Occupational Safety Committee Statement on the Federal Shutdown

A group calling themselves the Occupational Safety Committee released a statement on the shutdown. The group is made up of these organizations: Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity (ABSA International); American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA); American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP); Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES); Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM); International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA); and National Safety Council (NSC).

The statement said:

“The safety of America’s workers depends on a government that is transparent and functioning effectively. Agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH, and MSHA play a crucial role in protecting American workers on the job every day… When the government shuts down, this essential work comes to a halt—and workers face increased risks as a result.”

“The White House and Congress will always have important debates about budgets and priorities. These debates should happen in good faith, but not at the expense of workers’ lives and livelihoods. Shutting down the government does not make workplaces safer. Instead, it leaves oil field “roughnecks”, construction crews, nurses, and countless other essential workers without the protections they need and deserve.

Americans expect their government to protect them on the job, and that responsibility doesn’t stop when negotiations get tough. Keeping OSHA, MSHA, NIOSH, and other workplace safety agencies fully operational is the responsible choice, recognizing the importance of workers, their families, and the strength of our nation’s economy.”

ISHN, 10/2/2025