Update, October 16, 2026
OSHA finishes hearings on five deregulatory proposals
Between August 19 and 26, 2026, OSHA held virtual hearings on its proposals for respirator medical evaluations, fixed ladders, respirator rules in 16 chemical standards and the safety color code. The last written briefs were due October 10, 2026. Nothing is final yet.
On your exam?
Not yet: the exam still tests the prior rule
Every rule discussed at these hearings is still in force as written. Study the current text.
Judged against ASP11, CSP11 and CHST5, the outlines in effect on October 16, 2026.
- Status
- Proposed
- From
- OSHA
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Key dates
- August 19, 2026Respirator medical evaluations (August 19 and 20)
- August 24, 2026Walking-working surfaces: fixed ladders
- August 25, 2026Respirator provisions in 16 chemical standards
- August 26, 2026Safety color code
- October 10, 2026Last final written briefs due
What happened
OSHA proposed these changes as part of its deregulatory initiative (most on July 1, 2025; fixed ladders on April 6, 2026). It then held informal public hearings, with post-hearing comments and final briefs due between September 19 and October 10, 2026. Transcripts are posted on OSHA's deregulatory rulemaking page.
What comes next
OSHA reviews the record and decides whether to issue final rules, change them or drop them. There's no published date for any of the four final rules.
Where each one stands
Practice what's tested now
Sources
- OSHA: deregulatory rulemaking, public hearings information
- Federal Register: notice of informal public hearings (June 3, 2026)
Published October 16, 2026. Last checked against these sources October 16, 2026. Something out of date? Email hello@passcited.com.