Government Affairs & Advocacy Updates
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| ASSP Supports Strong Federal Funding for OSHA & NIOSH to Advance Worker Safety |
| ASSP, along with other leading safety and health organizations, has urged Congress to support strong FY 2026 funding for OSHA and NIOSH. Sustained investment helps maintain the research, compliance assistance and safety infrastructure needed to prevent injuries and fatalities. |
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.
Dec 2025 Government Affairs Updates
| December 2025 ASSP supports evidence-based policy decisions and engages with policymakers to ensure our members’ voices are part of important deliberations. ASSP also supports efforts to grow public awareness of environmental health and safety. |
| TOP STORIES |
| Keeping Safety Momentum After the Federal Shutdown With OSHA operations restarting, safety professionals may face delays in inspections, guidance and rulemaking. ASSP offers practical tips for maintaining safety progress during periods of regulatory disruption. |
| OSHA Resumes Normal Operations Following Shutdown OSHA has fully restored enforcement and compliance assistance activities following the recent federal funding lapse. The agency is working through a backlog of complaints and resuming inspections, outreach and guidance efforts that were paused during the shutdown. |
| Regulatory Watch: Evolving OSHA Rulemaking Landscape Recent rulemaking activity highlights several OSHA actions at different stages, including updates such as the PPE-fit requirement for construction and ongoing work on a proposed heat-stress standard. These developments point to a period of regulatory change, and safety professionals may want to monitor what emerges in 2026. |
| OTHER NEWS |
| Legal Challenge Filed Regarding OSHA’s Rulemaking Authority A recent lawsuit filed in Texas challenges the statutory framework Congress established for OSHA’s rulemaking process. While still in early stages, the case could have implications for how federal workplace safety regulations are shaped if it proceeds through the courts. |
| ADVOCACY UPDATES |
| Protecting Credible BLS Injury & Illness Data ASSP and partner organizations are urging policymakers to preserve the integrity of BLS occupational safety data. Reliable, transparent data remain essential to evidence-based prevention and national safety priorities. |
| Federal Safety Funding & Data Integrity Along with other leading safety and health organizations, ASSP recently urged Congress to adopt strong FY 2026 funding levels for OSHA and NIOSH, emphasizing the need for stable federal support for research, data and compliance assistance. |
| ASSP & CSRA Announce New Partnership At the CSRA Safety Summit in November, ASSP and the Construction Safety Research Alliance formalized a new MOU to strengthen collaboration between safety research and professional practice. The partnership aims to help bring evidence-based insights — especially around SIF prevention — to a broader community of safety professionals through shared learning and communication efforts. |
| 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. Understanding False Claims of ANSI or OSHA Certification ASSP is addressing growing concerns about misleading product claims suggesting ANSI or OSHA “certification.” Standards bodies do not certify equipment, and safety professionals should know how to verify legitimate conformance. |