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Parts of US body NIOSH being restored after industry concerns about worker safety
19 May 2025
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, descending stairs, in a photo from 2021. Image: Adobe Stock
Parts of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a US federal body, are being restored in what appears to be a reversal of plans to shutter the organisation.
Last month, news emerged that US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. planned to restructure Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and in particular the NIOSH and its National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL).
It left the 54-year-old NIOSH at risk of closure by 1 June.
A total of 41 industry organisations, including several from the construction industry such as the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and National Demolition Association, signed a letter in April to Kennedy to express concern at the development.
Now news has emerged that the head of NIOSH, Dr. John Howard, and some staff have received letters reversing their layoffs, a day before House and Senate hearings with Secretary Kennedy where he was expected to face questions on the issue, according to CBS News.
“Secretary Kennedy has been working hard to ensure that the critical functions under NIOSH remain intact. The Trump Administration is committed to supporting coal miners and firefighters, and under the Secretary’s leadership, NIOSH’s essential services will continue as HHS streamlines its operations,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an email.
NIOSH’s Personal Protective Laboratory certifies respiratory protective equipment (Image: NIOSH)
It is not clear, however, whether programmes related to construction will be reinstated and other NIOSH employees who were notified of layoffs have not received any communication rescinding the move.
NIOSH collaborates closely with OSHA, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training – and university researchers on what are known as the OSHA Focus Four Hazards: falls, struck-by incidents, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. These categories alone account for more than half of all construction deaths in the US.
It also has the only lab that certifies respirators for American workers (the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory).
Following his reinstatement, Howard wrote in an email, “While we celebrate with those who received a rescission letter from HHS, I am mindful that others did not. I am hopeful that we can continue to make the case for reinstating everyone at NIOSH.”
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