Understanding the Economic Benefit Associated with Research and Services at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: An Approach and Three Case Studies

Abstract

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Government‐led innovation acceleration: Case studies of US federal government innovation and technology acceleration organizations

“…Outcomes for improved worker safety and health depend on businesses, consultants, insurance company loss executives, and universities as much or more than NIOSH (Miller et al, 2017, p. 1). Scholars refer to process of a mix of public and private groups contributing to a widely‐beneficial social outcome as “co‐production” (Bovaird, 2007).…”

“…The organization tracks bibliometrics using citation analysis, keeps portfolio assessments built from subject matter expert valuations (CDC, 2016), and conducts case studies of particular innovations, using process tracing backwards from a particular outcome to the research and translation process that produced it (Miller et al, 2017, p. 1). One challenge is that the benefits of investments in innovation are sometimes realized far in the future and after many organizations other than NIOSH have been involved.…”

Case studies of robots and automation as health/safety interventions in small manufacturing enterprises

“…The study was motivated by an interest in the use of industrial robots and other forms of more advanced programmable automation in mitigating workplace hazards and improving safety and health. The unique data source comes from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (OHBWC) safety intervention grant (SIG) program, an insurer‐supported grant program that provides a subsidy to incentivize employers to implement equipment interventions to improve safety and health in their workplaces (Miller et al, 2018; Wurzelbacher et al, 2014). A requirement of the SIG program is that grant awardees (employers) submit a follow‐up case study report at least 1 year after the award to describe experiences with the intervention equipment.…”

The Impact of a State-Based Workers’ Compensation Insurer’s Risk Control Services on Employer Claim Frequency and Cost Rates

“…[2][3][4][5][6] Several WC insurers also offer programs to provide insured employers funds to implement engineering controls and other prevention activities. 5,7,8 Insurer RC consulting services range in the mode of implementation from remote consultation (via email, phone or video calls) to onsite risk assessment walkthroughs and training. Such onsite services may include detailed video-based safety/ergonomic job analyses, IH air/noise sampling, and physical hazard assessments.…”

“…WC insurer systems provide risk control (RC) services such as safety, ergonomic and industrial hygiene (IH) consulting 2–6 . Several WC insurers also offer programs to provide insured employers funds to implement engineering controls and other prevention activities 5,7,8 …”