The October 14 edition of OSHA’s QuickTakes newsletter brings a wide-ranging set of updates for safety professionals, from new policy initiatives to practical reminders for the workplace. Leading the news is a new alliance between OSHA, ASSP, AIHA, NSC, and the Construction Safety Research Alliance focused on preventing serious injuries and fatalities. This issue also covers new guidance on opioid overdose preparedness, $10.2 million in Susan Harwood training grants, and lessons learned from a fatal confined space incident. Rounding things out are October awareness events, a leadership update, and refreshers on fire safety, forklift training, and whistleblower protections.

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OSHA has proposed revising its Respiratory Protection Standard to eliminate mandatory medical evaluations for employees who are required to wear filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), including N95 respirators, and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Medical evaluations would remain required for workers using other respirator types, including tight-fitting respirators. [govinfo.gov], [osha.gov]

The proposal would amend requirements currently found in OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, which presently requires medical evaluations before employees are fit tested or required to use respirators in the workplace. [govinfo.gov]

Virtual Public Hearings Begin August 19, 2026

OSHA has scheduled a series of virtual informal public hearings beginning August 19, 2026, to receive stakeholder input on this proposal and other deregulatory actions currently under consideration. [osha.gov], [federalregister.gov]

Safety professionals, employers, workers, and other interested parties are encouraged to review the proposal and follow the hearing process.

Resources

• OSHA Deregulatory Rulemaking: https://www.osha.gov/deregulatory-rulemaking [osha.gov]
• OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134
• eCFR Respiratory Protection Standard: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/section-1910.134

ASSP Wichita Chapter will continue to monitor this proposed rulemaking and share updates as they become available.

The Wichita Chapter WELCOMES our NEW MEMBERS! 

Maria Aveilaneda

Justin Blew

Thomas Demorrow

Shane Etzold

Christopher Faulkner

Jenette Hanna

Corey Haynes

Ryan Henderson

Brian Hybsha

Dillon Infield

Troy Jellison

Trevor Kukuk

Colby Nokes

Mario Pereira

Kathryn Power

Gabriel Prescott

Thomas Rogers

Phillip Stufflebean

Laken Taylor

A Special WELCOME to our new STUDENT MEMBERS!

Darcy Thompson

Rachel Weidermann

Michael Chavez

Michael Little

Members Celebrating their 10-year Anniversary!

Andrew Wray

Beverly Figge

Kristen Flatin

Members Celebrating their 15-year Anniversary!

Scott Morris

Nicholas Naramore

Brian Welch

Members Celebrating their 35-year Anniversary!

James Dotts

Kirk Franklin

Janet Tammany

Denise Sherman from WSU’s Center for Management Development CMD was the speaker at out October Chapter meeting. She has an interesting background as a businesswoman, but in the late 60’s became involved at WSU with the CMD. She was very well versed in their curriculums for business, including Project Management and Conflict Resolution, and many more certificate programs they had available for Business subjects. They even have a more current program they do with Legos and she had short speakers from three of their programs to tell about them. She led a lively discussion about the work they continue to do, and is a very engaging and interesting speaker.

We appreciate Denise’s time and expertise, and we’re excited about the opportunities CMD offers to help safety and leadership professionals continue growing their skills.

If you’d like to learn more about CMD’s programs, visit https://cmd.wichita.edu/.

The Wichita Chapter of ASSP is excited to welcome the newest members to our chapter!

• Phillip Stufflebean, CHS, from Buhler, KS
• Dillon Infield, National Gypsum, from Medicine Lodge, KS
• Thomas Demorrow, National Gypsum, from Medicine Lodge, KS
• Colby Nokes, Valence Surface Technologies, from Andover, KS
• Christopher Faulkner, Advance Catastrophe Technologies, From Haysville, KS

Welcome to the family — we’re glad you’re here!