Happy Friday! As we head into the long weekend, there’s some genuinely encouraging momentum to share on our core advocacy priority: OSHA’s Tree Care Operations standard. This is the one issue we’ve been pushing for years, and this week brought a meaningful signal from Washington that things are moving in the right direction.

This week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) unanimously recommended that OSHA move forward with developing a dedicated Tree Care standard under the general industry rules. This is a significant step and reflects growing recognition across industry, labor, and government sectors that tree care work presents unique risks that are not fully addressed by existing regulations.

During the committee’s discussion, members emphasized the wide variation in safety practices across the industry and the need for clearer, more consistent guidance. They also pointed to established models, particularly the ANSI Z133 standard and existing state-level approaches, as practical foundations for a federal rule. While the recommendation itself does not create a regulation, it sends a strong signal to OSHA leadership that there is consensus support for moving the rulemaking process forward.

At the same time, OSHA continues to actively develop the proposed standard behind the scenes. Based on recent updates, agency staff are working on draft regulatory text and refining key elements such as scope, application, and how the standard may interact with construction rules (particularly where activities like crane use overlap). OSHA is also reportedly preparing an updated enforcement directive specific to tree care, which could provide more immediate guidance to inspectors and employers while the broader rulemaking process continues.

These developments come just as the updated ANSI Z133–2026 safety standard is set to be released on May 27. Z133 has long served as the industry’s consensus benchmark for safe work practices, and OSHA frequently relies on it when evaluating tree care operations in the absence of a dedicated federal rule. The release of the new edition reinforces the industry’s readiness to support a modern, comprehensive federal standard grounded in real-world experience.

While no final OSHA rule has been issued yet, the combination of a formal committee recommendation, ongoing rule development, and the release of an updated industry standard represents clear forward momentum.

Taken together, this week’s developments are a strong reminder that persistence in advocacy pays off. A formal recommendation from an OSHA advisory committee, an updated Z133 standard ready to roll out, and continued movement inside the agency all point to real progress. That said, we’re not at the finish line yet. There’s still work to do to ensure any final rule reflects how tree care work actually happens in the field and provides clarity (not confusion) for our members. Advocacy will stay closely engaged and keep you updated through the summer.

Thanks for everything you do to help carry our message forward. Enjoy the weekend!