Donald Trump’s claim that he is “standing up for the American worker” is contradicted by his administration’s dismantling of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency that has protected U.S. workers for over five decades. Founded under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, NIOSH has been central to developing occupational safety standards and conducting research into workplace risks, including fatalities among firefighters and long-term health effects in coal miners.
Just one day before Trump announced new tariffs supposedly in support of American labor, hundreds of NIOSH employees learned they were being laid off. The cuts particularly affected the Morgantown, West Virginia facility, which has long focused on coal-related illnesses such as black lung disease. This condition has seen a resurgence in recent years. These layoffs will severely impact ongoing research and worker protections in a region already vulnerable to occupational health issues.
NIOSH’s work extends beyond coal country. The agency supports surveillance programs in 23 states and addresses regional occupational health needs. These include healthcare worker safety, construction industry fatalities, and environmental health risks. It also administered the World Trade Center Health Program, which studied the long-term effects of 9/11 on first responders. Additionally, the agency has examined the link between occupational injuries and opioid overdose deaths, particularly in physically demanding jobs like construction.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, NIOSH played an instrumental role in evaluating air filtration and approving respirators to protect frontline workers. It also funds training programs that have helped build the next generation of occupational health professionals. Many of these professionals now serve in hospitals, unions, and advocacy organisations.
The timing of the cuts is especially troubling. In 2023, the U.S. recorded over 5,280 fatal occupational injuries, which averages to one every 99 minutes. Workplace violence is increasing, especially in healthcare settings, and climate change is introducing new hazards through rising temperatures and extreme weather events. As technology reshapes the labor landscape, emerging risks from artificial intelligence and automation require rigorous study.
In this context, weakening or dismantling NIOSH undermines both current worker safety and future preparedness. While the fate of the remaining agency and its programs remains uncertain, the article urges public support for NIOSH’s mission and its staff. These workers have long contributed to safer working conditions for millions of Americans.
