Deregulatory Rulemaking
Public Hearings Information
The informal public hearings for OSHA's proposed Deregulatory Rulemaking actions concluded on August 26, 2026. The post-hearing comment periods for individuals who submitted a Notice of Intention to Appear have also concluded. Post-hearing comments and briefs are available for viewing at www.regulations.gov using the docket links below.
Information on the hearings is available below:
- Hearings Schedule
- Hearing and Post-Hearing Procedures
- Archived Recordings and Official Transcripts:
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026: Proposed Rule on Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators [ Transcript ]
- Thursday, August 20, 2026: Proposed Rule on Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators [ Transcript ]
- Monday, August 24, 2026: Proposed Rule on Walking-Working Surfaces – Fixed Ladders [ Transcript ]
- Tuesday, August 25, 2026: Proposed Rule on Amending Respiratory Protection Provisions in Standards on 16 Chemicals [ Transcript ]
- Wednesday, August 26, 2026: Proposed Rule on Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards; Textiles; Sawmills; Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards for Shipyard Employment [ Transcript ]
For further information on the hearings, please see https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/03/2026-11126/12-dibromo-3-chloropropane-1-3-butadiene-13-carcinogens-4-nitrobiphenyl-etc-acrylonitrile-asbestos.
For ongoing updates and further information, stakeholders are encouraged to utilize the related links provided on this webpage. Additional information on OSHA's rulemaking process and how stakeholders can participate is available at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/rulemakingprocess.
The proposed rulemakings are available for viewing at the Federal Register links and all public comments are accessible on regulations.gov.
Overview
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a series of proposed rulemakings in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, as well as an additional proposed rulemaking on April 6, 2026 regarding Walking-Working Surfaces. These deregulatory initiatives reflects OSHA's commitment to modernizing workplace safety standards, addressing outdated regulations, and enhancing the flexibility of compliance strategies across multiple industries. These efforts are aligned with Executive Order 14192, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” which directs agencies to streamline regulatory obligations by repealing outdated or redundant standards, thereby reducing compliance costs and fostering economic growth.
Notices of Proposed Rulemaking
Interpretation of the General Duty Clause: Limitation for Inherently Risky Professional Activities
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0041-0002; RIN 1218-AD71
Document Citation: 90 FR 28370
Summary: OSHA proposes to clarify its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, 29 U.S.C. 654(a)(1), to exclude from enforcement known hazards that are inherent and inseparable from the core nature of a professional activity or performance.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12236/occupational-safety-and-health-standards-interpretation-of-the-general-duty-clause-limitation-for
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0041
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0006-0013; RIN 1218-AD48
Document Citation: 90 FR 28463
Summary: OSHA proposes to remove some medical evaluation requirements in the Respiratory Protection Rule for certain types of respirators. This proposed change would only impact filtering facepiece respirators and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-12235/amending-the-medical-evaluation-requirements-in-the-respiratory-protection-standard-for-certain
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0006
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0019-0002; RIN 1218-AD54
Document Citation: 90 FR 28316
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11629/12-dibromo-3-chloropropane
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0019
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0020-0002; RIN 1218-AD55
Document Citation: 90 FR 28302
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's 1,3-Butadiene standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's respiratory protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11630/title-13-butadiene
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0020
13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.)
