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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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NewsIndustry NewsEnglishHR GeneralistIn-Depth ArticleUSAHR ManagementWellnessWellnessFocus AreaHuman Resources
Bring some green indoors to enhance job performance and employee well-being
Green is the color of March, as it signals the St. Patrick’s Day holiday as well as the emergence of spring. Did you know that bringing some green into your workplace can have benefits year-round?
A Harvard Business Review study found that bringing small pieces of nature into the workplace positively impacts employee performance and well-being.
The potted plant test
Researchers tested their theory by going into an office at night and placing potted plants by the desks of some employees. They placed office supplies on other employees’ desks.
The employees who were exposed to this small dose of nature displayed higher job performance, an increased desire to help, and enhanced creativity. No one was negatively impacted.
Bringing nature indoors
Live plants can’t be part of every work setting, but they’re not the only way to bring the benefits of nature indoors.
Nature-related elements can include:
- Windows with views of nature
- Indoor water features
- Murals of natural scenes
- Artificial plants or flowers
- Fish aquariums
Design features related to nature can also be more significant and included in building plans. For example, investing in landscaping designs outside office windows or having an indoor garden are ways to positively impact employees.
These options don’t have to break the bank or require a pot of gold, however. Simply allowing employees to place potted plants by their desks is an inexpensive way to enhance the workplace.
With a little luck, everyone will reap the benefits for having a little more green nearby.
Key to remember: Bringing natural touches to the workplace can have a positive impact on job performance, cooperation, and creativity.
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RECENT INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
2026-05-22T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsHazmat PlacardingHazmat SafetyExpert InsightsFocus AreaHazmat markings, Placards, and LabelsEnglishTransportationUSA
Expert Insights: Common hazmat placarding mistakes
Placards are one of the most visible parts of hazmat compliance. Anyone on the road can see them, including drivers, enforcement officials, and emergency responders. Because of that visibility, most people I talk to assume that placarding is simple. In reality, it’s one of the areas where small oversights show up fast and can create major compliance issues.
In my experience, most violations don’t come from a lack of effort. They usually come from assumptions, habits, or misunderstandings about how the rules apply in real-world operations. When I take a closer look at placarding issues, the same patterns tend to show up. Once you start recognizing those patterns, it becomes a lot easier to catch issues early and avoid problems during inspections or incidents.
Using the wrong placard or using it at the wrong time
One of the most common mistakes I see is using a placard that doesn’t match the material being transported. This usually happens when someone relies on memory instead of verifying the hazard class, or when subsidiary risks get overlooked. Even experienced employees fall into this habit when things start moving too fast.
I also see situations where the placard is technically correct but used at the wrong time. A placard might be left on from a previous load or put on in anticipation of a future shipment. Placards aren’t general warnings. They need to reflect exactly what’s in the vehicle at that moment.
Failing to remove placards
Another issue I run into a lot is failing to remove placards when the hazard is no longer present. This tends to happen when equipment is reused frequently or when operations are trying to keep things moving. It may seem like a small detail, but it creates real risk.
If a placard is displayed, responders are going to assume the hazard is there. That can impact how they respond in an emergency and lead to unnecessary precautions. From a compliance perspective, displaying a placard that doesn’t match the contents of the vehicle is a violation and usually draws unwanted attention during inspections.
Misunderstanding when placards are required
Placarding decisions aren’t always straightforward, especially when packaging types and quantities vary. I usually see teams assume that placards are always required any time hazmat is present. That approach can lead to over-placarding and send the wrong message.
On the other side, I also see required placards get missed because quantities aren’t evaluated correctly. Smaller packages can still trigger placarding when they’re combined. Taking a few extra minutes to verify packaging type and total quantity can make all the difference.
Placement and visibility issues
Even when the right placards are selected, they’re not always displayed properly. Placards need to be clearly visible and in good condition, but this is something I see get overlooked in day-to-day operations. Dirt, damage, and equipment can all block or reduce visibility.
If a placard can’t be easily seen, it’s not doing its job. I always recommend building placement and condition checks into routine inspections, not just focusing on whether the correct placard was chosen. This becomes even more important in environments where equipment sees heavy use.
What this means in the real world
When I look at placarding overall, I don’t see it as just a basic requirement. It’s a real-time communication tool that people rely on to make decisions. Every incorrect, missing, or unnecessary placard sends the wrong message and increases risk.
The good news is that most of these mistakes are preventable. Clear procedures, consistent training, and routine checks go a long way. When teams start treating placarding as an active part of hazard communication instead of just another requirement, I see better decisions and fewer mistakes.
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2026-05-22T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsIndustry NewsToxic Substances Control Act - EPAToxic Subtances Control Act - EPATSCA ComplianceEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)EnvironmentalEnglishFocus AreaUSA
Final rule extends TSCA Section 8(d) health and safety reporting deadline
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on May 22, 2026, extending the reporting deadline for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule from May 22, 2026, to May 21, 2027.
