Internship Program. This program provides specialty 

training and increases diversity among the next generation of occupational health 

professionals by recruiting and mentoring students from minority and immigrant backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities. The Alaska Marine Safety Education 

Association has a TPG that expands the network of port-based fishing safety instructors 

in Alaska and the United States through train-the-trainer curriculum designed for 

the unique needs of the commercial fishing industry. NIOSH also provides funding 

for a unique TPG, which is the Emergency Responder Training Program through the 

International Association of Fire Fighters. Additional information about this program 

is discussed later in this report. 

b. Public Health Relevanc

TPGs are one of the principal means for NIOSH to provide the nation with an adequate 

supply of qualified professionals to carry out the Occupational Health and Safety Act 

of 1970. The nation’s workforce is diverse, and TPGs help train in specific disciplines 

where an identified need is being met. The graduates of TPGs serve a vital role in protecting and promoting the health and safety of the nation’s workforce, aligning with the 

goals of Healthy People 2020—to prevent diseases, injuries, and deaths that are due to 

working conditions. Occupational safety and health training is essential to eliminate 

these hazards and make the workplace safer and healthier for all workers. TPGs are also 

important resources on occupational safety and health issues for business, labor, government, and the public.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 69

NIOSH Training Project Grants by Discipline

Alaska Marine

Association of Occupational 

and Environmental Clinics

Connecticut

Emory

International Association 

of Fire Fighters

MA/Lowell

Millersville

Portland State

Wisconsin/Stout

Western Kentucky

Allied Occupational

Safety & Health

Arizona

MA/Lowell

Montana Tech

North Alabama

Oklahoma

Puerto Rico

Purdue

Toledo

Tulane

West Virginia

Industrial

Hygiene

Meharry

Pennsylvania

Texas/Tyler

West Virginia

Yale

Occupational

Medicine

MA/Lowell

Montana Tech

Murray State

Ohio State

Ohio University

SUNY/Buffalo

Texas A&M

Virginia Tech

West Virginia

Occupational

Safety
70 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

c. Selected Program Highlights FY201

Training Project Grant Trainees, Graduates and Employment 

by Discipline

In academic year 2015–2016, 298 trainees graduated from the Training Project 

Grant academic training programs with specialized training in industrial hygiene, 

occupational safety, occupational medicine, and allied disciplines in occupational 

safety and health. Allied disciplines included occupational health psychology, risk 

management, occupational ergonomics and engineering, environmental health, and 

occupational epidemiology.

Table 2-4. Training project grant trainees, graduates, and employment by

discipline, FY2016

Program area Trainees Graduates

Employed in occupational safety and health 

field or seeking advanced training (%)

Industrial Hygiene 312 98 97 (99)

Occupational Safety 344 110 109 (99)

Occupational 

Medicine

29 16 16 (100)

Allied Disciplines 274 74 73 (99)

Total 959 298 295 (99)

Selected Impacts of TPG Trainees 

The University at Buffalo, SUNY Occupational Safety and Health TPG is adding 

to the next generation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 

compliance officers. Three TPG graduates joined OSHA during the fiscal year and 

are serving in area offices in Philadelphia, PA, Albany, NY, and Buffalo, NY. 

TPG trainees at Purdue University received awards in 2016 for their work in the 

field of occupational safety and health. Doctoral trainee Eric Ward earned the Eli 

Lilly Industrial Hygiene Student Award. Ward’s research centers on the assessment 

of multiple metal exposure among welders using air sampling and biomarkers. Doctoral student Danielle Rolle won first place at the Indiana National Public Health 

Week Conference for her research poster, “Bone Manganese as a Biomarker of 

Cumulative Mn Exposure: a Pilot Study.” The poster was co-authored by Purdue 

University faculty (Well, Zheng and Nie). 
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 71

Montana Tech Ranked Among Top 20 Best Value Occupational Safety 

Training Programs 

College Values Online ranked the TPG at Montana Tech of the University of Montana among the 10 best value occupational safety degree programs during FY2016. 

Ratings were based on multiple categories, including tuition, 20-year average net 

return on investment, number of students getting financial aid, and the number 

of minors, concentrations, and areas of emphasis offered by the program. College 

Values Online is an Internet resource that ranks higher institutes of learning, features the college experience and provides career information from the perspective 

of value. 

