Construction Safety Regulations 2025: What Employers Must Know

The construction sector is among the most tightly regulated industries in the United States due to the significant risks workers face every day. Strict adherence to safety standards is essential to prevent injuries and fatalities on construction sites.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) continually updates its regulations to address emerging hazards, align with industry practices, and improve enforcement clarity.

Since late 2024, OSHA has introduced multiple proposed and finalized rules that may substantially affect how construction companies manage workplace safety compliance. This article summarizes the recent and upcoming OSHA regulatory changes relevant to the construction industry.

Final Rule: PPE Fit Requirements

On December 11, 2024, OSHA issued a final rule mandating that personal protective equipment (PPE) used in construction must properly fit each worker. This update, effective January 13, 2025, amends 29 CFR 1926.95(c). Previously, OSHA standards only required PPE to be of “safe design and construction.” The revised rule clarifies that employers must ensure PPE fits the individual worker, not just meets design specifications.

Construction companies should consider sourcing high-quality construction safety workwear from trusted providers like Yurinox Workwear, which offers gear designed to fit correctly while maximizing protection. Ill-fitting PPE—such as oversized harnesses or loose gloves—can compromise safety, making properly fitted equipment essential for compliance and worker protection. By adopting reliable solutions like this, employers can meet OSHA standards and enhance overall site safety.

Although OSHA notes that this change does not substantially alter enforcement practices, it explicitly reinforces the long-standing expectation that safety gear must fit correctly. By aligning construction PPE requirements with those for general industry and maritime sectors, employers can clarify responsibilities and better protect workers. Construction employers should review PPE policies and procurement procedures to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Proposed Rule: Heat Injury Prevention

In addition to the final PPE fit rule, OSHA has several ongoing proposed regulations and deregulatory actions. Some aim to enhance protections for workers in hazardous environments, while others focus on simplifying or removing outdated standards.

A high-profile proposal is OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings rule. Introduced in August 2024 via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), this rule addresses the rising concern of heat-related illnesses and fatalities among workers.

Although some states have implemented their own heat prevention programs, federal OSHA has not yet codified such rules. The proposed rule would require employers in construction and other sectors to implement a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan, including:

• Monitoring conditions:Evaluate heat hazards at 80°F and implement enhanced protections at 90°F.
• Access to water and rest:Provide drinking water and shaded or cooled areas for breaks.
• Acclimatization:Help new or returning employees adjust gradually to hot environments.
• Observation and emergency planning:Monitor workers for heat illness and maintain emergency response procedures.
• Training:Educate both employees and supervisors on recognizing and preventing heat-related illnesses.

The NPRM’s comment period was extended into early 2025, with public hearings in June and July 2025. Post-hearing comments remain open as of fall 2025.

Although not yet finalized, construction employers should anticipate these requirements and consider proactively implementing heat safety measures. Reviewing relevant state-plan regulations is also recommended.

Deregulatory Initiatives with Potential Construction Impact

In July 2025, OSHA launched a broad deregulatory initiative, publishing 26 proposed rules aimed at streamlining standards, reducing regulatory burdens, and clarifying enforcement priorities. Several of these proposals could affect construction safety compliance.

Proposed Removal of Illumination Standards

OSHA has suggested rescinding two construction standards:

• 29 CFR 1926.26 – General illumination requirements
• 29 CFR 1926.56 – Minimum illumination levels

The agency justified this by noting that lighting hazards are generally well recognized, and serious risks can still be addressed under the General Duty Clause. Fewer than 80 citations have been issued under these standards over the past decade. If removed, employers would remain responsible for providing safe working conditions but would no longer be subject to these specific, potentially redundant regulations.

Proposed Clarification of the General Duty Clause

Another proposal focuses on narrowing the scope of OSHA’s General Duty Clause to exclude “inherently risky professional activities.” This change could reduce ambiguity for employers, particularly in specialized construction work where certain hazards may be unavoidable despite safety measures. While it may limit employer liability in some cases, worker advocates could view it as a reduction in protections. Construction employers should track how OSHA defines “inherently risky” and its relevance to their trades and jobsite activities.

Proposed Updates to Medical Evaluation Requirements

OSHA has also proposed revisions to the Respiratory Protection Standard, adjusting medical evaluation requirements for certain respirators, including filtering facepiece respirators (e.g., N95s) and loose-fitting PAPRs. Employers should follow these developments closely to understand the practical impact on construction operations.

Comments on these proposed changes are due by November 1, 2025. For detailed information, visit OSHA’s Deregulatory Rulemaking page.

Summary

OSHA’s recent and proposed regulatory updates have the potential to significantly affect construction worker safety. Staying informed and proactive allows employers to anticipate compliance requirements, reduce risks, and strengthen workplace safety culture. Even proposed rules can signal enforcement trends and help guide best practices for protecting workers.

