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
NewsEnforcement and Audits - OSHACERCLA, SARA, EPCRAToxics Release Inventory ReportingVideoMonthly Roundup VideoCAA ComplianceInjury and Illness RecordkeepingEnglishOSHA Violations and PenaltiesAir ProgramsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthGeneral Industry Safety300-A Annual SummaryEnvironmentalFocus AreaAir ProgramsUSA
EHS Monthly Round Up - January 2023
In this monthly roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful environmental, safety, and health news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental, safety, and health news. First, let’s take a look at what’s happening in safety and health.
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to post your OSHA 300A Summary. Employers are required to post the Summary in a conspicuous place from February 1st through April 30th.
As required by law, OSHA increased its penalties for inflation in mid-January. Penalties went up 7.7 percent, effective January 17th.
Also in January, OSHA released its long-awaited Fall 2022 regulatory agenda. Along with numerous proposed rules in the works, three major final rules are slated for 2023 – COVID-19 in healthcare, Injury and Illness tracking, and an update to the hazard communication standard.
OSHA recently released two new letters of interpretation, which address exit signs and lockout/tagout. Specifically, OSHA states that the International Standards Organization emergency exit symbol can be located beside the mandatory EXIT text on an existing sign.
The second letter addresses the applicability of lockout/tagout and the maintenance and operations of cathodic protection rectifiers when working on pipelines.
New York’s Warehouse Worker Protection Act was signed into law in December and takes effect in late February. It protects warehouse distribution workers from undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas and includes protections for workers who fail to meet these quotas.
In 2021, a worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A total of 5,190 fatal work injuries was recorded in the U.S. in 2021, an 8.9 percent increase over 2020.
Turning to environmental news, EPA automatically added nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, to the Toxics Release Inventory, or TRI, list. Four PFAS were added since they are no longer claimed as confidential business information.
EPA released its Fall 2022 regulatory agenda in early January. Included are major regulations impacting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, waters of the United States, and modifications to the Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act.
There are also a number of rules related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in various rule stages.
And finally, beginning with model year 2027, heavy-duty trucks will be required to meet clean air standards that are 80 percent more stringent than current requirements.
EPA says this final rule is aimed at reducing smog- and soot-forming emissions, increasing the life of governed vehicles by up to 250 percent, and increasing emissions warranty periods up to 450 percent.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup!
Keep reading...Show less
NewsIndustry NewsEnforcement and Audits - OSHAOSHA InspectionsSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetyMonthly Roundup VideoFocus AreaUSAHazard CommunicationHazard CommunicationEnglishOSHA Violations and PenaltiesVideo
EHS Monthly Round Up - October 2023
In this monthly 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. Please view the content links in the transcript to take a deeper dive into the topics I’ll be covering today. With that said, let’s get started!
OSHA’s hazard communication final rule is under review at the Office of Management and Budget. This process typically takes 90 to 120 days, which means we’ll likely see the final rule in early 2024.
A performance audit found that OSHA did not adequately address the high number of injuries and illnesses at warehouses before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the high rate of injury and illness, OSHA only conducted a small number of inspections.
An OSHA investigation found a fulfillment center was exposing employees to ergonomic hazards which could lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The company also failed to provide adequate medical care for workers who had sustained head injuries, some of which were traumatic.
Workplace overdose deaths have increased 536 percent since 2011. A National Safety Council survey found that 75 percent of employers reported opioid use has impacted their workplace, but only 17 percent said they felt prepared to deal with the problem.
And finally, turning to environmental news, EPA finalized its PFAS reporting and recordkeeping rule. It expands the definition to include 41 additional PFAS of concern, among other changes.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-07T05:00:00Z
NewsEmergency Planning - OSHAIndustry NewsSafety & HealthEmergency PreparednessConstruction SafetyGeneral Industry SafetyIn-Depth ArticleEnglishFocus AreaUSA
How well do first responders know your facility?
Organizations spend a lot of time and resources preparing for emergencies. Local fire departments, EMS providers, and hazmat teams do too. But here’s a question that isn’t asked very often: How much preparation have they done together?
When a serious incident occurs, organizations often rely on outside responders to help protect employees, property, and the surrounding community. These responders bring valuable expertise and resources, but they may not know the facility, its hazards, or its operations as well as the people who work there every day.
That's why emergency preparedness should be viewed as a partnership, not a handoff. The strongest emergency responses occur when organizations and first responders build relationships, share information, and understand each other's expectations long before an incident occurs.
