Walk Like a CSHO: Cal/OSHA Proposes Its Own “Walkaround Rule”
On February 13, 2026, Cal/OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to clarify who can join its onsite inspections. To be codified as Title 8 § 331.8 if implemented, Cal/OSHA’s stated goal is to match federal OSHA’s 2024 updates to 29 C.F.R. § 1903.8 and expand upon California Labor Code section 6314, which already states that “a representative authorized by . . . employees” can accompany Cal/OSHA inspectors during their “tour” of the worksite. In its new proposal, Cal/OSHA explicitly expands the definition of “representative(s) authorized by employees” to include an “employee of the employer, a third party, or the collective bargaining representative.”
Congress Signals Changes to EPA-OSHA Coordination for Chemical Safety Regulation in 2026 Spending Package
As part of the 2026 appropriations package, on January 6, 2026, the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Appropriations issued a joint statement outlining several procedural changes they are seeking for the U.S. EPA’s regulation of toxic chemical substances. The appropriations bill passed in the House last week, and is now pending before the Senate.
EPA Proposes Exemptions to TSCA PFAS Reporting Rule
On November 13, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule that would revise the scope of EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) rule requiring a one-time expansive data submission on per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS Reporting Rule). The proposal introduces several exemptions designed to reduce compliance costs and improve implementation. The revisions aim to make the one-time PFAS reporting requirements more practical, particularly for small manufacturers and importers, while preserving EPA’s access to use and exposure information. EPA will accept public comments until December 29, 2025.
OSHA Updates Site-Specific Targeting Program Based on Injury/Illness Rates: What Employers Should Know
On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an updated directive to its Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program. This program is OSHA’s primary mechanism for scheduling planned inspections at non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees.
