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Regulatory Compliance News & Updates

Keep up to date on the latest
developments affecting OSHA, DOT,
EPA, and DOL
regulatory compliance.

Safety & Compliance News

Regulations change quickly. Compliance Network ensures you never miss a relevant update with a personalized feed of featured news and analysis, industry highlights, and more.
NH implements NRII, only 2 states remain
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z

NH implements NRII, only 2 states remain

As of August 17, 2026, New Hampshire is in full compliance with the new NRII requirements. As a result, only two states (Louisianna and Alaska) remain on the list of states yet to comply with the new regulations.

Paper submissions coming to an end

NH is now meeting the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and will no longer accept paper copies of the Medical Examiner Certificates (med cards), including drop box, email, and in-person submissions. The last paper copy was accepted on August 14, 2026.

Two states left

LA and AK are the final two states to comply with the FMCSA’s requirement for receiving med cards electronically and directly from a certified examiner. CDL drivers in these states must continue to submit their med card information directly to the state.

The FMCSA has a current exemption in place until October 11, 2026, which allows CDL holders and carriers to use a copy of a CDL driver’s DOT med card for up to 60 days to show proof of medical certification. This exemption was issued to allow the remaining states time to transition to the NRII process, as well as address issues with transfer delays in states that have already implemented the NRII process.

NRII background

Since June 23, 2025, the “National Registry II” dictated that if a certified medical examiner finds that a CDL driver is physically qualified to drive a CMV, the examiner will complete a CMV Driver Medical Examination Results Form (MCSA-5850) in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). That information will be electronically transferred to the driver's licensing authority. Upon receiving this information, the state will post a medical qualification status of “certified” on the driver’s motor vehicle record (MVR), along with other required exam information. The driver’s state driving record (i.e., MVR) is official proof of medical certification for CDL drivers and their carrier.

None of these changes apply to non-CDL drivers, who must follow all existing regulations concerning physical qualification status.

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IRS gives more guidance on the OBBBA overtime tax break
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z

IRS gives more guidance on the OBBBA overtime tax break

On August 6, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted updated frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The new FAQs supersede earlier FAQs that the IRS posted on January 23, 2026.

The new IRS document:

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When a routine pickup turns fatal
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z

When a routine pickup turns fatal

A truck driver’s routine pickup became a deadly reminder of how quickly loading operations can go wrong, especially when equipment doesn’t perform as expected and safe loading procedures break down.

According to a Washington State investigation, a 63-year-old truck driver with decades of experience was killed after being crushed by a yard tractor he was loading onto a beavertail gooseneck semi-trailer.

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The hazard above your head
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z

The hazard above your head

When people think about struck-by injuries, they often picture forklifts, vehicles, or moving equipment. But some of the most serious incidents happen when an object falls from above. A dropped tool, unsecured material, or shifting load can strike an employee below with little or no warning. Effective falling object protection focuses on preventing objects from falling in the first place and keeping employees out of harm's way when overhead work cannot be avoided.

How falling object hazards develop

Many workplaces have controls in place for fall protection but overlook the hazards created for employees working below. Materials stored near edges, tools carried at elevation without being secured, and work areas that aren’t properly barricaded during overhead tasks can create serious struck-by hazards. OSHA requires employers to protect employees from falling object hazards as part of their fall protection responsibilities. Common warning signs include:

Essential safeguards for overhead work

OSHA’s walking-working surfaces requirements address both fall hazards and falling object hazards under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D. Employers must protect employees exposed to falling object hazards and ensure protective systems meet OSHA criteria. The most effective control is preventing the object from falling at all. Once a tool, material, or load begins to fall, employees often have little time to react. Practical safeguards may include:

  • Inspecting elevated work areas to identify tools, materials, equipment, or stored items that could fall;
  • Installing toeboards, screens, guardrail systems, or other barriers to keep objects from falling to lower levels;
  • Securing tools, equipment, and materials with lanyards, storage bins, racks, or other methods;
  • Storing materials securely and away from edges where they could be knocked or blown off;
  • Restricting access, using barricades, or creating controlled zones below overhead work;
  • Using canopies, debris nets, or other protective structures when appropriate;
  • Requiring head protection where there is a risk of employees being struck by falling objects; and
  • Training employees to recognize how work at elevation can create hazards for others below.

Key to remember: The most effective falling object protection programs focus on preventing objects from falling, controlling work areas below, and making overhead hazards part of everyday job planning.

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