International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)
For over 50 years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have safeguarded American workers by ensuring safe working conditions—even in hazardous environments. Yet despite their proven track records, both agencies now face severe budget cuts that threaten worker safety and reduce business productivity. In an America First economy, protecting our workforce must remain a top priority.
The Threat to OSHA and NIOSH Budgets
Some argue that cutting funding will ease regulatory burdens, but historical evidence tells a different story. For example, a Harvard Business School study found that OSHA inspections reduce injury rates by 9.4% and generate worker compensation savings of approximately $355,000 per workplace (Harvard Business School Study on OSHA Inspections) and research from RAND Corporation supports the positive impact of such enforcement (RAND Corporation Research on Workplace Safety). When enforcement declines, injury rates and associated costs rise, while overall productivity suffers. In addition, underfunding NIOSH delays critical research that drives innovation in workplace safety, hindering advancements that could prevent injuries and fatalities.
The Economic Case for Workplace Safety
A safe workforce is a cornerstone of a strong economy. Workplace injuries cost the U.S. an estimated $167 billion annually, including $37.6 billion in medical expenses (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Each medically consulted injury can cost about $40,000, and every workplace fatality carries an economic loss of roughly $1.39 million (National Safety Council, Injury Facts). Furthermore, studies indicate that every $1 invested in effective safety programs saves businesses between $4 and $6 by reducing illnesses, injuries, and fatalities (ASSP Study).
OSHA Saves Lives and Supports Businesses
Since its inception in 1971, OSHA has saved over 600,000 lives by enforcing rigorous workplace safety standards. Its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) has been shown to reduce injury rates by nearly 72% compared to industry averages (OSHA VPP Evaluation). Moreover, OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program prevents approximately 9,000 injuries every year, saving businesses an estimated $1.5 billion. However, with only 1,875 inspectors covering 11.5 million workplaces—meaning it would take 186 years to inspect each one even once—the agency remains critically underfunded. A modest budget increase to $655 million would enable OSHA to hire more inspectors and expand essential safety programs (OSHA Common Stats; OSHA Budget and Inspection Data).
NIOSH: Advancing Safety Through Research
NIOSH is at the forefront of workplace safety research. Its work in developing respiratory protection standards and silica exposure controls has protected millions of workers. For instance, NIOSH’s research has led to innovative engineering controls that protect over 300,000 road construction workers from silica dust, and its efforts in developing new safety protocols have reduced cancer risks for over 1 million firefighters. Additionally, advancements such as coal dust monitors, informed by NIOSH’s PPE studies, now protect nearly 50,000 coal miners from deadly respiratory illnesses (CDC/NIOSH PPE Studies; NIOSH Research on Respirators).
The Human Cost of Underfunding Workplace Safety
Every worker deserves to go home safe at the end of the day. Yet in 2023 alone, 4,543 workers lost their lives to preventable workplace injuries—an average of 12 deaths per day (National Safety Council, Workplace Death Data). These numbers represent not just statistics, but the lives of mothers, fathers, friends, and neighbors who put their trust in our safety systems every day. Whether it’s a construction worker falling due to inadequate fall protection or a nurse facing a life-threatening illness from faulty or counterfeit PPE, the human cost of neglecting workplace safety is simply too high.
A Call to Action for Lawmakers
Workplace safety is not a partisan issue—it is essential for a strong workforce and a robust, America First economy. It is imperative that Congress fully fund OSHA and NIOSH, empowering these agencies to continue their critical missions of protecting American workers and securing the future of our industries. For more information, please visit https://safetyequipment.org/investinsafety/
About ISEA
International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is the voice of the safety equipment industry. For 90 years, we have been a recognized leader in the development of ANSI-accredited safety equipment standards. We advocate on behalf of the industry for policies that improve worker safety, deliver actionable insights on the safety equipment market, develop critical skills for safety sales professionals, and provide a unique forum for collaboration, learning and growth. safetyequipment.org