Build those relationships before they're needed
The best time for organizations to meet with local responders isn’t during an emergency. Facility tours, pre-incident planning meetings, and joint exercises allow both sides to learn from one another. Responders can become familiar with facility layouts, hazards, and access procedures. Facility personnel can better understand responder capabilities, equipment, and response expectations.
These conversations also help identify potential issues before they become problems. Questions about after-hours access, communication protocols, command structure, specialized hazards, or monitoring capabilities are much easier to answer during a planning meeting than during an active emergency.
Perhaps most importantly, these interactions build trust and familiarity, both of which can improve communication when pressure is high.
Why familiarity matters
When responders arrive, they often need information quickly to make critical decisions. The more they know beforehand, the more effectively they can respond. During an emergency, responders don't have time to learn the facility from scratch.
Consider some of the questions they may need answered:
- Are there gates, badge-controlled doors, or other security measures?
- Are there any areas with restricted access?
- What hazardous materials are onsite, and where are they located?
- Which utilities, fire department connections (FDCs), or processes may need to be shut down?
- Who has authority to make decisions during the incident?
- Which employees have specialized knowledge of equipment, chemicals, or operations?
- How can responders access the facility after normal business hours?
Without those answers, valuable time can be spent gathering information instead of managing the emergency.
The relationship goes both ways
Organizations sometimes assume responders have every resource they might need. In reality, responder capabilities can vary by jurisdiction, equipment availability, and specialized training.
For example, a local department may have standard atmospheric monitoring equipment but may not carry instruments designed to detect every chemical present at a facility. Certain incidents may require additional resources, technical expertise, or support from a regional hazmat team.
Understanding those capabilities and limitations before an emergency occurs helps both organizations and responders establish realistic expectations, identify resource gaps, and avoid surprises when an incident occurs.
Don't rely on paperwork alone
Many organizations already share hazard information through regulatory programs. Facilities subject to EPCRA requirements may provide chemical inventory information that helps emergency planners understand potential community hazards, but that information doesn't replace direct conversations and site familiarity.
Responders also benefit from information such as facility maps, building access points, utility shutoff locations, hazardous material storage areas, emergency contacts, and site-specific response considerations.
Responders don't need every document an organization has ever produced. What helps most is having key information organized, accessible, and available before an emergency occurs.
Strengthen the partnership
To strengthen relationships with local emergency responders:
- Arrange facility tours to familiarize responders with the site;
- Review emergency plans, major hazards, and available resources together;
- Confirm after-hours access procedures;
- Identify primary and backup emergency contacts;
- Provide updates when processes, layouts, or chemical inventories change; and
- Conduct joint drills or exercises.
Key to remember: First responders shouldn't be learning about a facility during an emergency. The best emergency responses are built on relationships, communication, and shared understanding long before 911 is called.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-07T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsAssociate Benefits & CompensationHR GeneralistFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)Associate RelationsEnglishHR ManagementFocus AreaHuman ResourcesUSA
Employer didn’t follow all FMLA certification steps before termination
On October 17, 2024, after working for the company for a few years, Mallory needed some time off to care for her son. He had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer by his dermatologist, Dr. Julie. In response, Rebecca from HR gave Mallory information about the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and included a certification for Mallory to have completed by the health care provider and returned within 15 days.
The employer, however, approved Mallory’s FMLA leave on October 18 without waiting for the completed certification.
On November 4, two days after the 15-day deadline, Rebecca emailed Mallory asking whether she had completed the certification form. Mallory said she would have it after her son’s appointment later that day.
When Rebecca didn’t receive a response, the next day she followed up again, saying she needed the form by the end of the day. Shortly after, Mallory provided the form, but the part with the health care provider information was incomplete. Rebecca asked that Mallory have Julie, the doctor, complete that part and get the form by the end of the week. But Dr. Julie was on maternity leave.
So, Mallory contacted her son’s patient advocate and added the names and contact information of Dr. Mary Austin and Dr. Jonathan Gill.
Rebecca thought the signature didn’t match the names of Drs. Austin and Gill. She told Mallory that the form didn’t include any information about who signed the form. Rebecca contacted the advocate and asked whether the form was “legitimate.” The advocate confirmed via email that neither Dr. Austin nor Dr. Gill signed the form, and told Rebecca that she could ask the referring doctor, and named Dr. Croley.
Instead, the employer fired Mallory for falsifying the certification. Mallory explained that Dr. Julie had signed the form, and that Drs. Austin and Gill were the doctors she expected to treat her son.
Mallory sued, claiming both FMLA interference and retaliation.
In court, Mallory argued that the employer’s reason for firing her was pretextual because:
- It couldn’t have formed a good-faith belief that the certification was falsified without contacting Dr. Croley, and
- The close time between her FMLA request and termination was sufficient evidence of pretext.