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0013-0002; RIN 1218-AD56
Document Citation: 90 FR 28312
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's 13 Carcinogens standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's respiratory protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11631/13-carcinogens-4-nitrobiphenyl-etc
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0013
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0017-0002; RIN 1218-AD57
Document Citation: 90 FR 28291
Summary: The proposed rule revises some provisions of OSHA's Acrylonitrile standard to better align it with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11632/acrylonitrile
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0017
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0024-0002; RIN 1218-AD58
Document Citation: 90 FR 28295
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Asbestos standards and better aligns these standards with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11633/asbestos
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0024
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0023-0002; RIN 1218-AD59
Document Citation: 90 FR 28321
Summary: The proposed rule would revise some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Benzene standard and would better align this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11634/benzene
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0023
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0021-0002; RIN 1218-AD60
Document Citation: 90 FR 28330
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Cadmium standards and better aligns these standards with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11635/cadmium
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0021
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0014-0002; RIN 1218-AD61
Document Citation: 90 FR 28354
Summary: The proposed rule would revise some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Coke Oven Emissions standard and better align this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11636/coke-oven-emissions
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0014
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0040-0002; RIN 1218-AD70
Document Citation: 90 FR 28366
Summary: The proposed rule would rescind the construction illumination requirements, codified in 29 CFR 1926.26 and 1926.56.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11645/construction-illumination
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0040
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0011-0002; RIN 1218-AD62
Document Citation: 90 FR 28349
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Cotton Dust standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11637/cotton-dust
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0011
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0018-0002; RIN 1218-AD63
Document Citation: 90 FR 28307
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Ethylene Oxide standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11638/ethylene-oxide
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0018
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0026-0002; RIN 1218-AD64
Document Citation: 90 FR 28286
Summary: The proposed rule revises OSHA's Formaldehyde standard to eliminate duplicative respiratory protection requirements and better align this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11639/formaldehyde
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0026
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0016-0002; RIN 1218-AD65
Document Citation: 90 FR 28267
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Inorganic Arsenic standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11640/inorganic-arsenic
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0016
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0022-0002; RIN 1218-AD66
Document Citation: 90 FR 28277
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Lead standards and better aligns the standards with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11641/lead
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0022
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0012-0002; RIN 1218-AD67
Document Citation: 90 FR 28272
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Methylene Chloride standard and better aligns this standard with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard. It also includes two technical corrections.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11642/methylene-chloride
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0012
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0025-0002; RIN 1218-AD68
Document Citation: 90 FR 28325
Summary: The proposed rule revises some substance-specific respirator requirements to allow different types of respirators to be used under OSHA's Methylenedianiline standards and better aligns these standards with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11643/methylenedianiline
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0025
Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings
Document ID: OSHA-2020-0004-2542; RIN 1218-AD36
Document Citation: 90 FR 28336
Summary: OSHA is proposing to remove OSHA's COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard and its associated recordkeeping and reporting provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11625/occupational-exposure-to-covid-19-in-healthcare-settings
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2020-0004
Rescission of Coordinated Enforcement Regulations
Document ID: ETA-2025-0003-0001; RIN 1218-AD53
Document Citation: 90 FR 28247
Summary: The Department of Labor (the Department or DOL) proposes to remove the regulations that set forth the procedures within the Department for the coordination of enforcement activities by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) relating to migrant farmworkers. The Department is proposing this removal because these regulations limit the Department's discretion, impose unnecessary and duplicative internal procedures, and prevent the Department's agencies from coordinating with regard to migrant farmworkers in more efficient, effective ways.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11848/rescission-of-coordinated-enforcement-regulations
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ETA-2025-0003
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0009-0002; RIN 1218-AD50
Document Citation: 90 FR 28282
Summary: This proposed rule removes from the Code of Federal Regulations: OSHA's Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards Standard, 29 CFR 1910.144; paragraph (c)(8) of OSHA's Textiles Standard, 29 CFR 1910.262; paragraph (c)(11) of OSHA's Sawmills Standard, 29 CFR 1910.265; and OSHA's Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards for Shipyard Employment Standard, 29 CFR 1915.90.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11626/safety-color-code-for-marking-physical-hazards-textiles-sawmills-safety-color-code-for-marking
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0009
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0015-0002; RIN 1218-AD69
Document Citation: 90 FR 28263
Summary: The proposed rule removes language in OSHA's Vinyl Chloride standard that is duplicative with OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/01/2025-11644/vinyl-chloride
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0015
Walking-Working Surfaces – Fixed Ladders
Document ID: OSHA-2025-0072-0003; RIN 1218-AD73
Document Citation: 91 FR 17165
Summary: This proposed rule is intended to provide greater compliance flexibility for employers subject to the requirements in OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces standard (29 CFR, Subpart D). OSHA is proposing to remove a provision that sets a deadline (November 18, 2036) for the installation of personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems on all fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level. OSHA anticipates this change will allow employers to update their ladders when the ladders reach the end of their service lives, accommodating the lengthy service life of fixed ladders while significantly reducing costs and offering greater flexibility.
Federal Register Link: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06578/walking-working-surfaces
Docket Link (Comment Submission) https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2025-0072/