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

OSHA News October 2025

OSHA News for October 2025 Hello, It was non stop legal this month. An 8 hour Deposition and two reports covering cases of thousands of pages were highlights this month. Another tough deposition awaits this month. The Facebook algorithm banned me saying I violated terms of service. I moved everything to Linked in and YouTube. Safety really belonged on LinkedIn. I have been able to bring 5000 of my Facebook safety professionals to LinkedIn now. I finished a great ASP/CSP prep class over 5 days for Amazon in October.. They will have over 100 certified safety professionals by the end of 2026. VT rated the top helmets for safety. Milwaukee and others were #1. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/construction-helmet-ratings.html $32 million slip and fall verdict at Exxon Mobil Joliet. https://101theeagle.com/illinois-truck-driver-injury-lawsuit/ Jonathan Snare joins the OSHA Review commission. He was head of OSHA 20 years ago. Construction security is the ppt for the month. With the price of tools running in the hundreds and copper over $5 a pound, the thefts are tempting for an unguarded construction site. We had 29 get certified in October. Happy Thanksgiving. Moderation! John OSHA News Update 1. David Keeling Confirmed as New OSHA Head David Keeling has been confirmed as the new head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Keeling, a former safety executive at Amazon and UPS, is expected to bring a business-friendly approach, prioritizing cooperation with employers. Under his leadership, experts anticipate the agency will finalize a national heat safety rule, likely in a more flexible format. This shift is also expected to narrow the use of OSHA's "general duty" enforcement clause, a prospect that concerns worker advocates about the agency's ability to hold companies accountable for complex hazards like ergonomics. 2. OSHA Revises Enforcement Manual to Reduce Penalties for Small Businesses On July 14, 2025, Assistant Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling announced significant revisions to OSHA’s Field Operations Manual (FOM), primarily focusing on penalty reductions for small employers. These changes significantly expand eligibility and increase the maximum available penalty cuts: Key Changes to Penalty Reductions • Expanded Small Employer Eligibility: The eligibility threshold for penalty reductions has been substantially raised. For most violations, employers with up to 25 employees are now eligible for up to a 70 percent reduction in penalties. Previously, this reduction was available only to employers with 10 or fewer employees. • Increased Willful Violation Reduction: For the most severe (willful-serious) violations, the penalty reduction can be as high as 80 percent for those with 20 or fewer employees. A sliding scale is available for employers with up to 50 employees. The FOM revisions introduce several new or revised penalty reduction incentives: • Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS): Small employers can receive up to a 25 percent penalty reduction for demonstrating effective SHMS, even if the system is not fully documented in writing. A 15 percent reduction is available for systems found to have only minor deficiencies. • Clean History: Employers with a clean inspection history over the past five years, or those who have never been inspected, are eligible for a 20 percent reduction. This reduction, however, can be withheld at the area director’s discretion in certain cases, such as recent serious violations. • Immediate Correction: Small employers can receive a 15 percent penalty reduction if they immediately and permanently correct hazards identified during an inspection. This incentive applies to other-than-serious, low-gravity serious, and moderate-gravity serious violations, but it is not available for high-gravity, willful, or repeated Other News 1. Three hurt at JFK airport construction. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-hospitalized-jfk-airport-construction-195014862.html 2. Remote workers have less injuries. https://www.ncci.com/Articles/Documents/Remote-Work-and-Workers-Compensation-Frequency.pdf 3. H2S killed the six workers at the dairy farm in August. https://www.foxnews.com/us/coroner-identifies-cause-death-6-who-collapsed-colorado-dairy-farm 4. Concrete collapse in NY hurts four workers. