AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler has voiced strong objections to the recent workforce reductions at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), carried out by the Trump administration. According to Shuler, this downsizing, which includes the termination of nearly 900 employees, poses serious risks to worker safety across various industries.
“Every worker should be able to go home safe and healthy at the end of their shift—but the Trump administration is gutting NIOSH, which will have devastating and irreversible effects on workers’ lives,” Shuler declared. She cited statistics showing more than 5,000 annual job-related deaths due to injuries and an additional 135,000 from occupational diseases. “These numbers will only increase now that the government is firing the federal workers who make workplaces safer,” she warned.
Shuler highlighted the role of NIOSH as a skilled agency ensuring safety for workers in high-risk sectors such as coal mining, firefighting, construction, and healthcare. The agency is also known for its work with 9/11 responders and survivors. “Firing the NIOSH workforce sets up a domino effect of serious and dangerous consequences: the government will no longer research emerging health hazards, methods to prevent mine explosions, or certify the safety of respirators and other critical personal protective equipment,” Shuler commented.
“This action is a gift to corporations that want to slash worker protections to create more profits. It’s an insult to the workers who put their lives on the line at work every day and their families who wait for them to come home. The Trump administration must reverse this anti-worker, anti-health and safety action,” Shuler urged. The AFL-CIO intends to oppose the cuts and advocate for the restoration of NIOSH’s full capabilities.
