The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) faces an excess of safety and health complaints in the aftermath of the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Labor reports. During its 43-day span, around 900,000 government workers were impacted, disrupting systemic operations that affect all aspects of industry, LegalUnitedStates shares. As business resumes, OSHA is now fielding a high volume of complaints filed during this period.

To safeguard workers and support staffing-related concerns for employers, OSHA is processing complaints, providing responses within a brief timeframe, and extending the assessment period for employers, Bloomberg Law says. As the shutdown impacted the agency’s ability to administer citations and provide the mandated 15-day period for company review, as the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission stipulates, this time addendum will foster a fair process.

OSHA’s overall purpose is to promote safe and healthy workplaces, however administration budget proposals for 2026 may result in OSHA cuts to funding, around $50 million, and staff, about 223 positions, The National Law Review states. Similarly, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an organization within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has reduced its staff by about 90 percent, CNS relays. The cutbacks will impact operations—such as workplace inspections and complaint responses—which could compromise the wellbeing of workers across the U.S.

Employers will play a significant role in light of these structural changes, as voiced by Lyons Simmons, and should integrate safety standards into the structure of their work environments.