The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a series of informal public hearings regarding proposed deregulatory actions affecting workplace safety and health standards. The hearings follow proposed rulemakings published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025 and April 6, 2026.
The proposed actions would impact a broad range of OSHA regulations, including requirements governing 16 chemical substances, respiratory protection, medical evaluations, walking-working surfaces, and color coding for marking physical hazards.
The informal public hearings will be conducted virtually beginning August 19, 2026 and will continue on subsequent weekdays.
The public comment period as well as registration for individuals or organizations wishing to testify, submit documentary evidence, or question witnesses is now closed. The hearings, however, will provide non-participating employers, industry groups, labor organizations, safety professionals, and other interested parties with an opportunity to listen to testimony and perspectives regarding the proposals. OSHA has emphasized that stakeholder participation is critical to ensure the agency considers the best available evidence as it evaluates potential deregulatory actions.
Why This Matters
The hearings are an opportunity for participating stakeholders to provide OSHA with the best available evidence as the agency develops and refines the proposed deregulatory actions. They also provide a meaningful opportunity to shape the administrative record and influence OSHA’s decisions.
The proposed rulemakings could affect compliance obligations across numerous industries regulated by OSHA. Employers that may be impacted should consider reviewing the proposed rulemakings and determine whether tracking the hearing process is warranted. Additional information regarding the hearing process is available on OSHA’s website here.
The Environmental, Safety and Health and Labor and Employment teams at Squire Patton Boggs are closely monitoring these developments and are available to assist clients in tracking and evaluating the proposed rulemakings and their respective public hearings.
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