Health & Safety
- National COSH Voices Concern Over NIOSH Restructuring April 2, 2025National COSH urges policymakers to protect NIOSH’s role in safeguarding worker health and safety amid proposed structural changes.
- ASSP Urges Lawmakers to Ensure Safety of America’s Workers April 2, 2025ASSP warns that proposed cuts to OSHA and NIOSH could severely undermine decades of progress in protecting worker health and safety.
- Team Awarded AIHA Microgrant to Advance Worker Health and Safety in Emerging Economies April 2, 2025The team earned an AIHA microgrant to support innovative worker health and safety efforts in developing nations.
- NIOSH Faces Major Layoffs Amid HHS Restructuring, Slashing Two-Thirds of Workforce April 1, 2025The Department of Health and Human Services is set to lay off approximately 873 staffers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The cuts will impact NIOSH facilities in Pittsburgh, Spokane, Morgantown, and Cincinnati.
- Wyoming OSHA Roadshow Returns With Expanded Safety Training April 1, 2025This two-day event offers hands-on safety training, live demos, and workforce development resources for construction and trades professionals across the state.
- There is More to Fall Protection Than Yellow Paint March 30, 2025Choose your safety partners carefully
- Robots and Workers Redefining Safety Together March 28, 2025Robots and humans are working together to enhance workplace safety through AI-driven solutions and human expertise.
- New Report Exposes Dangerous Winter Conditions for Outdoor Workers March 28, 2025New research reveals harsh winter conditions put outdoor workers at risk, with many sidelined by injuries.
- MSHA Warns of Rising Fall Hazards: 7 Deaths, 3 Injuries March 27, 2025The Mine Safety and Health Administration urges mine operators to strengthen fall protection measures following a rise in violations and fatal incidents.
- Onsite Medical Clinics: A Strategic Solution for Workplace Health and Safety March 26, 2025Onsite medical clinics enhance workplace safety by providing immediate care, preventive health services, and cost savings.
- US Labor Department Kicks Off 2025 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week to Prevent Grain Handling Hazards March 26, 2025The 2025 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week brings together industry leaders and safety officials to address critical grain handling hazards and promote safe practices.
- New Mexico Seeks Heat Safety Rule to Protect Workers Amid Rising Temperatures March 26, 2025The New Mexico Environment Department has petitioned for a new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries amid rising temperatures.
- Report Identifies Key Corporate Themes Shaping Workplace Safety March 26, 2025ASSP has released a new report capturing insights from industry leaders to help guide strategic improvements in workplace safety across various industries.
- The Future of OSHA: What’s Next for the 54-Year-Old Agency? March 26, 2025Labor attorney Samuel Pond shares his take on OSHA’s uncertain future and how safety professionals can respond in times of uncertainty.
- Navigating the Challenges of Cold Chain Compliance: Health and Safety Regulations March 26, 2025Maintaining cold chain compliance is crucial for protecting product integrity, worker safety, and minimizing costs, while leveraging technology and sustainable practices to meet evolving regulations.
- Wyoming Launches 'Let’s Talk' Videos on Workplace Mental Health and Safety March 25, 2025Wyoming’s new video series promotes workplace safety through mental health and substance use awareness.
- SeaWorld Cited by US Department of Labor After Trainer Injured by Killer Whale March 24, 2025SeaWorld faces a $16,550 OSHA fine after a killer whale injured a trainer.
- California Company Fined Over Trench Worker Death March 24, 2025Cal/OSHA fined W. A. Rasic Construction $157,500 after a fatal trench collapse exposed serious excavation safety violations.
Concerns & Innovations
- Work zone safety: New resource for tower workers April 2, 2025Watertown, SD — New guidance from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association outlines five key safety elements for communication tower industry workers who operate in and around roadway work zones.
- NIOSH to sustain heavy staff cuts under HHS reorganization plan April 2, 2025Washington — The Department of Health and Human Services will reportedly cut two-thirds of NIOSH’s staff – more than 870 employees – as part of a restructuring plan announced March 27.
