NIOSH's Western States Division: Worker Safety Research for the American West

The Western States Division (WSD) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is based in Spokane, Washington. It researches a wide range of workplace safety and health hazards, focusing on those faced by workers in the western United States. Its mission is to generate knowledge, reach out and build partnerships that lead to practical workplace solutions across the West.

How it works

The division takes a public health approach:

• collecting and analyzing high-quality data and scientific evidence;
• working closely with partners;
• setting research priorities by burden, need and potential impact;
• developing interventions tailored to specific hazards;
• putting promising interventions into practice in real workplaces.

Research programs

Oil and gas extraction. The division studies surveillance data and conducts epidemiologic studies to find the leading causes of death and injury; measures exposures to chemicals, minerals, noise and other hazards; develops and tests engineering controls; investigates possible mechanisms of disease in the lab; and spreads the word about hazards and NIOSH recommendations.

Transportation, warehousing and utilities. Working with industry, labor, government, trade and professional groups and universities, this program aims to reduce injuries, illnesses and deaths, with priority on fatigue in transportation, human–machine interaction, and work-related obesity and chronic disease.

Maritime safety and health. The Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies researches the safety of maritime workers — found in every state — in aquaculture, commercial diving, commercial fishing, marine terminals and ports, maritime transportation, seafood processing and shipyards.

Motor vehicle safety. The Center for Motor Vehicle Safety works to prevent work-related crashes and injuries, emphasizing oil and gas extraction, public safety, transportation and utilities, and wholesale and retail trade. Its priorities are truck drivers; drivers in other high-risk jobs such as emergency medical services, firefighting, law enforcement and oil and gas; and drivers of light vehicles such as cars, SUVs and pickups.

Outreach and epidemiology in the West

The division's Western Regional Outreach and Epidemiology Program supports work on industries and occupations that began in, or dominate, the West, including:

• an American Indian and Alaska Native initiative;
• cannabis and work;
• commercial aviation;
• Western region epidemiology;
• the Western States Occupational Network (WestON);
• wildland firefighter safety and health.

Expertise

Division staff bring experience in epidemiology and surveillance, social and behavioral science, health equity science, industrial hygiene and occupational health, program administration and health communication.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: "About Western States Division" (January 17, 2025); a work of the United States government in the public domain.