The construction sector is among the most tightly regulated industries in the United States due to the significant risks workers face every day. Strict adherence to safety standards is essential to prevent injuries and fatalities on construction sites.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) continually updates its regulations to address emerging hazards, align with industry practices, and improve enforcement clarity.

Since late 2024, OSHA has introduced multiple proposed and finalized rules that may substantially affect how construction companies manage workplace safety compliance. This article summarizes the recent and upcoming OSHA regulatory changes relevant to the construction industry.

Final Rule: PPE Fit Requirements

On December 11, 2024, OSHA issued a final rule mandating that personal protective equipment (PPE) used in construction must properly fit each worker. This update, effective January 13, 2025, amends 29 CFR 1926.95(c). Previously, OSHA standards only required PPE to be of “safe design and construction.” The revised rule clarifies that employers must ensure PPE fits the individual worker, not just meets design specifications.

Construction companies should consider sourcing high-quality construction safety workwear from trusted providers like Yurinox Workwear, which offers gear designed to fit correctly while maximizing protection. Ill-fitting PPE—such as oversized harnesses or loose gloves—can compromise safety, making properly fitted equipment essential for compliance and worker protection. By adopting reliable solutions like this, employers can meet OSHA standards and enhance overall site safety.

Although OSHA notes that this change does not substantially alter enforcement practices, it explicitly reinforces the long-standing expectation that safety gear must fit correctly. By aligning construction PPE requirements with those for general industry and maritime sectors, employers can clarify responsibilities and better protect workers. Construction employers should review PPE policies and procurement procedures to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Proposed Rule: Heat Injury Prevention

In addition to the final PPE fit rule, OSHA has several ongoing proposed regulations and deregulatory actions. Some aim to enhance protections for workers in hazardous environments, while others focus on simplifying or removing outdated standards.

A high-profile proposal is OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings rule. Introduced in August 2024 via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), this rule addresses the rising concern of heat-related illnesses and fatalities among workers.

Although some states have implemented their own heat prevention programs, federal OSHA has not yet codified such rules. The proposed rule would require employers in construction and other sectors to implement a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan, including:

• Monitoring conditions:Evaluate heat hazards at 80°F and implement enhanced protections at 90°F.
• Access to water and rest:Provide drinking water and shaded or cooled areas for breaks.
• Acclimatization:Help new or returning employees adjust gradually to hot environments.
• Observation and emergency planning:Monitor workers for heat illness and maintain emergency response procedures.
• Training:Educate both employees and supervisors on recognizing and preventing heat-related illnesses.

The NPRM’s comment period was extended into early 2025, with public hearings in June and July 2025. Post-hearing comments remain open as of fall 2025.

Although not yet finalized, construction employers should anticipate these requirements and consider proactively implementing heat safety measures. Reviewing relevant state-plan regulations is also recommended.

Deregulatory Initiatives with Potential Construction Impact

In July 2025, OSHA launched a broad deregulatory initiative, publishing 26 proposed rules aimed at streamlining standards, reducing regulatory burdens, and clarifying enforcement priorities. Several of these proposals could affect construction safety compliance.

Proposed Removal of Illumination Standards

OSHA has suggested rescinding two construction standards:

• 29 CFR 1926.26 – General illumination requirements
• 29 CFR 1926.56 – Minimum illumination levels

The agency justified this by noting that lighting hazards are generally well recognized, and serious risks can still be addressed under the General Duty Clause. Fewer than 80 citations have been issued under these standards over the past decade. If removed, employers would remain responsible for providing safe working conditions but would no longer be subject to these specific, potentially redundant regulations.

Proposed Clarification of the General Duty Clause

Another proposal focuses on narrowing the scope of OSHA’s General Duty Clause to exclude “inherently risky professional activities.” This change could reduce ambiguity for employers, particularly in specialized construction work where certain hazards may be unavoidable despite safety measures. While it may limit employer liability in some cases, worker advocates could view it as a reduction in protections. Construction employers should track how OSHA defines “inherently risky” and its relevance to their trades and jobsite activities.

Proposed Updates to Medical Evaluation Requirements

OSHA has also proposed revisions to the Respiratory Protection Standard, adjusting medical evaluation requirements for certain respirators, including filtering facepiece respirators (e.g., N95s) and loose-fitting PAPRs. Employers should follow these developments closely to understand the practical impact on construction operations.

Comments on these proposed changes are due by November 1, 2025. For detailed information, visit OSHA’s Deregulatory Rulemaking page.

Summary

OSHA’s recent and proposed regulatory updates have the potential to significantly affect construction worker safety. Staying informed and proactive allows employers to anticipate compliance requirements, reduce risks, and strengthen workplace safety culture. Even proposed rules can signal enforcement trends and help guide best practices for protecting workers.