Who’s impacted?
The TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule applies to manufacturers (including importers) of any of the 16 chemical substances listed at 40 CFR 716.120(d), including:
- Entities that currently manufacture (including import) any of the chemicals; and
- Entities that have manufactured (including imported) or have proposed to manufacture (including import) any of the chemicals since January 13, 2015.
What’s required?
The rule requires covered manufacturers (including importers) to submit a one-time report of data on the chemicals from unpublished studies on:
- Health and safety;
- Environmental effects; and
- Occupational, general population, and consumer exposure.
Which chemicals are covered?
The TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule applies to:
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Why the delay?
EPA has extended the deadline to allow additional time to reconsider the rule’s scope and possibly propose revisions to the regulations. Once any major changes are finalized, EPA will communicate the updated reporting requirements and timelines accordingly.
Key to remember: EPA has extended the submission date for the TSCA Section 8(d) Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule’s one-time report to May 2027.
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2026-05-22T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetyIndoor Air QualityIndustrial HygieneCAA ComplianceEnvironmentalIn-Depth ArticleEnglishFocus AreaUSA
Where workplace exposure meets air permitting: Bridging OSHA industrial hygiene and EPA air programs
Air quality inside a facility and emissions leaving a stack are closely linked. The same chemicals that drive occupational exposure limits under OSHA often form the basis of regulated air pollutants under EPA programs. When industrial hygiene (IH) and environmental compliance teams work together, they can spot risks sooner, strengthen controls, and avoid surprises in permits or inspections. The overlap is practical. Worker exposure data can inform stack testing, and permit conditions can signal where IH monitoring should focus.
Shared chemistry, different lenses
Both programs start with the same substances such as solvents, metals, acids, and combustion byproducts. IH focuses on what workers breathe in the workplace. It uses exposure limits such as OSHA permissible exposure limits or more protective guidelines from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Environmental air programs focus on what leaves the property. They regulate criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and toxics using emission limits, control requirements, and reporting rules.
The data tools look similar. IH uses personal and area sampling, direct-reading instruments, and task-based assessments. Environmental programs use emission factors, mass balance, continuous monitoring, and periodic stack testing. Both require documentation, quality control, and records.
Key differences that matter
The point of exposure is the biggest difference. IH evaluates the breathing zone of a worker during a task or shift. Environmental programs measure emissions at a release point, such as a stack, or estimate them across the site.
The time frame also differs. IH often looks at short-term peaks and full-shift averages to protect health during work. Air permits may set hourly, daily, or annual limits, and they may cap total emissions per year. Control strategies follow these goals. IH may rely on local exhaust ventilation, enclosure, or work practice changes. Air permits may require add-on controls such as thermal oxidizers, scrubbers, or filters.
Practical crossover: Using IH to inform permitting
IH data can reveal which tasks generate the highest concentrations and which compounds dominate exposure. That insight can refine emission estimates. For example, if wipe cleaning with a solvent produces the highest worker exposure, the same solvent may drive facility-wide volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The environmental team can use that knowledge to prioritize accurate emission factors, refine mass balance, or plan stack testing during peak operations.
IH data also helps define realistic operating scenarios for compliance testing. Stack tests that occur only at typical loads may miss worst case conditions. Pairing test timing with identified peak tasks can provide a more representative test and reduce the risk of later noncompliance.
Practical crossover: Using permits to inform IH
Air permits define regulated compounds, control devices, and operating limits. These details can guide IH planning. If a permit lists specific HAPs or requires a control device for a process, there is a clear signal that exposure to those compounds is possible near the source. IH can target those areas for baseline sampling, validate control performance, and confirm that capture systems are effective where workers are present.
Permit conditions also flag upset and startup modes. These periods can increase emissions. IH can align monitoring during these windows to assess short term exposures and ensure that work practices and protective measures are adequate.
Aligning controls for dual benefit
Engineering controls can serve both goals when designed as a system. Capture at the source reduces worker exposure and lowers emissions to the stack. Good enclosure and balanced ventilation improve control efficiency and reduce fugitive releases. Preventive maintenance on control devices supports permit limits and keeps workplace air clean.
Administrative controls can align as well. Standard operating procedures can link production rates, control device settings, and ventilation checks. Change management should include both IH review and an air permitting check to see if a modification triggers a permit update.
Communication and workflows
Successful crossover depends on routine communication. Regular meetings between safety and environmental staff help share results, plan sampling, and coordinate testing windows. Shared inventories of chemicals and processes reduce duplication and errors. A common data platform, or at least a consistent file structure, makes it easier to compare IH results with emission estimates and permit limits.
Clear triggers help teams act. Examples include a new chemical introduction, a process change, a spike in IH results, or a deviation in control device performance. Each trigger should prompt both an IH review and an environmental compliance check.