- Feeling burned out at work? You’re not alone, survey shows April 2, 2025Menlo Park, CA — Around 36% of workers feel burned out at work, and more than a third say their level of burnout has increased over the past year, according to the results of a recent survey.
- OSHA to employers: Be ready for tornadoes April 1, 2025Washington — With the spring tornado season ramping up, OSHA is calling on employers to develop an emergency plan, learn the warning signs, and monitor tornado watches and warnings.
- Chemical Safety Board marks 20th anniversary of Texas City refinery explosion April 1, 2025Washington — Chemical facilities have made significant advancements in safety in the 20 years since a deadly BP refinery explosion in Texas City, TX, the Chemical Safety Board says.
- California bill seeks to strengthen people’s right to refuse unsafe work April 1, 2025Sacramento, CA — Employees in California who have “reasonable concerns about health and safety violations” would be allowed to refuse work while still receiving full pay, under legislation introduced in late February.
- Kentucky lawmakers override governor’s veto on limiting workplace safety regs March 31, 2025Frankfort, KY — Kentucky legislators have responded quickly to Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of a bill that would have limited enforcement of any new or existing state workplace safety and health regulations that are more stringent than federal OSHA standards.
- NIOSH provides guidance on respirator selection for health care workers March 31, 2025Washington — Because of the variety of different respiratory hazards health care workers are exposed to on the job, knowing the difference between types of respiratory protection is key.
- Illinois bill aimed at protecting workers from extreme temps March 31, 2025Springfield, IL — Legislation that would direct the Illinois Department of Labor to establish – by Jan. 1 – standards intended to protect workers from excessive heat and cold is advancing in the state House.
- CPWR seeks to understand bullying and harassment in construction March 31, 2025Silver Spring, MD — Researchers from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training recently set out to explore how bullying and harassment “may contribute to poor well-being among construction workers.”
- USDA moves to ‘formalize’ faster line speeds in meat-processing plants March 28, 2025Washington — Stating that “extensive research has confirmed no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries” at pork- and poultry-processing plants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will “formalize” faster line speeds initially allowed at certain facilities as part of a trial period.
- Kentucky governor vetoes bill aimed at limiting state-specific safety rules March 28, 2025Frankfort, KY — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has vetoed a bill that would have limited enforcement of any new or existing state workplace safety and health regulations that are more stringent than federal OSHA standards.
- MSHA to host series of meetings on silica final rule March 27, 2025Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled several meetings to “provide information and answer questions” ahead of the fast-approaching compliance date for its final rule on miner exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
- Advisory aimed at curbing collisions between ships and offshore installations March 26, 2025Bootle, England — Responding to an uptick of incidents involving attendant ships colliding with offshore oil and gas and renewable energy structures, Great Britain’s Health and Safety Executive has issued a safety advisory.
- EPA offers more time for comment on vinyl chloride risks March 26, 2025Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has extended to April 2 the deadline to comment on a draft scope document for the agency’s risk evaluation of vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen.
- GOP lawmakers in Maine want to allow teens to work later hours March 26, 2025Augusta, ME — A bill recently introduced in the Maine Legislature would amend state law to allow employees younger than 16 to work expanded hours throughout the year.
- Trump taps Derek Barrs to head FMCSA March 25, 2025Washington — President Donald Trump has nominated Derek Barrs to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Acting head of FMCSA out after just 2 weeks on the job March 24, 2025Washington — Adrienne Camire is no longer acting and deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, after spending about two weeks on the job.
- Employers weigh in on why workers won’t wear PPE March 24, 2025Arlington, VA — Around half of workers don’t wear proper personal protective equipment because they either don’t want to or don’t consider it necessary, according to a recent study of employers.
- Advocacy group releases ‘Deadly Skyline’ report on NY construction industry March 24, 2025New York — The number of construction workers killed in New York state jumped 48% in 2023 from 2022, translating to an 8.3% increase in the fatality rate, according to a recent report from a worker advocacy group.