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Mining industry

Mine Safety Research at Risk as NIOSH Layoffs Remain Uncertain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Brendan Demich, a 20-year veteran of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), joined a rally outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' office in Washington, D.C. last week to protest the layoffs of his colleagues in the mine safety division. The layoffs, which affected around 100 employees at NIOSH's Bruceton facility in Allegheny County, were part of a broader effort by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to cut staff and reduce the agency's budget.

Demich's team, which studies the best ways to prevent injuries, illnesses, and death in coal mines, was notified in April that their jobs would be eliminated in June. They were not alone, as another team in Spokane, Washington, focused on safety in non-coal mines received similar notices. Combined, they conduct the bulk of the agency's mine safety research.

Kennedy has claimed that no scientists have been fired and that only duplicative work has been cut. However, Demich disputes this, stating that his team and others are essential to the agency's research and do not overlap with other divisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 100 employees were laid off from NIOSH's Bruceton facility in Allegheny County, including those from the mine safety division.
  • The layoffs are part of a broader effort by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to cut staff and reduce the agency's budget.
  • Demich's team, which studies the best ways to prevent injuries, illnesses, and death in coal mines, was notified in April that their jobs would be eliminated in June.
  • Another team in Spokane, Washington, focused on safety in non-coal mines received similar notices.
  • NIOSH's mine safety research divisions are still facing layoffs, despite statements from Secretary Kennedy that critical functions will be maintained.
  • Tony Iannacchione, a former employee of NIOSH's coal mine safety team, stated that the expertise and work of the team is essential to mine safety and will be lost if the layoffs are not reversed.
  • Sam Petsonk, an advocate for coal miners, has expressed concerns about the impact of the layoffs on mine safety and has threatened to bring a lawsuit if the mine safety research teams are not brought back.
  • Demich is working to inform lawmakers about the research being lost and asking them to restore jobs and research funding for the mine safety division.

Statistics:

  • Over 90% of NIOSH's roughly 1400 full-time staff were laid off, offered early retirement, or placed on administrative leave pending termination in early April.
  • NIOSH's mine safety divisions conduct the bulk of the agency's mine safety research.
  • The Pittsburgh team has done extensive work on preventing hearing loss in underground mines, which is an issue due to loud machinery.
  • The coal mine safety team in Pittsburgh is developing technology that can read silica dust levels in real-time, which could save lives.

Sources:

  • [Brendan Demich interview with the Capital-Star]
  • [Tony Iannacchione interview with the Capital-Star]
  • [Sam Petsonk interview with the Capital-Star]
  • [Penncapital-star.com]
  • [Penncapital-star.com]
  • [Cdc.gov]
  • [Msha.gov]
  • [Www.cdc.gov]
  • [Arlnweb.msha.gov]
  • [Niosh miningsafety.gov]

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