Employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to be Reinstated

On May 13 federal officials announced that more than 100 employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be permanently reinstated—a crucial development after months of uncertainty that threatened the agency’s workforce and core safety programs.

NIOSH is the federal institute responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) led a nationwide campaign to defend NIOSH. “This is not just a win for NIOSH—it’s a win for every worker who depends on science-backed safety standards to do their job and come home safe,” said Cam Mackey, President and CEO of ISEA. “From firefighters to healthcare workers, from industrial crews to military responders, today’s news ensures the programs that protect them remain strong.”

NIOSH’s respirator approval system—which many call the gold standard in respiratory protection—was at risk under proposed staffing cuts. Its reinstatement ensures the certification system stays intact at a time when global health and emergency readiness remain top priorities.

“NIOSH’s respirator approval program isn’t just a bureaucratic process—it’s a life-saving measure that gives first responders confidence in the gear they rely on in hazardous environments,” added Dan Glucksman, ISEA’s Senior Director of Policy.

ISEA played a leading role in the push to restore these positions, mobilizing member companies, engaging with Congress and federal agencies, and building a cross-sector coalition to amplify the message: Protecting NIOSH is protecting the health, safety, and resilience of America’s workforce.

“While this is one step forward, it’s a significant one,” Mackey noted. “ISEA looks forward to our continued work with Rep. Summer Lee’s (D-PA) office to fund the NIOSH respirator approval program in FY26 to make sure its future remains secure. We also want to thank Congress, the White House, and Sec. Kennedy for hearing our concerns and acting on them.”