Workplace Heat Safety Rules Face Critical Setbacks Amid Layoffs
Heat safety experts behind OSHA rules were laid off this spring, raising pressing questions about the future and effectiveness of workplace safety standards in the United States. Most importantly, this dramatic reduction in specialized personnel has not only diminished the scientific foundation for critical rules but could also make it easier for policymakers to scale back or eliminate these protections altogether [3].
Why Heat Safety Regulations Matter
In recent years, record-breaking heat waves have repeatedly put frontline workers in agriculture, construction, and delivery jobs at unacceptable risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been at the forefront of developing and enforcing heat safety regulations, which are grounded in scientific research conducted by expert teams within the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). However, with two-thirds of NIOSH’s workforce eliminated, these vital activities are now severely hampered [1].
What Happened to the Heat Safety Experts?
Beginning in early 2025, sweeping layoffs at NIOSH and related agencies resulted in the loss of most expert staff who studied occupational heat hazards and advised on policy development [3]. According to reporting from multiple outlets, the layoffs were part of broader federal reductions that also targeted other health and safety initiatives. With only a skeleton crew remaining, the ability to conduct research, analyze incidents, or implement updated safety standards is facing unprecedented strain [5].
The Immediate Impact on Regulation
Because heat safety rules depend on a strong base of scientific evidence and technical know-how, the loss of these experts makes it far easier for policymakers with deregulatory agendas to challenge, weaken, or eliminate existing protections. New efforts to establish or update heat safety standards are likely to stall, as the remaining staff simply cannot keep pace with research demands or policy reviews [1]. At the same time, some state-level programs may continue to fill the gap, creating a fragmented and inconsistent regulatory landscape across the country.
Why Are Layoffs Happening Now?
These layoffs were triggered by federal budget cuts and a wider push toward streamlining government, particularly within agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services. Some lawmakers have called for the outright abolition of OSHA, introducing new legislation aimed at devolving workplace safety regulation to the states and private employers. Although this legislation faces significant political hurdles, the layoffs themselves already signal a dramatic shift in federal priorities [1].
Could States Step Up?
Certain states—like California, Oregon, and Washington—operate their own OSHA plans and are likely to maintain or strengthen heat safety standards, even as federal oversight weakens. However, for employers and workers in states without such protections, the rollback of federal rules could mean significant increases in injury and illness risk as temperatures climb. The resulting patchwork of regulations will likely complicate compliance for multi-state employers and leave workers in some areas far less protected [1].
Industry and Safety Community Response
Organizations like the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) have voiced urgent concerns, warning that decades of progress could be undone if these layoffs and funding cuts persist. The loss of expertise, institutional memory, and regulatory momentum places the health and safety of millions at risk [2]. Former agency leaders have also sounded the alarm, emphasizing that without expert input, critical programs—especially those protecting workers from extreme heat—are simply untenable [5].
Looking Forward: The Future of Workplace Heat Safety
Without the institutional support and expertise that once underpinned federal regulations, protecting workers from heat will rely heavily on advocacy, state action, and voluntary compliance. However, history shows that voluntary standards rarely provide the same level of protection as enforceable rules. Therefore, the coming months and years will be crucial in determining whether a new national approach emerges or if workers will be left exposed to greater risks—not just from heat, but from the erosion of workplace safety as a whole.
References
- Science News Strategian – Heat Safety Experts behind OSHA Rules Were Laid Off
- Goldberg Segalla – Anticipated Regulatory Changes with OSHA
- OH&S – ASSP Urges Lawmakers to Ensure Safety of America’s Workers
- NW Labor Press – Former OSHA chief says there’s danger ahead
