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
2026-10-15T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsFleet SafetyFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOTDefensive drivingCMV drivingFocus AreaIn-Depth ArticleFleet OperationsEnglishTransportationUSA
Winter safety starts before the first storm
Fall’s shorter days and cooler temperatures are a reminder that winter weather is right around the corner. Now is the time to prepare your drivers for what’s ahead when it comes to staying safe during the winter months.
Be prepared
A sudden snowstorm can quickly turn into an emergency situation during the winter months. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are stocked with a winter survival kit and basic emergency supplies. In addition to the items that should be in their vehicle at all times (warning devices, jumper cables, tool kit, first aid kit), they should also carry the following items:
- A snow brush and scraper for clearing ice and snow;
- A shovel and traction devices (tire chains, sand, kitty litter) to help free a vehicle that becomes stuck in snow or ice;
- A brightly colored cloth to increase visibility if stranded;
- Warm blankets or a sleeping bag for protection from the cold;
- Extra food, water, and any necessary medications; and
- Additional winter clothing, including a coat, gloves, hat, and boots.
What to do if stranded
Even the most prepared drivers can find themselves stranded during severe winter weather. Knowing what to do is key to driver safety.
The most important rule is to stay in the vehicle. Unless help is clearly visible and within a short distance, leaving the vehicle can be extremely dangerous due to limited visibility, blowing snow, and the risk of becoming disoriented. If able to safely do it, the driver should hang a brightly colored cloth outside the vehicle to signal for help.
To stay warm, the engine and heater should run for about 10 minutes each hour. The driver should crack a window and keep the exhaust pipe free of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Retaining body heat is important to avoid hypothermia, a condition brought on when the body’s temperature drops to a dangerously low level. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, and drowsiness.
Drivers can conserve body heat by wearing layers, using blankets or sleeping bags, and keeping their hands and feet warm. Simple movements, such as clapping hands and moving arms and legs, can also help maintain circulation until help arrives.
Key to remember: Now is the time to review winter survival tips with your drivers. Taking proactive steps today can help prevent problems when winter storms hit.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-15T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsCMV InspectionsSpeed limitsAnnual inspections - Motor CarrierTransportationCMV drivingFleet OperationsEnglishFocus AreaUSA
Safe driving habits are on cruise control: Tickets issued to over half of drivers tested
Of the 8,083 commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers tested across North American roadways, 3,968 warnings and 2,604 tickets were issued for unsafe driving behaviors.
Speeding, distracted driving, and aggressive driving were among the leading causes of roadway crashes cited, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA’s) 2026 North America safety event findings.
The top unsafe behaviors of 2026 include:
- Reckless, careless, and dangerous driving, which was the focus of this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week: 83 warnings and 33 citations were issued. Broken down by driver type, 50 warnings and 22 citations were issued to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and 33 warnings and 11 citations were issued to passenger vehicle drivers.
- Speeding, which was the most cited behavior: 1,003 warnings and 691 citations were issued. Broken down by driver type, 50 warnings and 22 citations were issued to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and 33 warnings and 11 citations were issued to passenger vehicle drivers.
- Failure to wear a seat belt: 292 warnings and 311 citations were issued. Broken down by driver type, 267 warnings and 270 citations were issued to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and 25 warnings and 41 citations were issued to passenger vehicle drivers.
- Possession, use or impairment of drugs or alcohol: 17 warnings and 26 citations were issued. Broken down by type, 12 warnings and 22 citations were issued to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and 5 warnings and 4 citations were issued to passenger vehicle drivers.
| Other Top Warnings, Citations, and Tickets Issued to CMV Drivers | ||
| Offense | Total # Warnings | Total # Citations |
| Failure to obey traffic control device | 652 | 319 |
| Improper lane change | 76 | 23 |
| Following too closely | 48 | 23 |
| Improper passing | 29 | 10 |
| Improper turn | 12 | 3 |
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-15T05:00:00Z
NewsEmergency Planning - OSHAIndustry NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthEmergency PreparednessGeneral Industry SafetyEnglishFocus AreaUSA
OSHA offers safety resources for post-hurricane cleanup
Following a week that saw three named storms, including the landfall of Hurricane Isaias along Florida’s northern coast, OSHA is offering a variety of safety resources to support post-hurricane response and recovery efforts.
Resources include the agency’s Hurricane eMatrix, which outlines common response and recovery activities and highlights the hazards associated with each task. The eMatrix helps employers protect workers by identifying recommended safe work practices, precautions, and personal protective equipment for specific tasks.
Employers can access additional resources, such as Quickcards and fact sheets on various topics, using OSHA’s Resources tab on its hurricane webpage.
Keep reading...Show less
2026-10-15T05:00:00Z
NewsViolations - HazmatTransportationFood SafetyHazmat: HighwayHazmatIn-Depth ArticleHazmat markings, Placards, and LabelsEnglishIndustry NewsFleet SafetyHazmat markingsFocus AreaHazmat EnforcementHazmat LabelsUSA
The hazmat mistakes that start before the truck moves
For motor carriers transporting hazardous materials, compliance problems do not always begin behind the wheel. Sometimes the most serious problems are already sitting on the truck before the driver ever leaves the shipper.
A hazardous material that is incorrectly classified, described, packaged, marked, labeled, or documented can create problems for everyone involved in the transportation chain. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in 49 CFR Parts 171 through 180 govern the classification, handling, packaging, communication, and transportation of hazardous materials.
It starts with the shipper
The person offering hazardous material for transportation has significant responsibilities before the carrier accepts the shipment. Those responsibilities can include properly classifying the material, selecting authorized packaging, and providing required hazard communication.
Shipping papers are particularly important. When required, the hazardous material description includes information such as the identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group, when applicable. PHMSA guidance on Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information identifies these as elements of hazardous materials descriptions.
The carrier still has responsibilities
Once a carrier accepts a hazardous material shipment for transportation, carrier-specific requirements come into play. Part 177 of the HMR addresses carriage by public highway, while other portions of the regulations establish requirements involving shipping papers, placarding, training, emergency response information, packaging, and hazard communication.
That makes the acceptance process an important compliance checkpoint.
A driver does not necessarily need to independently perform the shipper’s entire classification process. However, carriers should have procedures designed to identify obvious problems before transportation begins. Is the shipping paper present when required? Does the shipment have the required markings or labels? Do the placards correspond with the shipment? Is the package visibly damaged or leaking?
A roadside inspection is the wrong time to find out
If a problem is discovered during transportation, the consequences can quickly become more significant. What began as an error at the shipping location can become an enforcement issue once the material enters transportation.
The better approach is prevention. Carriers should train affected hazmat employees for the functions they actually perform and establish a clear process for drivers to stop and ask questions when something about a shipment does not look right.
The takeaway is simple. Do not let the loading dock become your last compliance check. When hazardous materials are involved, both shippers and carriers have responsibilities. Catching a questionable shipment before the wheels start turning is far easier than explaining it on the side of the road.
Key to remember: Hazmat compliance begins before the carrier ever accepts the shipment.
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.