NIOSH funds 26 cooperative agreements for state-based worker injury surveillance

Washington – NIOSH is awarding funding to 26 organizations for cooperative agreements to track worker injuries and illnesses.

The organizations include 21 state health departments, three universities (Michigan State University, the University of Illinois-Chicago and the University of Kentucky Research Foundation) and two state labor departments (Montana and Washington). Total funding for the first year is about $6.7 million.

New awards are being presented to three programs, while 23 other programs are being renewed.

NIOSH is funding three types of surveillance programs:

• Fundamental Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Surveillance Programs
• Fundamental-Plus OHS Surveillance Programs
• Expanded OHS Surveillance Programs

Fundamental programs gather and publish surveillance information; implement outreach for prevention of illnesses and injuries, and share information and recommendations with workers, stakeholders and other agencies to help protect workers, a Sept. 14 press release states. Expanded programs involve “in-depth activities and projects that address a particular exposure, hazard, disease or workers/occupations.”