Senate Approval Secures $632.3 Million OSHA Budget, Emphasizing Worker Safety and Health

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) appears to be maintaining its operational stability in light of recent developments on Capitol Hill. Despite earlier budgetary concerns, the fiscal year (FY) 2026 congressional budget proposal for OSHA reveals that the agency's funding will remain consistent with FY 2025 levels. This decision comes as a result of the Senate Committee on Appropriations voting overwhelmingly (26-3) in favor of bill S. 2587. The bill aims to allocate $632,309,000 for OSHA’s budget, effectively dispelling prior rumors of declines in budget and staffing.

The funding structure outlined in S. 2587 demonstrates Congress's continued emphasis on worker safety and health initiatives. The appropriations are directed towards various key priorities including enforcement, compliance assistance, state plan grants, workplace violence prevention, and opioid use guidance, while continuing exemptions for small farms. Notably, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program have designated funding protections against reductions, reinforcing congressional commitment to these programs.

Under the proposed appropriations bill, OSHA would continue to perform its core function of enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) of 1970 throughout workplaces in the U.S. The bill introduces precise language to ensure adherence to specific program allocations as detailed in its appropriation report.

Financial safeguards within the bill prohibit reductions in funding or staffing for the VPP, the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), or Federal Compliance Assistance programs. Moreover, OSHA is prohibited from charging fees to participants of these programs.

The appropriations permit OSHA to retain a maximum of $499,000 annually from tuition and fees charged for its training courses, which is intended to support ongoing occupational safety and health training within the private sector. Further, the bill allocates $120 million in grants to states as provided under section 23(g) of the OSH Act, with the requirement that state-administered programs be at least as effective as federal initiatives.

While continuing the longstanding exemption for small farming operations employing ten or fewer personnel—with the exception of those maintaining temporary labor camps—S. 2587 also directs OSHA to tackle workplace violence in the healthcare and social services sectors. Additionally, guidance on opioid overdose reversal medication usage is urged, with instructions for OSHA to provide briefs on these matters within outlined timeframes.

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is earmarked $12,787,000, reinforcing its role in supporting underserved, low-income, and at-risk workers, by educating them about their rights and responsibilities under the OSH Act.

The appropriations underline the importance of OSHA's enforcement activities to protect workers’ rights, ensure financial protections, and combat exploitative practices involving child labor. As part of its oversight, Congress requires OSHA to deliver reports and briefings on initiatives related to opioid use and the prevention of workplace violence.

Overall, the FY 2026 budget indicates a stabilizing strategy for OSHA, securing continued support for enforcement, compliance assistance, training, and collaboration with state-run programs. Congressional intent is clearly directed towards workplace safety, health education, and addressing emerging risks. Despite concerns about possible legislative action such as the “Nullify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act”—proposed by Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ)—the current Congressional trajectory suggests the persistence of OSHA’s regulatory role without elimination.