DOL Starts to Raise Some Deregulation Flags
A plan to cut 63 federal regulations sparks questions about future worker protections.
- By David Kopf
- Jul 16, 2025
Right as this issue was going to press, the Department of Labor announced plans to eliminate 63 federal regulations as part of a broad deregulatory agenda that could impact millions of workers. While the full list of affected rules is still unfolding in the Federal Register, early reports indicate potential changes to key aspects of workplace safety: relaxed reporting requirements, adjustments to safety training mandates, and a reduction in federal oversight of compliance inspections.
The first concrete step came with OSHA’s withdrawal of its proposal to amend the OSHA 300 Log by adding a column to track work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This proposed change had long been under consideration, and its withdrawal means employers will not be required to record MSDs separately. It’s important to note that this does not alter employers’ obligations to maintain and retain injury and illness records overall — only the plan to add specific MSD tracking has been shelved.
Meanwhile, budget discussions reveal more turbulence ahead. During a June 5 House Education and Workforce Committee hearing, Sec. of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer answered questions about the administration’s proposed $50 million cut to OSHA’s budget for fiscal year 2026. If enacted, these cuts would shrink OSHA’s full-time staff by 223 positions — a significant reduction for an agency already tasked with overseeing safety across a diverse and expansive American workforce.
These developments echo patterns from OSHA’s oversight during the Trump administration’s first term, when deregulatory initiatives advanced but did not result in widespread upheaval. As discussed in my recent conversation with a labor attorney, much will hinge on OSHA Assistant Secretary Keeling’s leadership style and priorities. His approach to balancing industry concerns with worker protections could shape the trajectory of enforcement and new rulemaking over the next few years.
At press time, exactly which regulations will ultimately be withdrawn or revised — and how these changes will impact other agencies within the DOL — remains unsettled. What is certain is that OSHA’s mission to protect America’s workers is critical. The agency was founded for a reason: to prevent injuries, illnesses, and deaths on the job, and historically, OSHA has taken a meticulous approach when crafting or modifying standards, often involving extensive stakeholder input. So, based on that history, I am crossing my fingers (perhaps naively) that the administration will not see the same kind of radical defunding and destaffing that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has seen under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health and Human Services.
As these proposals advance, we will continue to monitor developments closely and keep our readers informed about how shifts at DOL and OSHA could affect the vital work of keeping employees safe.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
About the Author
David Kopf is the publisher and executive editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.