‘Massive NIOSH layoffs’
What It Means for Global Occupational Health and Worker Safety
In recent weeks, the occupational health and safety (OHS) community has watched with growing concern as reports surfaced about the downsizing of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
While the immediate impacts will be felt domestically, the aftershocks of this move are likely to ripple far beyond U.S. borders. For a field that thrives on global collaboration and shared scientific insight, this moment is more than just a budget issue — it’s a warning sign.
NIOSH: A Pillar of Global OHS
For decades, NIOSH has served as a beacon of evidence-based practice in occupational health. From publishing foundational resources like the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, to leading research on respirable crystalline silica, diesel particulate matter, and noise-induced hearing loss — the institute has shaped the way practitioners around the world approach worker health.
Its technical documents, and training tools are referenced globally, often forming the basis for local standards in countries without the resources to conduct such research independently. In short: when NIOSH speaks, the world listens.
What’s Being Lost?
Although details are still emerging, the reported downsizing includes a reduction in workforce, decreased funding for key research initiatives, and internal restructuring that could dilute the agency’s focus. These aren’t just administrative shifts — they potentially signal the weakening of one of the world’s most trusted scientific voices in occupational health.
If fewer studies are conducted, fewer guidelines are developed, and fewer outreach programs are supported, we risk entering a knowledge drought at a time when the global workforce is facing increasingly complex hazards: nanomaterials, psychological risks, climate-induced exposure profiles, and more.
A Global Domino Effect
Many countries — particularly those with smaller or underfunded OHS institutions — rely heavily on NIOSH research to inform their regulatory frameworks. Without it, they face delays in updating exposure standards, developing new control strategies, or training the next generation of professionals.
The effect may also be felt in international collaboration, where NIOSH has played a crucial role in joint studies, symposia, and technical exchanges. A diminished NIOSH is a diminished hub for global cooperation.
Impacts on Innovation and the Future of Work
NIOSH has long been at the forefront of integrating technology into OHS: from wearable exposure monitors to virtual safety training. The slowing or cessation of this work could hinder the innovation pipeline that so many in our field rely on to modernize practices.
This downsizing also coincides with a growing need for research into the health implications of remote work, AI integration, climate change, and precarious employment — areas that require long-term, well-funded inquiry. If not led by NIOSH, who will take the reins?
What Now? A Call to Action
This is a moment for the global OHS community to step up. While we can’t fill NIOSH’s shoes overnight, we can strengthen local institutions, increase cross-border collaboration, and invest in open-source resources. Professional societies, academia, and private industry all have roles to play in ensuring that the momentum of occupational health science doesn’t stall.
As professionals, we must also advocate more vocally for the importance of occupational hygiene and worker health. NIOSH’s downsizing may feel far away to some — but its consequences are much closer than they appear.