Author: Nazia Shah

On April 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued updated enforcement guidelines for its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). In May of 2024, OSHA revised the HCS to align with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) revision seven (7) and international trading partners. Chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors must comply with all updated provisions when evaluating substances, no later than May 19, 2026, and when evaluating mixtures, no later than November 19, 2027. Employers have an additional 6 months to update their hazard communication program, workplace labels, and training, as necessary. While the…

Workers involved in flood response and recovery face a wide range of hazards, from contaminated floodwaters and unstable terrain to electrical hazards and dangerous driving conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released three new flood safety infographics, reminding employers and workers to wear appropriate PPE, avoid entering moving floodwaters, inspect worksites for hazards such as downed power lines and unstable ground, and establish emergency procedures, evacuation routes, and communication plans before work begins. The resources also emphasize monitoring changing conditions and using extreme caution around flooded roadways and saturated soil…

OSHA has issued an updated Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual, which details policies and procedures for administering the VPP. Significant changes include: For a full summary of updates, please see the directive. For more information on the VPP, please visit osha.gov/vpp. If you have questions, please contact Jackie Annis or Whitney Hymes in DCSP’s Office of Partnerships and Recognition. Contact Kevin Cannon for more information.

This edited interview is adapted from the June 3 AGC Safety & Health Town Hall discussion on heat safety featuring Kevin Cannon, Senior Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management at AGC of America, Stephen Kinn, Senior Safety Manager at Kwest Group, and Eric Simmons, Vice President of Risk Management at Helix Electric. The conversation explores the evolving regulatory landscape, practical elements of effective heat safety programs, training and acclimatization strategies, emergency response planning, and innovative practices contractors are using to protect workers from heat-related hazards. View the Recording | Download the Slides Q: What is the current heat safety regulatory landscape,…

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has scheduled a series of informal public hearings on the proposed rules identified below. Informal public hearings will be held virtually beginning Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., and will continue on subsequent weekdays. To testify, provide documentary evidence, or question other witnesses at any of the hearings, individuals must file a Notice of Intention to Appear (NOITA) using this form: https://www.osha.gov/form/deregulatory-rulemaking-hearings. There is no need to submit a NOITA if you only intend to watch the hearings. Instructions for viewing the hearings will be posted separately in the coming months. For more…

Hosted by the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA), with support from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the goal of the annual Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD) is to reach out to the many workers who work in and around trenches and excavations to provide them with information about current excavation requirements and safety procedures for working in trenches. To access all the resources you need to plan your event, visit the NUCA TSSD webpage. Below is a roundup of AGC and other resources related to trenching and excavation safety. Opportunities for Engagement Contact Nazia Shah for more information.

OSHA’s revised heat National Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards was issued on April 10, 2026, and replaced the previous enforcement policy originally issued on April 8, 2022. While the agency describes the latest version as revised, it remains largely unchanged from the 2022 version. The current NEP will be in effect for five (5) years from the date of publication and, unlike the 2022 NEP, OSHA regions are not expected to reach any inspection targets. Many of the revisions are related to formatting and rearranging sections. For instance, the criteria that a Compliance Safety and Health Officer…

AGC of America is now accepting speaking proposals for its Winter 2027 Construction Safety & Health Conference taking place January 20-22, 2027, in San Diego, CA. This event is designed for emerging to senior-level management professionals who work in any of the commercial construction markets. All educational sessions should be targeted towards these attendees and should involve topics that reflect current and emerging issues in construction safety and health. We invite you to share your knowledge and help us shape the Winter 2027 experience. For more information and to submit a proposal, please refer to the event guidelines. Proposals should be submitted no later than August 14,…

As we enter the 2026 hurricane season, we want to highlight several important resources from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to support your efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and related weather events. Early preparation is essential to ensuring that employers and workers have the right equipment, understand emergency procedures, and know how to stay safe during severe weather events. OSHA’s Emergency Preparedness and Response webpages offer guidance on planning and training for emergencies, as well as information on hazards that may arise during such events. These resources are designed for workers and employers…

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued notification of no inflation adjustment to U.S. Department of Labor civil monetary penalties for 2026, including those for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. For 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor is…