The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has reinstated layoffs after health officials and scientific teams in key divisions received rescission notices. This change comes ahead of congressional hearings where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was scheduled to answer questions about the earlier layoffs. The reinstated programs, particularly in respiratory health and safety research, will restart essential functions that had been disrupted, such as the approval of personal protective equipment. Concerns remain regarding those still affected by the layoffs as NIOSH's leadership hopes for further reinstatements.
"While we celebrate with those who received a rescission letter from HHS, I am mindful that others did not. I am hopeful that we can continue to make the case for reinstating everyone at NIOSH," the agency's now-reinstated director, Dr. John Howard, wrote in the email.
"Secretary Kennedy has been working hard to ensure that the critical functions under NIOSH remain intact. The Trump Administration is committed to supporting coal miners and firefighters, and under the Secretary's leadership, NIOSH's essential services will continue as HHS streamlines its operations," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an email.
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