Compliance Just Got Easier: Stay ahead of regulatory changes with instant notifications on updates that matter.
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
Regulatory Compliance News & Updates
Keep up to date on the latest
developments affecting OSHA, DOT,
EPA, and DOL regulatory compliance.
Safety & Compliance News
FEATURED NEWS
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsFleet SafetyDriver qualificationsDrivers qualification (DQ file)Driving RecordsDriver qualification and hiringEmployment application driverIn-Depth ArticlePrevious employer check - Motor CarrierFocus AreaEnglishDriver recruiting and retentionTransportationUSA
Playlist: Hiring a new driver
Hiring a new driver comes with a lot of responsibility, and if you’re feeling unsure about where to start or worried about missing something important, you’re not alone. Between federal requirements, background checks, and documentation rules, the process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to do it right the first time. The good news is, you don’t have to piece it together on your own. The playlist below pulls together some of the most helpful Compliance Network resources to walk you through each step, so you can hire with confidence, stay compliant, and get your driver on the road without unnecessary stress.
- Start by understanding everything required for driver qualification and hiring.
- Collect a compliant application.
- Run motor vehicle records (MVR) and Clearinghouse checks.
- Conduct previous employer investigations.
- Assemble and review the complete DQ file before dispatch.
This playlist brings together key Compliance Network resources to simplify the driver hiring process from start to finish. For deeper guidance, consider exploring related topics such as Driver Qualification Files, Hiring Drivers, Drug & Alcohol Programs, and FMCSA Recordkeeping Requirements within Compliance Network.
A Compliance Network playlist is a curated collection of practical resources designed to help you quickly address a specific event, task, or compliance challenge. Each playlist brings relevant guidance together in one place so you can spend less time searching and more time taking action. Stay tuned — more practical, ready-to-use collections are coming soon.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsPhysical exam - Motor CarrierDriver qualificationsDriver qualification and hiringFocus AreaUSAFleet OperationsEnglishMedical examiner - Motor CarrierTransportationPhysical exam - Motor Carrier
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.
All med cards issued to commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders by FMCSA-certified examiners will now be electronically submitted to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and automatically added to the driver’s record. CDL drivers who don’t maintain a valid med card will risk losing their driving privileges. Drivers may check their med card status by calling 603-227-4000.
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.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsWage and HourWage and HourAssociate Benefits & CompensationHR GeneralistFair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)OvertimeAssociate RelationsEnglishHR ManagementFocus AreaHuman ResourcesUSA
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:
- Deletes information that applied only to the 2025 taxable year.
- Provides clarification of the limits and timing of the qualified overtime compensation deduction.
- Provides additional information on coverage and exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
- Provides detailed information on Form W-2, Form 1099-MISC, and Form 1099-NEC requirements applicable to employers and payors of qualified overtime compensation.
- Adds information on federal income tax withholding procedures related to qualified overtime compensation.
- Adds information on the requirement that qualified overtime compensation must be separately reported on Form W-2 to claim the deduction, making accurate overtime calculations and information reporting more important.
- Provides more detailed information on issues applicable to federal employees.
Some added updated information includes the following:
- The only circumstance where someone would report qualified overtime compensation on a Form 1099-MISC or Form 1099-NEC instead of a Form W-2 is when the worker is an employee of the employer for FLSA purposes but treated as an independent contractor for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Employers don’t have to reduce wages subject to income tax withholding to account for the qualified overtime compensation deduction. Employers may not reduce withholding on wages to account for the qualified overtime deduction unless the employee gives the employer an updated and valid Form W-4 accounting for the employee’s expected deduction for qualified overtime compensation.
- Employers must report the amount of qualified overtime compensation paid to an employee beginning in 2026, on Form W-2 in box 12, using code TT.
- If an employer discovers an error on Form W-2, box 12, code TT, it must file Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statements, with the Social Security Administration and give Form W-2c to the employee as soon as possible.
The new FAQs move from the temporary 2025 reporting relief period to more specific compliance for tax years 2026 through 2028.
Key to remember: Employers with employees taking advantage of the overtime tax break can refer to the updated IRS FAQs.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsFleet SafetyLoading and unloading - Motor CarrierCargo loading and securementFocus AreaIn-Depth ArticleCargo securementEnglishTransportationWheel chocks - Motor CarrierUSA
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.
The yard tractor required a jump-start, but once it was running, the engine began revving uncontrollably and the brakes didn’t work. Nevertheless, the driver drove the tractor onto the deck until it came to rest against the front of the trailer. The driver began securing the tractor and was positioned between the axles when it suddenly rolled backward and crushed him. He died two days later from his injuries.
