In a significant legislative move for worker well-being, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a crucial bill aimed at solidifying financial support for America’s leading occupational safety and health agencies. This decisive action underscores a commitment to maintaining robust workplace safety standards and investing in the essential research that protects millions of American laborers from preventable harm.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which passed out of committee with a strong bipartisan vote of 26-3, represents a vital step in ensuring continuity for critical health and safety initiatives. This legislative progression now paves the way for the bill to be considered by the full Senate, setting the stage for its potential enactment.
Specifically, the proposed legislation mandates that OSHA funding remains at its Fiscal Year 2025 level, ensuring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can continue its enforcement and outreach efforts without disruption. Furthermore, the bill includes a slight increase in NIOSH research funding over the previous year, acknowledging the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s indispensable role in pioneering insights and recommendations for worker health and injury prevention.
The National Safety Council (NSC), a venerable non-profit organization with over a century of dedication to safety advocacy, promptly lauded the committee’s foresight. Lorraine M. Martin, CEO of NSC, emphasized the imperative nature of these funding levels, asserting their necessity to uphold America’s commitment to occupational safety and ensure that all workers return home safely at the end of their day.
Beyond mere budgetary allocations, the committee’s accompanying language to the bill highlighted several pressing safety concerns demanding immediate attention. Among these were the growing issue of opioid use within the workplace and the increasing prevalence of heat-related injuries, both of which pose significant threats to employee well-being and productivity across various industries.
Regarding opioid use, the committee cited alarming statistics indicating that while a vast majority of employers (75%) recognize the impact of opioid misuse in their workplaces, only a small fraction (17%) feel adequately prepared to address it. In response, the committee strongly encouraged the Secretary of Labor to provide comprehensive guidance to employers on the implementation of opioid overdose reversal medication programs and relevant training within the workplace environment, aiming to mitigate tragic outcomes.
Months of uncertainty had clouded NIOSH’s budget, particularly following a proposed reduction in June by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, the committee’s report unequivocally affirmed NIOSH’s indispensable contribution, recognizing it as the sole federal agency dedicated to conducting research and formulating recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury.
In a powerful directive, the committee instructed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guarantee the continuation of vital work within NIOSH research centers nationwide. This directive underscores a deep understanding of NIOSH’s foundational role in generating scientific knowledge that directly translates into improved safety practices and policies across all American workplaces.
The National Safety Council, steadfast in its mission, continues to tirelessly advocate for the elimination of leading causes of preventable death and injury. By focusing efforts on the workplace, roadways, and addressing impairment, the NSC strives to cultivate a pervasive culture of safety that extends far beyond the professional sphere, enabling individuals to live their fullest, safest lives.
