Government Affairs & Advocacy Update:
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| February 2025 Through the activities and engagement of the Government Affairs Committee, ASSP supports its commitment to advocating for evidence-based policy decisions and engages with policymakers to ensure our members’ voices are part of important deliberations. ASSP also supports efforts by federal agencies to advance workplace safety and health through public awareness campaigns. |
| TOP STORIES |
| Bill Introduced to Abolish OSHA Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has introduced the NOSHA Act (H.R. 86), aiming to eliminate OSHA. Similar legislation has been proposed in the past. While the bill is unlikely to gain traction, ASSP is monitoring developments and will share updates as needed. Track the bill |
| ASSP Offers Key Insights on OSHA’s Proposed Heat Injury & Illness Prevention Standard Informed by member input, ASSP submitted technical comments on OSHA’s proposed heat standard. Overall, ASSP supports a federal rule on preventing heat injury and illness but recommends revising the proposal to better align with ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024. Read more |
| New Leaders at OSHA Word from Washington, D.C., is that President Donald Trump will nominate David Keeling as assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. Keeling has held positions overseeing safety at both Amazon.com Inc. and UPS. In addition, Amanda Wood Laihow, a labor lawyer who served as a member of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission from 2020 to 2023, is expected to be appointed the political deputy assistant secretary. OSHA’s leadership team also includes ASSP member Scott Ketcham, who was recently promoted to deputy assistant secretary after holding leadership roles with the agency’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Directorate of Construction. We’ll continue to share updates with ASSP members. |
| Executive Order Freezes New Federal Regulations The Trump administration has issued an executive order that suspends implementation of new federal regulations until an appointee of the administration reviews and decides whether to proceed with or retract the rule. The order pauses a range of OSHA’s rulemaking activities, including the agency’s heat injury and illness prevention and emergency response regulations. Read the order |
| Senate Schedules Hearing on Labor Secretary Nominee The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions will hold a hearing on Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the administration’s nominee for Labor Secretary, on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The hearing will be available via livestream on the committee’s webpage. Bookmark page |
| OTHER NEWS |
| 5 Regulatory and Legislative Predictions for Safety in 2025 Workplace safety and compliance are poised for change. From challenges to OSHA’s authority to the role of courts, legal expert Adele Abrams has five predictions for 2025. Read more |
| OSHA Rule on Proper PPE Fit in Construction Goes Into Effect On Jan. 13, OSHA’s revised rule on the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for construction took effect, explicitly requiring that PPE properly fits each worker. Read more |
| OSHA Updates Recordkeeping Directive OSHA has issued an updated directive on recordkeeping policies and procedures. The new directive, Part 1904 Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures (CPL 02-00-172), took effect Jan. 13, 2025. Read more |
| OSHA & EPA Sign Memorandum of Understanding On Jan. 13, OSHA and the EPA signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance coordination on managing existing chemicals under Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act. ASSP will monitor its alignment with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard in addition to any further implications for ASSP members. Read more |
| ADVOCACY UPDATES |
| Advocating for the Safety Profession in Washington, D.C. In late 2024, ASSP representatives traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with key organizations and government agencies, ensuring the voices of our members are heard in important workplace safety discussions. Read more |
| ASSP Recognizes Important Role of Government in OSH Several ASSP position statements affirm ASSP’s stance on the role of government in occupational safety and health: The Role of Voluntary National Consensus Standards in Occupational Safety and Health Government Recognition Programs for Occupational Safety and Health The Role of Government in Occupational Safety and Health Support for Occupational Safety and Health Activity by the Public Sector Universal Coverage of Government Employees View position statements |
| Submit Your Nomination for the 2025 Prevention Through Design Award The Prevention Through Design (PTD) Award, co-presented by NIOSH, ASSP, AIHA and NSC, recognizes efforts to eliminate or reduce hazards through design or added knowledge that enabled PTD solutions. Nominations are due by Monday, March 3. Learn more |
| Use Our Advocacy Toolkit to Elevate the Voice of the Profession Our government affairs toolkit is a great resource to help you advocate for occupational safety in your community, region or state. Log in to access |
| STANDARDS UPDATES |
| Voluntary consensus standards provide industry-leading guidance on hazard prevention, risk management and best practices — especially in areas where regulations may not exist. Stay informed on the latest developments shaping the profession. ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025 Standard for Construction Safety Training The updated ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025 standard on safety, health and environmental training for construction and demolition operations provides essential guidance for developing effective training programs in high-risk environments. Learn more |
| Enhancing Fleet Safety With the ANSI/ASSP Z15 Standard In a recent “The Case for Safety” podcast, Alan Mar, Vice Chair of the ANSI/ASSP Z15 Committee, explains how the Z15 standard provides a framework for assessing hazards and improving fleet safety. Listen now |
| Strengthen Your Safety Training With ANSI/ASSP Z490.1-2024 The newly updated ANSI/ASSP Z490.1-2024 standard outlines best practices for managing safety, health and environmental training programs. It provides essential guidance on developing effective programs that align with adult learning principles. Learn more |
Advisory Group Updates:
Our Advisory Group has direct input and communication with the Board of Directors. The group informs board decisions and communicates member needs, concerns and suggestions to the board.