The recent decision by the Trump administration to implement sweeping layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) presents a serious threat to the safety and well-being of utility workers nationwide. NIOSH, a key agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has long been a cornerstone in advancing occupational safety — conducting research, setting standards, and providing guidance that protects workers across every industry, including our own.
In early April, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a reduction of approximately 10,000 federal employees. NIOSH was among the hardest hit, losing roughly 850 of its 1,000 employees. This unprecedented downsizing has led to the abrupt suspension or elimination of critical programs aimed at safeguarding workers on the job.
As utility workers, we often operate in some of the most hazardous conditions — facing electrical dangers, toxic exposures, and high risk for serious injuries. For decades, NIOSH has been on the front lines of identifying these risks and developing practical solutions to mitigate them. Gutting this agency effectively halts that progress and removes an essential layer of protection for our members.
One particularly alarming consequence is downsizing NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. This unit is responsible for certifying the safety of personal protective equipment (PPE), including the respirators many of our members rely on daily. Without proper certification, workers may be forced to use unverified or unreliable gear — putting lives and health in jeopardy.
Labor unions across the country, including the AFL-CIO, have condemned the layoffs. Their message is clear: cutting NIOSH staff means cutting off the flow of new research on emerging hazards and eliminating oversight of the very equipment designed to keep workers safe.
This isn’t just about programs on paper — it’s about the real-world safety of real people. Dismantling NIOSH’s capacity threatens to undermine years of progress in occupational health and safety. Without continued research, updated best practices, and certified protective equipment, we are rolling back the clock on worker protections.
For UWUA members, this is a call to action. We cannot stand by while essential safeguards are dismantled. The health and safety of our members must remain non-negotiable. We urge all stakeholders — union leaders, safety professionals, policymakers, and workers — to fight for the restoration of NIOSH’s programs and funding. The lives of utility workers depend on it.