NORA Councils

Statement of Purpose

NORA councils are a national venue for individuals and organizations with common interests in occupational safety and health topics to come together. Councils will start the third decade by identifying broad occupational safety and health research objectives for the nation. These research objectives will build from advances in knowledge in the last decade, address emerging issues, and be based on council member and public input. Councils will spend the remainder of the decade working together to address the agenda through information exchange, collaboration, and enhanced dissemination and implementation of solutions that work.

Although NIOSH is the steward of NORA, it is just one of many partners that make NORA possible. Councils are not an opportunity to give consensus advice to NIOSH, but instead a way to maximize resources towards improved occupational safety and health nationwide. Councils are platforms that help build close partnerships among members and broader collaborations between councils and other organizations. The resulting information sharing and leveraging efforts promotes widespread adoption of improved workplace practices based on research results.

Councils are diverse and dynamic, and are open to anyone with an interest in occupational safety and health. Members benefit by hearing about cutting-edge research findings, learning about evidence-based ways to improve safety and health efforts in their organization, and forming new partnerships. In turn, members share their knowledge and experiences with others and reciprocate partnerships.

Council Meetings

NORA councils meet at least once per year, but some choose to meet more frequently. Most meetings are held virtually using Adobe Connects, but some are in-person. Agendas are set by the co-chairs (a NIOSH sector or cross-sector program leader and another volunteer), with input from council members. Agenda items often include presentations from members or guest speakers, open discussion periods, and/or small group breakout sessions.

NORA Sector Councils

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Construction
• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Oil and Gas Extraction
• Public Safety
• Services
• Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities
• Wholesale and Retail Trade

NORA Cross-Sector Councils

Cross-Sector Councils are forming now. To learn more about the health and safety topics covered in each cross-sector, click here. If you are interested in participating in one of the areas below, contact noracoordinator@cdc.gov.

• Cancer, Reproductive, Cardiovascular and Other Disease
• Hearing Loss Prevention
• Immune, Infectious and Dermal Disease Prevention
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Respiratory Health
• Traumatic Injury Prevention
• Healthy Work Design and Well-being