$400M Ozarks Project Signs Onto OSHA Strategic Partnership Brinkmann Constructors, the general contractor for the $400 million Oasis at Lakeport development at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, has signed onto  OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program. OSHA Strategic Partnerships establish specific goals, strategies, and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. Currently, approximately 320 workers […]

  Medicare WC Set-Asides Fell in FY2024 A new report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that there were 14,862 workers’ compensation set-aside decisions in FY2024, down 5.5% from FY 2023’s 15,743 decisions. A Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set Aside (WCMSA) is a financial agreement where a portion of a workers’ compensation […]

  OSHA Expands Use of Vuzix Smart Glasses OSHA has expanded its deployment of Vuzix M400 smart glasses with a follow-on order for additional devices. The smart glasses, equipped with subscription-based Zoom licenses, will support OSHA’s operational efficiency and safety during field inspections and service activities.  This expansion comes after two years of trials, training, […]

  OSHA Extends Comment Period for Proposed Worker Heat Stress Rule OSHA has extended by 15 days the comment period for the first national workplace heat-stress prevention proposal, to Jan. 14, 2025, according to a notice published by the Labor Department Wednesday. The agency also said it was scheduling an informal public hearing on this […]

  OSHA Releases PPE Guide for Electrical Arc Hazards OSHA has released updated personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance for those working on energized electrical equipment to provide proper protection from electrical arc hazards. Most arc flash burn injuries are a result of the arc igniting flammable clothing and not from the arc itself, OSHA said. […]

  Labor Petitions Court to Force USPS on Safety Whistleblower Subpoenas The US Labor Department is asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to enforce its subpoenas issued by OSHA as part of a whistleblower investigation of the U.S. Postal Service in New Salem, Pennsylvania.  OSHA opened the probe in October […]

  College Program Applies Michigan OSHA Training to Degree Courses Credentials earned by safety professionals from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration can now be applied an occupational safety and health degree from the state’s  Grand Valley State University (GVSU).  This ensures that prior knowledge and experience are recognized for the academic degree. Anyone […]

  Nevada OSHA Adopts New Heat Regulation Nevada’s new heat regulation has come into effect after being adopted by the state’s Division of Industrial Relations. Businesses with more than 10 employees are now required to perform a one-time job hazard analysis of working conditions that could cause heat illness. Other requirements include preparation of a […]

  NJ Commercial Bakery Slapped With $385,000 in Penalties for Failing to Correct Year-Old Hazards   A New Jersey commercial bakery that manufactures and sells baked goods to wholesale retailers throughout the state, is now facing $385,221 in federal OSHA penalties. Patterson’s Valenti’s Bakery was cited after it failed to correct workplace safety hazards initially identified […]

  20 State AGs Oppose OSHA Fire Department Mandate 20 state attorneys general in opposing new federal mandates that they say will threaten the future of small-town, volunteer fire departments.  The AGs submitted a comment letter Friday criticizing changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Fire Brigades standards. They claim the standard will […]