The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has warned that sweeping cuts at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will undermine worker protection, weaken vital training efforts, and harm U.S. businesses.
Educational resources such as the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards are relied upon by companies of all sizes to help identify and control chemical risks, guide PPE selection, and ultimately reduce injuries, illnesses and operational costs. The NWRA says losing this expertise could directly affect how industries train their workers and maintain safe operations.
Hundreds of researchers and scientists were removed from NIOSH this week, a move the NWRA described as a major setback for industries that depend on the agency’s knowledge in occupational safety, compliance and innovation.
“Our industry is committed to the safety of our employees, with a goal of moving off of the top 10 deadliest industries list by 2034,” said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRA president and CEO. “NIOSH’s Health Hazard Evaluation programs benefit American businesses by providing non-punitive assistance in solving complex occupational safety problems. NIOSH has conducted numerous evaluations at disposal sites and e-waste recycling facilities, resulting in practical solutions that keep the workforce safe.”
For decades, NIOSH has collaborated with the business community on technologies to improve worker safety. Its respirator certifications are used by more than 50 million U.S. workers daily, while research into sensors has advanced automation, AI and robotics, generating billions in productivity savings.
Kirk Sander, NWRA senior vice president and chief of safety and standards, emphasised that the loss of NIOSH’s training resources would be widely felt. “Educational tools such as the Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards are vital to companies of all sizes. They help identify and control chemical hazards, guide PPE selection, and ultimately reduce injuries, illnesses and operational costs—strengthening America’s competitive edge,” he said.
The NWRA warned that the cuts would have a particularly severe impact on the waste and recycling sector, which already faces some of the highest workplace fatality rates. It called on the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reconsider the decision and restore NIOSH’s workforce.
“Swift action to restore NIOSH is essential to safeguard the health and safety of this vital workforce,” the association said.
