James McIntyre

Session Objectives:

Review current enforcement priorities and discuss how they will likely change in 2026.
Analyze anticipated OSHA rulemaking efforts and summarize steps employers can take now to prepare for anticipated rule changes.
Identify priority action items that employers should consider implementing in the coming years.

Topic:

As we approach the 9-month point of Year 1 of the second Trump Administration, we are starting to get a clearer sense of what OSHA will look like for the next 3 years. Several senior leaders are in place at the Department of Labor, and we expect that David Keeling will soon be confirmed by the Senate as the head of OSHA. While he has committed to finalizing the heat illness rule, and proceeding with a workplace violence rule, it remains to be seen how he will balance enforcement and compliance assistance, especially as OSHA will likely see its budget reduced significantly. Change is already taking place, however, as Area Offices throughout the Chicago Region have seen staff retire and vacant positions remain unfilled. Enforcement continues, however, and OSHA is still issuing press releases, although with a different tone and content. This session will feature a management-side OSHA lawyer sharing the latest insights on OSHA’s enforcement strategies, rulemaking priorities, and efforts to modernize OSHA.