OSHA Newquist April 2026

OSHA News for April 2026 Hello everyone, If this newsletter is reaching you a little later than usual, it’s because the reality of the field caught up with the calendar. Between unexpectedly filling in to teach a three-day confined space course, knocking out second and third-shift classes, and traveling for site audits, my schedule was pushed completely sideways this month. I finally got my feet back under my desk today. In developing hazard analyses for clients recently, I've been diving deep into the most recent incident reports. To truly protect our workers, our safety strategies need to expand beyond standard compliance and focus directly on the specific mechanisms causing the injuries on the floor. This data-first approach hits especially close to home this week. On April 28th, we observed Workers Memorial Day, taking time to honor those who lost their lives in the pursuit of building our world. Whether we are looking at confined space entry, fall protection, or machine guarding, the "stakes" of our daily operations are human lives. We can't change the past, but we can change the variables for the future. Education, training, and relentless vigilance are the only ways to tilt the odds in favor of the worker. Let’s honor the fallen by making safety an unbreakable standard, not a suggestion. To that end, this month's free PowerPoint download is the Top 5 Construction Accident Categories. I am actually delivering a portion of this presentation on Monday to a room of 100 people. I really like the OSHA SIR data I dug out regarding what is specifically hurting our construction workers right now, with a heavy focus on the new statistics surrounding concrete work and fall protection. We have to know the specific hazards to defeat them. Finally, I want to send a massive congratulations out to the field: 178 people have passed their BCSP Certification so far this year! That is 178 more dedicated professionals raising the bar and keeping our crews safe. Excellent work. John OSHA News Update 1) Fabcon Precast LLC was sentenced in June 2025 to a $500,000 fine and two years of probation after pleading guilty to a criminal charge for the 2020 death of 20-year-old worker Zachary Ledbetter. The company willfully violated OSHA rules by failing to repair a broken safety valve on a concrete mixer, causing a pneumatic door to crush the employee in Grove City, Ohio. In June 2020, batch operator Zachary Ledbetter was killed when a pneumatic discharge door on a concrete mixer closed on his head. The machine had a known, unrepaired broken T-handle on an exhaust valve designed to disable the door. OSHA - At 4:30 p.m. On June 11, 2020, Employee # 1 was attempting to remove a jam with an air chipper from under an open pneumatic concrete mixer discharge door. He released the jam causing the door to close while his head and neck were inside the 90 pounds per square inch pressure door's action trapping him. He lost consciousness, suffered neck and head crushing injuries which resulted in Employee # 1's death. Willful lockout and confined space was cited. June 2025. Criminal Charge: Fabcon Precast pleaded guilty to willfully failing to follow an OSHA safety standard, which caused an employee's death—a class B misdemeanor under federal law. Filings also say the company paid for Ledbetter’s funeral and provided a substantial financial settlement to his family as part of restitution. Sentencing: The company received the maximum fine of $500,000, two years of organizational probation, and was ordered to implement a strict safety compliance plan. They paid $250,000 OSHA fine in addition. Investigation: The case was investigated by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice. 2) OSHA just extended and updated its National Emphasis Program on heat illness, adding several new covered industries, while removing others. When OSHA extended the NEP for only one year, some observers thought that meant it was likely to expire in 2026; instead, it will be in place for another 5 years. 3) Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to step down; Keith Sonderling to take over, according to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung 4) The FY2025 OSHA dataset contains 79,691 inspection records with 116,558 violations. Construction accounted for 33,822 inspection records (42.4%), while manufacturing represented 15,713 (19.7%). Combined, these two sectors made up 62.2% of all inspection records in the dataset. Enforcement activity also remained concentrated in a few primary channels. Planned inspections led at 30,987, followed by complaints (19,605) and referrals (12,464). Together, these three categories represented 79.1% of all inspection records, reinforcing that OSHA activity is being driven by both programmed emphasis and external triggers. Geographic concentration is also notable. California led with 7,492 inspection records, followed by Washington (5,584), Oregon (3,996), Texas (3,894), and Michigan (3,832). At the industry level, inspection activity was especially pronounced in high-exposure construction segments. Roofing contractors led all categories with 7,707 inspection records, followed by framing contractors (4,240) and commercial and institutional building construction (4,009). From Craig Bengal. 5) A potential change to OSHA’s fixed ladder requirements could have major implications for employers. The agency is seeking input on whether to eliminate its 2036 deadline for installing fall protection systems – a requirement industry groups say would impact 22,000+ ladders and cost more than $1 billion. Details here: https://bit.ly/4sqnvCI6) 6) Officials in Northern California have arrested eight people, including a former local police officer, in connection with an explosion at a fireworks warehouse last July that killed seven people. Five of those arrested have been charged with murder. https://lnkd.in/g3NARpDD 7) Tennessee OSHA issues $3.1 million fine for explosion https://lnkd.in/gyjvbSAm Other News 1) Worker dies after falling 4 stories from Northwestern building, Evanston police say https://lnkd.in/gahhx6sB 2) Workers 65 and older have nearly three times the risk of dying on the job as other workers, with a job fatality rate of 9.1 per 100,000 workers. https://lnkd.in/gPW-zkrs 3) Explosion at BP Cherry Point Refinery Injures Workers and Triggers Evacuation Near Seattle An industrial incident at the BP Cherry Point Refinery in Blaine, Washington, on April 19th resulted in at least four injuries and the hospitalisation of three workers following an explosion at the site. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion around 10:20 a.m., prompting an immediate evacuation of refinery personnel. Emergency services arrived shortly after and transported injured workers to hospital, with one reported to require advanced life support. The facility, operated by BP plc, confirmed the incident was contained and stated there is no ongoing risk to nearby communities. All other personnel were accounted for following the emergency response. Local fire authorities were not directly involved in operational mitigation inside the facility, and the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation. 4) Jury awards injured worker 5.5 million in Wisconsin at a Menards distribution center forklift accident. https://lnkd.in/gGTVnfFp 5) New research from CPWR--The Center for Construction Research and Training says workers at small construction firms experience much higher death and injury rates. https://lnkd.in/gpS4KbNA 6) Two people were killed and over a dozen others required medical care after a chemical release at Catalyst Refiners in Kanawha County, West Virginia, officials said. The incident prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order and left one person in critical condition. | Fox News https://lnkd.in/gbaXtnrR 7) An explosion at a chemical plant in Ottawa IL Tuesday morning was leading to multiple street closures, with residents being asked to avoid the area and emergency responders on scene. Just before 8 a.m, the Ottawa Fire Department received a call of an incident at Coogee Chemicals, located at 1501 Titanium Drive. In a Facebook post, the Ottawa Fire Department asked people nearby the avoid the area, describing the scene as "active. 