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.
November 15, 2025
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.