Warren, Omar Tell Osha to Halt Rollback of Respirator Rules

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently oversees federal rules that dictate how employers must protect workers from airborne hazards. On October 29, a coalition of Democratic lawmakers sent a letter demanding the agency drop a proposal that would scale back these respirator requirements.

The letter, addressed to OSHA Assistant Secretary David Keeling, targets specific provisions in the draft rule. It argues the plan would reduce employer obligations to supply respirators to workers handling substances such as lead, asbestos, formaldehyde, and inorganic arsenic. The lawmakers also objected to a proposal to end the requirement that employers provide medical evaluations for workers who use certain types of respirators on the job.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota led the push. They were joined by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker, as well as Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib, and Jasmine Crockett. More than 20 other congressional Democrats signed the document.

The signatories cited data showing that more than 5,000 Americans die each year from occupation-related respiratory diseases. They noted that rates of silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis have risen in recent years. These increases have been linked to the use of artificial stone in countertops and increased silica exposure in coal seams.

The letter criticized the agency's process, noting that OSHA issued the proposal in July 2025 without providing required evidence or requesting necessary information. The lawmakers pointed out that a procedural hearing was held in August during a congressional recess, when few members of Congress were in Washington. They wrote that most OSHA standards take years to develop, yet these respirator rules moved through the same steps in a matter of months.

Opposition to the plan is not limited to Congress. The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, National Nurses United, and North America's Building Trades Unions have all cautioned against the changes. The Associated General Contractors of America stated that quality safety regulations save contractors money in the long run and that potential liability would outweigh any deregulatory benefits.

The lawmakers described the respirator proposal as part of a larger deregulatory effort at OSHA under the current administration. The Department of Labor proposed more than 60 deregulatory rule changes last year. Republicans have proposed cutting OSHA's budget by more than 8% for fiscal year 2027. In 2025, OSHA inspections fell by 20%, and the agency lost 223 full-time employees to buyouts and early retirements. OSHA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.