U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concerning recent layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown.
Capito emphasized the importance of NIOSH’s work for coal miners in West Virginia and requested that the agency restore the affected employees and programs.
“I believe in the President’s vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal,” Capito wrote. “The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nation’s coal industry.”
Capito referenced a recent conversation with Kennedy, stating he agreed that NIOSH’s work is unique within the federal government. She asked that both the functions of the coal program and some of the specialized employees impacted by the April 1 agency-wide Reduction in Force be reinstated.
The NIOSH Morgantown facility conducts research to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, particularly for coal miners. Its programs have influenced safety regulations concerning rock dust, pillar design and roof support in underground mines. It also operates the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, which studies respiratory disease and provides black lung screenings. According to Capito, all employees in these programs were affected by the RIF.
Capito noted the presence of specialized labs in Morgantown where researchers studied coal and silica dust, as well as black mold. She said this research benefits not only coal miners, but also workers in other industries and residents impacted by environmental events such as flooding.
She warned that decommissioning the Morgantown labs, as planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would cost millions of taxpayer dollars. Reopening them in the future would incur additional costs due to regulatory compliance.
Capito also referenced President Trump’s recent executive orders in support of the coal industry, which she said underscore the need to maintain the health programs that support coal miners.
“As the President recognizes the importance of coal, we must also recognize the health of our miners and I encourage you to bring back the NIOSH coal programs and researchers that will help ensure the President’s vision to unleash American energy can be done safely,” Capito wrote.
She warned that decommissioning the Morgantown labs, as planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would cost millions of taxpayer dollars. Reopening them in the future would incur additional costs due to regulatory compliance.
Capito also referenced President Trump’s recent executive orders in support of the coal industry, which she said underscore the need to maintain the health programs that support coal miners.
“As the President recognizes the importance of coal, we must also recognize the health of our miners and I encourage you to bring back the NIOSH coal programs and researchers that will help ensure the President’s vision to unleash American energy can be done safely,” Capito wrote.