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ARTICLE · 20 NOVEMBER 2025

Looking Into 2026: Best Practices For OSHA Compliance

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As 2025 comes to a close, employers across the country should be thinking about what employment laws impose new or heightened compliance requirements for 2026.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Jacqueline A. Hayduk
Jacqueline A. Hayduk
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As 2025 comes to a close, employers across the country should be thinking about what employment laws impose new or heightened compliance requirements for 2026. Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) is no exception and employers should be mindful of OSHA-related enforcement topics that are likely to be a priority in 2026. Companies should take the opportunity to get a head start on updating health and safety related policies, trainings, and processes as OSHA resumes business as usual in the aftermath of the recent federal government shutdown.

Predicted OSHA Enforcement Priorities for 2026

Heat Safety – On August 30, 2024, OSHA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, evidencing an increased interest in this area. Until this rule was proposed, OSHA has relied on the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act when issuing heat-related citations.

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