OSHA will no longer fine employers for 'inherently risky' jobs

The US Labor Department is changing how it enforces workplace safety rules. It will no longer fine employers for hazards that are a core part of a professional activity. This means jobs like stunt performers or bomb disposal experts will not be subject to the same safety rules as other professions.

For decades, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could fine employers for any workplace hazard, even if it was central to the job itself. This created a legal gray area for professions where risk is unavoidable. This change means employers in these specific fields will no longer face penalties for the inherent dangers of their work.