8) The Drew Price Act (SB1742/Public Act 104-0121), effective Jan. 1, 2026, is an Illinois law improving firefighter safety by requiring guardrails or parapets around light shafts, skylights, and roof openings on low-sloped commercial buildings. Named after a Chicago firefighter who died in 2023, it mandates safety surveys of roof hazards for first responders. Section 10. Low-sloped roof edges and openings. All existing buildings, new construction, new roofs, roof replacements, and renovation projects that increase the area of a home or business by more than 50% are subject to the following requirements: (1) The edges of a low-sloped roof that adjoin a shaft or a court that is enclosed on all sides shall be provided with a parapet, extended masonry, or guard, or any combination thereof that meets the requirements of Section 1015 of the International Building Code. (2) All skylights and other openings located in the plane of a low-sloped roof that are not otherwise required to remain open and unobstructed by law shall be either: (A) glazed with wired glass, plain glass, glass block, or polycarbonate plastic that is designed and constructed to withstand a minimum dynamic load test of no less than 400 pounds; or (B) provided with a parapet, extended masonry, or guard, or any combination thereof, that meets the requirements of Section 1015 of the International Building Code. 9) Liberty Mutual data for 2025. Nonfatal injuries with more five days. Manufacturing. 1. Overexertion 1.77 Billion 2. Falls Same Level 1.27 Billion. 3. Struck by objects or equipment 830 million. 4. Caught by equipment (Lockout or Guarding) 650 Million 5. Repetitive motion microtasks 580 Million 10) Conroe TX trench death Saturday. https://lnkd.in/gRkhhKjJ 11) A dust collector fire burn? Illinois https://lnkd.in/gFY3XK7p 12) EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — An explosion at a manufacturing plant in East Providence sent 11 people to the hospital. An NBC 10 viewer shared doorbell camera video that caught the flash and the sound from Wednesday night's blast at Aspen Aerogels. https://lnkd.in/gdqdHHWH 13) PA Worker was working at a construction site in the area of 712 Clover Drive in Hamilton Township when a trench collapsed on him. https://lnkd.in/gjxc6EF4 14) Philadelphia Parking Garage collapse under construction kills worker https://lnkd.in/g9xqjPAC OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) Harwood Grant Silica May 26 2026 CSC Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout May 8 2026 NIU Naperville Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout May 15 2026 NIU Rockford Harwood Grant Confined Space Fire May 13 2026 NIU Naperville Harwood Grant Confined Space Fire May 22 2026 NIU Rockford OSHA 500 CSC May 18-19 2026 For FREE Harwood grant training https://cpelearn.niu.edu/susan-harwood-training-grant-program/ NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 663 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA News May 2026

OSHA News for June 2026 Hello everyone, It was a busy month with customized training and grant training. I told some time off to take training and was always good to learn more about what works like HOP. One world class company showed me their 100 SOP videos and numerous video Tool Box Talks. Add in JSA and audit and it explains why they are world class. One of the giants in PSM passed away, Mark Kasniak. He was a funny guy and knew the PSM thoroughly. See OSHA #2. The Westmont litigation could change IL Worker Comp. See Other #1. The cost of an OSHA case pales next to top civil litigation cases. Even though safety professionals are not lawyers, I learned about interrogatories, requests for production, expert witness reports from the best while in OSHA. Dick Fiore, Leonard Borden, Susan Witz, Allen Bean, Rafael Alvarez, Steven Yohay, Mark Lies, Dennis Morikawa, Kevin Koplin. If you have an opportunity to get involved, embrace the process vs. thinking it their legal job. Stephen Hester - My question: Why are we, as an industry, pushing the envelope in terms of how much incident energy we’re willing to expose workers to before we decide to look for a better way? What’s next? 200 cal? 500 cal? 1000? Regional Administrator Bill Donovan retires June 16, 2026. Bill was great to work with in OSHA. Bad Cases make Bad Case law is the quote that I remember the most. This month is a silica ppt. I find my self-teaching silica every month. 257 people have told me they passed their BCSP Certification this year. June is a good to refresh the Heat Stress Training. John OSHA News Update 1) Top 2025 cited category. 1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,992 violations 2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,010 3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,842 4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,562 5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,294 6. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,286 7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 2,216 8. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,150 9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,965 10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,498 https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/osha-reveals-final-top-10-data-for-fy-2025/ 2) Tribute to Mark Kaczniak Mark Kaczniak dedicated his life to protecting workers and advancing the field of process safety at a time when it was still taking shape. Those who worked alongside him quickly recognized a rare combination of technical mastery, steady judgment, and quiet leadership. Beginning his career with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the early 1980s, Mark became deeply involved in some of the most complex and consequential industrial incidents of that era. He had a remarkable ability to sort through dense technical data, understand chemical processes at their core, and identify the factors that truly mattered. While many saw only complexity, Mark saw clarity—and he used that clarity to drive meaningful change. He was among the early pioneers of what would become modern process safety management. During a period marked by major industrial explosions and evolving regulatory frameworks, Mark played an instrumental role in shaping how hazards were understood and addressed. His work helped elevate attention toward the most serious risks in industry, always with a focus on protecting workers. Mark later brought his expertise to industry leadership roles, serving as Safety Director at Morton Salt and subsequently at IMC Global. In these positions, he continued to champion strong safety practices and ensured that lessons learned from past incidents translated into better protections for those in the field. He also stood as an advocate for workers, including providing testimony during OSHA hearings that helped sharpen the agency’s focus on critical process safety issues. His voice carried weight not because it was loud, but because it was grounded in deep knowledge and unwavering integrity. Mark later joined the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, where he spent two decades contributing to investigations and advancing the understanding of major chemical incidents. His work there touched many of the most significant events in the field, helping ensure that their lessons would not be forgotten. A graduate of Lane Technical College Prep High School and the University of Illinois Chicago, Mark was a chemical engineer by training, but far more importantly, he was a leader by example—thoughtful, disciplined, and committed to doing the work the right way. Mark Kaszniak leaves behind a lasting legacy in process safety and worker protection. His contributions helped shape an entire field and improved the lives of countless workers who will never know his name—but are safer because of him. