To the editor:
I am concerned about the proposed elimination of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Centers (ERCs) in the fiscal year 2012 budget. This will terminate the ERCs nationwide.
To understand the significant impact of these cuts, one must be aware of the function of these ERCs. NIOSH supports 17 university-based ERCs whose mission is to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S. by conducting prevention research and by educating high-quality professionals who daily implement programs to improve occupational health and safety. Examples of such professionals include industrial hygienists, occupational medicine physicians, occupational health nurses, ergonomists, among others.
ERC trainees are committed to reducing the daily toll on workers through prevention and treatment. Each year almost 1.2 million workers are injured seriously enough to require time off work, and each day an average of 9,000 U.S. workers sustain disabling injuries on the job, 16 workers die from a work-related injury, and 137 workers die from work-related diseases. This burden costs industry and citizens about $1 billion per week.
The elimination of the ERCs as proposed in President Obama’s budget would limit the ability of businesses, in both urban and rural areas to help workers avoid exposures that cause injury or illness, possibly seek cost-effective treatment and help ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, resulting in increased and avoidable health care costs and business losses. Elimination of the ERCs would rapidly result in a shortage of occupational health and safety professionals, possibly reduce or close down centers that train physicians and nurses in occupational medicine and health and negatively impact the safety of workplaces and the competitiveness of businesses.
ERCs are an investment in the health of the workforce and the economy and should be fully supported, or at least given consideration for reduced funding during these economic times rather than complete elimination. When our economy recovers, it may cost more to rebuild the program to ensure an adequate supply of occupational health and safety professionals.
I would encourage everyone to recognize the important contributions of the ERCs to the health and productivity of our nation’s businesses and workforce and to support funding in the Fiscal 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill for the Education and Research Centers within the budget for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). More information about ERCs can be found at http://niosh-erc.org/
Abhijay P. Karandikar, MD, MPH
Caribou
