National Manufacturing Agenda

NOTE: This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.

The NORA Manufacturing Sector Council finalized this version of the National Manufacturing Agenda after considering public comments on the previous draft.

The Manufacturing sector is categorized by 473 different six-digit NAICS codes (31 – 33). These industry segments are grouped and described by 21 subsectors, three-digit NAICS codes. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

Approximately 12 million people are employed in the Manufacturing Sector of the United States, based upon the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics data as of December 2012. Workers are at risk for illness and injuries because of long hours; changing shifts; contact with machinery and equipment; slips, trips and falls; physical exertion and repetitive motions causing musculoskeletal disorders; hazardous exposure to toxic substances such as heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides, dust, isocyanates, chemicals, aerosols, nanoparticles, and carbon monoxide; explosions and structural failures; noise and ototoxicants; stress and new technologies in work organization; etc. There are industries both large and small in this sector that pose a high risk of injury and death and contribute to the nearly one million preventable injuries each year as well as 400 or more annual fatalities. The NORA Manufacturing Sector Council has developed ten strategic goals designed to address the most prevalent occupational safety and health issues and to promote the greatest opportunities for elimination and reduction of the incidence of occupational illness, injuries, hazardous exposures, and fatalities within the manufacturing workplace.