September 2025 OSHA Updates

OSHA has several notable updates effective around September 2025, including changes to penalty guidelines for small businesses, an extended comment deadline for the proposed heat safety rule, and the issuance of several new proposed rulemaking (NPRM)s related to deregulatory efforts and updates to standards like the General Duty Clause and respiratory protection. There is also a focus on updating the Hazard Communication Standard to align with international standards, potentially impacting chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheets. 

Key Updates & Changes

• Penalty Reductions: Effective July 14, 2025, businesses with up to 25 employees can receive a 70% reduction in penalties, a significant expansion from previous rules. A new 15% reduction is also available for employers who quickly address hazards during inspections, and a 20% reduction for those with no serious violations. 
• Proposed Heat Safety Rule: The comment deadline for the proposed rule on preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses in outdoor and indoor workplaces was extended to October 30, 2025. This proposed rule aims to establish standards for hydration, rest breaks, and heat emergency plans. 
• Deregulatory NPRMs: OSHA issued NPRMs in July 2025 to remove or revise regulations deemed outdated or overly rigid, including potential clarifications to the General Duty Clause. 
• Respiratory Protection: A key proposed change involves removing the medical evaluation requirement for employees using filtering facepiece respirators or loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (FFRs/PAPRs). 
• Hazard Communication Standard (HCS): There is an ongoing effort to align the HCS with the latest Globally Harmonized System (GHS) revisions, which may lead to updated requirements for chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 
• Miscellaneous Deregulatory Rules: Other proposed changes include the rescission of coordinated enforcement regulations and rules concerning open fires in marine terminals.