Key to remember: When teams connect their data and plans, they gain a clearer picture of risk. The result is stronger compliance, better worker protection, and more efficient operations.
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2026-05-22T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsEnglishWork-life balanceHR GeneralistHR ManagementIn-Depth ArticleWorkplace StressAssociate RelationsWellnessWellnessEmployee Mental HealthFocus AreaUSAHuman Resources
How to get the word out about employee assistance programs
During recent J. J. Keller “Let’s Talk About Employee Mental Health” webcasts, the attendee chat was buzzing when employee assistance programs (EAPs) were mentioned. These programs offer resources employees can use for counseling and well-being support, but they’re only effective when employees use them.
A survey from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) found that 82 percent of employers offer EAPs. Information about this resource and other workplace benefits is typically shared during employee orientation but may be forgotten.
To keep it top-of-mind, webcast attendees had great suggestions for making sure workers are aware of this benefit:
- Business cards for free, confidential services: “Our EAP vendor has created business cards with their contact info. Every manager has cards they can give to employees. The benefit is free and 100% confidential.”
- Pay portal access: “We have our EAP contact info uploaded to (our pay portal) under important policies so that it is easily accessible to our teams.”
- Posted information: “We have EAP information posted in the training room to remind employees of that benefit.”
- Bring it up: “As an HR manager, the EAP is something I mention as soon as I get wind of something being off.”
- Talk about it: “The more you talk about your EAP the more it becomes a known benefit.”
- Orientation, meeting topic: “We go over the EAP in detail during new hire orientation and our quarterly meetings.”
- Year-round information on Teams: “We post blurbs twice a month to a Teams channel about health insurance, EAP, and more benefits to keep all that we offer top of mind year-round, not just during open enrollment.”
Providing other mental health information
In addition to the availability of EAP services, general information about mental health should be shared often. Attendees had these suggestions:
- Posting info: “The back of bathroom stall doors is an open canvas!”
- Newsletter articles: “We have a monthly mental health and wellness newsletter that we post for all employees. It also has exercise and food information, and challenges of the month.”
- QR codes: “We regularly rotate our benefits bulletin board with mental health helpful ideas, and QR codes to available benefits.”
Key to remember: Sharing information about your EAP and other mental health resources supports workplace well-being and makes it easy for employees to take advantage of valuable resources.
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2026-05-21T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsClassification - HazmatHazmat SafetyHazmatIn-Depth ArticleFocus AreaEnglishTransportationUSA
Inbound hazmat risks you can’t ignore
Most hazmat programs are built around outbound shipments, which makes complete sense. You control what you ship, how it’s packaged, and how it’s described. However, one thing that normally gets overlooked is where undeclared hazmat shows up the most, and that’s with inbound shipments. Even if you didn’t create the problem, your team is the one handling it when it arrives.
The main reason this happens comes down to control. When you ship something out, you know exactly what’s in the package. On inbound shipments, you’re relying on suppliers to classify, package, and communicate hazards correctly. Not all of them have the same level of awareness or compliance discipline.
Some don’t realize their product is regulated, like when you have common items such as aerosols, lithium batteries, or flammable liquids. Others simplify descriptions and treat materials as general goods, or they may skip requirements altogether to save time or cost. By the time the shipment reaches your dock, there’s usually no clear indication that anything is hazardous.
Why it matters to your operation
That creates real risk for your operation. Your employees are the ones unloading trailers, opening packages, and placing materials into storage. If a hazardous product is undeclared, it can easily end up stored with incompatible materials or handled without the right precautions.
If something goes wrong, your team doesn’t have the information they need to respond quickly or safely. Even if responsibility sits with the shipper on paper, the exposure sits with you.
Spotting red flags
The good news is that most undeclared hazmat can be caught with some basic awareness. Receiving teams don’t need to be hazmat experts, but they should be comfortable recognizing when something doesn’t look right.
That might be a package with no labels that feels heavier than expected, has a strong odor, or looks unusual for what it’s supposed to contain. Damaged or leaking containers are another clear warning sign. Vague descriptions like “parts” or “supplies” can also raise concern, especially when paired with products that commonly fall under hazmat regulations, like batteries, liquids, or aerosols. If the paperwork doesn’t match what’s actually in the shipment, that’s another sign something may have been missed.
Practical ways to reduce risk
Reducing this risk doesn’t require a complicated process. It starts with setting clear expectations, so suppliers understand that regulated materials must be fully compliant before they ship.
From there, it helps to build simple screening into your receiving process. If something doesn’t match expectations, pause and take a closer look. Training should stay focused on awareness, so employees know what to watch for and what to do when something seems off. Just as important, your team should feel comfortable speaking up and escalating concerns without hesitation.
Key to remember: Inbound freight is where undeclared hazmat shows up the most, and it’s where your team has the least control. A little added awareness and a few practical checks can go a long way toward closing that gap and making sure your employees aren’t caught off guard by something they were never told was hazardous.
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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.