Donald M. Payne: “among the unkindest cuts for working men and women was the 25-percent reduction to the National Institute for…”

“among the unkindest cuts for working men and women was the 25-percent reduction to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. I suppose some Members have never heard of NIOSH. Neither has the Heritage Foundation which mistakenly reported that NIOSH duplicated the functions of OSHA--the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. NIOSH is the only Federal agency charged with conducting research to identify the causes of work injuries and diseases and develop approaches by which workers can be protected. OSHA does not conduct research, although they rely on it. Every day 17 Americans die from work injuries and illnesses. Every week 67,000 workers are disabled by workplace injuries and illnesses. What is more disappointing is the fact that most of these illnesses and injuries are preventable. Many problems still exist in the workplace and need to be researched. In 1991, NIOSH eased public concern over an unknown hazard. At that time, there were over 7 million women operating video display terminals [VDT's] and there had been widespread concern that the cause of the highly publicized clusters of miscarriages among workers were caused because of exposure to VDT's. But thanks to NIOSH, these stories have happy endings. NIOSH published the definitive report that found no connection between VDT's and miscarriages. The NIOSH relieved anxiety of both employers and workers.”