Program Goals

A key leadership role for the Oil and Gas Extraction Program is the development of goals to reduce the rate of injury and disease among workers in the oil and gas extraction industry by implementing effective interventions. The Oil and Gas Extraction Program is in the process of updating our goals to guide NIOSH research and partnership efforts over the next decade.

NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach

NIOSH organizes its research, guidance, information and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Ten sector programs represent industrial sectors, and seven cross-sector programs are organized around health and safety outcomes. There are also numerous core and specialty programs that represent special emphasis areas, methodological approaches, core activities and legislatively mandated programs.

The sector programs intersect with cross-sector programs in a matrix-like fashion, with relevant core and specialty programs playing a supporting role. 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 Traumatic Injury Prevention 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 NIOSH goals.

Below are the current goals for the Nation developed during the second decade of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Oil and Gas Extraction Program Strategic Goals for Intramural Research

• Strategic Goal 1: Decrease transportation-related injuries and fatalities to oil and gas extraction workers.
• Strategic Goal 2: Reduce contact injuries to oil and gas extraction workers.
• Strategic Goal 3: Reduce injuries due to falls among oil and gas extraction workers.
• Strategic Goal 4: Reduce injuries to oil and gas workers resulting from fires and explosions.
• Strategic Goal 6: Identify risks and reduce occupational-related disease and illness from chemical exposures among oil and gas extraction workers.
• Strategic Goal 8: Decrease fatigue-related injuries and fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry.
• Strategic Goal 9: Reduce the incidence of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among vulnerable workers in the oil and gas extraction industry such as contract workers, young and old workers, workers new to the industry, and immigrants.
• Strategic Goal 10: Reduce the incidence of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among workers employed by small companies (less than 100 employees) in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Oil and Gas Extraction Program Priority Strategic Goals for NIOSH-funded Extramural Research

The NIOSH Oil and Gas Extraction Program selected the following strategic goals as particularly suited for extramural research during fiscal year 2017. Goals are presented in order of priority (highest to lowest).

• Strategic Goal 1: Decrease transportation-related injuries and fatalities to oil and gas extraction workers.
• Strategic Goal 10: Reduce the incidence of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among workers employed by small companies (less than 100 employees) in the oil and gas extraction industry.
• Strategic Goal 8: Decrease fatigue-related injuries and fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Those seeking NIOSH grants to conduct studies related to the Oil and Gas Extraction are invited to view the current funding opportunities.