Federal: OSHA De-Regulatory Reform: Final Construction Rule and 25 Proposals Target MSDs, COVID-19 Logs, and More

What happened?

On July 1, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published 25 proposed rules and 1 final rule in the Federal Register, marking a significant regulatory update across multiple industries. While many proposals aim to reduce burdens and modernize standards, three key actions stand out:

Overview:

Final Rule

• Construction Standards Consultation Removed: OSHA eliminated the requirement for its administrator to consult with the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health before issuing, modifying, or revoking standards related to construction work.

Proposed Rules

• Withdrawal of MSD Column on Form 300: OSHA withdrew its proposal to add a musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) column to Form 300, concluding it would not meaningfully improve national statistics or enforcement.
  • Employers must still record MSDs using Forms 300, 301, and 300A if they meet OSHA’s criteria.

• Removal of COVID-19 Recordkeeping for Healthcare Employers: OSHA proposed eliminating COVID-19-specific reporting requirements from its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), citing the end of the public health emergency and reduced relevance of the data.
  • Employers must still report COVID-19-related fatalities and hospitalizations under general OSHA rules (29 CFR 1904).

Additional Information:

Important Reminder: These are just a few of the 25 proposed rules published. OSHA has characterized many of them as deregulatory actions aligned with Executive Order 14192, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation.”

• Employers, trade associations, and stakeholders are strongly encouraged to review all proposed rules and submit comments before the deadlines.
  • Federal Register

Source References

• Federal Register – Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements; Withdrawal
• Federal Register – Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings

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