What the White House’s New 2025 Regulatory Agenda Means for Workplace Safety
The White House’s Spring 2025 Unified Regulatory Agenda, officially published September 4, outlines forthcoming regulatory activity across federal agencies. For EHS professionals, OEMs, and workplace leaders, the agenda serves as a roadmap of upcoming compliance requirements.
OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) together account for 43 proposed rules, ranging from chemical exposure standards to respirator requirements. With shifts this significant, now is the time for organizations to evaluate how these rules could affect their safety programs, training, and hazard communication.
Why the Unified Agenda Matters for Workplace Safety
Published twice a year by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), the Unified Agenda details regulatory actions at three stages:
- Pre-rule: Early considerations for rulemaking.
- Proposed rule: Drafts open for public comment.
- Final rule: Rules ready for publication and enforcement.
While not legally binding, the agenda signals regulatory priorities over the next 6–12 months. For employers, staying informed is critical to avoid compliance gaps and keep workers safe.
OSHA Highlights in the Spring 2025 Agenda
Chemical-Specific Standards and Respiratory Protection
OSHA’s proposed rules include updates to longstanding substance-specific standards for asbestos, benzene, cadmium, cotton dust, formaldehyde, and lead.
One major change under review is the potential removal of the medical evaluation requirement for workers using filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). OSHA concluded that existing evidence does not show these evaluations consistently prevent adverse outcomes, and eliminating the requirement could reduce costs while maintaining safety.
For employers, these updates signal the need to review respirator programs, PPE labeling, and training procedures to ensure compliance when final rules are issued.
Powered Industrial Trucks: Final Rule Stage
A long-awaited update to OSHA’s powered industrial trucks standard is listed in the “final rule stage,” with publication expected as early as November 2025.
This update is particularly relevant for industries that rely on forklifts and material handling equipment. Employers should expect new operator training requirements, updated design standards, and revised hazard communication needs.
Explore Clarion Safety’s Powered Industrial Truck Safety Labels & Signs to support compliance with current and future requirements.
Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance
OSHA’s proposed standard on workplace violence prevention in healthcare and social assistance has been moved to the long-term actions list. This typically indicates that rulemaking is delayed for at least six months.
While the rule is stalled, OSHA leadership—including recently nominated administrator David Keeling—has emphasized the importance of addressing workplace violence risks. Employers in healthcare and high-risk environments should continue to invest in clear emergency signage, training, and reporting procedures to proactively protect workers.
MSHA Proposals and Long-Term Actions
MSHA listed 18 proposed rules in the Spring 2025 agenda, including changes to:
- Training and retraining program approvals
- Roof control plan approvals
- Ventilation plan approvals
Additionally, its proposed rule on testing and approval of equipment for use in underground mines was moved to the long-term actions stage.
For mining operators, these changes could affect both safety program documentation and hazard communication systems within facilities.
What Employers Should Do Now
To prepare for upcoming regulatory changes, employers should:
- Monitor OSHA’s final rule on powered industrial trucks and adapt safety programs accordingly.
- Audit respiratory protection policies and PPE programs in light of proposed rulemaking.
- Review and update facility signage to ensure compliance with ANSI Z535.2 environmental and facility safety signs and ISO 7010 emergency exit symbols.
- Strengthen emergency preparedness and training initiatives in line with National Preparedness Month 2025.
Stay Ahead of Compliance Shifts
The Spring 2025 Unified Regulatory Agenda reflects OSHA and MSHA’s priorities for the months ahead, from respirator use and powered industrial trucks to long-term workplace violence prevention efforts. For employers, these developments underscore the importance of staying proactive.
Clarion Safety is here to help you align with evolving compliance requirements through standards-based safety labels and signs – as well as risk assessment and safeguarding solutions through our family of companies.
FAQs: OSHA and the Regulatory Agenda
The Unified Regulatory Agenda is a semi-annual publication from the White House OIRA that outlines potential regulatory actions federal agencies plan to pursue.
The most notable proposals include updates to respirator requirements, substance-specific exposure standards, and the final rule on powered industrial trucks.
Businesses can prepare by monitoring regulatory timelines and updating safety programs. Its also recommended to follow today’s best practices for risk assessment and safety communication, including regular risk assessments at the machinery and workplace level, as well as keeping safety labels and signs up-to-date with the latest ANSI and ISO standards.
