This week the Senate confirmed the new leaders of OSHA and MSHA. David Keeling is the new Assistant Secretary of OSHA and Wayne Palmer is the new Assistant Secretary for MSHA.
New Leaders of OSHA and MSHA Confirmed by Senate
How are OSHA and MSHA Affected During the Shutdown?
Per a U.S. Department of Labor memo entitled “Plan for the Continuation of Limited Activities During a Lapse in Appropriations,” many employees of OSHA and MSHA are currently furloughed.
At the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), of the agency’s 1,590 employees, only 879 will not be furloughed. Of those 879 employees, 674
OSHA Announces Public Hearing on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rulemaking
On April 16, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it would be hosting a virtual public hearing on its proposed rule to protect workers from hazardous heat exposure on June 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. EDT. The hearing may continue to subsequent days if necessary.
For a detailed overview of the
Trump Administration Nominates New Assistant Secretaries for OSHA and MSHA
Over the last week, the Trump administration has put forward its nominees for Assistant Secretary for both the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Health and Safety Administration (MSHA).
MSHA/OSHA Civil Penalty Amounts Increase for 2025
On January 10, 2025, the Department of Labor’s annual penalty adjustments were published in the Federal Register. The 2025 increases are approximately 2.6%. The chart below applies to any penalties assessed after January 15, 2025, including penalties whose associated violations occurred before that date.
Please contact a Husch Blackwell Safety and health attorney with
OSHA Announces New Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Inspections
On October 16, 2024, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced expanded guidance for animal slaughtering and processing industry inspections that supersedes previous inspection guidance. Check out our in-depth post concerning this regulatory update on Husch Blackwell’s Climate Solutions Legal Digest blog.
OSHA Offices in Colorado Implement New Local Emphasis Program for the Cannabis Industry
This past July, OSHA’s Colorado offices published a Local Emphasis Program regarding workplace hazards associated with cannabis production. Check out our blog post on Cannabis Law Now.
OSHA Publishes New Heat Safety Standard
On August 30, 2024, OSHA formally published its heat safety standard for indoor and outdoor work in the Federal Register, starting a 120-day public comment period.
Understanding OSHA’s Proposed Heat Safety Regulations
On July 2, OSHA unveiled its proposed heat safety rule, currently awaiting official publication in the Federal Register. This rule aims to protect employees from heat-related injuries and illnesses by establishing comprehensive requirements for employers, as outlined in a White House Fact Sheet.
The proposed rule is part of broader effort by the Biden Administration to respond to the impacts of climate change. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, the public is encouraged to submit written comments on the rule. Key rule provisions include:
OSHA Heat Standard Heads to White House for Review
OSHA has been working a proposed standard for indoor and outdoor heat illness since 2021. This month the proposed standard has been sent to the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review.
While the language of the proposed standard has not be released, the rule is expected to include temperatures that trigger requirements under the rule such as mandatory rest breaks. OSHA has previously stated the rules to protect workers from heat illness would be followed after the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit.