What’s Ahead for Workplace Safety: Key Regulatory Changes Coming in 2026

As we enter 2026, workplace safety professionals face a year of meaningful regulatory change. Federal agencies and standards organizations are advancing new requirements that will affect hazard communication, injury reporting, chemical management, fire protection, and electrical safety. Staying ahead of these developments will be critical to maintaining compliance and protecting workers.

Below is a snapshot of the most impactful regulatory updates and deadlines safety leaders should be planning for throughout 2026.

OSHA: Rulemakings and Reporting Priorities

Hazard Communication (HazCom) Training Deadline

By January 19, 2026, manufacturers and importers must re-classify pure substances and update labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to align with GHS Revision 7. This marks a significant update to hazard communication expectations and will require organizations to review chemical inventories, labeling systems, and training programs to ensure alignment with the revised classifications.

Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Submissions

Starting January 2, 2026, covered employers must begin submitting their 2025 injury and illness data through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application. OSHA is now using standardized coding to identify industry-wide injury patterns, making data accuracy more important than ever. Employers should validate recordkeeping processes and ensure consistency across logs and submissions.

Proposed Heat Illness Prevention Standard

OSHA continues to move toward a formal Heat Illness Prevention Standard covering both indoor and outdoor work environments. While the rule remains in the proposed stage, OSHA is actively enforcing heat-related hazards under the General Duty Clause. Employers should not wait for final rulemaking to implement heat controls, training, and response procedures. If you live in a state-plan-state, there may already be a requirement for implementation of a HIPS program. These states include California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Walkaround Rule Expansion

Under OSHA’s updated final rule, third-party representatives, including worker advocates and safety professionals, may now accompany OSHA inspectors during worksite inspections. This change underscores the importance of strong safety programs, thorough documentation, and effective on-site communication during enforcement activities.

EPA: Chemical and Environmental Safety Updates

Methylene Chloride Exposure Monitoring

Refrigerant Management Requirements

New regulations under 40 CFR Part 84 Subpart C take effect January 1, 2026, requiring automatic leak detection systems for refrigeration systems containing 1,500 pounds or more of high-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants. Facilities with large refrigeration systems should begin planning equipment upgrades and compliance strategies now.

PFAS Reporting Developments

Manufacturers may face an October 13, 2026, deadline to report PFAS usage to the EPA. While the agency is currently considering amendments that could narrow the scope of reporting, organizations that manufacture or use PFAS should track developments closely and prepare for potential data-collection requirements.

NFPA: Fire, Electrical, and Energy Storage Standards

NFPA 1970 – PPE and SCBA Consolidation

The new NFPA 1970 standard consolidates requirements for firefighting protective equipment and SCBA. A critical deadline is March 28, 2026, when all SCBA previously compliant with NFPA 1981 must meet the new NFPA 1970 requirements. Fire departments and safety managers should assess equipment inventories and replacement timelines.

NFPA 855 – Energy Storage Systems (ESS)

The 2026 edition of NFPA 855 makes Hazard Mitigation Analysis (HMA) the default requirement for nearly all energy storage system installations. This change reflects growing concern over thermal runaway risks and places greater emphasis on proactive hazard evaluation during ESS design and installation.

NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC)

The 2026 NEC introduces enhanced arc-flash labeling requirements, mandating that labels include actionable information such as nominal voltage and the date of the arc-flash assessment. These updates are intended to improve decision-making and situational awareness for workers performing electrical tasks.

Preparing for 2026

The regulatory landscape for workplace safety continues to evolve, with 2026 bringing heightened expectations around data accuracy, chemical safety, equipment standards, and hazard prevention. Organizations that begin planning now—by updating policies, training, inspections, and documentation—will be best positioned to meet these requirements with confidence.

Proactive compliance is more than meeting deadlines; it’s about building resilient safety systems that protect workers and support operational excellence in a changing regulatory environment.