Last week’s article announced ABMA’s strategic plan to tackle regulatory reform, focusing on the new administration and Congress’ emphasis on this issue. Over the past several months, ABMA has gathered extensive industry input on multiple regulatory challenges. This week marks the launch of our new plan, starting with a letter to the president by ABMA chair Rod Wiles.
ABMA’s Efforts to Oppose OSHA’s Proposed Heat Illness and Injury Prevention Rule
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) formally proposed its Heat Illness and Injury Prevention Rule in the summer of last year, setting the stage for what could be one of the most burdensome regulations for the Lumber and Building Materials (LBM) industry. Recognizing the sweeping impact this rule would have on our members, ABMA immediately took action to ensure that industry-specific concerns were heard at every stage of the rulemaking process.
Engaging with the Small Business Administration
From the outset, ABMA worked closely with Bruce Lundegren, Assistant Chief Counsel for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy, to fully understand the rule’s implications. Through this partnership, ABMA participated in SBA-hosted roundtables, where hundreds of trade associations and concerned businesses gathered to discuss the proposal.
These industry roundtables—attended by both ABMA staff and members—provided a direct forum to voice concerns, ask critical questions, and advocate for realistic alternatives. Over the course of several months, ABMA actively engaged in these discussions, ensuring that the unique challenges faced by LBM retailers and suppliers were highlighted.
Mobilizing Industry Support & Submitting Official Comments
By November, ABMA had drafted a comprehensive response to OSHA’s proposal, outlining the regulation’s potential consequences for businesses in the LBM sector. During the LBM Expo, ABMA took this effort a step further by gathering signatures from more than 150 concerned retailers and industry associates, strengthening our message with widespread industry support.
These comments were officially submitted to OSHA, where they were subsequently reviewed and published—a testament to the strength of our industry’s collective voice in this critical debate.
Pushing for Full Withdrawal of the Rule
While ABMA provided constructive feedback on OSHA’s proposed regulation, our stance remains clear: this rule should be dropped entirely. The sheer complexity and impracticality of its requirements—including individualized employee training, frequent workplace temperature logging, and mandated breaks every two hours—place an undue burden on businesses without offering a practical path to workplace safety improvements.
As part of ABMA’s broader strategic regulatory reform plan, we will now engage directly with the new Administration to advocate for the complete withdrawal of this rule. This will include high-level discussions with key decision-makers in both Congress and the White House, ensuring that the voices of our members continue to shape the policies that impact their businesses.
Next Steps & Continued Advocacy
Following ABMA’s official letter to the President, we will schedule a meeting with the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to further reinforce our position. Through continued engagement and advocacy, ABMA remains steadfast in protecting the interests of our members and ensuring that federal regulations do not create unnecessary burdens on LBM businesses.
Stay tuned for more updates as we take the next steps in this critical fight.