EHS Daily Advisor

On March 24, 2025, a webpage was added to the EPA website announcing the creation of an electronic mailbox to allow impacted regulated community to request a Presidential Exemption under Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Eligible industry was given until March 31, 2025, to submit an e-mail request.

Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to prepare for disaster situations. We recently looked at wildfire health and safety hazards following the wildfires in Southern California. California, Oregon, and Washington have state rules addressing the health effects of wildfire smoke exposures.

There’s a lot going on for safety professionals right now: Economic uncertainty, massive job cuts at agencies like the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Environmental Protection Agency, and the impact of those things on their own jobs and businesses.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s recent announcement of 31 historic actions the Agency plans to undertake “in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history” sent shockwaves throughout regulated industry, environmental groups, state and local regulatory agencies, and other concerned stakeholders across the nation.

Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of preventable traffic fatalities in the U.S. Now that we’re into Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the National Safety Council (NSC) is once again calling for safer roadways. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your drivers are distraction-free while on the road. Visit the NSC website for a variety of resources on how to ensure your company’s drivers are doing so safely.

On April 1, the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB), a division of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), opened public comment on a proposed heat illness and injury prevention rule. If New Mexico’s proposal becomes final, it would join state heat illness prevention rules in California, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Minnesota’s rule also covers exposure to cold temperatures. Nevada adopted its heat illness regulation last fall.

On April 2, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) expressed concerns about reductions to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as part of a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring plan. The group also voiced concerns about a proposal not to renew leases for Occupational Safety and Health and Administration (OSHA) area offices.

In this installment of EHSDA Shorts, Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM, Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental at Avetta, explains how to look at reporting metrics to ensure contractor safety. This clip is taken from a webinar titled From Passive Acknowledgment to Active Belief & Capability in SIF Prevention, which is available for free on-demand here. This webinar is sponsored by Avetta.

On March 25, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) announced the release of its 2025 report of corporate safety insights. The report contains views and experiences of business leaders from all industries. It offers environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals key observations in making strategic decisions that drive improvements at their companies.

It has never been harder to be a safety professional than today. Safety professionals face immense pressure as they work to keep their organizations safe. Is new technology and more data the solution? Maybe. But these three challenges make it nearly impossible for safety professionals to succeed—and data could be at the root of these problems. First, safety professionals are grappling with resource constraints, fatigue, and overwhelming responsibilities.