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CDC recently concluded that (3):

B. The Mandates to NIOSH in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970—The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the right to safe and healthful working conditions for every working man and woman, and the obligations to provide work and a workplace which are "free of recognized hazards." In its opening paragraphs Congress declared its purpose in passing the Act to be (13):

In Section 20 of the Act, Research and Related Activities, which defines the responsibilities of NIOSH, the Act requires that the Director of NIOSH (13):

This mandate sharply defines the obligation of NIOSH to formulate science-based assessments of risk and preventive recommendations which, if implemented, would assure that no worker develops illness as a consequence of exposure at work. Specifically, as regards the occupational transmission of tuberculosis in health-care facilities, NIOSH interpreted its mandate as recommending, where necessary, the use of personal respiratory protection that would assure that no worker will be infected with tubercle bacillus as a result