Archive for: OSHA & Compliance

Federal OSHA enforcement and compliance guidance have always been central to employer risk management. But as we move deeper into 2026, the agency’s behavior itself, not just the rules on the books, is offering critical clues about where inspections, citations, and compliance expectations are headed. For employers and risk professionals, understanding these shifts isn’t academic; […]

In a sweeping deregulatory initiative that affects many industries, OSHA published 25 proposed rules in the Federal Register on July 1. While some of the proposals aim to rescind or revise standards considered outdated or duplicative, others reflect a deregulatory shift to scale back or withdraw certain long-standing obligations for businesses. The public comment period […]

OSHA’s “properly fit” rule became effective January 15, aligning construction standards with those already established for general industry and maritime employment. Construction employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) in various sizes and designs that accommodate a diverse workforce. Importantly, they must assess the fit of PPE for each worker individually. The fit must address […]

Each year by March 2, most employers must electronically submit their OSHA logs to the Department of Labor (DOL). The process can be confusing, and getting it wrong puts your business at risk of OSHA fines, increased OSHA scrutiny, and even potential legal action. Avoid these common mistakes when submitting your logs to ensure compliance […]

Back in early July, OSHA released an unofficial version of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a federal Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Rule. After an unusually long delay, apparently related to the rule’s length and formatting of numerous tables and graphs, the official version was published on August 30. Here are 11 things you need […]

On July 2, 2024, federal OSHA released a proposed heat standard  that has not yet been published in the Federal Register. In the Spring 2024 Regulatory Agenda, the date for the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) is listed as 8/00/2024. The proposal will apply to employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all industries, […]

Although compliance with OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting rule always has been challenging, it’s never more critical to get it right. The sweeping changes made to the rule in July 2023 significantly increases the number of establishments affected, dramatically increases employers’ reporting requirements, and gives OSHA unprecedented access to workplace data, fueling employers’ […]

October is fire prevention month and a good opportunity to revisit fire prevention measures throughout your company. This article provides a refresher on OSHA requirements for portable fire extinguishers in general industry. Training requirements OSHA requires all general industry employers to have an emergency action plan  and a fire prevention plan that covers how to […]

Top 10 most cited standards The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released its preliminary list of the most frequently cited safety standards for fiscal year 2022 ( Oct. 1, 2021 – Sept. 30, 2022). While the order may change, OSHA’s top ten cited standards are remarkably constant year after year. Ascertained from inspections […]

For the first time, the new National Emphasis Program (NEP)  https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/heat-nep-factsheet-en.pdf creates a nationwide enforcement mechanism to proactively inspect workplaces for heat-related hazards (outdoors and/or indoors) in general industry, maritime, construction, or agricultural operations. OSHA plans to initiate programmed (pre-planned) inspections in over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor work settings when the National […]