CCJ Applauds Federal Ruling Restoring Hundreds of NIOSH Jobs Protecting Coal Miners
Washington, PA – A federal judge has ordered the restoration of 328 jobs at the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), including those who oversee the Respiratory Health Division and Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program in charge of researching and monitoring black lung in coal miners. This is a good first step to reinstate services that are crucial to miner health, and we hope to see more of these reversals.
The ruling reversed federal layoffs as well as ordering “no pause, stoppage or gap in the protections and services mandated by Congress in the Mine Act,” which could be used to undo the Trump administration’s efforts to halt implementation of new Silica Rules at coal mines.
This is a monumental win for miners who deserve safe working conditions and health precautions. It comes after weeks of advocacy and pushback by dozens of unions and organizations like ours to bring attention to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s harmful layoffs and the Trump administration’s dangerous delay of silica protections.
We will continue advocating for the full reinstatement of necessary NIOSH staff and the enforcement of protective policies that put workers first.
Lisa (Coffield) DePaoli joined the CCJ staff in 2018 and is now our Communications Director. She grew up in rural Washington County, has family in both Washington and Greene Counties, and has always loved animals and spending time outdoors. A first-generation and nontraditional college student, her deep interest in human beings and ecology led her to earn a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012. She has worked on research projects and taught at the university level in the U.S. and in field schools in Latin America. The knowledge and experience she gained increased her concern for environmental and social justice issues, which she believes are best addressed at the local level, or from the "bottom up," including the voices of those who are most impacted. Lisa works to understand issues from the local to the global, seeks to make a positive difference, and loves to talk to people about what interests or concerns them. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, furkids, and friends, and walking in the woods with her dogs.
Contact Lisa at lisa@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
Alex Downing is the Digital Communications Strategist for CCJ. He was previously our Communications Associate and an Outreach Fellow. He manages all of our social media and writes our monthly newsletter, the Coalfield Review. Alex was born and raised in Pittsburgh's north suburbs and learned about the importance of nature and conservation at a young age through his father and grandfather’s involvement with preserving parks and hiking trails in the area. He has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communications from American University and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Point Park University. Alex currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland with his partner Lindsey. Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking, watching movies, and rooting for the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.
Contact Alex at alex@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
