NIOSH Collaboration Drives New Workplace Safety Standards
The agency’s research is being integrated into national safety standards to improve worker protection across various industrial sectors.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Mar 24, 2026
The NIOSH is translating its latest research into practice through extensive collaboration with standards-developing organizations. These partnerships aim to create rigorous, lifesaving requirements for equipment and procedures used in U.S. workplaces.
Emergency Response and PPE
NIOSH has informed more than 15 National Fire Protection Association standards. Key updates include NFPA 1580, which outlines infection control and medical programs for fire departments, and NFPA 1802, which enhances the durability of portable radios in high-temperature environments.
In the realm of personal protective equipment, NIOSH worked with ASTM International to establish uniform testing for surgical gowns and barrier face coverings. Research also contributed to ASTM F3407, a standardized test method for evaluating the fit of filtering facepiece respirators.
Technology and Automation
As robots become more common in industrial settings, NIOSH is participating in the development of safety standards for industrial mobile and collaborative robots. To reduce collision risks, researchers developed real-time techniques to calculate worker attention zones during human-robot interaction.
Additionally, NIOSH is contributing to safety protocols for 3D printing emissions and the handling of powder-form nanomaterials.
Health Data and Air Quality
A significant shift in occupational health data is expected by 2026. Certified electronic health record systems must be capable of exchanging Occupational Data for Health information. This interoperability, supported by NIOSH coding tools, allows for the consistent tracking of industry and occupation data in medical records.
NIOSH also continues to provide expertise to the International Organization for Standardization regarding workplace air quality. This includes standards for measuring exposure to asbestos, silica, and various chemical agents.
Fall Protection and Noise
Recent testing by NIOSH has evaluated fall arrest forces to update ANSI/ASSP Z359 guidance for those working at heights. In acoustics, the institute’s contributions to ANSI and ISO groups have led to improved measurements for impulse noise and the effectiveness of hearing protection devices.
Through these committee roles, NIOSH ensures that consensus standards align with federal respiratory protection requirements and the most pressing safety needs of the modern workforce.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.