On April 1, the Department of Health and Human Services underwent a sweeping reorganization that resulted in the layoff of about 10,000 employees across several major health agencies. The restructuring is part of a broader initiative to consolidate health functions under a newly proposed entity, the Administration for a Healthy America.
One of the most heavily affected agencies was the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. As part of the layoffs, HHS terminated most of the supervisors and research scientists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, including NRCA’s key contacts. The remaining staff and researchers are expected to be laid off between now and June 30.
Established in 1970 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, NIOSH was created as part of a dual structure alongside the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to protect U.S. workers. Although OSHA enforces workplace safety regulations, NIOSH focuses on research, education and training to improve occupational safety and health standards.
As a result of the changes, all future National Occupational Research Agenda Falls Workgroup meetings have been cancelled, and the group has been discontinued. NRCA has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with NIOSH, participating in its NORA Construction Sector Council and chairing the Falls Workgroup for many years.
In addition, NRCA has been a research-to-practice program partner for 11 years with CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training, which largely is funded by NIOSH grants. On April 2, CPWR announced that because of the dismantling of NIOSH, CPWR’s Small Studies program has been terminated. Additionally, CPWR’s research-to-practice program, which supports the Falls, Struck-By and other national campaigns, will be significantly affected. CPWR, as NIOSH’s National Construction Center since 1990, is currently in the first year of a five-year agreement. The future of the agreement is uncertain.
CPWR is evaluating the next steps and determining how to carry out its mission of enhancing worker safety and health in the construction industry while continuing to conduct impactful research.
NRCA signed onto a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations, stressing the importance of NIOSH’s work and urging a restoration of NIOSH staff and funding.
NRCA is committed to advancing worker safety and health in the roofing and construction industries and remains diligent in exploring opportunities for relationships that support this goal. NRCA continues to monitor this situation and will share any new information as it becomes available.
