A mine safety researcher has relocated to Virginia following federal workforce reductions that significantly impacted the Spokane Research Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Jerry Poplin spent a decade at the Spokane facility developing a comprehensive research program for miner health before receiving his layoff notice in spring. He subsequently moved to take on a new role, joining dozens of federal occupational health and safety researchers in Spokane who were forced to seek alternative employment despite later injunctions and announcements of position restorations.
In April, termination notices were distributed to dozens of employees at the Spokane division. A federal court later issued an injunction allowing these workers to retain their positions, but many were barred from continuing their research. The government subsequently announced that positions would be restored, yet by that time, numerous researchers had already relocated to pursue new opportunities. Poplin now serves as Associate Dean for Research at the Joint School of Public Health, a collaborative institution between Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University. He recently discussed his tenure at NIOSH and the circumstances leading to his departure with Spokane Public Radio.
During his ten years with NIOSH in Spokane, Poplin was instrumental in establishing a robust research program focused on miner health and safety across the United States. NIOSH, operating under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s sole federal agency dedicated to protecting occupational health and safety. Poplin expressed a deep commitment to public service and the agency’s mission to make research accessible and to collaborate directly with industries and workers in their actual work environments.
The mining industry proved receptive to NIOSH’s research initiatives. Poplin’s miner health program evolved to include approximately 180 participants, representing mining companies, trade organizations, equipment manufacturers, academic institutions, and federal partners. This collaborative approach, which also garnered international attention, stemmed from the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, which recognized the distinct methodological needs for addressing occupational health and safety issues.
Poplin’s team in Spokane experienced considerable growth over nine years. Starting with four members in late 2016, the division expanded into a multidisciplinary unit comprising epidemiologists, statisticians, engineering specialists, industrial hygienists, and psychologists. The program’s overarching goal was to ensure that miners could retire with their full physical function intact, challenging the notion that workplace-related health deterioration was an unavoidable consequence of the profession.
The layoff notices issued in April created significant disruption within the Spokane Research Division. Reduction-in-force notifications indicated that positions would be terminated within two months, threatening the continued operation of both the Spokane Mining Research Division and the Western States Division, which were housed in the same location. Although employees initially continued to receive compensation, they were prohibited from conducting research, traveling, or engaging in their regular work activities.
In response to the impending closure and research restrictions, staff at Spokane demonstrated commitment to their mission. Rather than ceasing all activity, researchers undertook efforts to preserve their work by packaging research materials for public accessibility. This proactive measure aimed to ensure that their contributions would not be entirely lost if the division closed permanently.
Poplin’s decision-making process during this period involved balancing advocacy for his position and team with exploration of alternative career paths. He recognized that uncertainty surrounding potential reinstatement necessitated practical contingency planning. The emotional toll was substantial, encompassing frustration and the difficult necessity of considering life changes that diverged from his professional aspirations.
Despite his relocation to Virginia, Poplin maintains regular contact with his former colleagues through phone calls, text messages, and weekly communications. He continues to identify with the NIOSH mission and remains open to future involvement with the organization, whether through federal employment or external collaboration. His dedication to the agency’s work persists despite the institutional disruption that prompted his departure from Spokane.
Poplin’s experience reflects the broader impact of administrative workforce reductions on federal research capacity and highlights the dedication of public servants who strive to maintain their professional commitments amidst organizational uncertainty. His transition to academia represents one of many outcomes experienced by researchers affected by these administrative decisions.
Sources
- https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-01-24/a-mine-safety-researcher-talks-about-leaving-spokane-after-federal-layoffs
