NIOSH Morgantown Reinstates Over 100 Workers Permanently

Following significant layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) facility in Morgantown, West Virginia, over 100 employees are set to return to their positions permanently, as confirmed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and announced by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. The reinstatements come after widespread concern about the impact of job cuts on critical programs, including the Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program, which focuses on respiratory diseases like black lung among miners—a key issue for West Virginia's workforce. Capito, who chairs the Senate subcommittee overseeing funding for HHS, has been a vocal advocate for reversing the layoffs, emphasizing the importance of NIOSH's role in worker health and safety, particularly in industries vital to the state's economy. Although some workers still face layoffs in the coming months, the decision to bring back a substantial portion of the workforce is seen as a major victory for occupational health protections. The reinstatements are part of a broader nationwide reduction at NIOSH, but the Morgantown facility's essential public health work has been a focal point in efforts to preserve jobs. Further details on the phased return and specific roles are expected to be released soon.