What Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety does

Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) is a NIOSH-funded (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) research center headquartered in Cooperstown, New York, and operationally affiliated with Bassett Healthcare Network. Its mission is to identify actionable occupational health and safety solutions for workers in three high-fatality industries — agriculture, forestry, and commercial fishing — across the Northeast US (Maine, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island), with selective program reach to Alaska and Oregon.

NEC's core products are programmatic rather than software-based. The portfolio includes the ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structures) tractor safety program, the In the Wheelhouse fishermen's health and wellness pilot in partnership with Bassett Medical Center, the Sleep Deprivation at Sea research study using wearable health devices, the Man Therapy mental health campaign, Lifejackets for Fishermen, the Dairy Safety Nudging Project, the Mr. Good Egg demonstration tool, the PTO Safety program, and a reduced-price safety gear catalog. Delivery is mediated through the NEASHC coalition (Northeast Ag Safety + Health Coalition), the IdeasThatWork Incubator with George Mason University, and direct community/hospital partnerships.

The business model is government-grant-funded rather than commercial. NEC operates as one of 11 federally designated NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health, receiving cooperative agreement funding supplemented by targeted grants (e.g., $650,000 from the National Library of Medicine in September 2025). Services — including health assessments, publications, training, and most educational content — are provided free to end users. The center markets through its website, email newsletter, social media, research publications, semi-annual coalition meetings, and Fields of Knowledge webinars. There is no commercial SaaS or licensed-software revenue model; the organization functions as a federally chartered research and outreach program within Bassett Healthcare's institutional umbrella.

Name

Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety

Legal name

Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety

Website

https://necenter.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) is a NIOSH-funded research center in Cooperstown, NY that develops occupational safety, health assessment, and mental health programs for agricultural, forestry, and commercial fishing workers across the Northeast US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Occupational Health and Safety Research

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO), Non-Communicable Disease Prevention & Chronic Disease Programs (BPAIAJAI)

Keywords

• Occupational health research
• Agricultural safety programs
• Commercial fishing safety
• Forestry worker health
• NIOSH training resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Cooperstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government/NIOSH Funding: The center operates as a NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) funded Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, receiving federal research grants to support its mission of improving occupational health in farming, forestry, and fishing industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Northeast Center is a NIOSH-funded research center that develops and delivers occupational health and safety programs for the agriculture, forestry, and commercial fishing industries. Its core offerings include safety training programs (ROPS, PTO Safety, Mr. Good Egg), free clinical health assessments for fishermen, mental health awareness campaigns, collaborative research studies (sleep deprivation, tick-borne disease), a NEASHC stakeholder coalition, and a safety gear catalog providing PPE at reduced prices.

