Slower Pace Seen in OSHA Inspections

WASHINGTON – Figures from the U.S. Department of Labor show that inspections by the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) slowed during the first months of President Donald Trump’s administration … with plans for further reduction in 2026.

The data shows that between April-September 2025, OSHA conducted 23,531 inspections, a decrease of 21.5% during the same time frame in 2024.

In its fiscal 2026 budget, starting last October, the current administration is proposing 24,929 inspections for the entire fiscal year.

The figures also showed 42% fewer “willful violations,” a category that carries some of the highest penalties for employers.

The data, which was released by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and reported by the New York Times, comes on top of efforts by the Trump administration to pull back regulations while closing OSHA offices.

The federal Labor Department has also said it plans to roll back requirements to ease evaluation mandates for protective equipment for workers exposed to dangerous chemicals and to provide appropriate lighting at construction sites.

OSHA still plans a focus on silica-dust enforcement. However, in fiscal 2025, silica’s category – Respiratory Protection – fell from fourth to fifth in the annual Top 10 list of total inspection write-ups, with 1,953 total violations.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) has been advocating legislation to abolish OSHA and reintroduced such a measure last year, but it found no co-sponsors.