OSHA, MSHA Expand Voluntary Compliance Self-Audits

• The Labor Department said Thursday it is expanding its self-audit compliance assistance initiative.
  That includes OSHA On-Site Consultation Program for small businesses, as well as its Voluntary Protection Programs.
• The announcement noted the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s new Compliance Assistance in Safety and Health (CASH) program.
• CASH provides mining operators with direct contact to safety and health specialists to address their needs related to compliance assistance.
• Six federal agencies introduce or expand self-audit initiatives to help employers, unions, and benefits administrators proactively identify and correct labor law violations.
  READ MORE

Illinois Poised to Step in If Federal Safety Standards Weakened

• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is reported to be ready to sign a bill that would prevent the state from adopting any rules less protective than those in effect under federal law as of April 28, 2025.
• Local media reported that the plan would also require Illinois to restore any repealed federal occupational safety rules not already covered under state law.
  READ MORE

Mine Safety Agency Proposes 18 New Rules as Part of Deregulation Effort

• The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) earlier this month published 18 Notices of Proposed Rulemaking focused on modernizing outdated standards, in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”.
• Among the rules proposed, MSAH seeks to limit district managers authority to require changes or additions to training and retraining programs for miners beyond existing criteria.
• As well, the MSHA is proposing to update the approval process for technology and equipment used in mine operation, including eliminating trolleys, which are viewed as “legacy equipment” no longer in use.
  READ MORE

Harris Poll Shows Growing Worries on Healthcare Worker Safety

• Three out of five healthcare workers are concerned about safety in the workplace, and almost two out of five have considered leaving their employment due to safety concerns as incidents of violence in the workplace increase, according to a recent survey by The Harris Poll.
• The survey this past spring of 1,027 U.S. healthcare workers showed their biggest concerns were verbal harassment from patients (81%) and aggressive behavior/threats from patients (77%).
• More than one-fifth (21%) of those surveyed said they worry about verbal harassment most of the time or every time they go to work.
  READ MORE