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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.
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2026-08-21T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsEnglishEnvironmental Management SystemsSustainabilityIn-Depth ArticleEnvironmentalEMS Roles and ResponsibilitiesEnvironmental Management SystemsFocus AreaUSA
Maintenance and environmental compliance go hand in hand
Environmental compliance is often viewed as the responsibility of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) department. In reality, many compliance successes and failures occur on the plant floor, in maintenance shops, and around equipment managed by maintenance personnel.
Maintenance employees regularly handle used oil, inspect tanks, repair air pollution control equipment, respond to spills, and maintain secondary containment systems. Their daily decisions can directly affect compliance with federal, state, and local environmental requirements. As facilities face increased scrutiny of air emissions, waste management, and spill prevention programs, coordination between environmental and maintenance personnel has become increasingly important. That is why one of the most valuable members of an environmental compliance team is often someone from maintenance.
Used oil management starts in the shop
Many maintenance departments generate used oil from equipment servicing, vehicle maintenance, and hydraulic system repairs. While used oil can often be managed under streamlined regulations, improper handling can quickly create compliance problems.
Common issues include storing used oil in unlabeled containers, mixing used oil with hazardous waste, or failing to address leaks from storage containers. Even small mistakes can increase disposal costs or change how the waste must be managed. Maintenance personnel can help reduce these risks by ensuring used oil containers remain closed when not in use, are properly labeled, and are routinely inspected for signs of leakage or deterioration.
Spill response depends on employees closest to the release
When a spill occurs, maintenance staff are often among the first employees on scene.
Their actions during the first few minutes can affect both environmental impacts and regulatory obligations. Quickly stopping the source of a release, protecting drains, and containing spilled material can prevent a minor incident from becoming a reportable event.
Facilities should ensure maintenance personnel understand spill response procedures, know where response equipment is located, and recognize when environmental staff or emergency responders must be notified.
Even facilities with formal spill response plans depend on maintenance employees to implement many of the initial response actions.
Air compliance requires reliable equipment
Many facilities rely on air pollution control devices such as baghouses, scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, or dust collection systems to comply with permit requirements.
Environmental managers may be responsible for reporting emissions and maintaining permit records, but maintenance staff are often responsible for keeping control equipment operating properly.
A failed pressure gauge, malfunctioning fan, broken duct connection, or neglected preventive maintenance task can affect emissions performance and potentially result in permit deviations.
Facilities should ensure maintenance programs include environmental control equipment and that maintenance personnel understand which equipment has environmental significance.
Tanks and containment need routine attention
Storage tanks and secondary containment systems are another area where maintenance and environmental responsibilities overlap.
Maintenance personnel may also maintain stormwater controls, drainage structures, and outdoor storage areas that affect permit compliance.
Routine inspections can identify corrosion, damaged coatings, leaking fittings, deteriorated hoses, and cracks before they become larger problems. These conditions may not seem urgent from an operational perspective, but they can increase the risk of releases and regulatory violations.
Facilities should establish inspection procedures, clearly define responsibilities, and document findings. A simple inspection program can often identify problems early, reducing both environmental risk and repair costs.
Communication helps prevent violations
Many environmental compliance issues occur when operational changes are made without considering environmental impacts.
New equipment, replacement tanks, process modifications, and maintenance projects can affect air emissions, waste generation, chemical storage, or spill prevention requirements. Environmental staff may not become aware of these changes until after installation.
Regular communication between maintenance and environmental personnel can help identify potential compliance concerns before work begins. In many cases, a short conversation during project planning can prevent significant compliance challenges later.
Building a partnership between maintenance and environmental teams
Environmental compliance is most effective when it is integrated into daily operations. Maintenance teams often have the best understanding of equipment conditions, storage systems, and operational changes occurring throughout a facility.
Environmental awareness training, maintenance involvement in inspections, and regular communication can strengthen compliance programs and identify problems sooner.
Environmental managers bring regulatory expertise. Maintenance personnel bring operational knowledge. Together, they create a stronger foundation for compliance than either group can achieve alone.
Key to remember: Environmental compliance is not solely an EHS responsibility. Maintenance staff play a critical role in preventing spills, managing used oil, maintaining compliance equipment, and identifying problems before they become violations.
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2026-08-21T05:00:00Z
NewsAccident Investigation Preparation and ResponseAccident Corrective and Preventative ActionsRisk Assessment and ManagementIn-Depth ArticleEnglishRisk Assessment and ManagementIndustry NewsAccident Investigation - OSHAAccident Investigation - OSHAFleet SafetySafety & HealthConstruction SafetyGeneral Industry SafetyAgriculture SafetyAccident responseFocus AreaTransportationUSA
We must learn from workplace fatalities: The numbers are striking!
Each year, hundreds of workers are killed by objects, vehicles, and equipment they never expected would become deadly. Could the same struck-by risks exist in your workplace?
My home state of Michigan is seeing the effects of these unidentified hazards and the numbers are striking. As of the end of July 2026, Michigan had its 26th worker fatality, meaning 26 families had to say goodbye to a parent, spouse, or sibling they cherished. Of these 26 fatalities, almost 62% were due to struck-by incidents.
What’s even more striking is that each of these losses was preventable. The good news? What one organization learns through tragedy, another can learn through awareness!
Hidden hazards, real consequence
| ACTIVITY | HAZARD | FATAL STRIKE | WORKER AGE |
| Manufacturing | Pneumatic (air) press | Lead production manager made initial adjustments to a press. During start-up of the production run, an air cylinder shaft broke and breached a guard, striking the employee on the head. | 53 |
| Construction | Factory beam | Co-owner was in a scissor lift disassembling beams when an unsecured beam twisted, tipping the scissor lift backward and causing the employee to strike their head on the ground. | 31 |
| Construction | Lifting mechanism | Owner was operating a pickup truck loaded with dirt. While raising a dump bed, the lifting mechanism failed, causing the bed to fall and struck the owner in the head. | 34 |
| Automotive | Dead tree | While attempting to recover a vehicle stuck in a wooded area, the strap used to secure the vehicle to a tree that caused the dead tree to fall, striking the technician. | 38 |
| Firefighting | Falling debris | Firefighter was struck by falling debris while fighting a residential fire. | 47 |
| Arboriculture | Falling tree branch | While sitting on a log, a branch from an adjacent tree fell and struck an arborist in the head. | 52 |
| Arboriculture | Falling tree branch | Tree branch fell when laborer was trimming trees, striking the employee in the head. | 50 |
| Transportation | Vehicle strike | Two maintenance workers were patching potholes along the right shoulder of the road when a passenger vehicle driver swerved and lost control, entering the work area and striking the employee. | 51 and 49 |
| Manufacturing | Die sets | While a die was being lowered by crane, the operator noticed the locating pin was in wrong position and began raising the die back up. Worker climbed off the bolster to locate the pin, the die caught another die, began swinging then pinned the victim between the two dies. | 34 |
| Transportation | Failed hydraulics | While performing hydraulic maintenance under the flatbed rollback, the hydraulics failed, crushing the tow truck driver. | 45 |
| Transportation | Vehicle strike | While assisting another driver, school bus driver was struck by a passing vehicle. | 45 |
| Automotive | Vehicle strike | Service technician was struck by a vehicle along the highway after one vehicle caused another vehicle to swerve. | 19 |
| Utilities | Falling tree branch | Supervisor was struck by a limb from a nearby tree while cutting tree limbs that had fallen onto a roadway due to high winds. | 43 |
| Construction | Excavator arm | When moving an excavator arm to help with reinstalling the pin, the While excavator cab and arm rotated pinning a laborer between the excavator arm and the loader bucket. | 53 |
What can we learn from Michigan?
- Struck-by hazards exist in every industry! Failing to assess a workplace for both existing and potential hazards, regardless of industry, can leave workers exposed to dangers that may not be obvious until an injury or fatality occurs.
- Workplace hazards do not discriminate based on title, age, or years of experience. Many workers are struck by falling, flying, swinging, or rolling objects while performing routine tasks. In fact, experience can sometimes create a false sense of security, increasing exposure to risk.
- Treat others’ near misses as your own and learn from them. Events where no one is injured often reveal the same conditions that could later lead to serious injuries or fatalities elsewhere if not controlled.
- Keep workers out of the line of fire by establishing clear exclusion zones around moving equipment, suspended loads, elevated work areas, and stored materials.
- Communicate – communicate – communicate! Clearly and consistently communicate to workers the different types of struck-by hazards and ways of recognizing changing conditions, blind spots, load movements, and overhead dangers.
Key to remember: Struck-by hazards often go unnoticed until a life is lost and the lessons become painfully clear. However, these tragedies offer valuable lessons that employers from across the country should view as a call to evaluate risks, reinforce safe practices, and prevent a preventable loss. The best time to identify a struck-by hazard is before it has the chance to strike!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.