Labor unions and other worker advocates are opposing OSHA’s proposal to remove some medical evaluation requirements in its respiratory protection rule, arguing the proposal is based on flawed reasoning and a lack of understanding of respirator use that is contrary to the law and will result in harm to workers.
September 16, 2026
EPA has released its draft TSCA risk evaluation of the solvent 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), preliminarily determining that it presents unreasonable risk of inhalation or dermal injuries to workers from a variety of uses, though the agency also says it will not seek further review of the draft since an underlying health assessment was reviewed last year alongside a related chemical.
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Labor unions are opposing OSHA’s plan to eliminate the COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), pointing to the continued need for data transparency, although various unions differ on whether the agency should address their concerns through a permanent COVID-19 standard or a broader infectious disease standard.
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The Labor Department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) reopened on Nov. 13 after the 43-day government shutdown ended, allowing pending cases to resume and requiring some proceedings to be rescheduled following the weeks-long closure.
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A recent policy memorandum from the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) aimed at speeding deregulatory efforts is likely to also affect the way OSHA approaches new regulations it deems necessary, with the agency prioritizing rules rooted in clear statutory text, one legal expert says.
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A coalition of 14 states led by Pennsylvania and Illinois is outlining a series of legal arguments against OSHA’s proposal to narrow the agency’s interpretation of the General Duty Clause, raising concerns about the increased burden for states while echoing statutory and case law arguments raised by unions and occupational health experts.
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Chemical manufacturers and a conservative foundation are pressing EPA in comments on a proposed renewal of data collection for the TSCA methylene chloride risk management rules to eliminate duplicative and overlapping EPA and OSHA workplace requirements for the chemical as well other cost burdens.
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A Michigan Senate panel is weighing legislation that would bring the state’s OSHA penalties in line with federal requirements, seeking to head off the potential loss of state protections for public-sector employees and other state benefits if OSHA were to revoke the approval of Michigan’s program.
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A conservative regulatory reform group is strongly supporting OSHA’s proposal to narrow its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, saying the change “will restore regulatory clarity, align enforcement with statutory and constitutional limits, reduce burdens on small business, and reinforce respect for professional autonomy and risk management.”
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The United Auto Workers (UAW) is challenging a Biden-era EPA rule for evaluating the risks of new chemicals, arguing the agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) when it failed to respond to unions’ comments on how to ensure workers have information about chemicals to which they may be exposed while on the job.
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North Carolina’s Republican labor commissioner is urging Senate Democrats to end the ongoing federal government shutdown, warning that unless OSHA grants to states are restored, North Carolina will be forced to furlough safety inspectors, putting the state’s workers at risk.
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Environmentalists are urging Virginia and Pennsylvania leaders to adopt state-level heat standards, pointing to record-level heat illness incidents in 2025 and the uncertainty of when, or if, OSHA will set a federal standard -- a message that could gain new traction in Virginia if Democrat Abigail Spanberger is elected governor on Nov. 4.
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California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) is outlining steps it is taking to improve the agency’s inspection and enforcement efforts following a highly critical state audit released in July, including actions to better document why inspections are pursued or not, conduct inspections in a timelier manner, ensure fines are properly assessed, and increase staffing levels.
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A federal district court judge has granted OSHA’s request to dismiss North Dakota’s suit challenging an agency investigation into alleged whistleblower retaliation by the state’s environment department, finding that all of the state’s claims that the investigation violated North Dakota’s sovereign immunity fail.
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Labor unions and occupational health experts are urging OSHA to withdraw a proposed rule that would narrow the agency’s interpretation of the General Duty Clause to exclude certain activities from enforcement, saying the proposal violates the agency’s statutory mandate and is based on faulty legal reasoning.
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The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is opening an investigation into a fatal explosion at a munitions plant in Humphreys County, TN, where a team will be deployed to conduct an initial assessment of the incident location and other investigation efforts to determine the cause of the disaster.
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The White House regulatory review office is seeking to speed and streamline deregulatory actions, directing OSHA and other agencies to repeal “facially unlawful” regulations without notice and comment under the “good cause” exemption and skip certain consultations with state and local officials, tribes and others when issuing such actions.
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Worker rights advocates are opposing a trio of related Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposals that would narrow district managers’ authority to require additional safety measures at coal mines, arguing MSHA has failed to demonstrate the proposals are necessary and would not harm miners.
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Chemical industry groups are continuing their long-running effort to have Congress renew a lapsed chemical safety program, citing in part concerns over worker safety and security gaps that undermine the industry’s operational integrity and ability to remain secure from the threat of terror attacks.
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Employers are closely watching a pair of related cases awaiting rulings from the 10th Circuit that could temper OSHA’s ability to issue citations under the General Duty Clause for workplace violence by imposing stricter requirements on the agency’s burden of proof, legal experts say.
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