Q1 2025 OSHA Regulatory and Safety Bulletin: Key Updates for Contractors and Safety Professionals

The first quarter of 2025 brought several notable updates from OSHA and NIOSH that will affect safety programs, training, and compliance responsibilities in the construction industry. Although President Trump’s January 20 Executive Order placed a temporary 60-day freeze on new federal rulemaking, several actions were finalized or initiated prior to the order’s release. Below is a summary of the most relevant federal safety developments contractors and safety managers should be aware of.

Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule Advances Toward Finalization

OSHA’s proposed rule aimed at preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses continues to move forward. While the public comment period closed on January 14, 2025, OSHA has scheduled a public hearing for June 16, 2025.

Key Elements of the Proposed Rule:

Applies to both indoor and outdoor work environments.
Requires employers to implement written plans for heat exposure.
Establishes acclimatization protocols for new and returning workers.

Recommendation:

Employers should review the proposed rule in its entirety and evaluate current workplace heat safety protocols. Participation in the June hearing may be an important opportunity to provide industry-specific feedback.

Link to proposed rule: Federal Register – Heat Injury and Illness Prevention

OSHA Final Rule on PPE Fit in Construction Takes Effect

As of January 13, 2025, OSHA’s final rule revising the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standard for construction is now in effect. The updated rule explicitly requires that PPE must properly fit each worker.

Impact:

Brings construction in line with general industry and shipyard PPE standards.
Addresses longstanding issues with improperly fitting equipment—particularly affecting smaller workers, including women.
Reinforces that ill-fitting PPE may fail to protect and can introduce additional hazards.

Recommendation:

Employers should assess PPE inventories and ensure that all workers are provided with properly fitting equipment. Regular fit checks and worker feedback should be incorporated into safety practices.

OSHA Release: PPE Fit Requirement Announcement

NIOSH Study Identifies High Rates of Hearing Loss in Construction

On December 10, 2024, NIOSH released a study analyzing hearing loss among noise-exposed construction workers between 2010 and 2019. The findings reinforce the need for more effective hearing protection practices and identify trends by construction sub-sector.

Summary of Findings:

Certain sub-sectors show higher rates of hearing loss, helping contractors better target protective efforts.
Common barriers to hearing protection include discomfort, cost, and communication difficulties on site.
Offers strategies to increase hearing protection usage and effectiveness.

Recommendation:

Contractors should review the full study, identify areas where hearing conservation programs can be improved, and ensure access to hearing protection that workers are willing and able to use consistently.

NIOSH Study: Hearing Loss in Construction Workers

Q1 Safety Focus: Fall Protection Remains Top Cause of Fatalities

Falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry. In 2023, 1,135 construction workers died from falls, representing a nearly 10% increase over the previous year and 39% of all construction fatalities. OSHA and industry stakeholders continue to prioritize fall protection awareness and training.

Top 3 Steps to Reduce Fall-Related Fatalities:

Ensure PPE Fit and Integrity: Inspect fall protection equipment regularly for wear, corrosion, and proper operation.
Reinforce Safety Culture: Communicate clear expectations, lead by example, and keep safety discussions consistent and relevant.
Strengthen Training: Go beyond OSHA’s 10- and 30-hour programs with comprehensive fall protection training tailored to your workforce and job types.

Advanced training such as 13-hour extended fall protection courses that include ladder safety, competent person instruction, and site-specific best practices are available and strongly encouraged.

Final Notes

Despite the current regulatory freeze, federal safety policy continues to evolve. Employers and contractors should remain informed, proactive, and compliant with existing and emerging standards. At ABC Heart of America, we are proud to support our members in building and maintaining world-class safety cultures. Our Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) is a nationally recognized safety management system that helps companies identify gaps, implement best practices, and track year-over-year improvement. STEP participants consistently achieve incident rates 645% safer than the industry average.

We are available to provide safety training and compliance resources to meet your team’s specific needs—whether it’s fall protection, PPE assessments, or general safety education. If your company requires support or guidance in implementing any of the updates included in this bulletin, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help you protect your workforce, reduce risk, and meet the highest standards of safety performance.