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and made his home in Washington, D.C. 3) OSHA Fatal Fall Case Summary The U.S. Department of Labor cited Max Home Services LLC (doing business as Pasat Roofing and Solar Energy) after a fatal roofing incident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Key Facts: • Date of incident: September 24, 2025 • Work being performed: Workers were installing a tarp on a two-story residence. • Incident: Two employees slipped from the roof and fell into an empty swimming pool. • Outcome: o One employee suffered fatal injuries. o One employee suffered serious injuries. OSHA Findings: • Employees were working more than 20 feet above the ground without personal fall protection. • OSHA determined the employer willfully exposed workers to fall hazards. • The company also: o Failed to adequately train workers to recognize fall hazards. o Failed to implement a required hazard communication program for employees using hazardous chemicals. Citations Issued: • 1 Willful Violation o Failure to provide required fall protection. • 2 Serious Violations o Inadequate fall hazard training. o Deficiencies in hazard communication. Proposed Penalty: • $172,324 4) The U.S. Department of Labor cited Breland Homes Inc., a Huntsville, Alabama homebuilder, after a trench collapse killed a construction worker during utility installation work. Key Facts: • Date of OSHA announcement: April 16, 2026 • Incident date: December 2025 • Location: Madison County subdivision, Alabama • Work being performed: Installation of a sewage drainpipe. • Incident: A trench collapsed and engulfed a construction laborer. • Outcome: One worker was fatally injured. OSHA Findings: OSHA investigators determined that Breland Homes: • Allowed the worker to enter an unprotected and unsupported trench. • Failed to train employees to recognize trenching and excavation hazards. • Permitted employees to work without required protective helmets. • Allowed the use of a damaged ladder on the jobsite. • Exposed workers to multiple additional safety hazards identified during the investigation. Citations Issued: • 8 Serious Violations Proposed Penalty: • $115,855 Other News 1) The Illinois Appellate Court (Third District) reversed a lower court's dismissal of a wrongful death and survival lawsuit brought by the estate of Matthew Heiden against his employer, the Village of Westmont. The central legal issue was whether the Village's conduct was so egregious that it constituted an "intentional" act, thereby bypassing the exclusive remedy provision of the Workers' Compensation Act. I am sure it will go to the IL Supreme court. Only in the NV Case was the shield penetrated to my knowledge. And that was a confined space also. https://lnkd.in/gvgUN6bJ 2) I enjoyed the Data Center Safety Course. Five hours. $99 30 question final. 5 questions at 80% to pass the 18 modules. No CEUs https://lnkd.in/gi2E_EYE 3) A standard 48” x 40” wooden pallet typically has a load capacity between 2,500 and 4,000+ pounds (1,100–1,800+ kg), depending on its construction, wood species, and whether the load is static or in motion. While many are rated for around 2,500 lbs dynamic, heavy-duty pallets can safely carry over 4,600 lbs.Key factors affecting capacity include:Static Load (Stationary): Highest capacity (often 4,000 lbs+) because the pallet is not moving.Dynamic Load (Moving): Lower capacity (usually 2,000-3,000 lbs) as movement adds stress.Racking Load: The lowest capacity, as it must support the load solely by its ends.Wood Type: Hardwood pallets are generally stronger (3,000–4,500 lbs capacity) compared to softwood (2,000–3,000 lbs).Condition: Damaged, old, or wet pallets have significantly lower weight limits.Always assume a lower capacity if the pallet is not in perfect condition or if the load is not evenly distributed.Standard Pallet Size: Dimensions & Weight - The Cary CompanyMay 8, 2024 — What Is a Standard Pallet Size? Dimensions. The typical pallet dimensions of an industry standard pallet are 48” L x 40” W x 6” H. 1910.176(b) Secure storage. Storage of material shall not create a hazard. So Don’t store 30000 pounds on a wood pallet. 4) Using Microsoft Form to make a Safety Observation/Hazard Reporting For a Data Center Project. I could not take out the old QR code. This example will go to an excel form to "You" or the safety department. The last one at a site of 500, generated 400 observations/suggestions/hazards in 6 months. I like this because I am seeing near misses, hazards, and "minor" injuries not get reported. This form goes beyond safety and workers report issues of quality, tradestacking, potential hostile workplace, property damage. Post QR codes: break areas elevators gang boxes entrances crane access points safety boards Headline: “SEE SOMETHING UNSAFE? REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY.” Workflow: Form submitted via QR Entry added to Excel automatically then you can Email automatically to contractor or individual Assigned manager notified Overdue items escalated Weekly summary generated It just takes practice. I never used Microsoft forms before this year. So do not be intimidated because it is new. I used copilot to give ideas and create the from. Then had only four edits. This can adapted for digital tool box talks and site orientation. Link to form. https://lnkd.in/gg2w8G8b 5) Late night thoughts after writing a billion SOP, JHA and TBT. The Universal Failure Filter After reviewing thousands of severe injuries across heavy industry, one pattern keeps repeating. It’s not complicated. When a catastrophic injury occurs, ask four questions: 1️⃣ Was there a defined procedure? 2️⃣ Was there a job hazard analysis? 3️⃣ Was there reinforcement (toolbox talk, supervision, audit)? If the answer is no to any of these → the injury was predictable. If all three were present → then the next question is simple: Was it followed? That’s it. Most severe machine injuries, lockout failures, fire losses, confined space incidents — they collapse into this filter. Not random. Not mysterious. Not “just an accident.” Either: • The system didn’t exist • Or the system wasn’t followed High-performing companies understand this. They don’t rely on hardware alone. They build layered defenses: Procedure. Hazard recognition. Reinforcement. And they audit all three. This model applies far beyond machine guarding. It works for: • Lockout/Tagout • Fall protection • Confined space • Incident investigation • Safety management systems If you’re investigating an incident this year, try running it through this filter. You may find the answer faster than you expect 6) Tales from the front. I was teaching a free silica class today, and Allisah said she is seeing the people who pass the user seal check fog up the glasses. I was saying that if you had a good user seal check. it should not happen. So I tried it and this nice respirator n95 fogged my glasses up which is not good. The 3m 8710 did not fog up the glasses. I had passed the respiratory fit test with bitrex with this respirator too while wearing glasses . One of the things that we don't do in the respiratory fit test is a blow hard test. We do deep breathing but not blowing hard. 7) Chemical plant incident kills one worker in Washington state https://lnkd.in/g7rTRNz5 8) Highway work is so dangerous and unfortunately a worker in Illinois lost his life https://lnkd.in/gqnJFvMi 9) Man dies after falling off construction equipment, run over in St. Louis https://lnkd.in/g_gBwmnp OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) Harwood Grant Silica July 27 2026 CSC Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout June 3 2026 NIU Naperville Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout July 3 NIU Rockford Harwood Grant Confined Space Fire June 9 2026 NIU Naperville Harwood Grant Confined Space Fire June 10 2026 NIU Rockford OSHA 510 CSC Online June 1-5 2026 RARE Online. New layout. OSHA 7115 CSC Lockout June 17 2026 RARE Online. New layout. OSHA 2045 Rockford June 29-July 2 Need three to run the class. For FREE Harwood grant training https://cpelearn.niu.edu/susan-harwood-training-grant-program/ NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 663 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA NEWS March 2026

