The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)

Sidney C. Soderholm, Ph.D.EU-OSHA Workshop on Foresight Methodologies28 October 2008

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

NIOSH

OSHA

BLS

Conduct Research

Develop Recommendations

Special Responsibilities (Health):Harmful substances/agentsEmerging hazards/technologiesLow-level and chronic exposures

Support Training of Researchersand Professionals

Create and Enforce Regulations

Collect and Share Data on LaborEconomics and Statistics

NIOSH Research Benefits WorkersLogic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

Inputs Activities Outputs

Resources

NIOSH Research Benefits WorkersLogic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

SaferHealthierWorkers

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes

Resources

NIOSH Research Benefits WorkersLogic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

SaferHealthierWorkers

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

Inputs Activities OutputsIntermediateOutcomes/Customers

Outcomes

Products

Training

Standards

CampaignsResources

NIOSH Research Benefits WorkersLogic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

SaferHealthierWorkers

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

EVALUATION (QUALITY)

PARTNERS (RELEVANCE)

Inputs Activities OutputsIntermediateOutcomes/Customers

Outcomes

IMPACT

Products

Training

Standards

CampaignsResources

NIOSH Influence

NORA Vision

A national partnership effort to define andconduct priority occupational safety and health research

Started with a modified-Delphi, stakeholder-driven process to define priorities

Disease and Injury Research Tools and ApproachesAllergic and Irritant Dermatitis Cancer Research MethodsAsthma and Chronic Obstructive

Pulmonary DiseaseFertility and Pregnancy

Abnormalities

Control Technology and PersonalProtective Equipment

Exposure Assessment MethodsHealth Services Research

Hearing LossInfectious Diseases

Intervention Effectiveness ResearchRisk Assessment Methods

Low Back DisordersMusculoskeletal DisordersTraumatic Injuries

Social and Economic Consequencesof Workplace Illness and Injury

Surveillance Research MethodsWork Environment and WorkforceEmerging TechnologiesIndoor Environment

Mixed ExposuresOrganization of Work

Special Populations at Risk

NORA Research Priorities (1996-2006)

NORA Successes1996-2006Strong stakeholder inputIdentified 21 priority areasLeveraged resources forpriorities

Created dynamic public-private partnerships

Created a new culture ofpriority-driven research

Award-winning examples ofpositive impacts on workers

NORA Strengths (1996 – 2006)Logic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

SaferHealthierWorkers

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

EVALUATION (QUALITY)

PARTNERS (RELEVANCE)

Inputs Activities OutputsIntermediateOutcomes/Customers

Outcomes

IMPACT

Products

Training

Standards

CampaignsResources

Move research to practice in workplaces through sector-based partnerships

Second Decade of NORA (2006 – 2016)

Move research to practice in workplaces through sector-based partnerships

Restructure NORA Around Industrial Sectors – Focus on workers by involving those who know the workplaces best

Solicit Stakeholder Comments Submission form on internetNORA Town Hall meetings

13 locationsTranscript to capture comments

850 submissions from individualsand organizations

1600 categorized comments ininternet database on NORA website

Considered by NORA Sector Councils

Form Sector Councils 1/3 NIOSH, 2/3 PartnersCo-Leaders: one NIOSH, one PartnerMeet twice per yearWorkgroupsCorresponding Members

Collecting Stakeholder Input – Key Aspects

NORA as Organizer Describes importance of effortAsks 1-3 straightforward questionsPublicizes a web input formRecruits regional hostsSets meeting agendas: introduction, regional issues, designated sector issuesListens/collects input without responding (5 minute presentations with additional written material accepted)Promises input will be considered by NORA Sector Councils(Attendees are potential Council members)

Regional Host Consortium Develops invitation listsInvites individuals personallyUnderlines importance of effort

NORA Sector Council Work

Priority-Setting

StakeholderInput

Implementation with Partner Commitments

MemberExpertise

SurveillanceData

Strategic Goals Reductions in Worker Illnesses, Injuries, Deaths or Exposures (End Outcome)

Intermediate Goals Activities/Outputs of Intermediate Customers (Partners) that will be necessary

Activity/Output Goalsor Action Steps

Activities/Outputs of Researchers or Partners that will be necessary

Performance Measures Desired change in measurable activities/outputs/outcomes

Organizational Commitments to Advance Specific Goals

NIOSH will commit to advancing many of the goals; Partners will be asked to make commitments.

“Ideal” Strategic Plan

Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing

ConstructionHealthcare & Social

AssistanceManufacturingMining

Oil and Gas ExtractionServices

Public SafetyTransportation, Ware-

housing & UtilitiesWholesale & Retail Trade

Cross-Sector Council

MSD’sHealth disparitiesSafety cultureFallsMotor vehicle incidentsViolenceHearing lossChemical exposures

Priority Topics from Sector Partners include:

SurveillanceEtiological researchExposure assessmentEngineering andadministrativecontrols

TrainingIntervention effective-ness research

Demonstration projectsDiffusion researchEffective disseminationProducts / PracticesStandards

Approaches under consideration include:

With partners involved in every step

NIOSH will commit to advancing many of the goals

Partnerships will be asked to commit to conduct research and translate/ transfer the results effectively

Everyone will be asked to help track progress to demonstrate success

Organizational Commitments

NIOSH facilitates the NORA priority-setting process that:Solicits Input from a Broad Range of Stakeholders

Raises awareness of OSH issues and identifies potential partners

Involves Stakeholder-experts in Detailed Priority-Setting for the Nation Based on Data and Opinion

Identifies partners interested in advancing priorities and recruiting others to assist

Leverages Resources of Other Organizations with Overlapping Missions

Enhances overall national effort in occupational safety and health

Facilitates Multiple-Partner Efforts to Effectively Achieve Positive Impacts on Workers

Generates notable success stories

Is Expected to be Restructured Every Ten Years, As Needed, For Continuous Improvement

Increasing research contribution to worker safety and health

NIOSH Research Benefits WorkersLogic Model View

PlanningConductResearch

SaferHealthierWorkers

Interventions

Publications

Technologies

EVALUATION (QUALITY)

PARTNERS (RELEVANCE)

Inputs Activities OutputsIntermediateOutcomes/Customers

Outcomes

IMPACT

Products

Training

Standards

CampaignsResources

NIOSH Control

EU-OSHA Foresight Activities

How will workers benefit?

Who must participate to maximize benefits?

Would an industrial sector structure and an open stakeholder input step effectively involve a broad range of stakeholders early and benefit from their insights and support?

Register for NIOSH eNews for regular updates about NORA:

www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews

Review priority areas under consideration; comment on draft strategic plans for the nation; become a partner:

www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora