Washington, D.C. – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is facing a massive downsizing. At least two-thirds of the agency’s staff are expected to be laid off as part of a wide restructuring effort within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and backed by the Trump administration.
According to internal notices shared with staff and unions, about 873 employees at NIOSH will be affected, part of a larger plan to cut 10,000 jobs across HHS.
What Is NIOSH and Why Is It Important?
NIOSH was created by Congress in 1970 to investigate workplace health hazards and ensure employee safety. It has been a critical player in responding to incidents like the 2023 Michigan paper mill fungal outbreak.
The agency also handles:
- Respirator certifications (like N95 masks)
- Mining safety
- Firefighter cancer registries
- Programs for 9/11 first responders
Many of these programs may now be affected by the layoffs.
What’s Happening to NIOSH?
The planned layoffs come under a broader reorganization of HHS agencies, which includes combining NIOSH into a new body called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA).
According to a letter sent to federal employee union AFGE 1916, the cuts are expected to be effective by June 30, 2025. Union President Lilas Soukup confirmed the notification had been received but said they were given little guidance.
Entire teams, including NIOSH’s director’s office and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, are expected to be fully impacted.
Staff in Pittsburgh and Spokane, where over 200 NIOSH workers are based, are among those likely to be laid off.
Impact Beyond NIOSH: Other HHS and CDC Programs Targeted
The restructuring goes far beyond NIOSH. Several agencies will be merged into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:
- The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
- Parts of the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy
- Global health teams within HHS
One major unit within ASPR — the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) — which helped fund COVID-19 and mpox vaccine research, is expected to be moved or merged with another agency, ARPA-H, under the new structure.
Some pandemic-related research projects have already been paused, including an oral COVID-19 vaccine by Vaxart.
Reactions From Within the Agency
Multiple health officials say they’ve been left in the dark about the scope and timing of the changes. Official layoff notices have not yet been sent, but some expect emails to begin arriving as early as this week.
Officials say the Trump administration is pushing for the restructuring to happen quickly, urging departments to draft plans to comply with Kennedy’s vision within weeks.