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.
April 2026 Government Affairs Updates
| April 2026 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 |
| Five Trends Shaping the Future of Workplace Safety A new ASSP report identifies five critical themes influencing the future of occupational environmental, health and safety. The findings highlight how technology, workforce changes and evolving risks are shaping the profession. |
| What OSHA’s Updated Heat Emphasis Program Means for Employers OSHA has updated its National Emphasis Program on heat hazards, reinforcing enforcement focus on high-risk industries. The update signals continued attention on heat-related risks and what employers should expect during inspections. |
| AI & the Evolving Role of EHS Professionals 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. |
| ADVOCACY UPDATES |
| ASSP Supports Industry Effort to Align OSHA PPE Standards ASSP joined industry efforts supporting alignment of OSHA PPE standards with current voluntary consensus standards. The effort aims to improve clarity, consistency and real-world applicability of worker protection requirements. |
| ASSP Submits Comments on DOE Worker Safety Rule ASSP submitted regulatory comments on a Department of Energy proposal that could affect worker safety requirements under 10 CFR Part 851. The Society emphasized the importance of maintaining voluntary consensus standards and structured safety management systems in federal policy. |
| ASSP Supports Federal Investment in OSHA & NIOSH ASSP continues to support strong federal investment in OSHA and NIOSH to sustain research, compliance assistance and national safety infrastructure. Reliable funding remains critical to advancing injury and fatality prevention efforts. |
| Strengthening Partnerships at OSHA Construction Roundtable ASSP participated in OSHA’s 2026 Construction Roundtable, highlighting the importance of collaboration across industry, labor and government. The discussion focused on strengthening partnerships to address evolving construction safety challenges. |
| 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. ASSP Publishes First U.S.-Based Risk Assessment Standard ASSP has published the first U.S.-based voluntary consensus standard focused on risk assessment and management. The new standard provides a structured framework for identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards. |
| CSB Recommendation Highlights Importance of Confined Spaces Standard A recent recommendation from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) underscores the value of the ANSI/ASSP confined spaces standard in preventing serious incidents. The guidance reinforces how consensus standards support safer practices in high-risk environments. |
| SBUGs: Moving Safety Beyond Compliance Safety standards are essential, but reducing serious injuries and fatalities requires consistent implementation and shared learning. ASSP’s Standards-Based User Groups (SBUGs) connect professionals to share real-world insights, benchmark performance and identify practical opportunities to strengthen safety outcomes. |