Product overview

The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety is a NIOSH-funded research center offering a portfolio of occupational safety and health programs for the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. The core offerings include safety training programs (ROPS, PTO Safety), health assessment services (In the Wheelhouse, Sleep Deprivation Study), mental health resources (Man Therapy partnership, state-specific resources), and equipment programs (Lifejackets, Safety Gear Catalog). These programs are delivered through collaborative partnerships including NEASHC coalition and the IdeasThatWork Incubator with George Mason University. The organization focuses on identifying actionable solutions through surveillance, training, and community-based interventions rather than a traditional software product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ROPS Program (Roll Over Protective Structures)
• In the Wheelhouse - Fishermen's Health and Wellness Program A community/hospital partnership pilot program in Stonington, Maine providing free comprehensive health assessments and wellness services for commercial fishermen, addressing barriers to healthcare access in remote coastal communities. Delivered in partnership with Bassett Medical Center.
• Sleep Deprivation at Sea Study A two-year collaborative research project with fishermen in Alaska, Oregon, and the Northeast studying the intersection of sleep and health in commercial fishing, including free comprehensive health exams and wearable health device monitoring. Conducted in partnership with AMSEA and Oregon State University.
• Lifejackets for Fishermen A safety equipment program providing personal flotation devices and safety gear to commercial fishermen to reduce drowning-related fatalities in fishing operations. Recognized in industry testimonials for setting a "standard of excellence."
• Mental Health in Commercial Fishing Resources A comprehensive mental health support initiative providing state-specific and national resources, crisis hotlines, and educational materials addressing elevated PTSD and suicide rates among commercial fishermen. Includes the Man Therapy campaign delivered in partnership with Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.
• Mr. Good Egg A physical demonstration tool used in training sessions to illustrate the dangers of tractors not equipped with ROPS structures, helping farmers understand the physics and risks of tractor rollovers.
• PTO Safety Program Power Take-Off (PTO) safety training and educational resources focused on preventing entanglement injuries in agricultural operations.
• Dairy Safety Nudging Project A research-based initiative using behavioral economics/nudging principles to improve safety practices and compliance on dairy farms.
• NEASHC (Northeast Ag Safety + Health Coalition) A regional coalition bringing together agricultural, forestry, and fishing safety and health professionals across the Northeast to share knowledge, provide training, and develop collaborative workplace safety solutions. Hosts semi-annual Spring and Fall meetings.
• IdeasThatWork Incubator A collaborative innovation initiative with George Mason University developing practical workplace health and safety solutions for farming, forestry, and fishing industries.
• Safety Gear Catalog An e-commerce catalog offering personal protective equipment (PPE), tractor safety accessories, and logging-specific protective gear at reduced prices for farmers, loggers, and fishermen.
• H5N1 (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) Resources A resource program providing health guidance and information for agricultural workers on H5N1 (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) exposure risks.
• COVID-19 Resources for Agricultural Workers A resource program providing guidance and information for agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers on COVID-19 risks, prevention, and workplace safety.
• Tick-Borne Disease Risk Reduction Program A research and resource program focused on reducing tick-borne disease risk (e.g., Lyme disease) among agricultural workers in the Northeast.
• Bluestone Cutters Health Study A health research study focused on the occupational health risks of bluestone cutters, with active subject recruitment via the Bassett REDCap survey system.
• NEASHC Training for Trainers A Training-for-Trainers program within the NEASHC coalition, designed to build local capacity for delivering agricultural, forestry, and fishing safety training across the Northeast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free health assessments valued at $600 provided to fishermen with $50 gift card compensation for participation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Northeast Center is one of 11 NIOSH-funded Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health across the US. Partners include UMash (University of Minnesota), AgHealth (University of Iowa), SW Center (Texas), WCAHS (UC Davis), PNASH (University of Washington), SE Center, Great Plains Center, NCCRAHS (Children's), HICAHS (Colorado State), and SCCAH (Southwest Coastal).
• George Mason UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the IdeasThatWork Incubator program, combining academic research capabilities with occupational health expertise.
• NEASHC (Northeast Ag Safety + Health Coalition)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition bringing together stakeholders from farming, forestry, and fishing industries across the Northeast to share knowledge and develop collaborative safety solutions. Hosts semi-annual meetings (Spring and Fall).
• Bassett Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partnership providing occupational health clinicians for the fishermen's health and wellness pilot program in Stonington, Maine. Provides free comprehensive health assessments for fishermen.
• Maine Coast Fishermen's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the Man Therapy mental health campaign for commercial fishermen and community wellness initiatives. MCFA Director of Community Programs (Monique Coombs) is part of the fishing mental health project team.
• Man TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative mental health awareness campaign using humor to destigmatize seeking help for mental health issues. Specifically tailored content for commercial fishermen facing high rates of stress, depression, and suicide.
• AMSEA (Alaska Marine Safety Education Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the sleep deprivation research study and fishermen's health assessments. AMSEA's Lead Trainer (Jerry Dzugan) and Executive Director (Leann Cyr, PhD) are part of the study team.
• Oregon State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the two-year sleep deprivation study. Laurel Kincl, PhD, CSP from OSU is part of the study team investigating intersection of sleep and health in commercial fishermen.
• NYCAMH (New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint hosting of Fields of Knowledge dialogue sessions on farmer mental health and stress management. Co-announcement of the 2025 Hero Award with the Northeast Center.
• Land & Sea TogetherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhode Island organization building a network of services to reduce stress for fisheries, forestry, and farming enterprises. Over 25 organizational partners working on health and well-being of farming, fisheries, and forestry communities.
• Fishing Partnership Support ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit support services organization dedicated to improving health, safety and economic security of commercial fishermen and their families. Listed as Massachusetts resource for fishermen's mental health.
• AgriStress Response NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network focused on protecting agricultural workers and eliminating stigma around accessing mental health support for stress, depression, anxiety and suicide.
• Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides resources for fishermen on safety and wellness in Rhode Island.
• Seafarers' FriendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting seafarers with supporting network of human services including retirement, financial, job training, translators and medical services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PNASH (Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health): NIOSH-funded Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Washington, covering the Pacific Northwest region. Direct peer within the same 11-center federal network, with overlapping mandate in farming, forestry, and fishing occupational health research and outreach.
• UMASH (Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center): NIOSH-funded Center at the University of Minnesota serving the Upper Midwest. Direct peer with parallel mission in agricultural worker safety, surveillance, and intervention programs - explicitly partnered with NEC in the national network.
• WCAHS (Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety): NIOSH-funded Center at UC Davis serving the Western US. Direct peer focused on agricultural health and safety research, training, and outreach - sister center within the same federal funding network as NEC.
• Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health: NIOSH-funded Center at the University of Iowa serving the Great Plains region. Direct peer with overlapping agricultural safety research, surveillance, and intervention programs as part of the same 11-center federal network.
• HICAHS (High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety): NIOSH-funded Center at Colorado State University covering the High Plains and Intermountain West. Direct peer focused on agricultural worker safety research, with similar funding model and program structure as NEC.
• Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education: NIOSH-funded Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Direct peer within the same 11-center federal network, focused on agricultural injury prevention in the Southwest region.
• NYCAMH (New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health): New York-based agricultural health and safety center, explicitly partnered with NEC for Fields of Knowledge sessions and the 2025 Hero Award. Direct peer in overlapping geography and mission, focused on Northeast farm worker health.
• National Farm Medicine Center: NIOSH-funded National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute. Direct peer within the same federal network, focused on agricultural safety with national rather than regional scope.
• AMSEA (Alaska Marine Safety Education Association): Alaska-based marine safety organization focused on commercial fishing safety training and education. Direct peer in fishing safety with formal research collaboration with NEC on the sleep deprivation study, sharing overlapping domain expertise.

Emerging players

• AgriSafe Network: National nonprofit network focused on protecting agricultural workers and eliminating stigma around mental health access. Adjacent organization with overlapping mental health mission for agricultural workers, listed as a partner resource for NEC's programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety