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EHS Monthly Round Up - September 2026
In this September 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.
For the 16th consecutive year, fall protection for construction topped OSHA’s list of most frequently cited standards. Preliminary inspection data for fiscal year 2026 show that OSHA recorded just over 4,000 fall protection construction violations, down from nearly 6,000 in FY 2025. The standards rounding out the Top 10 list remain unchanged from previous years, though some rankings have shifted.
The next HazCom compliance deadline is coming up on November 20. Employers who purchase substances that are aerosols, desensitized explosives, and flammable gases will receive – or may already have received – revised safety data sheets and see updated labels with their shipments. In addition, all employers must, as necessary, update any alternative workplace labeling, update their HazCom training program, and provide additional employee training for any newly identified hazards. Employers also must retain any new SDSs they receive.
California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board released a revised discussion draft of its proposed workplace violence prevention rule for general industry. The draft better defines employer responsibilities under the state’s workplace violence prevention law.
Turning to environmental news, EPA repealed the majority of the greenhouse gas emission standards established by the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The agency also proposes to remove the remaining GHG emission requirements for these plants.
And finally, EPA extended the Renewable Fuel Standard compliance deadline from September 1 to October 1. The extension gave parties more time to assess the impact of EPA’s small refinery exemption decisions and adjust their strategies before completing their 2025 reporting obligations.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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2026-10-08T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsMedical review officer (MRO) - Motor CarrierFleet SafetyDrug testing - Motor CarrierDrug and Alcohol Testing - DOTFocus AreaIn-Depth ArticleEnglishTransportationUSA
When a medical condition looks like drug-test tampering
Imagine being told your DOT drug test result is invalid because your urine chemistry falls outside what's considered normal. You know you didn't tamper with the specimen, but you have a diagnosed medical condition that may explain the result. Yet under current DOT procedures, there may be limited opportunities to formally present that information before the process moves to an observed recollection or, in some cases, a determination that you refused the test.
That's the concern behind a newly published petition asking the DOT to revise its drug and alcohol testing rules in 49 CFR Part 40. The petition asks the DOT to build more medical review and documentation into the process when an employee claims a legitimate medical explanation for an unusual test result.
What does it ask for?
The petition focuses on “invalid” drug test results involving abnormal specimen validity findings, including urine samples with pH values outside expected physiological ranges. Under existing rules, such findings generally trigger a canceled test and a directly observed recollection.
The petitioner argues that employees who have genuine medical explanations for these abnormalities should have a clearer and more structured path to present that information before the testing process escalates. Specifically, the petition proposes:
- A defined period, up to 72 hours, for drivers to submit medical documentation supporting a claimed medical condition;
- A requirement that the Medical Review Officer (MRO) issue a written determination addressing that documentation;
- More clearly defined standards for evaluating abnormal urine chemistry findings;
- That MROs consult with a specialist when a driver claims a diagnosed urological condition or functional voiding disorder; and
- Documentation showing that previously submitted medical information was considered before a refusal-to-test determination is made when a driver cannot provide a specimen under direct observation.
Why does it matter?
DOT testing rules are designed to detect drug use and prevent specimen tampering, but the petitioner argues that some employees may experience medical conditions that can produce unusual testing outcomes without any intent to cheat the system.
One example discussed in the petition is “shy bladder syndrome,” also known as paruresis. The condition can make it difficult or impossible for an individual to urinate when being observed. The petition notes that paruresis and other anxiety-based voiding disorders are medically recognized conditions and that employees with those conditions can face significant consequences if the issue is interpreted as a refusal to test.
For drivers, a refusal determination can trigger severe consequences, including Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse reporting and return-to-duty requirements.
What happens next?
The DOT is seeking public comment on the petition and whether to amend its regulations in 49 CFR 40.159, What does the MRO do when a drug test result is invalid? Comments are being accepted through November 2, 2026, and may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov under docket number DOT-OST-2026-3664.
Key to remember: The DOT is asking for public input on a petition to amend the drug testing rules to require a more structured medical review process before unusual drug test results or observed collection issues lead to serious consequences.
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2026-10-08T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsPhysical exam - Motor CarrierDriver qualificationsDrivers qualification (DQ file)Focus AreaUSAFleet OperationsEnglishTransportationPhysical exam - Motor Carrier
Medical certificate exemption ends nationwide, except for Alaska
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has confirmed that the 60-day exemption allowing CDL and CLP holders and motor carriers to rely on a paper medical examiner's certificate (MEC) after a DOT physical examination will end after October 11, 2026, for every state except Alaska.
