‘Friends of NIOSH’ voices support of agency, programs

Washington – More than 200 organizations, unions and universities are calling on congressional leaders to maintain NIOSH funding for fiscal year 2014.

Under a White House proposal (.pdf file), $53.4 million would be cut from NIOSH’s budget, and several programs – including Education and Research Centers and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program – would be eliminated. A coalition called Friends of NIOSH sent a letter (.pdf file) to leaders of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee urging against these cuts.

“The elimination of these NIOSH supported programs … would limit the ability of workers to avoid exposures that can result in injury or illnesses, push back improved working conditions, eliminate occupational safety and health education services to over 10,000 U.S. businesses, and ultimately raise health care costs,” the letter states.