While conducting its research, NIOSH may make workplace investigations, gather testimony from employers and employees and require that employers measure and report employee exposure to potentially hazardous materials.

NIOSH conducts research on various safety and health problems, provides technical assistance to OSHA and recommends standards for OSHA's adoption. Recommendations for standards also may come from NIOSH, established by the Act as an agency of the Department of HHS. * Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, which advises the Secretary of Labor on formulation of construction safety and health standards and other regulations. The two standing advisory committees are: * National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH), which advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of HHS and to the Secretary of Labor on matters regarding administration of the Act.

All Advisory committees, standing or ad hoc, must have members representing management, labor, and state agencies, as well as one or more designees of the Secretary of HHS. There are two standing committees, and ad hoc committees may be appointed to examine special areas of concern to OSHA. If OSHA determines that a specific standard is needed, any of several advisory committees may be called upon to develop specific recommendations.

OSHA can begin standards-setting procedures on its own initiative, or in response to petitions from other parties, including the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) state and local governments any nationally-recognized standards-producing organization employer or labor representatives or any other interested person.

Osha stands for emergency training