Nine congressional Republicans and one Democrat are pressing EPA to loosen an exposure limit in its draft TSCA risk evaluation of formaldehyde, arguing that adopting the proposed figure would result in a “de facto ban” of the ubiquitous chemical despite the agency’s statements that it will consider costs and practicability in any rule based on the review.
September 17, 2026
OSHA has released the final version of its controversial rule to allow worker representatives to take part in enforcement “walkaround” inspections even if they are not employed at the site under review, making only minimal changes from the 2023 proposal while laying out counterarguments to employers’ claims that the new policy is illegal or unconstitutional.
OSHA has released the final version of its controversial rule to allow worker representatives to take part in enforcement “walkaround” inspections even if they are not employed at the site under review, making only minimal changes from the 2023 proposal while laying out counterarguments to employers’ claims that the new policy is illegal or unconstitutional.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) final rule updating 50-year-old standards for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has cleared White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review, keeping it on track for the agency’s planned April release following years of pressure by unions and their allies.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) final rule updating 50-year-old standards for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has cleared White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review, keeping it on track for the agency’s planned April release following years of pressure by unions and their allies.
OSHA has extended the comment deadline for its proposed health and safety standards for “emergency responders” by 45 days, after dozens of state and local fire departments, as well as at least one employer-side law firm, sought more time to determine how the rule’s sweeping list of new and amended mandates would affect them or their clients.
A coalition of labor groups alongside environmentalists is reiterating its calls for new or revamped semiconductor facilities to commit to environmental and safety measures, including limiting PFAS exposures, as the Commerce Department begins awarding funds under a new program aimed at rebuilding the domestic semiconductor industry.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) administration appears to be blocking implementation of California OSHA’s (Cal/OSHA) landmark indoor heat worker-safety rules that were previously expected to take effect July 1, citing new projections of high compliance costs, even after the agency’s standards board approved the rules at a chaotic March 21 meeting.
An attorney for employers says he anticipates that OSHA will soon finalize its controversial rule to allow representatives to take part in enforcement “walkaround” inspections even if they are not employed at the site, after the regulation sped through White House review -- a move he says is almost guaranteed to bring immediate court challenges.
An attorney for employers says he anticipates that OSHA will soon finalize its controversial rule to allow representatives to take part in enforcement “walkaround” inspections even if they are not employed at the site, after the regulation sped through White House review -- a move he says is almost guaranteed to bring immediate court challenges.
