November News Brief

How Proposed OSHA Rules and Rollbacks May Impact Your 2026 Safety Strategy

OSHA is signaling a renewed focus on enforcement and modernization, which means employers should expect tighter scrutiny across injury prevention, recordkeeping, and heat illness standards. Several proposed rules—such as those expanding electronic injury reporting, revising the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, and strengthening worker heat protection—could significantly affect how organizations manage compliance and training in 2026. At the same time, potential rollbacks tied to regulatory reform initiatives could slow or reshape implementation timelines, creating uncertainty for safety and operations teams.

For employers, this underscores the need for proactive readiness: assessing potential rule impacts now, updating safety documentation, and ensuring frontline managers are trained to comply with new expectations.

WorkCare can help by conducting readiness assessments, updating written programs, and providing medical and compliance expertise to keep your workforce protected while minimizing disruption. The goal is to help clients stay compliant, reduce risk exposure, and align occupational health strategies with evolving OSHA standards—before enforcement activity ramps up. Contact your account executive to learn more.

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TREND WATCH

Study Shows Remote Work Has ‘Modest Impact’ on Workers’ Comp

Post-COVID-19 pandemic acceptance of remote-friendly jobs is significant, with an estimated 20-30% of U.S. workers employed in fully or partly remote jobs. However, this population represents just 11% of workers’ compensation insurance premiums overall, according to a National Council on Compensation Insurance research brief. Office workers account for just 2% of premium, generating a small share of workers’ comp losses. By comparison, non-remote workers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, resource extraction, healthcare, food service, and retail settings have much higher claim frequency rates and loss costs, researchers said. 

Medical Costs Per Claim Increased in 18 States

Medical costs per claim increased 5-14% in 18 states after years of post-pandemic stability, suggesting that healthcare inflation is affecting workers’ compensation insurance systems, according to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute. State fee schedule updates and increases in utilization and medical prices are cited as contributing factors. 

Heat Exposure Drives Up Injury Rates

Exposure to extreme heat increases workplace injury rates across all industry sectors. Even moderate heat affects cognitive performance and coordination in both indoor and outdoor work environments, according to a nationwide analysis of heat-related injuries published in Environmental Health. Overall, 1.18% of all reported injuries were attributed to heat exposure on days with a heat index of 70°F. The likelihood of a heat-related injury increased in accordance with a rise in the heat index, with an upward trend starting around 85°F and rapid acceleration above 90°F. 

Hearing Loss Attributed to Exposure to Ototoxic Chemicals

An estimated 13% of the U.S. workforce (22 million workers) are exposed to ototoxic chemicals that can damage their hearing, with mining, oil and gas extraction, and construction occupations topping the list. Workers with exposure to both ototoxins and noise need special attention to prevent hearing loss, according to researchers. Their study, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, is the first to quantify ototoxic chemical exposure risks based on a cross-sectional analysis of National Health Interview Survey data involving 17,726 workers. Refer to Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise, a NIOSH publication, to learn about engineering controls and personal protection measures. 

Exoskeleton Results Inconsistent in Shoulder Strain Study

Exoskeletons provided “minimal and inconsistent benefits” in reducing shoulder muscle strain during simulated tasks in a study of seven construction workers. Balance decreased, particularly when wearing an exoskeleton while working on unstable surfaces and at heights, according to a report in NIOSH’s October newsletter. Researchers at Texas Tech University stressed the need for comprehensive evaluations before using exoskeleton technology at construction sites. 

Workforce Burnout Scores Hit 7-Year High

Burnout among American workers is at a seven-year high, according to the 15th annual Aflac WorkForces Report. Among key findings from U.S. workforce survey results:

• 72% reported moderate to very high stress at work 
• 48% lacked confidence in their employers’ commitment to mental health
• 35% ranked heavy workloads as the top driver of stress 

Employees across all generations reported that financial worries, personal responsibilities, and uncertainty about the future also increased their stress levels. “Breaking the cycle of stress and burnout may begin with employers carefully analyzing employees’ responsibilities on and off the clock and threading the needle between productivity and home-life balance,” said Aflac Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Owenby. 

Construction Workers Report High Rates of Depression and Anxiety

In a recent mental health survey conducted by Clayco, a North American construction firm, 64% of 1,000 U.S. construction workers reported that they’ve experienced anxiety or depression in the last 12 months, up from 54% when compared to 2024 survey results. More than a third of respondents said they experienced workplace discrimination when they sought support for mental health issues; 45% said they would feel ashamed if their co-workers knew about their mental health challenges, including substance use disorders and suicidal thoughts. In a separate survey, 21% of construction executives said a worker who asks for mental health support would be less likely to be assigned critical tasks; 30% said they would be more closely monitored at work. 

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REGULATORY UPDATES

Federal Agency Shutdown Impacts on OSHA

Under a Department of Labor (DOL) contingency plan, OSHA was directed to deploy about 25% of its staff to perform activities that are “necessarily implied by law” or “necessary to protect life and property” while government funding is suspended. Citations could still be issued for certain violations. Essential activities include:

• Inspection of imminent danger situations, fatalities, or catastrophes
• Review of whistleblower complaints and referrals for investigation
• Inspections of workplaces with serious violations and no evidence of abatement
• Enforcement activities related to open cases with statutory deadlines

Ongoing rulemaking activities, cooperative programs, hearings, and other OSHA functions deemed non-essential were suspended. The remaining 75% of OSHA employees were instructed not to perform government-related work. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission also suspended operations. 

FMCSA Operations Continue

The government shutdown reportedly has minimal impact on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforcement activities. The agency’s employees are protected from layoffs because their compensation relies on the Highway Trust Fund instead of annual federal appropriations. The agency also collects licensing, insurance, and Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse fees to help fund its operations. The FMCSA recently re-issued its temporary waiver to allow commercial drivers and motor carriers to continue to use paper copies of medical examiner certifications until Jan. 10, 2026.

Senate Confirms OSHA and MHSA Leaders

The U.S. Senate confirmed David Keeling as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and Wayne Palmer as head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Keeling directed global road and transportation at Amazon and served as vice president of global health and safety at UPS. Palmer was on President Trump’s transition team in the Department of Labor and an executive vice president with the Essential Minerals Association, a trade group.