The Trump administration reinstated nearly 900 employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on Wednesday, including those at the Morgantown facility located on Willowdale Road. This decision reverses significant job cuts initiated in April 2023, which had raised concerns about the safety of workers, particularly in high-risk industries like coal mining.
Dr. Yong Qian, a research biologist at the NIOSH Morgantown site, confirmed that employees began returning to their labs and offices immediately following the announcement. The reinstatement affects multiple NIOSH locations, including facilities in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Spokane, Washington. The initial layoffs were part of an effort by the Trump administration to reduce what was described as a bloated bureaucracy.
Safety advocates expressed concern when the cuts were announced, fearing that they would compromise workplace safety standards. “NIOSH is critical to coal miner safety,” said J. Davitt McAteer, who previously served as assistant secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration under President Bill Clinton. With a personal connection to the mining industry, McAteer underscored the essential role NIOSH plays in ensuring miner safety, highlighting its contributions in areas such as respirator design and machinery oversight.
Dr. Micah Niemeir-Walsh, an industrial hygienist and vice president of Local 3840 of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), celebrated the reinstatement. “This moment belongs to every single person who refused to stay silent,” he remarked, attributing the victory to collective efforts including rallies and media campaigns held in Morgantown. Signs during these rallies, such as “My gosh, you’re going to miss NIOSH,” reflect the community’s commitment to preserving the agency’s vital functions.
Everett Kelley, national president of AFGE, criticized the administration’s earlier decision to lay off the NIOSH workforce, labeling it “shameful and illegal.” He emphasized that much of NIOSH’s work is mandated by law, stating, “We will continue fighting to ensure NIOSH has the resources and support it needs to serve the American public.”
The reinstatement of these employees not only restores jobs but also reinforces the commitment to occupational safety standards that are crucial for high-risk jobs. As workers filter back into their roles, there is optimism about the agency’s renewed capacity to address safety challenges, particularly for coal miners and others in hazardous occupations.
With the reinstatement of these nearly 900 jobs, NIOSH is poised to continue its critical mission of safeguarding worker health and safety. The decision marks a significant shift in policy that reflects the ongoing dialogue around workplace safety and the importance of federal support for health initiatives in high-risk industries.