OSHA News for April 2026 Hello, It was a Busy month of dial-a-weather wheel. 79 degrees and blizzard all in 7 days I looked at 40 “drowning” deaths from 2023 to 2025. Here is exactly what is killing workers around water: 🚜 25% Mowing & Landscaping Rollovers: Zero-turn mowers and tractors getting too close to unguarded pond edges, rolling over, and pinning operators underwater. ⚓ 20% Falls from Marine Vessels & Docks: Workers on barges, docks, or bridges without U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFDs. A survivable slip instantly becomes fatal. 🚧 17.5% Heavy Equipment Entering Water: Skid steers, excavators, and UTVs driving off unguarded docks or rolling down embankments, trapping operators inside enclosed cabs. ⚙️ 12.5% Engulfment & Confined Space: Lift stations suddenly filling with water, flooded trenches, or burst valves. These are massive LOTO and isolation failures. I can make a case to retire the OSHA trench emphasis program since there was 19 deaths. There were 50 deaths in the highway contractor fields in the last 12 months. Mid March. Today a safety director said- "We are in litigation on a case involving an injured person. The plaintiff attorney asked for our safety program, training records, all audits, all daily job briefs, all photos, all emails, and tool box talks. He was aggressive in saying 4 tool box talks a year makes it hard to show we take safety serious" This month PPT is Welding and hot work safety. I have not sent it out since 2018. Hot works has changed much since then. Concrete pumpers can tip over high wind. Usually over 40 mph is the limit for many of these pumping machines. The manual will tell you though. safe wind speed. 122 people have passed BCSP Certification this year. Congrats! John OSHA News Update 1. OSHA worker Memorial Day Week https://www.osha.gov/workers-memorial-day 2. A Connecticut contractor faces three criminal charges, including first-degree manslaughter, following the death of a worker in a trench collapse. Amilcar Deandrade, 51, the owner of Diamond Plumbing & Heating LLC of Norwich, is also charged with criminally negligent homicide and first-degree reckless endangerment. The charges stem from a cave-in around 6 p.m. June 13 in Norwich. Michael DiRocco Sr., 60, of Norwich was partially buried in the trench, which was between 4 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 4 inches deep with vertical walls. https://www.equipmentworld.com/regulations/safety-compliance/article/15819736/contractor-charged-with-manslaughter-after-trench-collapse-death 3. OH Ford worker dies in a press. OSHA investigating. https://www.wlwt.com/article/worker-dies-pinned-under-press-ford-motor-company-sharonville/70761214 4. Silicosis cases up in countertop mfr. CA has 529 silicosis cases, 29 deaths. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qflEQ3GR0nk 5. OSHA investigationg. Eight workers taken to the hospital at the Byron clean energy plant formerly known as Byron nuclear. They just said undisclosed chemical leaked in the turbine building. 6. Labor Department attorneys should refrain from pursuing legal enforcement in unionized workplaces, Labor Solicitor Jonathan Berry said in an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg Law. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/top-dol-lawyer-urges-relaxed-enforcement-in-union-workplaces Other News 1) No one killed in Valero Explosion in TX https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/large-oil-refinery-explosion-texas-coast-forces-residents-shelter-plac-rcna264853 2) An initial summary from LyondellBasell officials published late Friday said the incident released over 15,000 pounds of the highly flammable asphyxiant n-butane, along with large volumes of isobutane and carbon monoxide. All personnel are safe and accounted for, and no off-site impact was expected, the company said. After a unit upset at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, the plant's emergency flare system activated. But the company said that when the facility's valves opened to relieve pressure from tanks and columns full of flammable gases, "a piping fire occurred" near the continuous flare system. Officials first hinted at what triggered the incident Friday morning: A "process upset" had resulted in the release of flammable product that was ignited by the pilot light of a flare operation, the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office said. 3) A proposal for a $20 billion data center campus outside Chicago has been recommended for approval by the local planning commission. The project, known as the Joliet Technology Center, would be developed by PowerHouse Data Centers on a 795-acre site near S. Rowell Road and Bernhard Road. Current plans include 24 two-story data center buildings, each offering around 144,500 sq ft, built across four phases. Each phase would also include the construction of a six-acre substation to support power requirements. 4) A Madison County jury has awarded $241,000,000 to the family of a man who died while transporting dry ice as part of his job as a courier. The verdict includes $49.5 million in compensatory and $191.5 million in punitive damages against the company. https://www.salvilaw.com/press-release/prairie-farms-dairy-verdict-dry-ice/ OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7115 Lockout online Apr 8 Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout Apr 6 2026 Naperville Harwood Grant Machine guard lockout Apr 14 2026 Rockford Harwood Grant Confined Space Fire Apr 23 2026 Naperville OSHA 510 CSC Apr 6-9 OSHA 511 sold out Apr 1-4 For free Harwood grant training https://cpelearn.niu.edu/susan-harwood-training-grant-program/ NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 663 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA News February 2026

OSHA News for March 2026 Hello, This month was nonstop classes. The car went thousands of miles. I got to teach 5 Harwood grant classes. Machine Guarding, Lockout, Fire, Confined Space and Silica. It is good to see OSHA hiring. They have been down in staffing for a while. (See Osha #1) I do not hear any evidence of OSHA relaxing enforcing at union facilities. (See OSHA #2) One of my largest cases (See Other #2) just settled for $33 million. They picked the jury and settled after the opening. Caroline Laatsh, devoted mother, public servant, athlete, and artist, passed away on March 1, 2026. From 1987 to 1994, Caroline worked for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), where she was involved in significant enforcement cases concerning lead exposure and tuberculosis. Her work reflected her commitment to protecting workers and upholding the law with integrity and resolve. This month PPT is From the Witness Stand. It was my speech at the Construction Safety Conference this year. It was good to talk with so many people and see the success of certification at the construction companies. I had a good crowd at the Underground Contractors Association meeting. l covered the excavation safety review and talked about the accidents and common OSHA excavations citations. I liked Joseph Zawacki, M.B.A., who did an outstanding job explaining how a large organization should evaluate the core competencies for its safety professionals. A New England hospital was cited willful bloodborne. Live bloodborne training was required not CBT. I am requesting the citation under FOIA. I found 17 trench deaths in 2025. Almost all of them had a spoil pile 6 ft high. 84 people have passed BCSP Certification this year. Congrats! We got up in the 60’s this month! John OSHA News Update 1. OSHA is hiring $50,000. https://lnkd.in/g8t8KXNi 2. Labor Department attorneys should refrain from pursuing legal enforcement in unionized workplaces, Labor Solicitor Jonathan Berry said in an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg Law. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/top-dol-lawyer-urges-relaxed-enforcement-in-union-workplaces 3. Horizon Biofuels OSHA General Duty clause citation. Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: OSH ACT of 1970 Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of explosion, deflagration, and fire by working in a wood pellet and animal bedding manufacturing facility without adequate controls to prevent or mitigate wood dust explosions, in that: a. On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent ferrous metals from scrap wood from entering the equipment and creating sparks or heat, which can serve as an ignition source for an explosion, deflagration, or fire. b. On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent hot equipment surfaces, such as from bearings on the Surge mixer and the bucket elevator, which can ignite wood dust particles, causing an explosion, deflagration, or fire. c. On or about July 29, 2025, the employer operated Cresswood HF wood grinder, Bliss 442 hammermill, Surge mixer, and interior bucket elevators without controls to prevent belt friction within the bucket elevators as a result of improper alignment of the belt, allowing it to rub against the enclosure, which can serve as an ignition source for an explosion, deflagration, or fire 4. Companies are buying knit 10 cal gloves vs the rubber gloves. I had not seen this before. It is comfortable. These are not shock protection and create a hazard if the shock hazard is present. 5. I found 45 specific arc flash incidents identified in the SIR 2025 data (not complete 2025). An arc flash occurs when an electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to the ground, often resulting in temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun and a violent pressure wave. Here is the breakdown of these injuries by equipment: Primary Sources of Arc Flashes Switchboards, Panels, and Fuses (42%): 19 incidents. These typically occur during troubleshooting, voltage testing, or cleaning inside energized panels. Power Lines and Transformers (29%): 13 incidents. These are often the most severe, involving high-voltage utility work. Electrical Wiring & Parts (18%): 8 incidents. Often caused by accidental contact with hand tools or nails during construction. 6. Recordkeeping. Are using tweezer to remove a particle in the eyelid (not the eye) recordable? Per OSHA now. What is first aid? using irrigation, tweezers, cotton swab or other simple means to remove splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye; https://lnkd.in/g5kUSxBV 7. Cincinnati Food poultry plant explosion kills worker. Others hurt. https://lnkd.in/gae7cu2J 8. OSHA staffing at record lows. https://lnkd.in/gKv-DcgF 9. LAKE WORTH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Land O’ Lakes-based petroleum tank services contractor for exposing workers to chemical and respiratory hazards after an employee was fatally exposed to benzene and toluene when they entered a fuel storage tank at a Lake Worth worksite in July 2025 10. GIBSON CITY, ILL – Federal safety inspectors have found a central Illinois grain company endangered workers and violated federal law by failing to properly guard and lockout/tagout dangerous machinery during grain bin entry, which led to a seasonal laborer suffering a serious foot injury. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/chicago/20260224 11. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services Inc. exposed workers at the Clairton Coke Works plant to unsafe working conditions including explosion, struck-by, and high-pressure injection hazards. Federal safety inspectors determined that United States Steel Corp. failed to use required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas. OSHA also concluded that cleaning services contractor MPW Industrial Services failed to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system and did not coordinate energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas. OSHA cited United States Steel Corp. with seven serious and one other-than-serious violations and proposed $118,214 in penalties. The agency cited MPW Industrial Services Inc. with four serious and two other-than-serious violations and proposed $61,473 in penalties. Other News 1) A record award for jury trial in Illinois in a worker-related death. It is always better to settle a case instead of taking it to the trial. Both sides win. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/salvi-schostok-%26-pritchard_10-am-press-conference-a-madison-county-activity-7434221164392075264-E0SS?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIBItABQBDPoUhLVeFxpTWAgr5E2vxyQDk 2) BEN CRANE and Ervin Nevitt of Coplan + Crane and Steven Groves and Caroline Alexander of Groves Powers secured a $33 million settlement for the family of a 29-year-old man who tragically died in Illinois as a result of a dangerous railroad maneuver called a “blind shove.” “While nothing can replace the life that was lost, this settlement holds those responsible accountable and reinforces the importance of safety on our railroads,” said Ben Crane. This settlement not only brings justice to the family but also shines a spotlight on the need for safe practices in railroads nationwide. 3. 1 killed, 2 injured when 8-story tower explodes in North Carolina, officials say Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article314802230.html#storylink=cpy 4. Two dead in MI from confined space gases. https://lnkd.in/guGkuHXa 5. In January 2026, ISO published ISO 3941:2026 and introduced Class L, a dedicated fire classification for fires involving lithium-ion cells and batteries where no metallic lithium is present. Why this matters: Li-ion incidents are not “just another Class A/B scenario.” Thermal runaway, high energy density, toxic by-products, and the need for cooling/thermal control change both tactics and the way we evaluate extinguisher performance. OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 3015 CSC Mar 16-18 Harwood Grant Rockford Feb 2 OSHA 500 CSC Mar 23-25 OSHA 511 Apr 1-4 For free Harwood grant training https://cpelearn.niu.edu/susan-harwood-training-grant-program/ NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 463 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA News January 2026

OSHA News for February 2026 Hello, This month was doing all the hard classes this month. CHST certification class, Industrial Competent person rigging, Respirator Fit testing and annual training, and incident investigation for 84 people over three separate days, worker machine guarding, This month are several OSHA classes. See the calendar at the end. We lost Bob Lomastro this January. He served in the Navy as a Corpsman and brought his experience to teach electrical safety. I always learned from him and he knew Camtasia the software for capturing videos. https://www.kristanfuneralhome.com/obituary/robert-lomastro We lost Larken Akins in January. I met her at Fairview Heights as CSHO. She was always positive and worked hard. She eventually became Assistant Director Area Director in Milwaukee and Regional Safety and Health Manager. She become the OSHA safety and health manager. She ran a marathon, got her CSP and went to help in Ghana. https://www.calahanfuneralhome.com/obituaries/larken-akins/#!/TributeWall This month PPT is Most Cited Violation in General Industry. It is only in pdf. We have not been above freezing since January 12, 2026. I am ready for warmer weather. John OSHA News Update 1. On July 1, 2025, OSHA proposed a rule to narrow the interpretation of the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, specifically limiting its application to hazards that are inherent to certain professional activities. This revision aims to prevent citations for risks deemed inseparable from the core nature of jobs in sectors like entertainment, animal handling, motorsports, and high-risk performance. 