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/construction-workers-fall-through-partially-collapsed-floor-in-brooklyn-officials/ 5. Truck driver electrocuted in IL https://wgntv.com/news/northwest-suburbs/semi-truck-driver-electrocuted-in-mchenry-county-farming-accident/ 6. Worker hurt falling from the scoreboard at the Steeler Stadium. https://abc7chicago.com/post/worker-injured-falling-50-feet-acrisure-stadium-scoreboard-pittsburgh-pennsylvania/18077000/ 7. Boston crane collapses two. https://www.wcvb.com/article/crane-collapse-everett/69149703 8. Worked dies in fall at excavation site. https://abc7ny.com/post/construction-worker-critical-falling-work-site-hudson-yards-nyc/18061681/ 9. Truck Driver in IL killed by train. https://wgntv.com/western-suburbs/crash-involving-train-vehicle-shuts-down-road-in-west-suburbs/ 10. 16 dead in TN explosion https://abcnews.go.com/US/tennessee-explosives-plant-manufacturer-explosion/story?id=126405185 OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 No updates Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7205 Health Naperville Nov 17 OSHA 7505 Incident Investigation Nov 18 OSHA 3115 CSC Nov 3-5 OSHA 500 CSC Nov 17-20 OSHA 7215 CSC Nov 12 NIU 4 Hour Fall PRotection Nov 24 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

OSHA News September 2025

OSHA News for September 2025 Hello, This month were several hours working on projects for different associations. Everyone likes data that is specific to their sector. The ppt for the month will show some of that. This Month's PowerPoint: Industrial Warehouse Safety I made one in March 2009 and have not updated it until now. OSHA Ed Centers offer it twice a year and there are plenty of people who want to teach it. I finally finished the Scaffold Competent Person and OSHA Regulation Book. It is more a labor of love about the topic. I am waiting for my author copies. https://www.amazon.com/Scaffold-Competent-Person-Handbook-Regulations/dp/B0FRZ5YCTB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38KXLSU2LFXP4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RimTfelntoCO9_f5vyOlZkAUcSOj2Ujaq7Jz2pg6E58vB-KAcGHit9wTKbOv1s71.NvxnWDGnjbPcJy6jNUOQI9sGcrm8NB6mj-7Suc5QbKk&dib_tag=se&keywords=scaffold+competent+person&qid=1759004593&s=books&sprefix=scaffold+competent+person%2Cstripbooks%2C267&sr=1-1 Tom was Instrumental in pushing Construction Safety in the Chicagoland area when everyone was focusing on industrial safety in the early 1990s. The CSC was the first place to push the 10 hour class and other training. Today most workers in the area have several classes in construction safety. The Midwest has less construction fatalities than most areas. Thanks Tom. https://www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com/obituaries/Thomas-Alan-Broderick?obId=45571962&fbclid=IwY2xjawNFKuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvEIcUzCjn9MoeKOMCVq5ULTWO8FyOAs7dciI59dD-Gd756rzhIaDuqNRejn_aem_LO9oruzK-zglBoE3u1B81g#/obituaryInfo The Construction Safety Council is hiring a program manager. Do you enjoy working on a professional and collaborative team? Do you support training today’s construction workforce to remain safe on the job? Are you skilled in managing multiple priorities effectively? Are marketing/outreach strategies in your skillset? If YES, then this employment opportunity is right for you! Manager of Programming and Marketing Work Schedule Monday thru Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with option to choose one day per week to work remotely. Key Aspects of the Job • Build relationships with new and existing clients to ensure continuity of training services and support. • Manage open enrollment and private classes that require scheduling and marketing. • Maintain training calendar of on-site and off-site program offerings. • Manage inventory of training materials and tradeshow supplies. • Process billing and control operational costs related to training delivery. • Identify and develop new educational program ideas that are timely and topical to the target audience. • Create marketing materials to effectively promote the year-round training calendar. • Manage social media activity, website content, and the online student registration management system. • Attend tradeshows, conferences, and