Government Affairs & Advocacy Update:
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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.
June 2025 Updates
| 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 |
| Partial NIOSH Reinstatements Mark Important Progress for Worker Safety Several hundred NIOSH employees have been reinstated to key safety programs. ASSP played a leading role in the advocacy response, helping restore critical occupational health services and spotlighting the importance of continued federal investment in worker protection. |
| Big Win: Workforce Development & Nonprofit Advocacy Move Forward The House-passed tax reform package includes a major victory for safety professionals and associations: expansion of 529 savings plans to cover credentials and licenses — a key workforce development goal supported by ASSP. Thanks to strong nonprofit advocacy, the package also removed a proposed tax on association revenue, protecting vital mission-driven work. The bill now heads to the Senate. |
| OSHA Updates Targeted Inspection Program OSHA has revised its Site-Specific Targeting directive to focus on injury and illness trends from 2021–2023. Safety professionals should review their 300A submissions and recordkeeping practices to prepare for potential inspection. |
| ASSP to Speak at OSHA Heat Rule Hearing ASSP will provide oral testimony at OSHA’s public hearing on its proposed heat injury and illness prevention rule on June 16. Our remarks will reinforce the Society’s written comments and emphasize the importance of a flexible, risk-based approach to protecting workers from heat stress. |
| Trump Administration Halts MSHA Office Closures The Trump administration has reversed its decision to close 34 MSHA field offices following public and legal pushback. While most offices will remain open, safety advocates continue to call for full restoration of mine safety enforcement capacity. |
| OTHER NEWS |
| ASSP Responds to OSHA RFI on Regulatory Reform ASSP submitted public comments to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) recent request for input on regulatory reform, drawing on board-approved position statements and past technical submissions. The response reinforces the value of evidence-based, consensus-driven safety standards. |
| Successful Farming — Agriculture Impacts The Trump administration’s cuts to NIOSH threaten the future of federal agricultural safety programs, which provide essential support to farm workers, families and rural communities. Stakeholders warn that without NIOSH’s leadership and funding, efforts to reduce farm-related injuries and fatalities could collapse, particularly in underserved areas. |
| ADVOCACY UPDATES |
| Advancing Construction Safety: ASSP Participates in OSHA Alliance Roundtable ASSP joined OSHA’s 2025 Annual Construction Roundtable on April 10, contributing member insights and updates on A10 standards and the Intersociety Forum. The event reinforced ASSP’s role as a trusted voice in national safety conversations, particularly around emerging priorities like mental health in construction. |
| Take Action: Protect NIOSH Programs ASSP continues to urge members to contact their congressional representatives to advocate for full funding and support of NIOSH programs critical to worker safety and health. Use the advocacy template on our position statements webpage to craft your message and make your voice heard. |
| ASSP Recognizes Important Role of Government in EHS Several ASSP position statements affirm ASSP’s stance on the role of government in occupational environmental, health and safety: 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 |
| 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. Reminder: Voluntary Heat Standard Available for Construction Work As summer temperatures rise, it’s a good time to revisit ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024, the first national voluntary consensus standard addressing heat stress in construction and demolition. The standard provides employers with expert guidance on preventing heat-related illness through acclimatization, training, rest breaks and more. |