NIOSH Program Portfolio : Personal Protective Technology : Strategic Goals

NIOSH Programs > Personal Protective Technology > Strategic Goals

Personal Protective Technology

Inputs: NIOSH Strategic Goals

The NIOSH PPT Program has developed strategic goals to guide our research, standards development, respirator certification, PPT evaluation, and partnership efforts over the next decade.

NIOSH previously used priority topic areas (e.g., traumatic injury, hearing loss) to guide research efforts. Goals take this approach a step further by identifying specific outcomes that we want to target, performance measures for evaluating progress in meeting the outcome goals, and intermediate goals to describe the necessary steps that need to be performed to accomplish the goal. Setting goals is challenging because:

It forces us to focus on a subgroup of issues where we think NIOSH can make an impact--a long list would spread our resources too thin to accomplish the goals. Not every worthwhile topic can be included.
It is difficult to develop performance measures. Available injury statistics have limitations, and exposure and health outcome measures are typically not available.
It is ambitious for NIOSH to set goals to achieve outcomes such as reductions in a national fatality rate. NIOSH is a research agency so we don't often directly influence outcomes--we must partner well and influence other groups to show results.

NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach

NIOSH has been organizing research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Eight NORA Sector Programs represent industrial sectors, and twenty-four Cross-sector Programs organized around adverse health outcomes, statutory programs and global efforts.

The NORA Sector Programs intersect with Cross-Sector Programs in a matrix-like fashion. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Transportation Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting goals.

Each of the 32 programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio has a Manager and Coordinator. Each of the 8 NIOSH Sector Programs facilitates the work of a NORA Sector Council to engage external stakeholders in the process of developing sector goals for the nation and methods to measure the short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes arising from those goals. The NORA goals for the nation will be considered when choosing NIOSH sector program goals. Cross Sector programs have internal Steering Committees that develop program goals and monitor outcome measures.

These planning efforts will position NIOSH to align with the most current governmental approaches for evaluating program effectiveness, i.e., the Program Assessment Rating Tool (or PART). PART is a mechanism to hold governmental agencies accountable for accomplishing results. As part of our comprehensive approach to performance measurement, NIOSH has engaged the National Academies to independently evaluate our sector and cross-programs for relevance and impact.

PPT Cross-Sector Program Goals

Each strategic goal is divided into intermediate goals, as outlined below. Specific performance measures associated with each goal are being established.

Strategic Goal 1: Reduce Exposure to Inhalation Hazards

Intermediate Objective 1.1: Ensure the integrity of the national inventory of respirators through the implementation of a just-in-time respirator certification process

Intermediate Objective 1.2: Develop CBRN respirator standards to reduce exposure to CBRN threats

Intermediate Objective 1.3: Ensure the availability of Mine Emergency Respirators for escape from mines

Intermediate Objective 1.4: Improve reliability and level of protection by developing criteria that influence PPE designs to better fit the range of facial dimensions of respirator users in the U.S. workforce

Intermediate Objective 1.5: Quantify the impacts of various PPE on viral transmission

Intermediate Objective 1.6: Evaluate the nanofiber-based fabrics and NIOSH-certified respirators for respiratory protection against nanoparticles

Intermediate Objective 1.7: Develop and make available end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) technologies that reliably sense or model performance to ensure respirator users receive effective respiratory protection.

Intermediate Objective 1.8: Gather information on the use of respirators in the workplace to identify research, intervention, and outreach needs

Strategic Goal 2: Reduce Exposure to Dermal Hazards

Intermediate Objective 2.1: Improve chemical/barrier protective clothing testing and use practices to reduce worker exposure to chemical dermal hazards

Intermediate Objective 2.2: Improve emergency responder protective clothing to reduce exposure to thermal, biological, and chemical dermal hazards

Intermediate Objective 2.3: Investigate physiological and ergonomic impact of protective ensembles on individual wearers in affecting worker exposure to dermal hazards

Strategic Goal 3: Reduce Exposure to Injury Hazards

Intermediate Objective 3.1: Develop and evaluate warning devices for fire services

Intermediate Objective 3.2: Develop measurement and rating methods that are representative of the real-world performance of hearing protection devices

Intermediate Objective 3.3: Develop hearing protection laboratory and fit testing methods

Intermediate Objective 3.4: Evaluate the effectiveness of hearing protection devices to provide protection from impulsive noise

Intermediate Objective 3.5: Develop an integrated hearing protection and communication system

Intermediate Objective 3.6: Develop hearing protection recommendations for noise-exposed hearing impaired workers

Intermediate Objective 3.7: Develop and improve fall arrest harnesses

Intermediate Objective 3.8: Select and develop vibration isolation devices to reduce hand-arm vibration syndrome

Tactical Approaches for Accomplishing Goals

The tactical approaches for accomplishing the strategic goals fall into four categories: conduct research; develop standards; certify and evaluate equipment; and conduct outreach programs and activities are further described here:

Conduct research on PPE and PPT. This approach involves the creation and management of a comprehensive research program to address inhalation, dermal, and injury hazard knowledge gaps and improve existing technologies to reduce exposure to the hazards.
Develop standards for PPE and PPT. This approach aims to support the development of PPT standards and test methods to improve the quality, protection, and performance through all PPE lifecycle stages to reduce exposure to inhalation, dermal and injury hazards.
Certify respiratory protective equipment and evaluate personal protective equipment. This approach aims to provide quality PPT/PPE evaluation services, recommendations and respirator certification services to enable the availability of effective PPE.
Conduct outreach programs for optimal use and acceptance of PPE by workers. This approach involves the development and utilization of effective communication tools and outreach techniques to ensure appropriate respiratory protection inputs to all PPT Program activities and useable outputs (products and services) and outcomes (results) to all stakeholders.

< National Research Agenda (NORA) | NIOSH Strategic Goals | Emerging Issues >

NIOSH Program:

Personal Protective Technology

Program Description

Inputs

Economic Factors
Occupational Risks
National Research Agenda (NORA)
NIOSH Strategic Goals
Emerging Issues
Committee on Personal Protective Equipment (COPPE)
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Partners
NIOSH Contacts

Activities

Outputs

Outcomes

Review & Evaluation

Page last updated: December 5, 2008
Page last reviewed: July 25, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

	NIOSH Programs > Personal Protective Technology > Strategic Goals Personal Protective Technology Inputs: NIOSH Strategic Goals The NIOSH PPT Program has developed strategic goals to guide our research, standards development, respirator certification, PPT evaluation, and partnership efforts over the next decade. NIOSH previously used priority topic areas (e.g., traumatic injury, hearing loss) to guide research efforts. Goals take this approach a step further by identifying specific outcomes that we want to target, performance measures for evaluating progress in meeting the outcome goals, and intermediate goals to describe the necessary steps that need to be performed to accomplish the goal. Setting goals is challenging because: It forces us to focus on a subgroup of issues where we think NIOSH can make an impact--a long list would spread our resources too thin to accomplish the goals. Not every worthwhile topic can be included. It is difficult to develop performance measures. Available injury statistics have limitations, and exposure and health outcome measures are typically not available. It is ambitious for NIOSH to set goals to achieve outcomes such as reductions in a national fatality rate. NIOSH is a research agency so we don't often directly influence outcomes--we must partner well and influence other groups to show results. NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach NIOSH has been organizing research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Eight NORA Sector Programs represent industrial sectors, and twenty-four Cross-sector Programs organized around adverse health outcomes, statutory programs and global efforts. The NORA Sector Programs intersect with Cross-Sector Programs in a matrix-like fashion. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Transportation Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting goals. Each of the 32 programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio has a Manager and Coordinator. Each of the 8 NIOSH Sector Programs facilitates the work of a NORA Sector Council to engage external stakeholders in the process of developing sector goals for the nation and methods to measure the short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes arising from those goals. The NORA goals for the nation will be considered when choosing NIOSH sector program goals. Cross Sector programs have internal Steering Committees that develop program goals and monitor outcome measures. These planning efforts will position NIOSH to align with the most current governmental approaches for evaluating program effectiveness, i.e., the Program Assessment Rating Tool (or PART). PART is a mechanism to hold governmental agencies accountable for accomplishing results. As part of our comprehensive approach to performance measurement, NIOSH has engaged the National Academies to independently evaluate our sector and cross-programs for relevance and impact. PPT Cross-Sector Program Goals Each strategic goal is divided into intermediate goals, as outlined below. Specific performance measures associated with each goal are being established. Strategic Goal 1: Reduce Exposure to Inhalation Hazards Intermediate Objective 1.1: Ensure the integrity of the national inventory of respirators through the implementation of a just-in-time respirator certification process Intermediate Objective 1.2: Develop CBRN respirator standards to reduce exposure to CBRN threats Intermediate Objective 1.3: Ensure the availability of Mine Emergency Respirators for escape from mines Intermediate Objective 1.4: Improve reliability and level of protection by developing criteria that influence PPE designs to better fit the range of facial dimensions of respirator users in the U.S. workforce Intermediate Objective 1.5: Quantify the impacts of various PPE on viral transmission Intermediate Objective 1.6: Evaluate the nanofiber-based fabrics and NIOSH-certified respirators for respiratory protection against nanoparticles Intermediate Objective 1.7: Develop and make available end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) technologies that reliably sense or model performance to ensure respirator users receive effective respiratory protection. Intermediate Objective 1.8: Gather information on the use of respirators in the workplace to identify research, intervention, and outreach needs Strategic Goal 2: Reduce Exposure to Dermal Hazards Intermediate Objective 2.1: Improve chemical/barrier protective clothing testing and use practices to reduce worker exposure to chemical dermal hazards Intermediate Objective 2.2: Improve emergency responder protective clothing to reduce exposure to thermal, biological, and chemical dermal hazards Intermediate Objective 2.3: Investigate physiological and ergonomic impact of protective ensembles on individual wearers in affecting worker exposure to dermal hazards Strategic Goal 3: Reduce Exposure to Injury Hazards Intermediate Objective 3.1: Develop and evaluate warning devices for fire services Intermediate Objective 3.2: Develop measurement and rating methods that are representative of the real-world performance of hearing protection devices Intermediate Objective 3.3: Develop hearing protection laboratory and fit testing methods Intermediate Objective 3.4: Evaluate the effectiveness of hearing protection devices to provide protection from impulsive noise Intermediate Objective 3.5: Develop an integrated hearing protection and communication system Intermediate Objective 3.6: Develop hearing protection recommendations for noise-exposed hearing impaired workers Intermediate Objective 3.7: Develop and improve fall arrest harnesses Intermediate Objective 3.8: Select and develop vibration isolation devices to reduce hand-arm vibration syndrome Tactical Approaches for Accomplishing Goals The tactical approaches for accomplishing the strategic goals fall into four categories: conduct research; develop standards; certify and evaluate equipment; and conduct outreach programs and activities are further described here: Conduct research on PPE and PPT. This approach involves the creation and management of a comprehensive research program to address inhalation, dermal, and injury hazard knowledge gaps and improve existing technologies to reduce exposure to the hazards. Develop standards for PPE and PPT. This approach aims to support the development of PPT standards and test methods to improve the quality, protection, and performance through all PPE lifecycle stages to reduce exposure to inhalation, dermal and injury hazards. Certify respiratory protective equipment and evaluate personal protective equipment. This approach aims to provide quality PPT/PPE evaluation services, recommendations and respirator certification services to enable the availability of effective PPE. Conduct outreach programs for optimal use and acceptance of PPE by workers. This approach involves the development and utilization of effective communication tools and outreach techniques to ensure appropriate respiratory protection inputs to all PPT Program activities and useable outputs (products and services) and outcomes (results) to all stakeholders. < National Research Agenda (NORA) \| NIOSH Strategic Goals \| Emerging Issues >				NIOSH Program: Personal Protective Technology Program Description Inputs Economic Factors Occupational Risks National Research Agenda (NORA) NIOSH Strategic Goals Emerging Issues Committee on Personal Protective Equipment (COPPE) Customer Satisfaction Survey Partners NIOSH Contacts Activities NIOSH Research Projects NIOSH Funded Research Grants Outputs Publications Topic Pages Products Respirator Certification Research to Practice Conferences Outcomes Review & Evaluation Program Review National Academies Evaluation
	Page last updated: December 5, 2008 Page last reviewed: July 25, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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