industry meetings to enhance brand awareness and outreach. Employment Benefits • Competitive Salary • Medical and Dental Insurance • Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance • Paid Time Off and Holidays • Employer Match of Individual Contribution to Simple IRA • Friendly, Service-Oriented Staff • Opportunities for Professional Development • Mission-Focused Workplace Qualifications and Skills • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a non-profit organization or for-profit training role. • Minimum of five years of experience in managing and marketing educational programs; construction industry or safety training experience is ideal. • Ability to manage competing priorities, be attentive to detail, and work in a small office environment. • Experienced in managing website content; skilled in writing promotional copy. • Knowledge of instructional design, e-learning, and emerging training technologies is a plus. • Ability to think strategically and analytically, as well as be self-directed in daily responsibilities. • Strong customer service and communication skills - both oral and written. • Skilled in all Microsoft 365 applications. • Willingness to travel and engage in off-hour activities, upon advance notice. Apply Now Submit a letter of interest and resume to Patti Romero, CSC Business Manager: promero@buildsafe.org. We had 27 get certified in September. BCSP raised the score to pass the ASP by 20 points! Enjoy the nice Fall weather. John OSHA News Update 1. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) has voted to send President Trump’s nomination of David Keeling as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health to the full Senate for confirmation. 2. OSHA Budget will be: $632.3 million — level funding compared to FY 2025, including support for programs such as the Voluntary Protection Programs and Susan Harwood Training Grants. 3. 1910.151(b) Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available. Do you require a tourniquet to be in the first aid kit? OSHA doesn't mandate specific tourniquet requirements but requires adequate first aid supplies based on workplace hazards, leading to the adoption of the ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 standard for tourniquets. The current ANSI standard requires any tourniquet included in a workplace first-aid kit to be at least 1.5 inches wide, effective on limbs from 7 to 33 inches in circumference, and use a ratchet or windlass for tightening. 4. Changes to long-standing OSHA training grant program For fiscal year 2025, OSHA is awarding Targeted Topics Training Susan Harwood Grants to only three types of entities: OSHA On-Site Consultation Programs, OSHA State Plans, and OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers. This ensures appropriated funds are allocated efficiently and effectively by the end of the fiscal year, the agency says. 5. Fifth Circuit court of appeals ruled against Mar Jac Poultry in the horrible death of a worker who was killed by one of the most dangerous machines in that plant. This was the first of two deaths in that plant in a few years related to dangerous equipment. Here is my interview about the case. Bravo for OSHA for this win. https://www.wjtv.com/news/pine-belt/court-supports-osha-in-mar-jac-safety-violation-case/ Other News 1. Three Police officers killed in PA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV2-MObddFk&fbclid=IwY2xjawNFQ9ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsObJmCKLkfWc1AfFNp2S0v7IC2pzZ5ZRrmZ0Uh92sfqZTILaADi1q0H5AC-_aem_Au0YAcvshO9yS-XfRzP9sA 2. OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 No updates Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7845 Recordkeeping Naperville Sep 12 OSHA 510 CSC Oct 6-9 OSHA 502 CSC Oct 14-16 OSHA 511 Oct 20-23 OSHA 2264 Oct 27-29 NIU 4 Hour Confined Online Oct 30 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

OSHA NEws August 2025