2. OSHA has cited Horizon Biofuels Inc in Fremont, Neb., following a July 2025 wood-pellet plant explosion that killed three people. The agency issued citations for multiple "serious" violations, including hazards related to the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout). The investigation into the fatal incident prompted these findings. https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/01/30/osha-cites-horizon-biofuels-in-fremont-plant-explosion/ 3. As of February 15, 2025, OSHA increased its maximum civil penalties as part of its mandatory annual inflation adjustment. This raised the maximum penalties to $16,550 for “serious” and “other-than-serious” violations, and $165,514 for “willful” or “repeated” violations. 4. OSHA has significantly sharpened its focus on high-injury workplaces with its updated Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program. This directive uses your 300A data from 2021–2023 to decide who gets an unannounced visit. The "Goldilocks" Problem: OSHA isn't just looking for high injury rates. They are looking for: • Upward Trends: If your rates are climbing or exceed twice the private sector average. • Unusually Low Rates: If your numbers look "too perfect," OSHA may trigger a "verify" inspection to check for underreporting or recordkeeping violations. • Non-Responders: Failure to submit your 300A data for 2023 is now a nearly guaranteed way to get on the list. The Takeaway: Review your historical data now. If you fall into any of these categories, conduct a mock audit before the compliance officer knocks. 5. I’m thrilled to announce that Northern Illinois University (NIU) has been awarded a Susan Harwood Training Grant, and I’ll be personally leading three sessions throughout 2026. I will be teaching three critical workshops: ✅ Lockout/Tagout ✅ Machine Guarding ✅ Confined Spaces. This grant is specifically designed to support companies with fewer than 250 employees. If that’s you, this is a chance to get high-level, practical training for your team completely FREE. Whether you need an in-person workshop or a tailored on-site session, the National Safety Education Center wants to help you strengthen your safety program. Slots are limited. If you are a small business looking to level up your safety, click the link below! https://cpelearn.niu.edu/susan-harwood-training-grant-program/ 6. EASTON, CT — Federal workplace safety officials have proposed more than $1.2 million in penalties against Sound Construction Inc., an Easton-based concrete and earthwork contractor, following a follow-up inspection that found repeated violations related to trenching and excavation hazards. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the company willfully failed to protect workers from cave-ins and other excavation dangers. OSHA cited the employer after a June 12, 2025, inspection at a Sound Construction work site in Stamford, issuing seven willful and four serious violations. The inspection followed a December 2023 investigation into a workplace fatality at a New Canaan site that resulted in the death of a Sound Construction worker. After that incident, OSHA cited the company for two willful and five serious violations. The agency also entered into a settlement agreement requiring the company’s owner to submit monthly lists of active work sites and allow random OSHA inspections to monitor compliance with trenching and excavation safety standards. During the Stamford inspection, OSHA said inspectors found the company failed to train workers on trenching and excavation hazards, provide adequate protection from cave-ins, conduct required daily excavation inspections, follow trench shield installation standards, and properly backfill shields to prevent hazardous movement. 7. Electronic Submission Deadline: Beginning January 2, 2026, covered employers may start submitting their calendar year 2025 injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). 8. Post the OSHA 300A Feb1 to Apr 30. Other News 1) 47 died in the Swiss Ski Resort fire. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-face-arduous-task-identifying-victims-deadly-bar-fire-2026-01-01/ 2) Break a leg? Here what caused worker to break a leg in the last 12 months of data. May 1 2024 to April 30 2025 🥇 1. Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Interaction (~29% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Working around or mounting/dismounting forklifts Being struck or run over by trucks, carts, or mobile equipment Foot/leg caught between vehicle and fixed object Equipment roll-back or unexpected movement 🥈 2. Slips, Trips & Falls – Same Level (~19% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Walking on uneven surfaces Carrying materials while walking Transitioning between surfaces (dock → floor, gravel → concrete) Wet, icy, oily, or debris-covered walking areas 🥉 3. Falls From Elevation (Ladders / Scaffolds / Steps) (~18% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Climbing ladders Stepping off platforms Descending stairs or equipment Improper ladder placement or overreach 677 brokens legs in a year ~1.9 broken legs per day ~13 per week 3. Illinois lawmakers are pushing for new legislation that would require employers to protect workers from extreme heat and cold, days after a brutal cold snap forced thousands to work in subzero wind chills with no legal safeguards. The Workplace Extreme Temperature Safety Act would establish clear temperature thresholds and require employers to provide warming stations, protective equipment, and rest breaks when temperatures drop below 32 degrees or rise above 80 to 90 degrees. Illinois currently has no state law setting temperature limits for workplaces, leaving workers without union contracts vulnerable to frostbite, hypothermia, and other preventable cold-weather injuries. https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/new-push-protect-illinois-workers-from-extreme-cold-after-subzero-week 4. Co-op student killed by H2S at papermill https://www.wmtw.com/article/umaine-student-dies-gas-incident-maine-pulp-mill/70186498?fbclid=IwY2xjawPreVNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeeT3WJjTl5JVaZtsq-6uDPD6rXYzaS-VfEKKZfM3lQ2gES-0vWsZ6QYsqCvY_aem_wdGk9wAWMcM2Cae8UKjxHA 5. Bartlett Public worker in a snow plow hit and killed by metra train. https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/metra-train-collides-with-snow-plow-driver-critically-injured-md-w-service-halted-near-bartlett/ 6. Microsoft Propose 15 More Data Center Facilities in Mount Pleasant In another clear sign of just how aggressively demand is accelerating, Microsoft has proposed a major expansion in Mount Pleasant that would add 15 new data centers across two additional campuses on top of the multibillion dollar investment already underway. Originally announced as a 7 billion dollars+ development, the Mount Pleasant footprint was already one of the largest active data center projects in the region. The latest proposal pushes the scale even further and shows that cloud and AI infrastructure planning is now happening at mega campus levels rather than incremental phases. 7. Cleaning a mixer. Begging for help. No $10 lockout 99.9% of the time. https://people.com/father-dies-after-getting-trapped-in-chemical-mixer-at-work-11885820 8. AUGUSTA, ME (WGME) — Two state workers are dead and another is injured after a horrific crash in Waterville Tuesday morning. State police say a Maine DOT crew had closed a southbound lane on I-95 to work on an overpass when a driver allegedly cut off a tractor-trailer truck before striking the workers. Governor Janet Mills said Tuesday that Maine DOT workers put themselves in harm’s way every day. State police say the DOT crew set up a temporary stop sign at the end of the southbound on-ramp, leading to a single lane on I-95, but it didn’t prevent a woman from driving into the path of a tractor-trailer. The two victims who were killed have been identified as Waterville residents James Brown, 60, and Dwayne Campbell, 51. https://fox23maine.com/news/local/crash-shuts-down-i-95-in-waterville-maine-state-police-traffic-travel OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7500 Naperville Feb 6 OSHA 510 CSC Feb 2-5 Harwood Grant Rockford Feb 2 OSHA 511 Online Feb 9-12 OSHA 7205 Naperville Feb 13 OSHA 7300 CSC Feb 10 OSHA 7845 Feb 20 CSC Silica Grant Feb 23 NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 140 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA News DEcember 2025

