Welcome to the May issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!
| | | | As spring brings renewal and action, we're called to stand strong for worker safety. The campaign to save NIOSH is gaining urgency, as mass layoffs threaten the nation's critical workplace health and safety research. ACGIH, AIHA, and a coalition of hundreds are leading efforts to halt these devastating cuts—your voice is needed to help protect workers and the future of occupational safety. Across the country, workers are already feeling the impact. Coal miners are losing black lung protections just as the disease reaches epidemic levels among younger workers. Meanwhile, 9/11 responders and survivors are facing a funding shortfall that jeopardizes lifesaving medical care. These are not distant issues—they are urgent crises affecting real people who risked everything.
We must act now to defend these critical programs, uphold our commitment to worker health, and demand that Congress restore funding and stop the dismantling of protections workers have fought decades to secure. | | | | | | Advocate for NIOSH Funding | | ACGIH is actively advocating through letters, partnerships, and a #SaveNIOSH campaign. Use the Voter Voice system to contact legislators, share your support on social media, and help safeguard worker protections critical to U.S. health, safety, and economic well-being.
| | | | NIOSH Dismantling Threatens Worker Safety and Health Progress | | Mass layoffs at NIOSH have gutted critical research and education programs that have long protected workers from serious health risks. The sudden loss jeopardizes standards for silica, lead, heat exposure, mental health, and more—leaving the future of occupational safety dangerously uncertain.
| | | | | | | Coalition Urges Congress to Halt NIOSH Layoffs Amid Restructuring Plan | | | |
A coalition of 460 organizations is urging Congress to stop planned layoffs at NIOSH, warning that cutting more than 870 employees would cripple efforts to protect the health and safety of 164 million U.S. workers. These cuts, part of an HHS restructuring set to take effect by June 30, would devastate critical programs like the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory and miner safety initiatives.
The coalition emphasizes that NIOSH provides the nation’s only dedicated federal research on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, which cost the U.S. economy $250 billion annually. Lawmakers, including Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), are demanding hearings and greater transparency, arguing that gutting NIOSH would endanger workers, undermine public health progress, and weaken evidence-based solutions that save lives. Protecting NIOSH is essential to maintaining a safer, healthier workforce and a stronger economy.
| | | | | AIHA Intensifies Advocacy Efforts to Restore NIOSH | | | |
AIHA is accelerating its government relations activities, partnering with the What Works Institute and hosting a virtual town hall on April 16 to discuss ongoing advocacy. Recent actions include issuing a public press release, supporting multiple letters to Congress, launching a grassroots campaign, and seeking member impact statements to help restore NIOSH staffing and protect worker safety. Members are encouraged to engage through AIHA’s advocacy tools and upcoming updates on its public affairs page.
| | | | | Big Changes Ahead: OSHA to Host Public Hearing on New Heat Safety Standards | | | | | OSHA has scheduled a virtual public hearing for June 16 to discuss its proposed rule aimed at protecting workers from heat-related illnesses. The rule would require employers to implement a written heat illness prevention plan once the heat index hits 80°F or the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) meets NIOSH’s alert threshold. Employers must monitor heat stress, provide water and shaded breaks, and maintain effective communication with employees. Certain industries like firefighting and indoor workspaces under 80°F would be exempt.
Those wishing to speak at the hearing must submit a Notice of Intention to Appear by May 2. Viewing is open to the public without registration.
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As many of you know, we have always been big believers in and supporters of the work that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has done with minimal funding. Now, this organization will be getting even less funding and less staffing. See the chart above published by CBS News regarding the organizational chart annotated by a group of NIOSH staff showing the divisions that were eliminated by the layoffs. These layoffs have already impacted the agency's ability to investigate firefighter injuries and workplace health hazards and have stopped work at the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (a NIOSH division) that is tasked with vetting safety equipment such as N95 respirators and breathing devices used by emergency workers.
