Recent layoffs across various federal health agencies, notably the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), have sparked alarm among workers, particularly in coal mining and firefighting sectors. With major budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration, unions and local leaders are voicing their fears over the impact these reductions will have on essential health and safety programs. The closure of facilities like the Spokane research lab, where over 200 staff members have been let go, raises concerns about the future of initiatives such as the US Firefighter Cancer Registry and critical mining safety research. As federal cuts threaten the workforce in Morgantown and across the nation, many are questioning the long-term consequences for miner safety and public health.