AFL-CIO Condemns NIOSH Cuts, Urges Reversal of Anti-Worker Actions

The Impact of NIOSH Staff Reductions on Worker Safety

In light of recent cuts by the Trump administration, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler has voiced strong concerns over the repercussions of terminating nearly 900 employees from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

The decision to reduce the workforce at NIOSH, an agency known for its expertise in health and safety, has raised alarms about an increase in workplace-related injuries and fatalities. With more than 5,000 annual deaths from workplace injuries and 135,000 from occupational diseases, critics argue that the move will exacerbate these figures. The workers who remain at NIOSH will face challenges in continuing the agency's crucial work in ensuring safe working conditions, especially in high-risk sectors like coal mining, firefighting, construction, and healthcare.

NIOSH's role in providing medical monitoring to 9/11 responders and evaluating safety standards for personal protective equipment is now under threat. The staff cuts could hinder the government's ability to research new health hazards, devise methods to prevent disasters like mine explosions, and certify the safety of essential safety gear.

The AFL-CIO perceives this decision as favoring corporate interests over worker safety, characterizing it as a detriment to workers who face occupational hazards daily. Shuler's statement emphasizes the need for the administration to reconsider these reductions, highlighting the organization's commitment to advocating for the restoration of NIOSH's critical functions.

For further information, contact Prerna Jagadeesh at 202-637-5018.