OSHA watch
In-depth information on the top 10 most frequently cited standards in FY25
The National Safety Council's (NSC) annual article on the Top 10 violations is one of the most important resources employers can review because it distills a full year of enforcement activity into a clear snapshot of where safety programs most often fail. It's a data-driven roadmap showing where risk is concentrated across industries and where non-compliance is most likely to result in injuries, inspections, or citations.
In the article, employers will find the top five sections cited in each of the ten standards, the top five industries cited under each of the standards, the number of "serious" and "willful" violations under each standard, the top 10 by region, and the highest cumulative proposed penalties by standard.
Heat rule comment period closed
Close to 50,000 comments were submitted on the proposed heat standard, with many employers expressing concern about the rule's scope and one-size-fits-all nature. The comment period closed October 30 and the process of reviewing and responding to comments is underway.
States raise legal questions over General Duty Clause proposal
A coalition of 14 states led by Pennsylvania and Illinois is raising a series of legal arguments against the proposal to narrow the interpretation of the General Duty Clause. They cite concerns about the increased burden on states and support statutory and case-law arguments raised by unions and occupational health experts.
Cal/OSHA and states attack respirator proposal
Cal/OSHA, along with 14 other states and the National Safety Council (NSC), has urged that the proposed rule to eliminate the requirement for a medical evaluation before using certain respirators be withdrawn or substantially revised. As of November 1, the end of the comment period, 313 comments had been received.
MSHA
Two new safety alerts
- Operating mobile equipment - This year, the operation of mobile equipment was involved in 150 accidents, including 13 of 20 fatal accidents. The bulletin provides best practices to prevent such accidents.
- Contract truck drivers - There have been 129 truck-related incidents involving contractors since 2020, resulting in five deaths and 99 lost-time injuries. The alert offers six best practices.
State Plans
Cal/OSHA
Standards Board upcoming hearings
On January 15, 2026, The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will hold public hearings on the Notice of Rulemaking Nov. 28, 2025, Section 5189.1, Process Safety Management for Petroleum Refineries and Sections 1521 and 3400, First Aid.
MIOSHA
Lawmakers considering raising penalties to match federal OSHA
Aimed at aligning the state's penalty structure with federal requirements, the proposed bills would significantly increase penalties for violations. However, without these adjustments, the state risks losing its approved State OSH Plan status.
Nonagricultural workers near farmland may be exposed to pesticides
State regulations allow solar panel placement on farmland and open areas near farmland. Researchers have found that nonagricultural workers, including construction workers installing or maintaining solar panels, working in open areas on or adjacent to farmland might be exposed to pesticides yet have little knowledge of the possible health effects. Since farmers are not required to apprise nonagricultural workers about pesticide application, employers are advised to "consider contacting farmers to determine pesticide application schedules so that nonagricultural workers can be advised to avoid the area or wear protective equipment during application times."
Labor Division launches LEAD program to improve mental health in the workplace
LEADS (Learn, Educate, Act, Deploy, Study) is a new six-month, consultant-supported pilot program designed to help businesses create resilient, supportive work environments. It's a structured, evidence-based model that helps employers strengthen workplace mental health through education, engagement, and measurable change. Learn more.
Final session of webinar series
December 18: Using Data to Drive Change - The New Workplace Mental Health Report
More information and recordings of previous two webinars
Nevada OSHA
Data on the newly implemented heat rule
As of Oct. 15, there were 183 inspections related to the heat rule. The three top inspected industries were accommodation and food services (19 percent), construction (18 percent), and retail (11 percent). Since enforcement began in late April, 13 noncompliance citations have been issued. Some establishments didn't receive a monetary penalty, while others received an average penalty of $14,900.
Complaints have dropped about 20 percent, and the top three industries with the highest complaint rates were accommodation and food services (25 percent), retail (19 percent), and transportation and warehousing (10.5 percent).
NCDOL
Heat Stress Advisory Council established
The Heat Stress Advisory Council was created to strengthen worker protection and address heat-related illness and injury in the workplace. The Council will review existing laws, evaluate regulations, and advise on potential policy improvements.
Recent fines and awards
California
- The Labor Commissioner's Office cited Costco Wholesale Corp. and two trucking firms a combined $868,128 for allegedly misclassifying 58 delivery drivers as contractors. Mega Nice Trucking is a subcontractor for third-party logistics companies, including Ryder, and delivers large items around San Diego for Costco. The Commissioner's Office said Costco and Ryder had direct control over Mega Nice drivers. All three companies have appealed the citations.
Massachusetts
- Revoli Construction, a company with a history of trench-safety violations, is under investigation following a fatal trench collapse in Yarmouth.
Minnesota
- In a settlement with R.D. Offutt Farms Co., the DLI recovered over $82,000 for earned sick and safe time (ESST) violations for 442 workers and over $80,000 in penalties for failure to provide employment statements to 101 recruited migrant agricultural workers.
New Jersey
- A fresh-cut vegetable processing company, Taylor Farms, has been cited for willfully and repeatedly violating safety requirements after a worker was fatally injured while cleaning and sanitizing a machine. Proposed penalties total $1,125,484, with most related to lockout/tagout. Additionally, PL Solutions Group LLC, operating as People Logistics, the onsite temporary employment agency, was cited for three serious violations with proposed penalties of $33,100 for not implementing or training workers on lockout/tagout procedures.