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Office of Research Services

Serving the NIH Community

How to Report Hazards, Injuries and Illnesses at NIH

At the NIH, we foster a positive safety culture, prioritizing hazard recognition and management to safeguard our employees from injury. Every member of our workforce plays a crucial role in this collective effort by promptly reporting workplace hazards to the Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS). Should a work-related injury occur, seeking immediate medical attention at the NIH Occupational Medical Service (OMS) is imperative.

Timely reporting of injuries, illnesses and hazards as soon as they arise is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. It's not just about the law; it's also about how we take care of each other as a community.

Please choose from the following options for reporting hazards, injuries or illnesses:

Report an Unsafe Working Condition, Anonymously if You Choose

If you believe an unsafe or unhealthful working condition exists in the workplace, you have the right and are encouraged to make a report (oral or written) of the condition to ORS. If you believe there is immediate danger to life or health, dial 911 from a desk phone (if safe to do so) or 301-496-9911 from a cell phone (once you are in a safe place).

Report an Occupational Injury or Illness to OMS:

Work-related injuries should be reported by the employee or supervisor to OMS based on the location where the injury occurred.

Maryland Campuses (Baltimore, Bethesda, Poolesville)

  • Call the OMS Main Clinic at 301-496-4411 during office hours (M-F, 7:30am-5pm ET)

Integrated Research Facility (IRF) – Frederick 

  • Call the on-site OMS Clinic 301-631-7233 during office hours (M-F, 8am-4:30pm ET)

Research Triangle Park

  • Call the on-site OMS Clinic at 984-287-4177 during office hours (M-F, 8am-4:30pm ET)

Rocky Mountain Laboratories

  • Call the on-site OMS Clinic at 406-375-9755 during office hours (M-F, 8am-4:30pm MT)

Phoenix, Arizona  

  • Call the OMS Main Clinic at 301-496-4411 during office hours (M-F, 9:30am-3pm MT) 

Medical Emergencies in the Workplace:

For after-hours, work-related emergencies, such as exposure to human or non-human primate bodily fluids, infectious agents, or injuries requiring emergency medical transport, please call the NIH Operator at 301-496-1211 and request to speak with the on-call OMS physician.

For serious and life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 from a desk phone (if safe to do so) or 301-496-9911 from a cell phone (once you are in a safe place). This connects you directly to NIH's Emergency Communications Center. It's a good idea to program 301-496-9911 into your cell phone.

If you have questions or would like more information, visit the DOHS website or call 301-496-2960.

Thank you for doing your part in promoting a safe work environment at the NIH. ​