The 2025 Government Shutdown and OSHA: What Healthcare Practices Need to Know

On October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown due to a lapse in funding. Among the many agencies impacted is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency responsible for workplace safety enforcement across the U.S.

For medical, dental, and veterinary practices, the effects of a shutdown can create uncertainty. This post explains what changes during a government shutdown, how OSHA continues operating, and why staying proactive on compliance is more important than ever.

What Happens to OSHA During a Shutdown?

1. Operations Are Largely Suspended

Under federal law, agencies must halt non-essential functions when funding lapses. For OSHA, this means much of its administrative and programmatic work — from public outreach to new rulemaking — pauses until funding is restored. Non-critical inspections and case processing are generally delayed.

2. Essential and Emergency Work Continues

OSHA does not shut down completely. The agency continues handling high-priority cases such as fatalities, serious injuries, imminent hazards, and follow-up inspections on uncorrected violations. These activities remain a priority, even during funding gaps.

3. Delays & Backlogs Accumulate

While critical inspections continue, many routine activities stall, creating delays and backlogs that employers and workers should anticipate once the shutdown ends. This can affect complaint response times, citation processing, and regulatory progress — leading to an eventual surge in OSHA activity when operations resume.

4. State OSHA Programs May Operate Differently

In states with OSHA-approved state plans, some enforcement may continue under state funding. However, these programs can also be impacted by federal budget uncertainty.

What Happens to OSHA During a Shutdown?

  1. Operations Are Largely Suspended
    Under federal law, agencies must halt non-essential functions when funding lapses. For OSHA, this means much of its administrative and programmatic work — from public outreach to new rulemaking — pauses until funding is restored. Non-critical inspections and case processing are generally delayed.
  2. Essential and Emergency Work Continues
    OSHA does not shut down completely. The agency continues handling high-priority cases such as fatalities, serious injuries, imminent hazards, and follow-up inspections on uncorrected violations. These activities remain a priority, even during funding gaps.
  3. Delays & Backlogs Accumulate
    While critical inspections continue, many routine activities stall, creating delays and backlogs that employers and workers should anticipate once the shutdown ends. This can affect complaint response times, citation processing, and regulatory progress — leading to an eventual surge in OSHA activity when operations resume.
  4. State OSHA Programs May Operate Differently
    In states with OSHA-approved state plans, some enforcement may continue under state funding. However, these programs can also be impacted by federal budget uncertainty.

Key Impacts of the 2025 Shutdown

Workforce Reductions & Furloughs

OSHA experiences significant staffing reductions during a shutdown. Many employees are furloughed, while only essential personnel remain to handle emergencies.

Enforcement Priorities Remain — Compliance Still Matters

While some lower-priority inspections may be delayed, compliance obligations do not go on hold. Employers are still legally responsible for meeting OSHA requirements. In fact, a shutdown can lead to heightened enforcement once funding returns, as OSHA addresses its backlog. For practices, this means now is the time to double down on compliance — not delay it.

Impacts on Employers

  • Ongoing cases may face slower responses from OSHA.
  • New rulemaking timelines may be temporarily delayed.
  • Once operations resume, practices should expect a wave of inspections, follow-ups, and enforcement actions.

Key Impacts of the 2025 Shutdown

  1. Workforce Reductions & Furloughs
    OSHA experiences significant staffing reductions during a shutdown. Many employees are furloughed, while only essential personnel remain to handle emergencies.
  2. Enforcement Priorities Remain — Compliance Still Matters
    While some lower-priority inspections may be delayed, compliance obligations do not go on hold. Employers are still legally responsible for meeting OSHA requirements. In fact, a shutdown can lead to heightened enforcement once funding returns, as OSHA addresses its backlog. For practices, this means now is the time to double down on compliance — not delay it.
  3. Impacts on Employers
    • Ongoing cases may face slower responses from OSHA.
    • New rulemaking timelines may be temporarily delayed.
    • Once operations resume, practices should expect a wave of inspections, follow-ups, and enforcement actions.

What Healthcare Practices Should Do Now

  1. Maintain Compliance Proactively
    OSHA requirements remain fully in force. Practices should continue training staff, updating documentation, and ensuring workplace safety standards are met.
  2. Document Everything
    Keep up-to-date records, training logs, and hazard assessments. A strong compliance trail helps demonstrate good faith efforts if questions arise later.
  3. Monitor High-Risk Activities
    Pay special attention to areas where violations are most common: sharps handling, bloodborne pathogens, chemical labeling, ergonomics, and infection control.
  4. Partner With Compliance Experts
    Working with trusted partners like Gamma Compliance Solutions helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks. From OSHA and HIPAA training to documentation kits and ongoing compliance support, we help practices stay inspection-ready.
  5. Plan for the Post-Shutdown Surge
    When the shutdown ends, OSHA will quickly resume activity to catch up on inspections and enforcement. Practices that have stayed on top of their compliance will be in the best position to avoid costly penalties or operational disruptions.

Conclusion

The 2025 government shutdown may slow some OSHA operations, but it doesn’t change the fact that compliance is a legal requirement — and the responsibility always falls on the employer. For healthcare practices, the best approach is to continue business as usual when it comes to workplace safety: maintain compliance, keep documentation current, and prepare for renewed enforcement when the shutdown ends.

At Gamma Compliance Solutions, we provide the training, documentation, and expert guidance to help you stay compliant in every circumstance. Whether it’s OSHA, HIPAA, or Infection Control, our mission is to keep your practice inspection-ready.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, regulatory, compliance or other professional advice. Federal and state laws, rules, and regulations can change, and state laws may vary.  As such, we make no warranties or representations about this blog’s information as complete, reliable, or suitable for your specific situation.  Your reliance on any information contained in this blog does not establish a professional relationship with us and any such reliance by you is at your own risk.  Always consult a qualified compliance professional before making decisions that could affect your compliance obligations. If you need assistance with your compliance responsibilities, please contact us.