WASHINGTON — The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is facing significant layoffs as part of a restructuring plan announced by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At least two-thirds of NIOSH’s workforce, around 873 employees, will be laid off as part of a broader reduction of 10,000 jobs across the department this year, according to federal health officials, CBS News reported.
What is NIOSH?
Founded in 1970, NIOSH plays a vital role in investigating workplace safety, including addressing outbreaks and injuries. The agency’s programs are crucial for first responders, particularly firefighters. Among the programs potentially impacted by the cuts is the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, which tracks cancer rates among firefighters, as well as initiatives stemming from the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
The restructuring plan, which is set to take effect by June 30, also includes significant cuts to the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), the branch responsible for approving vital protective equipment such as N95 respirators. The union representing NIOSH employees has raised concerns about the deep cuts, especially affecting the Pittsburgh and Spokane offices, which house about 200 staff members, most of whom are expected to be impacted by the layoffs.
844995907 HHS Union Notification by Lexipol_Media_Group on Scribd
What is the firefighter fatality program?
In particular, the Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which was established by Congress in 1998 to address firefighter safety, could be at risk. This program is responsible for investigating line-of-duty deaths and injuries among firefighters, identifying contributing factors, and developing strategies to prevent future incidents. NIOSH’s work has been instrumental in shaping initiatives aimed at reducing firefighter deaths and injuries, but fire service leaders fear that the cuts may jeopardize these efforts.
NIOSH’s teams, which fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have been instrumental in advancing firefighter safety. However, the restructuring would see NIOSH merged into a new “Administration for a Healthy America,” which would also absorb other agencies like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
As federal health officials brace for the impacts of the restructuring, the fate of these critical firefighter safety programs remains uncertain, with concerns rising over the long-term effects on first responders who rely on NIOSH’s research and support.
