Industrial Safety & Hygiene News

ColumnsLeading SafetyWorkplace Training Strategies Every business potentially faces the possibility of accidental losses from worker injuries. Legally they are also required to carry workers compensation insurance to take care of any employee injured while performing their work. The insurance company has loss control personnel who may be able to provide some guidance in loss control. Most organizations have a person or department overseeing their safety.

To this day, asbestos exposure continues to be one of the most persistent occupational health issues in the country, largely because of how extensively such a natural mineral was used since the late 1800s. Its popularity even surged during World War II due to its practical advantages, including strong heat resistance, tremendous durability, and effective insulating and thermal properties, making it a fundamental composition across various industries nationwide.

Casella, air sampling, noise and vibration specialist, has achieved Intrinsically Safe (IS) rating on its advanced and lightweight low flow pump, the VAPex, by the Testing, Certification and Field Evaluation Body, QPS Evaluation Services Inc, that issues accreditation in Canada, the USA and Internationally.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued its latest Regulatory Agenda on July 3rd, with updates on numerous OSHA regulatory issues. Topping the list is the much-discussed national heat standard proposal. The Biden administration issued the proposed standard in 2024. OSHA held hearings on the proposal in June 2025 and extended the post-hearing comment period twice, to October 30, 2025.

President Donald Trump on June 29th nominated Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The move comes two months after Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned following reports that she was under a series of investigations for abuse of power allegations. Chavez-DeRemer has denied wrongdoing. Sonderling is a lawyer who represented employers in labor and employment disputes while in private practice.

The newly published report, Protecting workforce competence for safer, healthier workplaces, summarizes the findings of five roundtables chaired by Commissioners handpicked for their expertise, and attended by a range of professionals with backgrounds in OSH, HR, OH and operations.

Occupational SafetyColumns Would you like to convince your workplace to adopt VPP at all of its locations? How about convincing your organization to create a new ergonomist position that requires a mechanical engineering degree? How about convincing your organization to establish a Risk Identification and Prevention section within the legal department, with the authority and resources to evaluate all risks worldwide, even acquisition and divestiture?

The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a building contractor and a staffing company for safety violations after a worker suffered fatal injuries while operating a mini-excavator beneath an elementary school in Converse. OSHA opened an inspection after a Jan. 7, 2026, incident at Converse Elementary School involving a D L Bandy Constructors Inc.

DENIOS-US has launched a new website, with all text in Spanish, to enable Spanish-speaking teams to find relevant resources and product information faster and easier. The new site details DENIOS hazardous material storage containers, Lithium-ion safety, spill containment pallets and sumps, spill control products, facility maintenance, and workplace safety products.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) opened its call for presenters for the Safety 2027 Conference + Expo, taking place June 7-9, 2027, in New Orleans. Individuals are invited to submit speaker proposals from July 13 through Sept. 8, 2026, to share their expertise with peers and industry leaders while helping the environmental health and safety (EHS) profession stay current on emerging trends, innovations and leading practices.