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Transportation Monthly Round Up - May 2026
In this May 2026 round up video, we'll review the most impactful transportation and safety news.
In this May 2026 round up, we will discuss an FMCSA update on Motus and a new US Supreme Court ruling on brokers. Let's get started.
Motus is the FMCSA’s new online system that replaces the old portal carriers used to manage their safety and registration data. It’s where motor carriers update their company information, verify officials, and maintain compliance records. Because Motus pulls directly from FMCSA’s official database, it’s important that the information shown in your account is accurate.
If a carrier is locked out of their Motus account or cannot log in, they will need to contact FMCSA’s technical support team at 1-800-832-5660. FMCSA will verify the user’s identity and restore access. It’s important not to create a new account, because Motus assigns each carrier a single, permanent profile tied to their DOT number.
The system has had stability issues since Motus was launched, but we expect for issues to be resolved soon.
A recent Supreme Court decision has fundamentally shifted how liability is viewed in the transportation industry, placing freight brokers squarely in the risk spotlight. Historically, brokers relied on federal preemption arguments to shield themselves from liability tied to carrier actions. That protection is now far less certain. The result is a new operational reality where broker decisions, particularly carrier selection, can be challenged and scrutinized in court.
At the core of this shift is a clear expectation that brokers must exercise reasonable care when selecting carriers. This is no longer a conceptual best practice but a legal standard. If a broker selects a carrier with known safety issues and an incident occurs, that decision can be questioned in litigation. Courts are increasingly focused on whether the broker acted responsibly, not just whether they followed minimum regulatory requirements.
Those who adapt by strengthening vetting processes, enhancing documentation, and enforcing consistent standards will be better positioned to navigate this new legal landscape, while those who do not may find themselves exposed in ways the industry has not seen before.
That’s it for this month’s round up. Stay safe, and thanks for watching.
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EHS Monthly Round Up - May 2026
In this May 2026 roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.
The first compliance date for the revised HazCom standard took effect May 19. Employers who work with chemical substances that are aerosols, desensitized explosives, or flammable gases should start to see updated safety data sheets and labels. On a related note, OSHA revised its HazCom directive for inspectors. It instructs OSHA officers on how to conduct inspections and issue citations under the standard. However, it also provides chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers with insight into what officers will be assessing.
OSHA revoked a standard that prohibited open fires and fires in drums or similar containers in marine terminals. The agency stated that since this is no longer typical practice, removing the standard would lessen the compliance burden without compromising worker safety.
OSHA received the backing of an advisory committee as it advances a comprehensive Tree Care Operations proposal. During the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health meeting, the group unanimously voted in favor of moving ahead. This clears the path for OSHA to publish its long-awaited proposal.
Turning to environmental news, EPA extended the submission date for the TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule one-time report from May 22, 2026, to May 21, 2027.
EPA published the first round of expiring confidential business information claims for information submitted under TSCA. The list covers claims that expire from June 22 to July 31, 2026. Businesses must submit extension requests to keep the information protected.
EPA postponed the effective compliance date for trichloroethylene users with TSCA Section 6(g) exemptions until pending judicial review is concluded. The agency has yet to establish a new compliance date.
And finally, EPA revised HFC use restrictions for certain subsectors. This applies to entities that are subject to the 2023 Technology Transition Rule requirements. The agency also proposed a rule that would exempt transportation refrigeration units from leak repair requirements regardless of charge size.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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HR Monthly Round Up - May 2026
In this May 2026 roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful HR news.
Welcome, everyone! In the next few minutes, we’ll review the latest HR news. Let’s get started.
A nationwide trucking company will pay $5.5 million to settle a sex discrimination claim for refusing to hire qualified female drivers. The news was announced in a May 15th press release from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
According to the suit, the discriminatory hiring practices went on for many years. Female applicants said they saw company officials throwing out their applications. And the dispatcher at one terminal told a female applicant that corporate offices had instructed him not to hire any female truck drivers. All this, and more, violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which the EEOC enforces.
Speaking of the EEOC, on May 14th, the agency submitted a proposal to rescind workforce data filing and reporting requirements, including the EEO-1 report. Employers should be aware that the proposal doesn’t have an immediate impact on existing data collection or reporting processes.
Until decisions are finalized, employers should continue collecting workforce demographic data and plan to report 2025 data by the 2026 reporting deadline when it’s announced.
In other news, on May 15th, members of Congress introduced a bill that would gradually increase the overtime salary threshold for determining whether employees may be classified as exempt under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
If passed, the bill would increase the federal minimum salary level over the next several years. But for now, employers may continue to follow the 2019 rule, where the minimum salary threshold is $684 per week for exempt employees who are classified under the executive, administrative, and professional exemption.
And, finally, does your company outsource its FMLA leave management to a third-party administrator (or TPA)? If so, make sure the system and process is easy for employees to use. In a recent federal court case in Wisconsin, a TPA’s process was so difficult for an employee that his leave wasn’t properly handled and he ended up getting fired. He sued and won.
The court said that the TPA’s system created a “burdensome approval process” that interfered with his rights. And company HR officials didn’t address the issues before terminating him. The bottom line is, outsourcing FMLA leave management does NOT outsource employer liability.
That’s all the HR news we have time for today. Thanks for watching. See you next month!
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EHS Monthly Round Up - February 2026
In this Februrary 2026 roundup video, we'll discuss the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.