OSHA News for August 2025 Hello, August was a month of tragic deaths in confined space. Aug 28, 2025 Three dead in TX confined space. Aug 21, 2025 Six dead in CO confined space. Aug 21 2026 73 year man dies in IL confined space This Month's Powerpoint: Ethanol Plant Safety. I made one in 2009 and updated to this year. Numerous ethanol plant explosions in the last 25 years. It was good to see the OSHA people at the Lockout training in Naperville and catch up with current events. I am running into odd issues for lockout. I got involved in a Safety Bypass Work Permit to replace a safety device. We are using a forming of machine guarding to eliminate exposure while we wait for the parts to come in. One company went with Mips ANSI Class 2 Helmets. MIPS, which stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, is a safety technology designed to reduce rotational forces that can be transmitted to the brain during angled impacts. It consists of a low-friction layer, often a thin plastic liner, placed inside a helmet between the padding and the helmet shell. When an impact occurs at an angle, this layer allows the helmet to slide a small amount (10-15 mm) relative to the head, redirecting and absorbing some of the rotational energy. This movement is intended to reduce the risk of concussions and more severe brain injuries. What are the common NFPA 70E issues that you see for industrial locations? 1. No arc flash barrier. 2. No annual arc flash observation 3. No retraining in NFPA 70E 4. No electrical safety work permit. 5. No job hazard analysis for electrical work. 6. Not wearing arc flash PPE for testing 7. No first aid CPR AED training Predictivesafety.com has fatigue alertness screens and monitors to tell if a work is too tired. Anyone have experience with this type of solution? One of the largest insurance companies for worker comp said 2025 has been many injuries with mobile equipment and industry workers. Forklifts, pallet jack, moving carts etc. They are pushing forklifts to have safety devices such as red lights for side 2 Foot rule, Blue light front and back. Annual forklift operator training with how to secure loads. Annual certification review for powered pallet jacks. Conduct manual pallet jack training. 35 pound pull push on carts that have to be moved. $40 million at stake and the GC young safety person responds in deposition. Q Any OSHA certifications, OSHA 10 or anything? A No, sir. You are the boss of a company. You can't put your signature on the safety program that you paid a consultant to do and you do not know anything about the program. Then there is boss's admission. Q. Was there a reason for creating this Safety Program? A. I don't recall why. September! ASSP Chicagoland Safety, Health & Environmental Conference in Naperville: Dates: September 15-17, 2025. Location: Naperville, IL. Keynote Speaker: Mayor Scott A. Wehrli, focusing on "The Cognitive E-Stop – When Safety and Culture Collide". Expo: The Business Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, with set-up and break-down times around this period. https://chisafetyconf.org/ We have 48 get certified in August. Enjoy the nice Fall weather. John OSHA News Update 1. OSHA added 33 new NAICS Codes to its recently renewed Hazardous Machinery (Amputations) National Emphasis Program. Some include. 1) 311224 - Soybean and other oilseed processing 2) 311312 - Beet sugar manufacturing] 3) 311314 - Cane sugar manufacturing 4) 311412 - Frozen specialty food manufacturing 5) 311421 - Fruit and vegetable canning 6) 311942 - Spice and extract manufacturing 7) 312111 - Soft drink manufacturing 2. California Ranch Foods, a subsidiary of Golden West Food Group, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts after being criminally charged in connection with the 2020 deaths of two workers fatally exposed to nitrogen gas. https://www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2025/2025-80.html#:~:text=Los%20Angeles%E2%80%94California%20Ranch%20Foods,fatally%20exposed%20to%20nitrogen%20gas. 3. Two dead at US Steel. Here are several historical examples of violent explosions at steel mills, categorized by cause. Molten Metal & Water 💧🔥 When water contacts molten metal, it flashes to steam instantly. Scunthorpe, England (1975): Torpedo car breached water main; steam blast killed 11. Weirton, WV, USA (1967): Water in slag pot; 2 killed. J&L Steel, PA, USA (1951): Water leak in open-hearth furnace; 6 killed. Combustible Dust 💥💨 Fine dust ignites and triggers chain blasts. Hoogovens, NL (1996 & 2020): Coal/coke dust explosions and emissions. Imperial Sugar, GA, USA (2008): 14 killed; classic dust blast, same risk for steel mills. Flammable Gas ⛽️💥 Gas leaks ignite. Port Talbot, Wales (2019): Molten metal train gas ignition. Bethlehem Steel, IN, USA (1994): Furnace “bleed-out” killed 2; gas expansion & ignition. https://www.wtae.com/article/us-steel-clairton-plant-explosion/65654312 4. Up to 20 years in prison for ex OSHA IH. https://www.masslive.com/news/2025/08/former-mass-osha-worker-charged-with-fraudulently-obtaining-unemployment-benefits.