At ROI Safety Services, we understand that keeping up with OSHA and Cal/OSHA regulations is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. As 2025 progresses, several regulatory updates are impacting businesses across various industries. Here’s what employers need to know to stay ahead of compliance requirements and protect their workforce.
Expanded OSHA Reporting Requirements
Since January 1, 2024, businesses in high-hazard industries with 100 or more employees are required to electronically submit:
- Form 300: Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
- Form 301: Injury and Illness Incident Report
- Form 300A: Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
- Legal Company Name for better data quality
This submission requirement is now an annual task. If your company falls within the affected sectors, it’s crucial to maintain accurate records and prepare for next year’s submission.
Failure to comply could result in penalties, so start preparing now!
New Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for Silicosis Protection
To reduce exposure to silica dust, Cal/OSHA has introduced a new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) aimed at protecting workers in high-risk industries, such as construction, mining, and manufacturing.
Why is this important? Silica dust exposure has been linked to severe illnesses, including silicosis, lung cancer, and kidney disease. Employers must implement proper engineering controls, provide personal protective equipment (PPE), and train employees on silica exposure prevention.
Worker Walkaround Representative Rule
OSHA now allows employees to designate a representative of their choice—either an employee or a non-employee—to accompany inspectors during workplace inspections.
If a non-employee representative is selected, they must be deemed reasonably necessary for a thorough and effective inspection.
This rule enhances transparency and ensures worker representation during OSHA inspections.
OSHA’s New Safety Helmet Rule
As of February 2024, OSHA has officially transitioned from traditional hard hats to safety helmets in specific workplace environments. These helmets provide better head protection, improved comfort, and enhanced durability.
Employers should consider making the switch now to improve worker safety in high-risk tasks.
Increased OSHA and Cal/OSHA Penalties in 2025
With penalty increases from both OSHA and Cal/OSHA, violations now come with greater financial risks. Employers must be proactive in ensuring compliance with all safety regulations to avoid costly fines.
Routine safety audits and training can help businesses stay ahead of violations.
Cal/OSHA’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Workplace violence is a growing concern, and Cal/OSHA now mandates a Workplace Violence Prevention Program for certain industries. Employers must:
- Develop a written prevention plan
- Conduct risk assessments
- Provide training to employees on recognizing and preventing workplace violence
This rule is particularly relevant for businesses with high public interaction or those in high-risk industries.
Proposed OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Rule
OSHA is taking action to protect workers from heat-related illnesses by introducing a proposed rule for both indoor and outdoor environments.
What should employers do?
- Provide hydration, shade, and rest breaks
- Ensure proper ventilation for indoor workers
- Offer employee training on heat-related illness prevention
Cal/OSHA has already implemented its indoor heat illness standard, so businesses in California should review the requirements to ensure compliance.
Updates to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA has revised its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to enhance clarity in hazard labeling and communication.
Employers must:
- Ensure labels comply with new requirements
- Train employees on updated hazard communication procedures
- Keep safety data sheets (SDS) up to date
New OSHA Online Tool for Severe Injury Reports
A new online tool from the U.S. Department of Labor allows users to access OSHA’s severe injury report database. This tool helps businesses:
- Identify common workplace hazards
- Understand industry-wide injury trends
- Take preventive measures based on real-time data
Employers can also use OSHA’s ITA Coverage Tool to check if their organization is required to submit reports under the new electronic submission rule.
Cal/OSHA: Naloxone in Workplace First Aid Kits
In response to the opioid crisis, Cal/OSHA is considering requiring Naloxone in workplace first aid kits. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Employers should stay updated on this pending regulation and consider adding Naloxone to their emergency response plans.
OSHA’s Proposed Infectious Disease Standard
Instead of focusing solely on COVID-19, OSHA is now developing a broader infectious disease standard for healthcare and high-risk industries. This standard will provide comprehensive protections against various infectious threats.
Employers in healthcare and related industries should begin preparing for forthcoming regulatory updates.
New PPE Fit Requirements for Construction Workers
A major change to OSHA’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standard for construction workers now explicitly requires PPE to properly fit all workers.
Why this matters:
- Poorly fitting PPE can be ineffective or even hazardous
- Ill-fitting gloves, clothing, or equipment increase risk of injury
- Ensuring proper PPE fit aligns the construction standard with general industry standards
Employers must evaluate PPE sizing and ensure that all workers have properly fitted equipment.
OSHA’s Key Focus Areas in 2025
OSHA has placed a strong emphasis on several key safety topics this year:
- Mental Health & Stress in the Workplace – Fatigue and stress can increase the risk of workplace accidents. Employers should consider offering wellness programs.
- Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) – Expanded to include more violations with higher penalties for repeat offenders.
- National Emphasis Programs (NEP) – OSHA is directing resources toward enforcing regulations on:
- Combustible Dust
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Fall Prevention
- Hazardous Machinery Safety
- Heat Illness Prevention
- Hexavalent Chromium Exposure
- Lead Safety
- Primary Metal Industry Hazards
- Process Safety Management
Stay Compliant with ROI Safety Services
With these regulatory updates in effect, employers must stay proactive in maintaining workplace safety and OSHA compliance.
ROI Safety Services provides comprehensive training, compliance support, and safety consultations to help businesses navigate these changes effectively.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your business stay safe and compliant!
