Proposed rule · United States · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration schedules virtual public hearings on its deregulatory safety proposals
As of our last check on November 2, 2026, this is a proposal, not a requirement.
We check the Federal Register daily for later actions. We check federal court opinions for rulings on published rules weekly, on Mondays. A ruling can take time to reach us, so not finding one here does not mean there is none.
Added to AmendSignal
In short
What changed
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is holding virtual public hearings, starting August 19, 2026, on deregulatory proposed rules it published on July 1, 2025 and April 6, 2026. The notice itself changes no safety standard.
Who's affected
Employers whose workers wear respirators under the chemical standards or wear filtering facepiece respirators, employers that rely on the safety color code, and employers with fixed ladders over 24 feet may want to follow these proposals.
What to do
This notice creates no new duties for employers. If you want to testify or question witnesses, file a Notice of Intention to Appear (NOITA) by July 6, 2026, and send full testimony by August 5, 2026 if you need more than 10 minutes or will submit documents.
What changed
From the source · SUMMARY
OSHA is scheduling a series of informal public hearings on the above-listed proposed rules.
OSHA is scheduling a series of informal public hearings on the listed proposed rules. The hearings will be held virtually and begin August 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
From the source · Changes to Respiratory Protection Requirements for 16 Different Chemical Substances
Sixteen of the rules that OSHA proposed are related to respiratory protection requirements for different chemical substances
Also: Changes to Respiratory Protection Requirements for 16 Different Chemical Substances
The intent of each proposal is to reduce compliance burdens, allow for the use of more up-to-date technology, and/or better align the rules with the general Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
Sixteen of the proposals deal with respiratory protection requirements for specific chemical substances. OSHA says they aim to reduce compliance burdens, allow newer technology, or better align with the general Respiratory Protection standard.
From the source · Respiratory Protection: Medical Evaluations
by removing the medical evaluation requirements specified in the paragraph (e) for employees required to wear either a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) or loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) (90 FR 28463).
Another proposal would remove the medical evaluation requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard for employees required to wear a filtering facepiece respirator or a loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator.
From the source · Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards
OSHA also published a proposal to remove its Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards standard, 29 CFR 1910.144
Another proposal would remove the Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards standard, plus related provisions in the Textiles, Sawmills and Shipyard Employment standards that require compliance with it.
From the source · Walking-Working Surfaces--Fixed Ladders
OSHA proposed 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.
The April 6, 2026 proposal would remove the November 18, 2036 deadline for installing personal fall arrest or ladder safety systems on fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level.
From the source · I. Informal Public Hearing--Purpose, Rules and Procedures
At the close of the hearings, there will be a post-hearing comment period during which those persons who submitted a NOITA may submit final briefs, arguments, summations, and additional data and information to OSHA.
by removing the medical evaluation requirements specified in the paragraph (e) for employees required to wear either a filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) or loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) (90 FR 28463).
Employers whose workers use respirators under the chemical standards listed (such as asbestos, benzene, lead and formaldehyde), or who wear filtering facepiece or loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators, would be affected if the respirator proposals are finalized.
From the source · Walking-Working Surfaces--Fixed Ladders
OSHA published a proposed rule intended to provide greater compliance flexibility for employers subject to the requirements in OSHA's Walking-Working Surfaces standard (29 CFR, Subpart D).
If finalized, the proposals could lower compliance costs, for example by letting employers replace fixed ladders at the end of their service lives instead of by a set deadline.
Our analysis · DATES
interested persons must electronically submit their Notice of Intention to Appear (NOITA) on or before July 6, 2026.
Employers that want to shape the final rules have a short window: the NOITA is due July 6, 2026, and longer testimony is due August 5, 2026. Missing the procedural requirements can limit a presentation to 5 minutes.
From the source · ADDRESSES
OSHA cautions commenters about submitting information they do not want made available to the public
Submissions go into a public docket without change, and OSHA cautions against including personal information such as Social Security numbers.
What to do
Required
This is a proposed rule and hearing notice. It creates no new requirements for employers. The filing deadlines apply only to those who choose to take part in the hearings.
Worth considering
Our suggestion · Changes to Respiratory Protection Requirements for 16 Different Chemical Substances
Sixteen of the rules that OSHA proposed are related to respiratory protection requirements for different chemical substances
OSHA proposed 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.
Consider checking whether your sites use respirators under the listed chemical standards, rely on the safety color code, or have fixed ladders over 24 feet, so you know which proposals matter to you.
Our suggestion · II. Notice of Intention To Appear at the Hearing
Interested persons who intend to testify, provide documentary evidence, or question other witnesses at the hearings must electronically submit their NOITA via https://www.osha.gov/deregulatory-rulemaking on or before July 6, 2026
If you want to testify, provide documentary evidence or question witnesses, consider filing a NOITA through OSHA's deregulatory rulemaking web page, naming the rulemakings you will address.
Our suggestion · DATES
those who request more than 10 minutes for their presentation at the informal hearing and those who intend to submit documentary evidence at the hearing must submit the full text of their testimony
Consider keeping your current respirator, color code and ladder programs in place, since these are proposals and OSHA will issue final rules only after the hearing record closes.
Our suggestion · ADDRESSES
OSHA cautions commenters about submitting information they do not want made available to the public
Consider leaving personal information out of anything you submit, since submissions are placed in a public docket.
Open questions
The source leaves these open. We'll update this record if a later document answers them.
How many days will the hearings run, and when will the post-hearing comment period close?
The notice says OSHA will set the number of hearing days later based on how many people want to testify, and it gives no length for the post-hearing comment period.
Can employers that do not file a Notice of Intention to Appear still send written comments on these proposals?
The notice limits post-hearing submissions to NOITA filers and does not say whether any written comment period on the proposals is open.
1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane; 1, 3-Butadiene; 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.); Acrylonitrile; Asbestos; Benzene; Cadmium; Coke Oven Emissions; Cotton Dust; Ethylene Oxide; Formaldehyde; Inorganic Arsenic; Lead; Methylene Chloride; Methylenedianiline; Vinyl Chloride; Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators; Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards; Textiles; Sawmills; Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards for Shipyard Employment; and Walking-Working Surfaces Source (opens in a new tab)