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZF1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgqDQp6PRBlKl8ywDe8UM62nka7ytmr2-DQspmgoYfkpGBn1WvT9sCGZX9nR_aem_edFMXW5_xyV1mrxY4QIVlw 5. On September 30, 2024, a Travis County grand jury indicted D Guerra Construction LLC and Carlos Alejandro Guerrero, 37, a Project Superintendent employed by D Guerra Construction LLC, for the offense of Criminal Negligent Homicide, a state jail felony. https://districtattorney.traviscountytx.gov/travis-county-district-attorney-secures-guilty-plea-corporate-defendant-workers-death/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZHZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrLx3fsFJ7h7X2tRCanIZZfIlVpcS51kodCB-eQHRdhtkzEAMnEf0juMDIwo_aem_ZjFdTjhP1efBl4aE7UG06Q Other News 1. Six dead in CO confined space. https://abc7chicago.com/post/colorado-dairy-accident-6-bodies-recovered-weld-county-no-details-released-deaths/17607907/ 2. Watseka worker killed by overhear door. https://www.wandtv.com/news/illinois/worker-killed-by-overhead-door-at-watseka-warehouse-over-weekend/article_150305d6-a41b-40d2-951e-a92c0a6e391c.html 3. Three dead in TX confined space. https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/sheriffs-office-3-workers-from-houston-area-killed-in-gas-leak-in-trinity-county/501-642ea81b-fff0-4e55-99d7-fdd40a2e74c3?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgY8dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnr4aip-DTKWrq513eGVkqRHH6sCDbAyJ236qdYXoclut0-fz3Wae_pqtBsV_aem_kRhzSBw_ZPppvppbD5FTNA# 4. Death toll from Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City rises to 7 and infections hit 114. NEW YORK (AP) — New York City health officials have discovered a seventh death linked to a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Central Harlem, where more than 100 people have been diagnosed with the ailment. https://www.wral.com/news/ap/e509d-death-toll-from-legionnaires-disease-outbreak-in-new-york-city-rises-to-7-and-infections-hit-114/#:~:text=Associated%20Press-,Death%20toll%20from%20Legionnaires'%20disease%20outbreak%20in%20New%20York%20City,been%20diagnosed%20with%20the%20ailment. 5. First screwworm case in US. https://www.fox10tv.com/2025/08/25/first-human-case-flesh-eating-screwworm-detected-united-states/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZJBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPcTFIR0pGRWxKQm1PaVdNAR7prCfEo3e9q_r0Z9c5pzmSnQdaBMCMlbvJRxzn-efORisp0BAIE-q0drFMDg_aem_lERlBntx5GGPvBqmsArzcA 6. 73 year IL man dies in confined space. https://foxillinois.com/news/local/73-year-old-man-dies-in-grain-bin-accident?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZLlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoIvIayJXrhZCSvjxsKP5YC9KTzXIk5huOmfCUExaVaGSbmrramYE9ZKTtD__aem_FUU2Vy3nan2E_g7ExOBoQQ 7. IL teen died in tractor rollover. https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/08/13/teen-dies-farm-implement-accident-macoupin-county/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZTtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHiVT_0kLdowTDFwLOxhfPNRhydaLBssgk536crT6A_Q6Edeck3YZivrFCsh-_aem_foM3dCcY0V_vR4LiOG9YWw 8. Two dead in AL trench https://www.wsfa.com/2025/08/11/2-dead-industrial-accident-near-princeton-woods/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMgZWxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk7zUdNn0rD9Sr1QfvhdrEV0og90LCTiM_YnUU_pQEZK5Z2YQEGCe8wDAIj0_aem_JIQFPMY-wWzxuCwfR2wAWw 9. Harsh condition in MS poultry plant. https://mississippitoday.org/2025/08/11/mississippi-poultry-industrys-alleged-abuse-of-immigrant-workers/ OSHA CITATIONS 6/20/2025 No updates Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7845 Recordkeeping Naperville Sep 12 OSHA 500 CSC Sep 15-18 OSHA 3015 3 day Excavation CSC Sep 8-10 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 2309 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 July 2025