Mallory pointed out that the signature on the certification resembled a “J” and a scribble, and since Dr. Gill’s first name is Jonathan and Dr. Julie’s name also began with a “J,” there was a question of whether it was reasonable for the employer to be suspicious of the signature.
The court sided with the employee, pointing out that, given that the signature was a “J” and a scribble, the employer should have followed up as the advocate suggested.
Jones v. Axios Industrial Maintenance Contractors, Inc., Southern District of Texas, No. 4:25-cv-02232, September 11, 2026.
Key to remember: Employers should follow all the leads when trying to determine if an FMLA certification is falsified or not.
Court decisions are based on the specific facts presented and each court’s interpretation of the law. Because courts may reach different conclusions, similar situations can lead to different outcomes. Employers should avoid relying on a single case as definitive guidance and instead assess each situation carefully, considering applicable laws, and seeking advice when needed.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-07T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthMiningSpecialized IndustriesEnglishMine SafetyFocus AreaUSA
MSHA issues hazard alert on seasonal ground falls
In a recent safety alert, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reminds mine operators to regularly review and update roof and ground control plans.
Seasonal conditions can introduce moisture into the environment, causing changes in ground stability or mining methods. These changes can increase the risk of roof and ground falls. To reduce risks, the agency offers the following tips:
- Train all miners, supervisors, and contractors to recognize roof hazards and changing ground conditions.
- Conduct frequent pre-shift and on-shift examinations and share hazards and corrective actions between shifts.
- Maintain drainage, divert inflows, pump accumulations, and reinspect ground and supports after wet or freeze-thaw periods.
- Scale loose ground from a safe position using long-handled bars or mechanical scalers.
- Berm, barricade, clearly mark, or seal areas that are no longer needed or that present ground-control hazards.
- Instruct miners to identify and mitigate hazards and violations.
Keep reading...Show less
NewsMonthly Roundup VideoTransportationUSAHighway use - Mileage taxEnglishCMV InspectionsIndustry NewsFleet SafetyCompliance, Safety, Accountability CSACompliance, Safety, Accountability CSACMV drivingFocus AreaFleet OperationsFleet TaxesIRP and IFTA recordkeepingVideo
Transportation Monthly Round Up - October 2023
Hello, the monthly round up video series will review the month’s most impactful regulatory proposals and changes, and we’ll discuss what you can do stay compliant. With that said, let’s get started!
Let’s further discuss the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Safety Fitness Determination.
The FMCSA extended to November 29, 2023, the comment period for the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding the need to revise the safety fitness determination (SFD) process. The ANPRM was published August 29, 2023.
The FMCSA may do away with its current rating system (which results in ratings of Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory) and instead move to a system that uses CSA results alone to declare the worst carriers “unfit” to continue operating.
As a result, "bad apple” carriers could be shut down without even undergoing an audit. The changes could eventually have a significant impact on motor carriers that are struggling with their CSA scores and performing much worse than their peers. A final rule is not expected until late 2024 or later, however.
Recent changes to drug-testing guidelines for federal employees could trickle down to affect the DOT’s testing rules for truck and bus drivers.
The Department of Health and Human Services amended its “Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs,” including changes for both urine and saliva testing. Such changes are typically incorporated into the DOT’s rules in Part 40.
Among the changes is a new emphasis on the fact that exposure to marijuana smoke or the ingestion of food containing a prohibited drug are not valid excuses for testing positive.
A recent notice from the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA) reminds carriers that there is a two-month grace period, but it’s for display of the new credentials, not to file your renewal application.
To renew your IFTA license for 2024, you must file with their base jurisdiction before the end of 2023. Then, there’s a two-month grace period (January and February) to display your new IFTA license and decals.
Why the grace period? In some jurisdictions, your new decals will arrive within a few days of submitting your renewal application. In others, they may take up to a month. To keep your trucks on the road, be sure to file your renewal well ahead of the December 31 deadline.
North American inspectors conducted 18,875 commercial motor vehicle inspections during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) Brake Safety Week, which ran from August 20-26.
Of the total inspected vehicles, 12.6 percent (2,375) were placed out of service for break-related violations and removed from roadways.
Of the 18,875 commercial motor vehicle inspections held across 56 U.S., Canadian, Mexican states/provinces/territories, there were:
- 18,031 U.S. inspections with 2,240 brake-related out-of-service inspections,
- 1,372 Canadian inspections with 134 brake-related out-of-service inspections, and
- 9 Mexican inspections with 1 brake-related out-of-service inspection.
That’s it for this month’s roundup. Stay safe, and thanks for watching.
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.