EPA is proposing a revised occupational exposure value (OEV) for formaldehyde that shifts the focus from a chronic exposure scenario to one that aims to protect against acute effects as well as other long-term effects, such as cancer, although the revised OEV is still more stringent than OSHA’s 1992 permissible exposure limit (PEL).
December 7, 2025
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OSHA has extended through Dec. 4 the deadline for employers to respond to citations that were issued right before or during the government shutdown, explaining that shutdown days do not count toward the law’s 15-day period to contest citations.
House Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee are urging the Labor Department (DOL) to enforce a self-insurance rule that requires coal operators to contribute to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (BLDTF), raising concerns that lack of enforcement increases the risk to taxpayers and the integrity of the fund.
Labor unions are touting an agreement they reached with one of the companies challenging worker protection requirements in the Biden-era EPA risk management rule for trichloroethylene (TCE), saying it could serve as a model to resolve other industry parties’ opposition to staying the litigation while EPA reconsiders the rule.
Jonathan Snare was sworn in as the new chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) Nov. 24, although it is unclear when the panel will reach a quorum allowing it to hear appeals of OSHA enforcement actions that have been adjudicated by an administrative law judge (ALJ).
California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) officials are attacking OSHA’s proposal to remove medical evaluation requirements from its respirator standard, while offering recommendations to help ensure the standard is as protective as possible should OSHA proceed with its planned changes.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy is highlighting to the Justice Department (DOJ) worker protection laws in Washington state and Oregon that it says “impose significant burdens on small businesses” and should be preempted as part of a broader Trump administration effort to target such laws.
Jeffrey Clark Nov. 18 ended his tenure as acting administrator of the White House office that reviews rules from OSHA and other agencies at the end of the 300 days allowed by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA) and is now serving as the office’s associate administrator, an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) spokeswoman says.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is raising concerns that OSHA’s plan to modify several substance-specific respirator standards could cause unnecessary confusion for employers because EPA has referenced at least one of the standards in its chemical risk management rules and is urging the two agencies to ensure they coordinate.
Construction-sector groups and occupational health experts are providing a mixed reaction to OSHA’s proposal to remove medical evaluation requirements from its respirator standard, with even some groups who support modifying the standard arguing that total elimination goes too far because such screenings are best practice.