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Federal officials are reinstating hundreds of U.S. health workers who were laid off last year from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a small but vital agency dedicated to protecting workers across various industries.
Last April, the Trump administration significantly reduced NIOSH’s workforce, laying off nearly 900 of the agency’s 1,000 employees. The mass terminations were part of a broader effort to reshape the federal workforce, spearheaded by then-adviser Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. The move triggered widespread criticism from numerous stakeholders, including firefighters, coal miners, and medical equipment manufacturers who rely on the agency’s research and recommendations.
NIOSH plays a crucial role in America’s occupational safety landscape. The agency conducts research and develops guidelines aimed at preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and deaths across various industries. Its work has been particularly important for high-risk occupations such as mining, firefighting, and construction.
Some employees were brought back last year amid mounting legal challenges and political pressure, particularly those staffing health monitoring programs for miners in West Virginia—a politically significant constituency in a key electoral state. However, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents workers at NIOSH and parts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has now confirmed that all terminations have been rescinded.
“The administration’s attempt to lay off nearly every NIOSH worker was shameful and illegal, considering that much of NIOSH’s work is required by law,” said AFGE national president Everett Kelley in a statement.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the reinstatements. Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesman, stated, “The Trump Administration is committed to protecting essential services—whether it’s supporting coal miners and firefighters through NIOSH, safeguarding public health through lead prevention, or researching and tracking the most prevalent communicable diseases.”
However, Nixon did not address questions about the total number of workers being reinstated, the reasoning behind the original layoffs, or what prompted HHS to reverse its decision. The administration has remained notably silent on these details, raising questions about the policy reversal’s timing and motivation.
The impact of the layoffs has been significant. At the end of last year, the CDC had approximately 10,800 full-time workers—about 20% fewer than before the April layoffs began. The staffing reductions disrupted numerous ongoing programs and research initiatives.
It remains unclear how many of the laid-off NIOSH workers will actually return to their positions. Many have likely taken other jobs or opted for early retirement during the intervening period. Michael Barasch, an attorney who represents 9/11 survivors and families who rely on NIOSH’s World Trade Center Health Program, described the original layoffs and their impact as “horrifying.”
Barasch pointed to real-world consequences of the disruption, noting that the layoffs delayed crucial diagnoses and treatments for many patients. “People died because of these cuts,” he asserted, highlighting the human cost of the administrative decision.
The reinstatement of NIOSH workers represents a significant policy reversal by the administration. The move comes amid growing recognition of the agency’s essential role in protecting worker safety across multiple industries, from mining to healthcare, particularly during a time when occupational hazards have been highlighted by the ongoing pandemic and other workplace safety concerns.
The CDC and NIOSH now face the challenge of rebuilding their workforce and resuming critical research and monitoring programs that were disrupted by the layoffs. The long-term impacts of this temporary but substantial reduction in capacity may continue to affect America’s occupational safety infrastructure for years to come.
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9 Comments
The mass layoffs at NIOSH last year were very concerning. I’m glad to see the administration taking steps to restore the agency’s capacity. Workplace safety should not be a political football – NIOSH needs stable, long-term support to protect workers.
Absolutely. NIOSH plays a vital role in evidence-based policymaking around workplace safety. Its independence and resources must be protected, regardless of which party is in power.
Mining and other hazardous industries rely heavily on NIOSH’s expertise. Reinstating these laid-off researchers is good news for worker safety and health. It’s crucial that the agency maintains sufficient resources and autonomy to do its job effectively.
Restoring the NIOSH workforce is an important win for workplace safety. The agency’s expertise is invaluable, especially for industries like mining that have inherent hazards. I hope this signals a broader commitment to evidence-based policymaking on occupational health issues.
Reinstating the NIOSH researchers is a positive development, but I hope this is just the first step. The agency’s budget and staffing levels need to be fully restored to ensure it can adequately fulfill its mission of protecting workers in high-risk sectors.
Glad to hear the NIOSH researchers are being reinstated. Their work is vital for protecting the health and safety of workers in high-risk industries like mining. Hopefully this signals a return to evidence-based policymaking.
The mass layoffs at NIOSH last year were concerning, given the agency’s crucial role in workplace safety research and guidelines. Restoring these positions is an important step, but I hope there are measures to prevent such politically-motivated staffing cuts in the future.
Agreed. NIOSH needs stable, long-term funding and political independence to effectively carry out its mission. Frequent staffing turmoil undermines the agency’s ability to serve workers.
The NIOSH layoffs were a misguided political move that undermined worker safety. I’m glad the administration is reversing course and restoring these critical research positions. But we need lasting solutions to insulate the agency from future partisan attacks.