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Division of Applied Research and Technology

The Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) focuses on the prevention of occupational illness and injury by conducting research in

  • Exposure Sciences (to identify and measure chemical, physical, and biological hazards),
  • Interventions and  Controls (to reduce exposure to hazards), and
  • Human and Social Factors (to develop ways to reduce musculoskeletal disorders or to examine work organization factors and their impact on health)

DART chemists, engineers, biologists, toxicologists, psychologists, and other scientists are active in field and laboratory research, information sharing, demonstrations, partnerships, and technology transfer efforts ensure the utility and impact of DART research.

DART Research

Engineering and Control Technology

DART conducts research to identify, evaluate, develop, and implement technology to prevent worker exposure to workplace hazards. Research includes workplace and laboratory studies for the design and evaluation of controls, and investigation of hazards associated with emerging technologies and changing workplace environments. This research is supported by unique laboratories and wide array of field instrumentation.

Engineering and Physical Hazards Reports
Engineering Controls Database

Selected Topic Pages

Program Pages

Blog Entries

Engineering Controls Category Page

Selected Blogs

Exposure Sciences

DART develops ways to assesses worker exposures to toxic agents with cutting-edge sampling techniques using state-of-the-art aerosol science, analytical chemistry, and biomonitoring laboratories and methods. A focus of DART Exposure Sciences research is on direct reading and sensor technologies that provide rapid and portable ways to measure exposures.  A key output of this research is the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM). NMAM is a compilation of validated analytical methods for workplace exposure monitoring.

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 5th Edition

Center

Selected Topic Pages
Program Pages
Blog Entries

Hearing Loss Prevention

Noise Control and Hearing Loss Prevention research in DART encompasses basic etiology of hearing loss, ototoxicity, control technologies for control of noise sources, personal protective equipment and hearing loss prevention programs.  

PowerTools Database

Selected Topic Pages

Program Page

Hearing Loss Prevention

Blog Posts

Human Factors and Ergonomics

This area includes research in biomechanics and work physiology, environmental and neurobehavioral stressors, lifting and upper extremity exposures, and work capacity. This research develops tools and strategies for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Topic Page

Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Program Page

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Blog Posts

Ergonomics Category Page: Ergonomics

Selected Ergonomics Blogs:

Work Organization and Stress

DART conducts research to determine how organizational practices influence risk factors that lead to stress disorders and other workplace illnesses and injuries. Researchers develop and evaluate interventions to reduce the economic, social and organizational burdens associated with these disorders.  Research foci include fatigue, aging workforce issues, special at risk populations, and Total Worker Health. 

Quality of Worklife Questionnaire

Centers

Productive Aging and Work 

Selected Topic Pages

Blog Entries

Work Schedules Category Page

Selected Work Schedules Blog Posts:

Selected Aging Workforce Blog Posts:

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