Fatal work injuries fell 4 percent in 2024, largely due to a decline in workplace drug- and alcohol-related overdoses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overdose fatalities fell from 512 in 2023 to 410 in 2024. Across all types of workplace incidents, there were 5,070 fatal work injuries in 2024, compared to 5,283 in 2023. Transportation incidents continue to be the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for over 38 percent of all occupational fatalities in 2024.
OSHA is fast-tracking a proposal to remove the 2036 obligation to upgrade fall protection systems on fixed ladders that extend over 24 feet. This follows an industry petition from major chemical and petroleum industry groups, which argue the provision is unjustified, costly, and not supported by the rulemaking record. OSHA frames the upcoming proposed action as deregulatory, allowing employers to update fixed ladders at the end of their service lives. We’ll provide updates as more information becomes available.
As OSHA leans into “deregulatory” actions, lawmakers are moving to pressure the agency to issue “regulatory” rulemaking to protect American workers. The latest legislative wave of bills aims to fill regulatory gaps, tackle emerging hazards, expand OSHA authority, and raise penalties. Topics addressed by these bills include musculoskeletal disorders, heat stress, infectious diseases, wildfire smoke, and workplace violence.
In a recently issued letter of interpretation, OSHA states that a burn injury caused by a personal lithium-ion battery fire is work related if it occurs in the workplace during assigned working hours. The letter details an incident where an employee was burned when their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for e-cigarettes sparked a fire after coming into contact with a key used for work.
A new report from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General concludes that OSHA struggles to meet its mission, particularly in high-risk industries like healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. Several pages point to OSHA’s difficulties in effectively enforcing annual injury and illness reporting requirements, reaching the nation’s high-risk worksites for inspection, and addressing workplace violence by regulatory or other action.
Turning to environmental news, EPA extended the deadlines for Facility Evaluation Reports and related requirements for coal combustion residuals facilities. In most instances, the deadlines have been moved one or two years out.
And finally, EPA announced a final rule eliminating the 2009 Endangerment Finding and related greenhouse gas emission requirements for on-highway vehicles and vehicle engines. When the final rule takes effect, manufacturers and importers of new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines will no longer have to measure, report, certify, or comply with federal greenhouse gas emission standards.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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EHS Monthly Round Up - March 2026
In this March 2026 roundup video, we'll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the past month.
OSHA released an updated Job Safety and Health poster. Employers can use either the revised version or the older one, but the poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place where workers can easily see it.
OSHA recently removed a link from its Data topic webpage that displayed a list of “high-penalty cases” at or over $40,000 since 2015. The agency says it discontinued and removed it in December. The data is frozen and archived elsewhere.
OSHA published two new resources as part of its newly launched Safety Champions Program. The fact sheet provides an overview of how the program works, eligibility criteria, and key benefits. The step-by-step guide helps businesses navigate the core elements of OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.
Several forces are nudging OSHA to address a number of workplace hazards and high-hazard industries. This comes from other agencies, safety organizations, watchdogs, legislative proposals, and persistent injury/fatality data. Among the hazards are combustible dust; first aid; personal protective equipment; and workplace violence. How all this translates into new regulations, guidance, programmed inspections, or other initiatives remains to be seen.
Turning to environmental news, EPA issued a proposed rule to require waste handlers to use electronic manifests to track all RCRA hazardous waste shipments. Stakeholders have until May 4 to comment on the proposal.
On March 10, EPA finalized stronger emission limits for new and existing large municipal waste combustors and made other changes to related standards.
And finally, EPA temporarily extended coverage under the 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for industrial stormwater discharges until the agency issues a new general permit. The permit expired February 28 and remains in effect for facilities previously covered. EPA won’t take enforcement action against new facilities for unpermitted stormwater discharges if the facilities meet specific conditions.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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Transportation Monthly Round Up - January 2026
In this January 2026 round up video, we'll review the most impactful transportation safety news.
In this January 2026 round up, we will discuss a new USDOT registration system called Motus, the top vehicle violations of 2025, and the an update for the CDL medical certification process.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is preparing to roll out Motus, a modernized, mobile friendly registration portal. It’s designed to streamline how carriers, brokers, and other regulated entities manage their safety and compliance records. Launching to all users in 2026, Motus will replace fragmented workflows with a single, secure dashboard that marks one of FMCSAs most significant digital upgrades in years.
One of the most important preparation steps is verifying the Portal user access list. Under the Account Management tab, companies should confirm which individuals have Portal access and identify their Company Official.
The FMCSA recommends carriers complete an online Biennial Update (MCS 150) in the Portal before Motus launches. Submitting an update, or confirming no changes are needed, ensures the most current company information transfers into the new system. This includes:
- Operating status
- Fleet size and vehicle types
- Hazmat activity
- Mileage and safety data
Being familiar with the most common violations can help drivers and motor carriers take steps to avoid them. Key among those steps are comprehensive pre-trip, post-trip, and annual inspections — to catch violations before an officer does. Lamps, tires, and brake violations exceeded 1 million in 2025.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has once again extended its 60-day waiver to allow drivers, carriers, and medical examiners more time to come into compliance.
Effective January 11, 2026, through April 10, 2026, the FMCSA waiver extension allows a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate (MEC) to be carried by commercial driver's license/commercial learner's permit (CDL/CLP) drivers for up to 60 days after issue. The previous waiver, effective from October 13, 2025, through January 10, 2026, allowed the paper copy to be carried by drivers for 60 days as well.
That’s it for this month’s round up. Stay safe, and thanks for watching.
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.