This week brought significant developments concerning the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), offering a measure of relief to occupational environmental, health and safety (EHS) professionals and workers nationwide. Following widespread concern over recent layoffs, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reinstated several hundred NIOSH employees, particularly those involved in vital programs such as black lung disease screening and respirator testing.

These reinstatements come in the wake of a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Irene Berger on May 14, mandating the immediate restoration of NIOSH staff and the continuation of health surveillance programs under the Mine Safety and Health Act. The judge emphasized the essential nature of these services in protecting miners from occupational diseases.

During a congressional hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget on May 14, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed that 328 staff members have been reinstated at NIOSH, with approximately one-third each returning to previous duty stations at Morgantown, WV, Cincinnati, OH, and the World Trade Center Health Program. He affirmed that programs related to black lung studies for coal miners and respirator testing will maintain continuity.

Additional NIOSH programs have also seen reversals in layoffs, including:

• Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program: Staff involved in investigating workplace health risks through the HHE program have been reinstated, suggesting the program will continue its mission to assist in identifying and addressing workplace hazards.
• National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL): Responsible for testing and certifying personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators and protective gear for firefighters, NPPTL staff reinstatements indicate a resumption of these critical functions.
• Respiratory Health Division: The entire division, which addresses respiratory health issues in various worker populations, including coal miners, had their layoff notices rescinded.
• Division of Safety Research: Staff within this division were reinstated, suggesting the continuation of NIOSH's broader safety research efforts.
• Division of Compensation and Analysis Support: This division saw the reversal of layoff notices, implying continued support for compensation and analysis related to occupational injuries and illnesses.
• Workplace Hazard Investigations (including Cancer Clusters): Reinstatement of staff involved in investigating workplace hazards, including potential cancer clusters, indicates restored capacity to respond to emerging workplace health concerns.
• Personal Dust Monitors (PDM) for Miners: Reinstatement of staff suggests that work related to miner safety programs, including the testing of PDM accuracy for coal dust, will continue.

Despite these positive developments, concerns remain about the overall impact of the proposed budget cuts on NIOSH's capacity to fully carry out its mission across all its programs. While some staff have been reinstated, there have been limited to no reinstatements reported in NIOSH operations serving the western region of the U.S. The long-term implications for national worker health research and protection remain uncertain.

ASSP was a leading voice in the response, working to ensure that vital worker safety programs could continue. In response to the NIOSH cuts and ongoing reinstatements, ASSP launched a coordinated advocacy effort that included engaging with legal and government affairs experts, submitting letters to federal leaders, participating in coalition statements and meetings, supporting affected members in West Virginia and encouraging members to contact their elected representatives. We also publicly reinforced the value of federal investment in occupational safety through statements, blogs and social media — elevating the voice of the EHS profession during a critical time.

 These actions contributed to the momentum that led to the partial restoration of NIOSH programs — a reminder of why member support is essential to sustaining our advocacy work. We continue to push for the full restoration of NIOSH’s capacity, especially in underserved regions, and emphasize that cuts to occupational safety infrastructure undermine national priorities like innovation, economic stability and workforce well-being.

ASSP will continue to monitor these developments closely and advocate for the necessary resources to ensure the health and safety of workers across all industries.