Trainees in Occupational Health Psychology Address Critical 

Workplace Trends

The Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) program at the University of Connecticut is designed to recruit and train highly qualified and diverse graduate students. 

Training focuses in areas of psychology, public health, and nursing, with the goal 

of students becoming doctoral-level researchers who conduct research, focused 

on behavioral aspects of occupational health. Workplace trends—like downsizing, 

contingent labor, and longer work hours, telework, and increasing levels of automation—propel the need for studies on occupational health psychology. OHP focuses 

on the broad range of exposures and mechanisms, affecting the quality of working 

life and worker responses. Examples include how individual psychological attributes 

interact with job content and work organization, as well as organizational policies 

and practices. OHP research and practice explores interventions targeting the work 

environment and the individual, creating healthier workplaces to improve the capacity of workers to protect their safety and health, and maximizing workers’ overall 

effectiveness and sense of wellbeing. As such, it fits many of the strategic goals of 

the NIOSH Total Worker Health® initiative.

3. Emergency Responder Training Progra

a. Overvie

NIOSH funds an Emergency Responder Training Program TPG through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The IAFF’s mission through this program 

is to educate emergency responders about strategies to safeguard their health and 

safety, and to reduce occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities related to emergency 

response, so they can better protect the communities they serve. The IAFF has had a 

long working relationship with NIOSH and delivers training to all disciplines in emergency response, including firefighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, 

and public health profesionals. The IAFF’s proven training record strongly emphasizes occupational safety and health as part of a comprehensive first responder training 

plan. IAFF’s training seeks to fundamentally change knowledge, attitude, and behaviors, 

causing responders to adopt a safer approach to emergency response throughout their 

career. Training takes place across the United States and U.S. territories. 
72 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

b. Public Health Relevanc

This federally funded training program provides an excellent model of a delivery system 

for training first responders. Using a cadre of instructors who are both certified fire 

service instructors and hazardous materials (HazMat) responders, the IAFF offers 

real-world training in HazMat response that few institutions can match. Furthermore, 

because the IAFF brings its training directly to the students in their own communities, 

the IAFF is able to tailor its presentations to address the unique concerns and challenges 

facing local responders. IAFF training is a proven resource that directly affects decisions 

made in real-world scenarios firefighters experience every day, and they have developed 

training partnerships with thousands of fire departments throughout the United States.

c. Selected Program Highlight FY201

The IAFF exceeded its training figures in FY2015 (90 classes and 2,107 students) by 

delivering a total of 103 classes to 2,476 students, with 52,040 contact hours this year.

Table 2-5. Emergency Responder Training Classes, FY201

Class title Duration

# of

classes

# of

students

# of

contact hours

Confined Space Operations 24 hours 6 160 2,560

Confined Space Operations 16 hours 9 235 3,760

Illicit Drug Labs 8 hours 12 184 1,472

Emergency Response to 

Terrorism Operations 

16 hours 6 160 2,560

First Responder Operations 24 hours 70 1,737 41,688

4. Miner Safety and Health Training Progra

a. Overvie

Despite many technological and work environment advances, mining remains one of 

the most challenging and demanding occupations in the United States. Because of 

the many challenges in the mining industry, the focus areas for mining training must 

encompass a wide range of hazards and risks.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Training Academy in Beckley, 

West Virginia, serves the mining community in the eastern United States. The training 

program is not easily accessible to miners in the western United States, and certain 

aspects of western mining operations are not pertinent to operations in the east. To 

increase access to training and to address gaps related to western mining operations, 

NIOSH has supported miner safety and health training in the western United States 

since 1999. For FY2016, three programs were funded: the Colorado School of Mines, 

the University of Arizona, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016 73

This training provides an integrated approach to reducing injuries to miners and other 

workers in mining operations and to translate research into workplace practices that 

(1) improve mining safety, (2) improve the safety and health of miners, (3) enhance 

the safety and health of other workers involved in mining operations and (4) increase 

the quantity of qualified mine safety and health trainers in the western United States.

