Category: Enforcement and Inspection

As today’s workplace becomes more complex, regulation of that workplace increases. In this section, you’ll find the practical advice you need to understand exactly what OSHA, other federal agencies, and their state counterparts, require of you, and to comply in the ways that best satisfy both your and their needs. Look also for important court decisions, advice on how to handle enforcement actions, and news of upcoming changes in workplace health and safety law.

Free Special Report: What to Expect from an OSHA Inspection

FY 2026 Proposed EPA Budget Includes Deep Cuts to Enforcement and State Grants

The president’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget for the EPA totals $4.16 billion, a 54% decrease from the FY 2025 enacted budget level, according to the FY 2026 EPA Budget in Brief. If enacted, it will represent the smallest budget the Agency has seen in 50 years. The FY 2026 budget supports 12,856 full-time […]

OSHA Proposes Changes to Respiratory Protection Rules

On July 1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) took significant steps at deregulation by proposing changes to medical evaluation requirements in the respiratory protection standard. It also proposed changes to several toxic and hazardous substances standards to allow different types of respirators, remove provisions that duplicate requirements of the respiratory protection standard, or […]

OSHA Takes First Steps at Deregulation

On July 1, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) took its first steps at deregulation, publishing one final rule and many proposals. The final rule revokes 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §1911.10, the requirement for the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health to consult with the Advisory Committee on Construction […]

FMCSA to Withdraw Speed-Limiter Proposal

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will withdraw a proposed rule that would have required the use of speed-limiting devices on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced June 27. The announcement was part of a “pro-trucker package” unveiled by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, which also includes plans to “eliminate […]

Labor Department Outlines Criminal Referral Policies

On June 25, the Department of Labor (DOL) outlined its policies for referring regulatory enforcement cases to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution (90 Fed. Reg. 27057). The DOL’s Office of the Solicitor published its policies in response to the May 9 Executive Order “Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations” (E.O. 14294; 90 Fed. […]

OSHA Renews Emphasis Program for Amputations

On June 26, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the renewal of a national emphasis program (NEP) of outreach, inspection, and enforcement to address amputations in manufacturing. The new NEP replaces one set to expire June 27. The updated program will remain in effect for five years, according to the agency. Changes to […]

EPA Announces Record-High Biofuel Blending Mandates

On June 13, 2025, the EPA announced it’s proposing the highest-volume requirements ever proposed under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. If finalized, these volume requirements will set record-high levels of biofuels blended into fuels to meet U.S. transportation needs. The announcement resulted in a 25-cent increase in soybean prices, according to Michigan Farm News, […]

EPA Proposes New Pesticide Registration to Help Honeybees

On May 29, 2025, the EPA proposed to register one technical and two end-use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana, a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), for control against varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in honeybee hives. These mites are parasites that feed on honeybees and are responsible for transmitting several honeybee viruses. Left untreated, varroa mites […]

EPA: $1.1 Million Settlement in Alleged FIFRA Violation

On June 6, 2025, the EPA announced Stepan Co. of Northbrook, Illinois, agreed to a $1,126,404 penalty settlement for allegedly distributing or selling a misbranded pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). “EPA alleged a distributor for Stepan sold Wipes.Com Disinfectant Wipes, a misbranded disinfectant, 303 times,” an EPA news […]