OSHA News for July 2025 Hello, July was much project work for clients. This Month's Powerpoint: Wind Tower. I had made one in 2008 and updated to this year.. My Floor hold case settled. The $5 million dollar floor hole. Yet another successful win. 35+ years without a loss. 1926.501(b)(4)(ii)Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers. A $5,000,000 settlement was secured, along with a waiver of $800,000 in workers’ compensation benefits, for a worker who sustained a serious shoulder injury after a mobile scaffold fell into an unprotected floor hole on a jobsite. The injury occurred while the worker was completing punch list tasks. The investigation revealed that the general contractor exercised site-wide control and bore responsibility for coordinating work by subcontractors. After reviewing over 40,000 documents, it was proven that the general contractor failed to provide a safe working environment, ultimately leading to the incident. The hole was covered up after with a cone which does not meet the standard. Imagine reading 40,000 documents. The joy of being an expert witness. The $20 million dollar Toeboard. If the manufacturer requires toeboards, the competent person should follow their guidelines and put the $10 toeboard up. I spent two days in July in discussion with the partner and his staff in getting the information for the partner to present the demand letter. ‘They are asking for $20 million. Names changed. Claimant: Mr. Steve Rogers Defendant: Axis Construction Date of Injury: July 22, 2023 Claim: Negligence – Personal Injury (Severe Injury from Falling Object) Demand Amount: $20,000,000 FACTUAL BACKGROUND On July 22, 2023, Mr. Rogers was working in a designated area on the third floor of the building under construction when a heavy pipe rolled off an improperly equipped scaffold on a floor above, striking him. The scaffold, used for material handling, lacked essential safety measures, specifically a toeboard, which would have prevented the pipe from falling. Axis Construction, as the controlling employer, permitted the use of this unsafe scaffold and allowed work to proceed below it without adequate protection. No proper hazard assessment or pre-task planning was conducted for work involving materials on elevated scaffolds. No inspection was performed by a competent person to ensure scaffold safety. These omissions directly violated Axis Construction’s fundamental safety obligations and several applicable OSHA regulations, including: 29 CFR 1926.451(h)(1): Requires protection from falling objects on scaffolds through the use of toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems. 29 CFR 1926.451(h)(2): Mandates toeboards along all open sides and ends of platforms 10 feet or more above a lower level. 29 CFR 1926.451(h)(2)(v): Requires paneling or screening extending from the toeboard to the top of the guardrail when materials are stacked higher than the toeboard. September! ASSP Chicagoland Safety, Health & Environmental Conference in Naperville: Dates: September 15-17, 2025. Location: Naperville, IL. Keynote Speaker: Mayor Scott A. Wehrli, focusing on "The Cognitive E-Stop – When Safety and Culture Collide". Expo: The Business Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, with set-up and break-down times around this period. https://chisafetyconf.org/ My fourth tunneling cofferdam safety class this year. Shouldn't every worker in a tunnel have some kind of tunnel / cofferdam safety class with a test? The Free Lockout webinar through NIU had 515 attend. The Free lockoput class August 15 is full at 40 people in Naperville. We had a record 78 people get certified this month. Most were CSP beating the August 1 deadline for CSP10. August 1, 2025 the score to pass CSP11 was raised. John OSHA News Update 1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA is expanding its Voluntary Protection Programs to meet businesses where they are on their safety journey to help develop strong safety programs and lower injury rates, allowing them to undergo regular self-evaluations and avoid routine inspections. OSHA is increasing its efforts to support voluntary compliance through its On-Site Consultation Program, which offers no-cost and confidential safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses. https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-national-news-release/20250724?