Major objectives are to provide a training program that (1) addresses the training needs 

of miners in the western United States; (2) develops and delivers training to miners in 

the western United States; (3) provides qualified instructors and faculty; (4) develops 

and implements “train the trainer” courses; (5) evaluates training effectiveness and 

impact on reducing injuries and illnesses to miners; and (6) coordinates with existing 

training programs, such as those offered by MSHA and MSHA-funded state programs, 

along with and partnerships with industry, miners, and other agencies. NIOSH intends 

for the training provided by this program to be consistent with OSHA and MSHA 

guidelines, without duplicating these agencies’ existing trainings. 

b. Public Health Relevanc

The Miner Safety and Health Training Program provides critical safety and health training to protect workers in one of the most dangerous industry sectors in the United 

States. This program contributes to this overall goal by taking the following actions:

■ Expanding the mission of NIOSH in protecting and promoting the health of 

mine workers. The trainings have improved work practices, reduced work-related injury and illness, and increased the understanding of safety and health 

practices in western mine worksites.

■ Increasing the safety focus, total health awareness, and leadership competency 

of miners, frontline supervisors, superintendents, and managers representing 

operations throughout the United States, spanning all major commodity sectors in surface and underground mining, as well as contractors.

■ Directing the focus of mine-rescue training toward learning actual rescue 

skills rather than mine rescue contest rules, resulting in team members being 

better prepared to respond to all types of emergencies.

This program fills an important regional need by providing occupational safety and 

health training, mine emergency response and rescue training, and needs-based education to individuals and companies engaged in mining and exploration activities 

throughout the western United States. The program is particularly critical for underserviced populations working on mine sites, including contractors, suppliers, consultants, 

equipment manufacturers, and small mine operators.

The program designs and implements active learning strategies for mine safety training 

and has helped trainers across all commodity sectors throughout the western United 

States learn how to improve safety training. These activities increase capacity and 

improve the transfer of best practices to the workplace.
74 NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Program ■ Annual Report of Fiscal Year 2016

c. Selected Program Highlight FY201

U.S. Department of Labor to Publish Higher Level Trainer Competencies 

and Curriculum 

No existing competency model now exists for mine safety trainers in the United 

States that is based on human resource development research, rather than compliance. To fill this gap, the University of Arizona updated its “Higher Level Trainer” 

competencies and curriculum model. “Higher Level Trainer” was a scripted active 

learning training, intended to enhance lecture-based instruction that is focused 

on compliance practices. The model is now based on the Work Readiness Competencies, developed by the Department of Labor Employment and Training 

Administration. The Work Readiness Competencies are considered essential knowledge and skills for a successful entry into the workforce. The first three tiers of the 

current “Higher Level Trainer” reflects the Work Readiness Competencies. These 

are (a) Tier 1 (personal effectiveness); (b) Tier 2 (cognitive functions and learning 

styles), and (c) Tier 3 (traits and interpersonal styles necessary to function). The 

“Higher Level Trainer” also has two mining industry competencies that include 

general industry knowledge and skills, and other competencies specific to sectors 

in the industry. The final tier in this competency model focuses on occupational 

learning and development, and it is based on a validated model from the Association 

for Talent Development, centered on defined knowledge areas, skills, abilities, and 

behaviors. The official unveiling of the new “Higher Level Trainer” competencies 

and curriculum occurred in September 2016 at the National Mining Association 

Health and Safety Session in Las Vegas. The U.S. Department of Labor now plans 

to publish the competency model—the first national model for mine safety trainers 

based on human resource development knowledge.

CSM Releases Innovative and Interactive Miner Safety and 

Health Trainings 

While frequent safety and health trainings for miners, like MSHA Part 48 and 

toolbox talks, focus on worker protection, this type of education requires ongoing updates to training materials. These updates ensure the courses are relevant in 

topic and maintain trainees’ interest. The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) received 

comments from industry trainers, who requested new interactive training materials 

specific to mining and accessible online. CSM responded by developing training 

materials, including interactive exercises to enhance hazard recognition and a 

searchable fatality database, improving access to significant training information. 

The database is current through data published in August 2016, and five interactive 

trainings, based on MSHA fatality numbers, are posted on the CSM website. 
PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK
Promoting productive workplaces 

through safety and health research

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DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2018-106