The recent announcement of mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sent shockwaves through public health and workplace safety communities.
With 10,000 job cuts across HHS—including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)—the ripple effects are expected to significantly impact workplace safety, regulatory enforcement, and employer responsibilities.
The Role of NIOSH in Workplace Safety
NIOSH, a division within the CDC, plays a crucial role in researching and developing occupational safety guidelines that inform the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The agency conducts workplace studies, develops safety recommendations, and provides scientific evidence that forms the backbone of OSHA regulations. This includes research on hazards faced by firefighters, miners, healthcare workers, truck drivers, and manufacturing employees.
However, with reports indicating that up to 90% of NIOSH’s workforce is being laid off, the agency’s ability to conduct critical workplace research will be significantly reduced.
The elimination of entire divisions, such as the coal industry safety monitoring unit, raises concerns about workers being left vulnerable to occupational diseases like black lung disease.
How OSHA Will Be Affected
OSHA, which is responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards, relies heavily on NIOSH data and research to establish new regulations and improve existing ones.
Without NIOSH’s contributions, OSHA faces several major challenges:
- Delayed or Weakened Safety Standards – OSHA’s ability to introduce new protective measures relies on scientific research conducted by NIOSH. With fewer studies, there will be less data to justify new workplace safety regulations, potentially leading to fewer or weaker protections for workers.
- Reduced Enforcement Capabilities – While OSHA enforces safety standards, it often works in tandem with NIOSH to identify emerging hazards. The loss of NIOSH research means OSHA may struggle to stay ahead of new workplace safety threats.
- Limited Resources for Employers – NIOSH provides research-based recommendations that help employers implement best practices for worker safety. The layoffs may reduce the availability of guidance materials, making it harder for businesses to ensure compliance and protect employees.
Implications for Employers
Employers across industries will likely feel the impact of these layoffs in several ways:
- Increased Liability Risks – Without up-to-date research from NIOSH, businesses may struggle to adopt the most effective safety protocols. This could lead to higher workplace injury rates, increased workers’ compensation claims, and greater legal liability for companies failing to maintain safe conditions.
- Regulatory Uncertainty – With OSHA expected to operate with less scientific backing, businesses may face uncertainty regarding compliance requirements and safety best practices.
- Greater Burden on Internal Safety Programs – Companies may need to invest more in independent safety research, training programs, and third-party audits to compensate for the loss of federal workplace safety research.
The Long-Term Outlook
Experts, including former OSHA head David Michaels, warn that these cuts could have lasting consequences for workplace safety. The potential for fewer safety regulations, weaker enforcement, and increased risks to workers may ultimately lead to higher injury and fatality rates across multiple industries.
For employers, this underscores the importance of proactively strengthening internal safety programs, staying informed on evolving hazards, and advocating for workplace protections despite the federal cutbacks.
Organizations in high-risk industries may need to collaborate with private research groups, industry associations, and safety professionals to bridge the gap left by NIOSH’s downsizing.
The mass layoffs at HHS, particularly at NIOSH, represent a significant shift in the landscape of workplace safety and regulation. While OSHA remains the enforcement arm of workplace safety, its ability to uphold strong standards depends on the research and recommendations that NIOSH historically provided.
Without these resources, the burden of ensuring worker safety will increasingly fall on employers, industry groups, and state agencies.
The coming months will reveal just how deep the impact of these cuts will be—and how employers and safety professionals will need to adapt.
How can CNS Occupational Medicine help?
Investing in occupational medicine services is not just about compliance; it’s about showing a commitment to employee health and safety year-round, providing both immediate and long-term financial benefits for employers.
Our Occupational Medicine Team will develop a custom plan for your company. You may need a combination of services related to:
We understand the impact that lost time, limited duty, and medical costs have on the company and the employee.
So, work with an occupational medicine provider that can be staffed on-site or have a mobile health clinic come to reduce employee downtime away from the office.
We also have a strong understanding of the OSHA recordkeeping rule and how certain medical diagnosis and treatments impact your OSHA 300 log.
Contact our medical team to develop your custom plan at 800.551.9816 or info@cnsoccmed.com.
