ITASCA, Ill. – The National Safety Council today approved a new policy position statement in support of adequate, stable funding for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and urges Congress and the executive branch to adequately fund the agency’s programs.
Housed within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NIOSH is the primary federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for work-related illness and injury prevention. NIOSH information and research generate products and services designed to help avert workplace illness, injury, disability and death.
Over the last several years, NIOSH has received cuts to its funding and several specific NIOSH programs have been targeted for elimination. The Council is especially concerned about the proposed elimination of the Institute’s Education and Research Centers (ERCs) and the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AgFF) Program.
“Given our shared mission to take research to practice, NSC and NIOSH are frequent collaborators in workplace safety,” said Janet Froetscher president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “ERCs develop, educate and train occupational safety and health professionals to reduce work-related injuries and prevent adverse workplace conditions. The AgFF Program represents the only significant federal effort to ensure safe working conditions for agricultural workers. For these reasons, NSC supports continued funding of these programs to prevent increases in injury and death.”
The President’s proposed FY 2013 budget recommended eliminating both of these programs. The government is currently operating under a continuing resolution which funds NIOSH at FY 2012 funding levels through March 27, 2013. Congress is expected to take up a bill in the coming weeks to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2013.
NSC has a partnership agreement with NIOSH to use collaborative efforts and expertise to advance the breadth and effectiveness of workplace safety. By adopting this policy position, the Council will be able to work to ensure that NIOSH continues to have the resources necessary to reduce workplace fatalities and injuries.
