OSHA Boss Gets Boost: New Powers Assigned Smoothly
Published Date: 6/30/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is officially giving the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health new powers and responsibilities to better protect workers. This change means the Assistant Secretary can now lead safety programs, enforce rules, and handle investigations more directly, starting right away. It affects workplaces nationwide but doesn’t change any budgets or deadlines for now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
T and U Immigration Certification Authority
The Order delegates authority to issue T Nonimmigrant Status Declarations (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(T)) and U Nonimmigrant Status Certifications (8 U.S.C.1101(a)(15)(U)) to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health and confirms that authority now also rests with the Wage and Hour Division Administrator. This authority change is effective immediately.
OSHA Assistant Secretary Gains Broad Authority
The Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health is now delegated authority to administer safety, health, and whistleblower programs and activities under many federal laws, effective immediately (Secretary's Order 7-2025). This delegation covers enforcement, coordination, and program administration nationwide under statutes listed in the Order.
Agricultural Field Sanitation Authority Carved Out
The Assistant Secretary does not have authority to conduct inspections, issue citations, assess penalties, or enforce remedies under the Occupational Safety and Health Act for the field sanitation standard (29 CFR 1928.110) and the temporary labor camps standard (29 CFR 1910.142) for agricultural establishments engaged in "agricultural employment." The Order does preserve Assistant Secretary enforcement responsibility for temporary labor camps related to egg, poultry, or red meat production and post-harvest processing, and preserves State-plan enforcement rights.
Regional Administrators Given FLSA Subpoena Power
Regional Administrators for Occupational Safety and Health are delegated authority to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations under Sections 9 and 11 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 209 and 211) in cases arising under Section 18C of the FLSA (29 U.S.C. 218C). This delegation is effective immediately under Secretary's Order 7-2025.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11140 — Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations
Starting soon, health plans and insurers must share clearer info when they pay or deny surprise medical bills. They’ll use special codes to explain these decisions, especially when dealing with folks they don’t have contracts with. This helps patients and providers understand bills better and speeds up fixing disputes, with no extra costs for most people.
2026-11093 — Amending the Medical Evaluation Requirements in the Respiratory Protection Standard for Certain Types of Respirators
OSHA wants to make it easier for workers using certain respirators by removing some medical check-ups for filtering facepiece and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators. This change affects workers who wear these masks and could save time and money on medical evaluations. The public can share their thoughts until July 6, 2026, before the rule is finalized.
2026-10849 — Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports
Starting July 1, 2026, big labor groups will fill out a longer financial report to boost transparency, while medium-sized groups get updated forms too. These changes help everyone see how union money is handled and apply only to fiscal years beginning after that date. If your labor organization handles $350,000 or more, get ready for clearer, more detailed reporting!
2026-10456 — Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-07959 — Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Department of Labor is proposing clear rules to decide when two companies share responsibility for workers’ rights under key laws like minimum wage, family leave, and farmworker protections. This change helps workers and employers understand who’s in charge and makes enforcement fair and consistent across the country. If finalized, these rules could affect many businesses and workers starting soon, with potential impacts on compliance costs and legal clarity.
2026-05492 — Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary: Notice of Court Vacatur
The court has canceled the Department of Labor’s 2024 rule that changed who counts as a trusted investment advisor for retirement plans. Starting April 20, 2026, the old rules from 2020 will be back in charge, affecting financial advisors and retirement plan managers. This means advisors should review their practices to stay on the right side of the law and avoid costly mistakes.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-11992 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, S/V DREAM
The Maritime Administration is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat called S/V DREAM can be used for U.S. coastal trips. They want to make sure this won’t hurt American boat builders or businesses using U.S.-made vessels. If you’re involved in coastal trade or boat building, now’s the time to share your thoughts before a final decision is made.
Next: 2025-11995 — Request Notice: Use of Foreign-Built Small Passenger Vessel in United States Coastwise Trade, M/V MAXIMIZE
The Maritime Administration is checking if a foreign-built small passenger boat, the M/V MAXIMIZE, can be used for U.S. coastal trips. They want to hear from people who might be affected, like U.S. boat builders and businesses using American-made vessels. This is a chance to share your thoughts before a final decision is made, which could impact local jobs and trade.