OSHA News for December 2025 Hello, OSHA is doing enforcement despite being down 20%. Some more office consolidations will occur in 2026. There are numerous employer phone calls from all the letters sent for verification of abatement. The calls did not drop 20% like the staffing. Some lockout data May 1 2024-Apr 30 2025. Severe Injury Reports. •Total lockout-related incidents identified: 481 •These incidents involve situations where energy control, unexpected startup, or jam clearing were part of the incident sequence Jam clearing was the #1 cause. 49% of all lockout-related injuries resulted in an amputation. 🥇 Conveyors (All Types Combined) 🥈 Packaging / Wrapping / Bundling Machinery 🥉 Metal / Woodworking Machinery (Saws, Cutters, Presses) 4️⃣ Stamping / Press Machinery (Non-Printing) This month’s PowerPoint is Most Cited Construction. I only got a pdf version so it will do for now. Electronic Submission Deadline: Beginning January 2, 2026, covered employers may start submitting their calendar year 2025 injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting We had 221 people get certified in 2025. Stay warm! John OSHA News Update 1) Over the weekend, OSHA published FOUR NEW letters of interpretation (LOIs) that help clarify OSHA requirements found in OSHA safety standards: Clarification of "as free as practicable" lead contamination on surfaces https://lnkd.in/eJSC82GV Electrical Busway Hot Swappable Plug-In Units https://lnkd.in/eQRAkN7m Whether the respiratory protection medical evaluation may consider factors beyond respirator use https://lnkd.in/eszA5ptM 140 decibels (dB) impact/impulse policy under the noise standard https://lnkd.in/eDVXMQwS 2) Private equity firm acquires Maricopa Pizza Co. Maricopa was cited $2.9 million on lockout death. https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/30749-private-equity-firm-acquires-miracapo-pizza-co 3) Naperville IL OSHA wins dismissal of Late notice of contest. You have 15 days to contest. The Court finds OSHA, as well as this Court, have conveyed due notice to Respondent of its procedural rights and provided ample warning that its failure to comply with Court orders 9 may result in the dismissal of its Notice of Contest https://www.oshrc.gov/wp-content/uploads/595-Construction-LLC-OSHRC-Nos-25-0120-25-0121-25-0122-REDACTED.pdf 4) OSHA TOP Cited by National Safety Council. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/27597-the-most-frequently-cited-standards-in-fy-2025 5) A trenching company removed the safety latch on the quick coupler and ended up killing an employee https://www.kptv.com/2025/12/04/vancouver-construction-company-fined-over-170k-after-worker-crushed-by-excavator-bucket/ 6) $1.2M Fine for Trenching Violations: OSHA proposed more than $1.2 million in fines against an Easton, Connecticut, earthwork contractor for willfully failing to protect workers from cave-in and excavation hazards after a follow-up inspection. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/boston/20251215 7) $1M Fine in Vegetable Processing Fatality: A New Jersey vegetable processing facility faces a proposed penalty of over $1 million following a worker fatality during machine cleaning. The onsite temporary agency was also cited for failing to train workers on lockout/tagout. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-national-news-release/20251124 8) $986K Fine for Idaho Manufacturer: A transformer manufacturer in Pocatello, Idaho, was cited for over $986,000 for repeatedly exposing workers to serious safety hazards. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/san-francisco/20251208 9) Ohio Bakery Citation: A commercial bakery in Columbus, Ohio, was cited for repeat and serious violations involving chemical, "caught-in," and "struck-by" hazards. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/chicago/20251216 Other News 1) 47 died in the Swiss Ski Resort fire. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swiss-face-arduous-task-identifying-victims-deadly-bar-fire-2026-01-01/ 2) Break a leg? Here what caused worker to break a leg in the last 12 months of data. May 1 2024 to April 30 2025 🥇 1. Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Interaction (~29% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Working around or mounting/dismounting forklifts Being struck or run over by trucks, carts, or mobile equipment Foot/leg caught between vehicle and fixed object Equipment roll-back or unexpected movement 🥈 2. Slips, Trips & Falls – Same Level (~19% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Walking on uneven surfaces Carrying materials while walking Transitioning between surfaces (dock → floor, gravel → concrete) Wet, icy, oily, or debris-covered walking areas 🥉 3. Falls From Elevation (Ladders / Scaffolds / Steps) (~18% of broken-leg cases) Typical tasks involved Climbing ladders Stepping off platforms Descending stairs or equipment Improper ladder placement or overreach 677 brokens legs in a year ~1.9 broken legs per day ~13 per week 3) J&J Ordered to Pay Over $1.5 Billion in Asbestos Talc Lawsuit https://finance.yahoo.com/news/j-j-ordered-pay-over-130900329.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMkfQfxfXl9kEMMQwyzuMdZLJ7HLAS5WDt4l_foOaaGVHpkw_Cyk0CoAbg4_FBt1e8CidkWJaVAABqYjMUUFPzZ3tGVWtTHjy3_wB0M8RoZc0ur3X_8N5cE0fP581eNoHerYPExkuE-8NB5gEqWCjyyiF78lYwTvxTGkqhXLLmUp 4) The $15 million clamp on the ground N.J. man awarded $15.5M after being injured by flying construction debris https://www.nj.com/hunterdon/2025/12/nj-man-awarded-155m-after-being-injured-by-flying-construction-debris.html OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 This is discontinued Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 511 Virtual Jan 12-15 OSHA 500 CSC Jan 20-23 NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 24730 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853

OSHA NEws November 2025

OSHA News for November 2025 Hello, Here are a few options for your newsletter intro. I spent many hours this month creating daily BCSP quizzes. I cover a topic every day and provide three knowledge checks. This allows those studying for certification to learn more about a specific topic rather than just getting a general overview. Here is one on ISO 45001. https://youtu.be/47Y_1e3yfB8 This month’s deposition involved another large case between a $60 billion owner, a $750 million logistics company, and a fatality involving a truck driver. It is another multi-employer case. I doubt the case will go to trial because the two big entities are subtly blaming each other. New OSHA Head Dave Keeling is back in the OSHA building and working with the staff following the return from the shutdown. This month’s PowerPoint is on Hoisting Personnel via Cranes. I added to the crane class, as I am seeing more and more people being lifted by suspended platforms. NIU received an OSHA Harwood Grant to teach Confined Space, Machine Guarding, Lockout, Fire Protection, PPE, and Warehouse Safety. The Construction Safety Council also received a grant to teach Silica, Fall Protection, and Electrical. I want to thank the 20 Amazon Safety professionals for attending my NSEC ASP/CSP prep class this month. Good luck! I identified 182 fall deaths in the 25 federal states for 2024, down slightly from 189 last year. Ladder deaths dropped from 41 