This is a call to action some layoffs have been reversed because of the pressure we have put on Congress to reverse the layoffs click here. Let's keep up the pressure and write your Congressman and Senators let's #SaveNIOSH! Because workers deserve better! | | | | | Urgent Action Needed to Protect 9/11 Responders' Health CareThe World Trade Center Health Program, which provides critical care to thousands of sick 9/11 responders and survivors nationwide, is facing a funding crisis. The bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding and Correction Act of 2025 (H.R. 1410/S. 739) would secure the program’s future, but immediate support from Congress is needed. Citizens are urged to call their representatives to demand action.
| | | | | | | Coal Miners Face Rising Risks as Black Lung Programs Collapse Amid Government Cuts | | | |
Coal miners are losing critical health protections just as black lung disease surges to record levels. Under sweeping layoffs ordered by the Trump administration and the new Department of Government Efficiency, decades-old programs run by NIOSH and MSHA—including black lung screenings, mobile health clinics, and sick miner job protections—have been gutted or shut down. Enforcement of new silica dust exposure limits is also in freefall, with mass mine inspector layoffs and office closures crippling oversight. The timing is catastrophic: black lung is rising sharply, striking even miners in their 30s and 40s. Experts warn that without urgent intervention, a new wave of deadly lung disease will sweep through mining communities—undoing 50 years of progress and condemning workers to slow, preventable deaths. Laid-off staff and devastated miners like Josh Cochran and Kevin Weikle are sounding the alarm: more mining without protection means more bodies—and fast. | | | | | NIOSH Recommends Individual Fit-Testing for Hearing Protection | | | |
NIOSH has updated its policy to recommend that employers conduct individual, qualitative fit-testing for workers' hearing protection devices. Thanks to advancements in technology, fit-testing systems are now widely available and can accurately measure personal attenuation ratings (PAR) at worksites. Although NIOSH endorses fit testing as a best practice to ensure effective protection against occupational noise exposure, it does not specify a preferred testing method.
| | | | | Use SafetySuzy10FEDTC at checkout to get 10% off of any of our health and safety courses. Don't forget that our loyal customers get 15% off, so please get in touch if you'd like to find out more. | | | | | |
OSHA Courses (Online & In-person): - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- OSHA Respirator User
- OSHA Crystalline Silica Standard for Workers
- OSHA Hazard Communication
- OSHA Hazard Communication plus NYS Right-to-Know
- Covid-19 Awareness Course
- Respirator Hierarchy
- Lead in Construction Awareness Course
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course
- Blood-borne Pathogen 4-Hour Course
- OSHA Lead in Construction Awareness Course
- May 23, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Northport Power Plant
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health Course
- Aug 12, 14, 19, & 21, 6:45 AM - 3:30 PM, East Meadow
Mold Courses: - Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness - Online
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course - Online
- NYS Mold Refresher
- Jun 6, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
Asbestos Courses: - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Course - Online
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- NYCDEP Handler/Supervisor Exam Prep - Online
- NYCDEP Investigator Exam Prep - Online
- AHERA LEA's Designated Person Training - Online
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Initial
- NYS Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Initial
- May 27-28, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
- June 19, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- June 23, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Management Planner Initial
- Jun 17-18, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
- Jun 23, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Operations & Maintenance Refresher
- May 30, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Jun 7, 07:00 - 11:00 AM, IUOE
- Jul 1, 07:30 - 11:30 AM, Suffolk County
- Asbestos Handler Refresher
- May 30, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Jun 7, 07:00 - 3:00 PM, IUOE
- Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
- Jun 24, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Jun 16, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
- Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
- Jun 25, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
- Jun 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
- Jun 9, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
For the most current schedule and additional courses, please visit Future Environment Designs' website. Please click on the individual courses' link to discover more dates!
| | | | Don't Forget Our Referral Program! If you refer asbestos, indoor air quality, or OSHA training to us we will provide you with a 5% discount on any training you book with us. This would be in addition to any other discounts we provide. Thank you to those who have taken advantage of this! | | | | |