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_T0BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoTu4xOIAlndDy2ck265IpU3UcfLURSxvOnLZXJosi7TpAu0TEo6KSRKGcQt_aem_YFZD0-a5JeUi5fN13hbObg 2. OSHA Investigating. Young worker killed after falling into meat grinder at factory of popular frozen burrito company https://www.foxnews.com/us/young-worker-killed-falling-meat-grinder-factory-popular-frozen-burrito-company?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_T5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHstscbuYBJUpqxq7_2e1Tq87YHVEKLz-F5RRIKHuexbw9SYn1xpZBf1HTqRg_aem_6U2VP2XMlnukZzGDxwF64w 3. OSHA announced penalty reductions in July 2025 for small businesses and employers with good safety records, expanding eligibility for penalty cuts and introducing new incentives for prompt hazard correction. Employers with 25 or fewer employees now qualify for a 70% penalty reduction, up from the previous 10-employee limit. An additional 15% reduction is available for fast hazard abatement, and a 20% reduction is offered for employers with no history of serious violations. https://natlawreview.com/article/osha-cuts-penalties-small-employers-and-fast-abatement#:~:text=On%20July%2014%2C%202025%2C%20the,penalty%20and%20debt%20collection%20procedures. 4. Under the Department of Labor’s FY 2026 budget proposal, the White House is seeking to cut roughly $50 million from OSHA’s budget and reduce the agency’s full-time workforce by 223 positions — from 1,810 to 1,587. OSHA had a $632.3 million budget in FY 2025. The proposed $582.4 million budget would represent about a 7.9% cut. The agency would be expected to make up part of the savings by spending around $23.7 million less on enforcement than the $243 million spent in FY 2025, focusing more on compliance assistance. The Department of Labor also plans to eliminate $12.8 million for the Susan Harwood Training Grant program, claiming the grants are “wasteful and unnecessary” due to limited evidence of success. The agency says it has other compliance assistance programs and tools that are more effective than the Harwood Grants. 5. Rollback of OSHA rules on walkaround and heat ? https://www.maynardnexsen.com/publication-biden-era-osha-regulations-will-be-reassessed-by-new-trump-administration#:~:text=Overview%20%7C%20Executive%20Orders%20from%20the,new%20Assistant%20Secretary%20for%20OSHA. Other News 1) Nebraska biofuels plant explosion kills 3 people, including 2 young girls https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fremont-nebraska-horizon-biofuels-plant-explosion/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_TmtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsx0DHZKvMP7-Qy6ethW6pG1UNHD6Jr5HcNEAPnKYTHKKP9fvoGlleSZmKZc_aem_EqFLOClaY_CygtM9NvX0uA 2) 31 rescued for LA Tunnel collapse. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/workers-trapped-after-tunnel-collapses-in-wilmington/ OSHA CITATIONS May 25 2025 to 6/20/2025 IN 1818182.015 Weihe Construction Inc CAMBY 06/20/2025 $40,000.00 AL 1827942.015 King Kutter, Inc. WINFIELD 06/18/2025 $63,842.00 CO 1803715.015 Huckleberry Roasters LLC DENVER 06/17/2025 $46,343.00 FL 1822621.015 OldCastle APG South, Inc. ORLANDO 06/17/2025 $59,108.00 NY 1796537.015 Compass Group USA, Inc. SYRACUSE 06/17/2025 $49,650.00 NY 1815573.015 Clean Textile Systems, LP BUFFALO 06/17/2025 $40,361.00 CT 1795052.015 F&G Recycling LLC ENFIELD 06/16/2025 $163,858.00 TX 1821430.015 Alpha Machine & Repair LP JOURDANTON 06/16/2025 $81,102.00 MN 1825813.015 The Amble Group Inc dba NAPA St Cloud SAINT CLOUD 06/13/2025 $48,000.00 NY 1800372.015 Olsen's Landscaping and Tree Service GREENWOOD LAKE 06/13/2025 $50,978.00 TX 1793715.015 Sterling Shipyard LLC PORT NECHES 06/13/2025 $60,860.00 MN 1816837.015 Bix Produce Company LLC SAINT PAUL 06/12/2025 $48,000.00 NC 1806589.015 Benito Maya-Silva LAKE PARK 06/12/2025 $56,893.00 NJ 1820389.015 AA Ribeiro Construction LLC BEACH HAVEN 06/12/2025 $72,820.00 IL 1794910.015 Concrete Construction Company GLEN ELLYN 06/11/2025 $56,748.00 MA 1809835.015 Lifetime Contractors, Inc. WINTHROP 06/11/2025 $115,860.00 OR 1824603.015 Splash Of Color Painting LLC GRESHAM 06/11/2025 $42,638.00 TX 1822580.015 Amaru Motors LLC EL PASO 06/11/2025 $76,608.00 IL 1809546.015 Berger Excavating Contractors Inc. GURNEE 06/10/2025 $42,560.00 MN 1819047.015 Mill Rock Packaging Inc HUTCHINSON 06/10/2025 $42,000.00 OH 1829319.015 Styx Acquisition LLC dba Buehler's Fresh