Earlier in 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of leases for 18 OSHA area offices, and Republican Congressman Andy Biggs of Arizona introduced the Nullify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act (NOSHA Act), which aimed to abolish OSHA in favor of having states and private employers handle workplace safety and health issues.
Despite these developments, the future of OSHA gained stability on July 31, 2025, when the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 26-3 to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill (S. 2587), recommending the full $632,309,000 in funding, matching FY 2025 levels. The bill also earmarked $3.5 million for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and $120 million in grants for states to maintain safety and health programs at least as effective as federal standards.
The measure will now proceed to the House of Representatives, where a vote is expected in September 2025. The Committee also urged OSHA to take steps to address the growing problem of workplace violence in healthcare and public health sectors, requesting a briefing within 180 days of enactment.
The senate committee report for the July 31, 2025 proceedings noted, “This Committee Report provides additional direction and specificity on the uses of funds provided in this bill. During fiscal year 2026, for the purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, with respect to appropriations contained in the accompanying bill, the terms ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ [PPA] shall mean any item for which a dollar amount is contained in appropriations acts (including joint resolutions providing continuing appropriations) or accompanying reports of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, or accompanying conference reports and joint explanatory statements of the committee of conference. The Committee expects agencies to submit any reprogramming or transfer requests in compliance with requirements of this act and to provide a thorough explanation of the proposed reallocations,”
Healthcare workers, especially in high-stress environments like emergency departments, face elevated risks of both physical and psychological violence, with many healthcare professionals experiencing symptoms such as burnout, depression, anxiety, and even PTSD as a direct result of violent incidents. These negative outcomes impair the emotional and physical health of staff and degrade the quality of care delivery and contribute to increased absenteeism and staff turnover.
Incidents of workplace violence carry financial implications, from direct costs such as medical treatments to indirect burdens like recruitment, training of replacements, and diminished productivity. Staff shortages, overcrowded areas, long wait times, under-reporting of incidents, and lack of institutional policies all contribute to heightened vulnerability. The pursuit of OSHA in strengthening its reach is a step towards protecting these workers and securing their rights in the workplace.
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)
All private-sector employers and their employees must follow OSHA rules, except those specifically exempted, such as small farming operations or workplaces with fewer than 10 employees in low-risk industries. Public-sector employees are covered in states with OSHA-approved plans.
OSHA inspections evaluate workplace compliance with safety standards. Inspectors may conduct routine, complaint-based, or programmed inspections and can issue citations and penalties if violations are found.
VPP encourages employers to implement proactive safety measures that reduce accidents and injuries. Workplaces meeting VPP criteria may be exempt from programmed OSHA inspections.