CDL drivers licensed in all other 49 states and the District of Columbia, and their employers, may no longer rely on the paper MEC as proof of the driver's medical certification for any period of time as of October 12, 2026.
Alaska renewal period
FMCSA recently announced a 1-year renewal of the exemption exclusively for Alaska because it remains the only state that has not yet implemented the National Registry II (NRII) electronic medical certification integration process. The exemption for Alaska CDL and CLP drivers will be valid from October 12, 2026, through October 12, 2027.
The updated NRII process
Since 2025, carriers and CDL drivers have operated under temporary waivers and exemptions while FMCSA and states transitioned to NRII. Under the new electronic system, National Registry-certified medical examiners transmit examination results directly to the FMCSA. The FMCSA then electronically provides the information to state driver licensing agencies. Carriers then verify and document the driver’s medical certification status by obtaining a state motor vehicle record (MVR) that reflects certification information. A copy of the MVR is retained in the driver qualification (DQ) file to show proof of certification.
With the nationwide exemption expiring, carriers should expect roadside enforcement officers to rely on the driver’s state licensing record to verify medical qualification. A CDL or CLP driver whose state record doesn’t reflect a valid medical certification could receive a violation, even if the driver possesses a paper MEC. This stresses the importance of scheduling DOT medical renewals early and promptly verifying that the updated medical certification information appears on the driver’s MVR.
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2026-10-08T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthConstruction SafetyGeneral Industry SafetyWalking Working SurfacesIn-Depth ArticleWalking Working SurfacesEnglishFocus AreaUSA
Shorter days, bigger risks
The leaves are changing, and so is the light. As daylight hours shrink and seasonal weather begins to change, many workplaces face a safety challenge that can be easy to overlook reduced visibility. Employees may arrive before sunrise, leave after sunset, or spend more of their workday working in lower-light conditions than they did just a few weeks earlier.
The change can feel gradual, yet the safety implications can appear quickly. Tasks that seemed routine during the summer may become more difficult as natural light decreases.
When daylight starts working against you
Reduced visibility affects more than outdoor work. It can influence how employees move through parking lots, loading docks, walkways, yards, storage areas, and facility entrances. Hazards that are easy to spot in daylight may be missed during early morning, evening, or overcast conditions. A workplace doesn’t need to be dark for problems to occur; partially lit areas can create shadows, glare, and blind spots that make hazards harder to recognize. Common hazards that become harder to spot during the fall months include:
- Uneven walking surfaces,
- Changes in elevation that are difficult to see,
- Equipment, materials, or debris left in travel paths,
- Vehicle and pedestrian interactions that are harder to anticipate,
- Dimly lit loading dock edges and exterior storage areas,
- Burned-out or inadequate lighting, and
- Weather conditions that further reduce visibility.
Look at your workplace differently
As daylight hours shrink, it is a good time to view your facility under the conditions employees encounter at the start and end of their shifts. An inspection conducted only at midday may miss hazards present during lower-light hours, especially in familiar areas employees may no longer notice closely. Improving the lighting may reveal and correct hazards employees have grown used to working around. Consider evaluating: Parking lots and employee walkways,
- Building entrances and exits,
- Loading docks,
- Outdoor storage areas,
- Stairways and elevated walking-working surfaces,
- Emergency exits and evacuation routes,
- Work areas where employees, vehicles, or mobile equipment interact, and
- Areas where seasonal weather may affect visibility.
Make visibility part of the conversation
Equipment, procedures, and physical improvements all play a role, yet employee awareness remains important. Training and safety discussions can help employees understand how shorter days affect their work and encourage them to report lighting concerns or changing conditions before an incident occurs. Helpful reminders may include:
- Slowing down when visibility is reduced,
- Keeping travel paths clear,
- Wearing high-visibility apparel when appropriate,
- Using vehicle and equipment lighting as intended,
- Reporting burned-out lights promptly,
- Watching for pedestrians during periods of reduced visibility, and
- Reassessing work areas when weather or lighting conditions change.
Key to remember: Reduced daylight can introduce new risks into familiar work areas. Taking a fresh look at the facility during lower-light hours can uncover concerns before they contribute to an incident.
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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!
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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!
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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.