Foods WOOSTER 06/10/2025 $73,296.00 VA 1808461.015 Dollar Tree Inc ALEXANDRIA 06/10/2025 $284,225.00 ID 1812917.015 J & V Dairy, LLC SHOSHONE 06/09/2025 $44,686.00 IL 1813583.015 Edsal Manufacturing Company, LLC CHICAGO 06/09/2025 $66,200.00 IL 1802210.015 United Builders Group Co. CHICAGO 06/09/2025 $50,974.00 KY 1800439.015 WESTERN PACIFIC STORAGE SOLUTIONS INC PARIS 06/09/2025 $68,200.00 ME 1814753.015 Hanscom Construction, Inc. MARSHFIELD 06/09/2025 $95,519.00 NC 1793108.015 Veolia Water North America-South, LLC NEWTON 06/09/2025 $53,165.00 WA 1809493.015 SAFECOVER ROOFING LLC TUMWATER 06/09/2025 $54,264.00 WI 1826616.015 Saputo Cheese USA Inc. ALMENA 06/09/2025 $49,650.00 WV 1798908.015 TEMA North America, LLC KEARNEYSVILLE 06/09/2025 $121,977.00 IA 1793772.015 Glycerin Traders KEOKUK 06/06/2025 $46,454.00 MO 1814482.015 Sun Auto Tire & Service Inc. CAPE GIRARDEAU 06/06/2025 $188,526.00 OH 1818482.015 Solve Industrial Motion Group LOVELAND 06/06/2025 $65,540.00 OH 1807123.015 Telcycle LLC MILFORD 06/06/2025 $51,072.00 OK 1793248.015 Orr Construction Inc ANADARKO 06/06/2025 $76,133.00 WA 1801199.015 LIQUIVISIONTECHNOLOGY INC CLINTON 06/06/2025 $40,200.00 MA 1819666.015 Sadi Gonzales GREENFIELD 06/05/2025 $47,594.00 OH 1806678.015 The Pullman Company, LLC NAPOLEON 06/05/2025 $65,022.00 VA 1794811.015 Emanuel Tire Management Virginia LLC WAVERLY 06/05/2025 $41,075.00 CO 1799789.015 Hammond's Candies Since 1920 II, LLC DENVER 06/04/2025 $44,685.00 NV 1805185.015 RV Retailer Idaho, LLC LAS VEGAS 06/04/2025 $49,651.00 VA 1803736.015 AFG-JM1, LLC (Atlantic Food Group) VA BEACH 06/04/2025 $41,275.00 GA 1793864.015 Mejia Construction LLC SAVANNAH 06/03/2025 $81,922.00 TX 1792871.015 Progreso LMMM San Antonio #10, LLC SAN ANTONIO 06/03/2025 $172,593.00 AL 1791839.015 Gulf Coast Underground, LLC BIRMINGHAM 06/02/2025 $44,685.00 GA 1791631.015 SOUTHERN FOREST INDUSTRIES, INC. FORSYTH 06/02/2025 $82,751.00 WA 1795518.015 FLUID MOTION LLC ARLINGTON 06/02/2025 $75,900.00 IL 1819443.015 Joseph Birkenheier Tuckpointing and Masonry, Inc. WINNETKA 05/30/2025 $67,621.00 NJ 1794034.015 All American Poly Corporation PISCATAWAY 05/30/2025 $49,650.00 OH 1803660.015 Shape Corp TRENTON 05/30/2025 $82,750.00 OH 1802179.015 MSC Walbridge Coatings Inc. WALBRIDGE 05/30/2025 $42,135.00 OH 1823093.015 TWIN CREEK ROOFING SERVICES, LLC CANTON 05/30/2025 $52,019.00 PA 1814556.015 Hospital Central Services Cooperative, Inc KINGSTON 05/30/2025 $55,323.00 PR 1792649.015 Cortes Industrial Organization Inc CAGUAS 05/30/2025 $70,200.00 RI 1792519.015 Pet Food Experts, LLC CUMBERLAND 05/30/2025 $84,177.00 TX 1817840.015 Dynamic Tool Co., Inc. EL PASO 05/30/2025 $50,974.00 ID 1793908.015 Agropur Inc. JEROME 05/29/2025 $49,650.00 NJ 1813471.015 Guadalupe Construction, LLC CLIFTON 05/29/2025 $51,495.00 NV 1793937.015 Western States Contracting, Inc. NORTH LAS VEGAS 05/29/2025 $82,750.00 TX 1792841.015 Henson Lumber, Ltd DECATUR 05/29/2025 $106,398.00 VA 1818481.015 Aero Global Logistics LLC WINCHESTER 05/29/2025 $42,725.00 WA 1803094.015 HAYDEN HOMES LLC MOSES LAKE 05/29/2025 $42,280.00 WA 1803964.015 JAMES JOHNSON LLC SEATTLE 05/29/2025 $49,800.00 AK 1807691.015 Golden Alaska Seafoods DUTCH HARBOR 05/28/2025 $40,962.00 FL 1790802.015 Traffic Materials Supplier, LLC SAINT AUGUSTINE 05/28/2025 $65,680.00 GA 1804096.015 BRAZILIAN STONE DESIGN LLC POWDER SPRINGS 05/28/2025 $44,449.00 GA 1801461.015 Associated Materials, LLC SAVANNAH 05/28/2025 $101,428.00 OH 1820417.015 A & E Framing LLC MASON 05/28/2025 $66,200.00 OK 1793264.015 Molded Products, Inc. BROKEN ARROW 05/28/2025 $43,031.00 OR 1822999.015 MJ General Contractor LLC BEAVERTON 05/28/2025 $63,234.00 TX 1801996.015 Arlon Innovations, Inc. SAN ANTONIO 05/28/2025 $40,195.00 AZ 1819855.015 Marriott International, Inc. CHANDLER 05/27/2025 $62,249.00 IL 1793673.015 Seymour of Sycamore LLC SYCAMORE 05/27/2025 $44,685.00 IN 1810573.015 Haynes International Inc KOKOMO 05/27/2025 $41,500.00 KS 1810303.015 Perfection Masonry, Inc. MAIZE 05/27/2025 $52,964.00 Safety Training at Non-Profits (Check Sites for Starting Dates) OSHA 7115 Naperville Aug 15 Sold out OSHA 7100 Machine Guarding Napervile Aug 8 OSHA 511 Rockford Aug 11-14 OSHA 502 virtual Aug 18-20 OSHA 2055 CSC Aug 25-27 2025 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 1705 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