last year to 21 this year. Roofs led the way with 35 deaths. OSHA has combined the Seattle and San Francisco Regions into a large San Francisco Region. I did an hour-long podcast with Steve Lindley of Ozinga. It was a great conversation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYAQ19nc40&t=22s We had 22 people get certified in November. With winter here, focus on protecting your outdoor and exposed indoor workers from cold stress: • Cold-Related Illnesses: Remember to train workers on the symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. • Best Practices: Emphasize the importance of wearing waterproof, insulated boots and layers of clothing, and moving to warmer locations during breaks. Implement a buddy system to monitor workers for signs of cold stress. John OSHA News Update New PPE Construction Rule 1. A major final rule update is taking effect soon. The revised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rule for Construction has an effective date of January 13, 2025. • The Mandate: The rule mandates that all PPE used in construction must "properly fit" each affected employee. • The Impact: This change addresses long-standing concerns—particularly for women and workers with diverse body types—where ill-fitting equipment compromises safety and increases injury risk. • Action Item: Now is the time to assess your current PPE inventory and engage with suppliers to ensure you have a range of sizes to fully accommodate your 2. OSHA continues to issue massive penalties for LOTO failures, emphasizing its severity: • $1 Million+ Fine: The U.S. Department of Labor recently proposed a fine of more than $1 million to a New Jersey vegetable processing facility following a worker fatality. The citations were for willfully and repeatedly violating LOTO (Control of Hazardous Energy) safety requirements. LOTO remains a critical hazard area where enforcement is absolute. Inspectors determined that Taylor Farms, a subsidiary of Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., failed to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from severe injuries during sanitation activities. 3. A recent industry survey revealed a significant shift in what workers view as their biggest safety concerns: • New Priorities: Workers now rank health outbreaks and mental health crises or burnout as higher safety concerns than physical injury on the job. • The Shift: This highlights the changing definition of workplace safety, which now includes the emotional and mental well-being of the workforce. Safety professionals must prepare to integrate mental health support into core occupational health programs. 4. The NIU received an OSHA Harwood Grant to teach Confined Space, Machine Guarding, Lockout, Fire Protection, PPE and Warehouse Safety. https://www.usaspending.gov/award/ASST_NON_25F50SH000208_1601 5. Top cited OSHA standards in 21 hashtag#state hashtag#plans (2023-2024): 1. Alaska - Electrical - Space About Electrical Equipment 2. Arizona - Hazard Communication - Training 3. California - Injury and Illness Prevention Program 4. Hawaii - Fall Protection (Residential Construction) 5. Indiana - Machine Guarding 6. Iowa - Forms - OSHA 300 Log 7. Kentucky - Obligations of Employers 8. Maryland - Fall Protection - Certification of Training 9. Michigan - Accident Prevention Program 10. Minnesota - Work Place Programs 11. Nevada - Machine Guarding - Types of Guarding 12. New Mexico - Portable Extinguisher - Monthly Visual Inspection 13. North Carolina - Fall Protection (Residential Construction) 14. Oregon - Safety Committees and Safety Meetings 15. South Carolina - Fall Protection - Unprotected Sides and Edges 16. Tennessee - Hazard Communication - Written Program 17. Utah - Reporting Requirements 18. Vermont - Fall Protection - Training Program 19. Virginia - Medical Services and First Aid 20. Washington - Fall Protection (Residential Construction) 21. Wyoming - Fall Protection - Training Program Other News 1) 146 died in Hong Kong Fire. Scaffold and debris netting caught on fire. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp34yk7z6yxo 2) Worker died when car came off a lift in Waukegan. https://abc7chicago.com/post/man-dies-being-crush-vehicle-wauconda-auto-repair-shop-hard-times-liberty-street-police-say/18208956/ 3) he family of 20-year-old Amber Czech held her funeral this weekend, after her coworker allegedly beat her to death earlier this month. David Delong, 40, faces second-degree murder charges in her death for allegedly hitting her with a sledgehammer at their workplace, a manufacturing facility in Cokato. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/11/24/amber-czech-killing-judge-orders-mental-evaluation 4) Worker dies in MA trench Collapse https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2025/11/18/workers-trapped-in-yarmouth-trench-collapse/?amp=1 5) Man dies in workplace accident at Clinton nuclear power plant CLINTON, IL (25News Now) – A man was killed on Friday while working on an electrical transformer at the Clinton Clean Energy Center in DeWitt County. Deputy Coroner David Allhands told 25News the man, believed to be in his late 20s, was electrocuted and pronounced dead at the scene. Plant owner Constellation Energy Corporation released a statement saying the man was employed by a contractor. Samuel Ward, 29, of Decatur, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:45 p.m. In a news release, Rice said an autopsy was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17. The incident happened about 2 p.m. 6) ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) -Over 300 people attended a town hall meeting Tuesday night at the Spencer Road Library branch in St. Peters to discuss eligibility for compensation through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The RECA legislation, passed by Congress earlier this year, compensates people sickened by exposure to radioactive material from nuclear bomb tests, uranium mining or Manhattan Project waste improperly stored in the St. Louis region. For years, uranium was processed for nuclear weapons at a site in Weldon Spring. That location is now an EPA Superfund site. https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/10/15/town-hall-informs-st-charles-residents-about-eligibility-reca/ 7) Post office worker found dead in a mailing machine in Michigan https://www.foxnews.com/us/usps-worker-found-dead-inside-mailing-machine-michigan-deeply-saddened-loss 8. A fiery MD-11 plane crash on November 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killed 14 people and injured at least 23 when the left engine detached during takeoff. Cargo carriers grounded their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleets shortly after, ahead of a directive from the FAA. https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/28/us/ups-planes-grounded-crash-delivery-season-hnk 9) Ken Kolosh of NSC - Forklift-related injuries are also cross-categorized by event type, most often as either a transportation incident or contact with object or equipment incident. Forklifts were the source of 67 work-related deaths in 2023 and 24,960 DART cases that include 15,480 DAFW cases in 2021-2022. OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 No updates Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 510 CSC Virtual Dec 8-11 OSHA 502 CSC Dec 15-17 OSHA 7215 CSC Nov 12 NIU 4 Hour Safety Management Nov 22 NIU is Northern Illinois University OSHA Education Center http://www.nsec.niu.edu CSC is the Construction Safety Council in Hillside. Www.Buildsafe.org TRMA is Three Rivers Manufacturers Association www.trma.org I usually teach only 10-hour and the 500 series. I have taught 2460 people this year. I teach evenings, weekends, and early mornings too. I teach in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. The PowerPoint is posted free at usmwf.org. https://www.usmwf.org/powerpoints-and-safety-information.html I use your feedback to make changes to make corrections. -- John Newquist 815-354-6853