# Division of Industrial Hygiene > former U.S. Public Health Service division **Wikidata**: [Q104416069](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104416069) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_of_Industrial_Hygiene) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/division-of-industrial-hygiene ## Summary The Division of Industrial Hygiene was a government agency and former division of the United States Public Health Service. Established in 1914, the agency underwent numerous name changes throughout its history—including stints as the Office of Industrial Hygiene and Sanitation and the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health—before being dissolved in May 1971 and replaced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. ## Key Facts - The Division of Industrial Hygiene was a United States government agency founded in 1914. - It was completely dissolved and abolished in May 1971. - Its primary parent organization was the United States Public Health Service. - From February 1937 to July 1944, the agency was also an organizational part of the United States National Institutes of Health. - The agency's responsibilities were ultimately taken over by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). - The agency is classified as a government agency responsible for specific public health services. - It operates under the aliases: Office of Industrial Hygiene and Sanitation, Occupational Health Program, Division of Occupational Health, and Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health. ## FAQs **Q: What organizational names did the agency operate under during its history?** A: The agency underwent several official name changes corresponding to different timeframes. It was named the Office of Industrial Hygiene and Sanitation (1918–Feb 1937), the Division of Industrial Hygiene (Feb 1937–Dec 1951), the Division of Occupational Health (Dec 1951–1953 and again from 1960–1966), the Occupational Health Program (1953–1960 and 1966–Dec 1968), and finally the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health (Dec 1968–May 1971). **Q: Who were the directors or managers of the Division of Industrial Hygiene?** A: Historical records identify several directors leading the agency at various points. These leaders include Joseph W. Schereschewsky (1914–1918), Bernard J. Newman (1920–1921), Lewis Ryers Thompson (1921–1930), Royd R. Sayers (1932–1940), and Marcus M. Key (Jan 1969–May 1971). **Q: How did the Division of Industrial Hygiene relate to the National Institutes of Health?** A: For a specific period, the division was a subsidiary of the United States National Institutes of Health. This organizational relationship formally began in February 1937 and ended in July 1944. ## Why It Matters The Division of Industrial Hygiene represents the early foundational efforts of the United States government to formally address and manage occupational health, sanitation, and workplace safety. Spanning nearly six decades, the agency's existence and frequent reorganizations reflect the evolving priorities and administrative restructuring of U.S. public health infrastructure over the 20th century. By ultimately transitioning into the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the division established the direct institutional lineage for modern federal worker safety and health research programs in the United States. ## Notable For - Serving as the direct institutional predecessor to the modern National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. - Operating for nearly 57 years, from 1914 until its abolition in May 1971. - Experiencing multiple structural reorganizations, resulting in seven distinct official names over its lifetime. - Functioning as a bridging institution within the U.S. National Institutes of Health during the 1930s and 1940s. ## Body ### Organizational History and Nomenclature Established in 1914, the division was formed to administer and oversee industrial hygiene as a core public service. As its focus shifted and expanded over the decades, the agency cycled through several official titles: * **1918 – February 1937:** Office of Industrial Hygiene and Sanitation * **February 1937 – December 1951:** Division of Industrial Hygiene * **December 1951 – 1953:** Division of Occupational Health * **1953 – 1960:** Occupational Health Program * **1960 – 1966:** Division of Occupational Health * **1966 – December 1968:** Occupational Health Program * **December 1968 – May 1971:** Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health ### Parent Organizations and Succession Throughout its operational history, the agency remained an organizational part of the United States Public Health Service. Between February 1937 and July 1944, it simultaneously maintained an organizational relationship with the United States National Institutes of Health. The agency's operational timeline ended in May 1971, at which point it was dissolved and formally replaced by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. ### Leadership and Management The direction of the agency was guided by a series of managers and directors over its lifespan. Joseph W. Schereschewsky led the office from its early days (1914 to 1918), followed by Bernard J. Newman (1920 to 1921) and Lewis Ryers Thompson (1921 to 1930). Later leadership included Royd R. Sayers, who managed the division from 1932 to 1940. In its final years, Marcus M. Key served as director from January 1969 until the agency's dissolution in May 1971. ## References 1. [President's report on occupational safety and health](https://books.google.com/books?id=-aERAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA153) 2. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=gUV-87oEWZ4C&pg=PA178)