A chain of risks
This incident was not caused by a single mistake. Investigators identified several contributing factors:
- The driver was unaware of the tractor’s unsafe brakes before arriving to pick it up. The vehicle also had an unsafe gear shifter. The bill of sale only indicated that the equipment would not start and needed a new battery.
- The driver left the tractor in neutral with the engine running, its parking brakes released, and its wheels unchocked before he went underneath it.
- The driver’s employer had no standard operating procedures for loading yard tractors or similar equipment.
A common scenario
Many open-bed carriers move wheeled equipment like yard tractors, forklifts, sweepers, farm equipment, or other heavy machinery that’s not designed for highway use. Too often, these loads are treated as routine, especially by experienced drivers who have “done it before.”
The danger is that loading operations can introduce serious hazards, especially when the driver is unfamiliar with the equipment or is unaware of defects. Once a driver is on a trailer deck with a heavy piece of equipment, there is very little room for error.
Develop a loading-specific procedure
A generic cargo securement policy is not enough. Motor carriers should have written procedures for loading powered equipment, including:
- Required training before operating unfamiliar equipment,
- Pre-pickup equipment assessments to uncover safety defects,
- Communication with sellers regarding known defects,
- Safe loading methods,
- Required securement devices, and
- Emergency response steps when equipment malfunctions.
Drivers should be trained — and reminded about — the danger of putting themselves in harm’s way, even for a moment. Each loading operation can create unique challenges, but drivers should never place themselves under equipment unless it has been positively secured against movement using approved methods.
Used and abused
Highly used (and abused) equipment often comes with unknown risks. Before dispatching a driver, carriers should gather as much information as possible regarding the load’s condition as it relates to driver safety, including brake functionality and steering or transmission issues.
If the equipment cannot be safely operated onto the trailer, alternative loading methods should be considered.
Even when the brakes are functioning, drivers should be equipped with wheel chocks or other methods to prevent movement while the equipment is secured.
When a loading or securement operation doesn’t go as planned, the safest decision may be to stop. Requiring drivers to contact a supervisor when they encounter unexpected safety issues during loading can prevent on-the-spot decisions that expose them to hazards.
Key to remember: Equipment loading operations present unique challenges, and experience does not eliminate risk, as highlighted by a driver’s recent, tragic fatality. Ensure drivers are trained and equipped to manage the hazards.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthConstruction SafetyGeneral Industry SafetyWalking Working SurfacesIn-Depth ArticleWalking Working SurfacesEnglishFocus AreaUSA
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:
- Unsecured materials, tools, or equipment on roofs edges, mezzanines, platforms, or elevated work areas;
- Overhead work without barricades, warning signs, or restricted access;
- Poor housekeeping issues that allow materials to accumulate on elevated surfaces;
- Tools used at height without lanyards, tethers, or other means of securing them; Guardrails that prevent falls but do not prevent materials from falling through or over the edge; or
- Temporary work areas where overhead hazards are not considered during job planning.
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.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-08-20T05:00:00Z
NewsEmployee BenefitsChange NoticesChange NoticeAssociate Benefits & CompensationAssociate RelationsTerminationHR GeneralistNew JerseyHR ManagementEnglishFocus AreaHuman ResourcesUnemployment
New Jersey opens Employee Separation Reporting Portal
Effective date: July 31, 2026
This applies to: Employers with employees in New Jersey
Description of change: Employers must report an employee’s separation to the Division of Unemployment Insurance Employer Response Portal within 7 days of a worker’s separation, including layoffs, terminations, resignations, or retirements. Employers shouldn’t wait for an employee to file an unemployment claim before they report the separation.
Employers must be registered with Employer Access to use the new Employer Response Portal.
New Jersey employers were required to report all employee separations electronically through the Employer Access portal as of December 8, 2025. However, the state paused implementation while it built the reporting system, which is now active.
View related state info: Unemployment – New Jersey
Keep reading...Show less
Got a Compliance Question?
We’ve Got You Covered!
Get clear, reliable answers from experts with 500+ years of combined experience.
J. J. Keller is the trusted source for DOT / Transportation, OSHA / Workplace Safety, Human Resources, Construction Safety and Hazmat / Hazardous Materials regulation compliance products and services. J. J. Keller helps you increase safety awareness, reduce risk, follow best practices, improve safety training, and stay current with changing regulations.
Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.