Those of you who know me may understand I sometimes can’t not write, even if I posted a blog earlier in the week. (That’s why I say on average I post two blogs a month.) No longer with a day job, it’s easy for me to get wrapped up in something I must share. I too know my writing this blog can’t change anything; now that it appears decisions have been made. It’s something, honestly, I never imagined could happen on top of all those other things we didn’t imagine could happen in the United States we know.

Anyone who follows me or other safety and health professionals on social media may have noticed pleas to save NIOSH, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Yes, I have had part of my salary in the past funded a bit by Total Worker Health Center funds; during the pandemic I had 10% of my income from NIOSH to provide workplace resources within the Pacific Northwest to employers. And I received my (amazing) graduate school education thanks to one of the soon-to-be de-funded Education Research Centers at the University of Washington.

I rarely use AI , but I did it now and I found a response to my question – Is it too late to save NIOSH? – disturbing, and it supports what I have heard from my colleagues and friends. “It appears the cuts to NIOSH may already be underway, with a majority of the workforce having been terminated. While efforts are being made to reverse the cuts, the situation is dire and there is concern that it may be too late to fully restore NIOSH’s functions.” From what I understand, all parts of NIOSH originally mandated by the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act are being eliminated. All.

Oh, and incidentally, just released is that Space X, owned by Elon Musk was among the “Dirty Dozen Most Dangerous Places to Work in 2024” as released by National COSH (National Council for Occupational Safety and Health) for 2024. “SpaceX and The Boring Company: Workers suffer crushed limbs, amputations, chemical burns and a preventable death at companies owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Workers say Musk is obsessed with speed, but disregards safety,” reports our well-regarded EH&S Today only four days ago. Beyond horrible.

I simply can’t believe there is little we can do at this point. I am beginning to suspect my two-year-old grandson has a better appreciation for worker safety than those calling the shots in our administration. Thanks to his keen interest in observing construction projects (and other loud things) on our many neighborhood walks he gets it. He too is sensitive and compassionate, doesn’t want anyone to get hurt and believes we should help each other in need – what a concept!. Last week as we played in his backyard, a contractor working on the adjacent neighbor’s chimney was cutting concrete, releasing a cloud of dust that YES contains silica, without respirator or water suppression. I called over to the guy, trying to make kind but important suggestions (which he ignored) but my grandson heard and put his hands over his mouth and nose as we moved away. All of us safety professionals have stories like this – trying to share our knowledge in kindness and compassion, on our unpaid or non-work time. One of my grandson’s favorite books is Cars and Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Scarry. He already knows the names of most of the heavy equipment and trucks, and too, bits of safe operation. This kid gets it.

So, what are we losing with the cuts? Besides the majority of the highly knowledgeable workforce? Besides funding to grants and educational programs to improve the world of work, health and safety? (Just wait to see folks depart for work, education and research in places like Australia, Finland and Singapore!) Other things, even those not paying attention may understand: remember back during the pandemic when there were shortages of approved respirators and the counterfeits hit the marketplace and folks were reminded to ensure their mask met “NIOSH Approval”? Yep, that. Do you want an industrial hygienist to come monitor the air? NIOSH sampling methods – hmm, might they be deleted soon along with important research and practice advice on COVID-19 and Hantavirus and Bird Flu in the workplace, and so much more?

Oh, and if you say, well, there is OSHA? Did you hear about the offices closing down in some places? While we’re very grateful in Oregon to have Oregon OSHA that sometimes is more protective than a sometimes dated federal rules, we know there will be states that are already losing OSHA enforcement offices. Beyond that and other amounts of funding likely lost, while even as Oregon OSHA delivers quality education and guidance to employers, none of it is as research or performance-based as NIOSH, or always timely. Oh, and guess where our OSHA friends go for expertise, education and research? Yep.

Yes, we do still need to speak up about this along with the other threats to our country and democracy. Follow Jordan Barab’s Blog Confined Space. (In case you are wondering, Jordan has a long bio as prior Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor at OSHA, safety program manager for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and work for the House Education and Labor Committee, the Chemical Safety Board, the AFL-CIO and an earlier stint at OSHA during the Clinton administration.)

And to my dear friends and colleagues at NIOSH or previously funded by NIOSH: thank you for your dedication, intelligence, perseverence. My heart is with all of you. My grandson and I thank you.

See also:

Other Environmental Health and Industrial Hygiene Blogs

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