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Oregon OSHA Posts Avian Influenza Fact Sheet

The Or​egon Occupation​al Safety and Health Administration (Oregon OSHA), the state’s workplace safety and health agency, recently posted a hazard alert for employers and workers on its website about avian (H5N1) influenza. The fact sheet describes the H5N1 virus, who may be exposed (poultry and livestock workers, veterinarians and their staff, and slaughterhouse workers performing […]

Judge Vacates OSHA Citation in ‘Pigging’ Fatalities

On March 4, an administrative law judge (ALJ) with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission vacated an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation issued following an explosion and worker fatalities during pipeline “pigging” operations. The ALJ’s decision became a review commission final order on April 4. The ALJ vacated the agency’s General Duty […]

Faces of EHS: Dan Glucksman on Policy Priorities

It’s a busy and uncertain time for federal workplace safety policies, and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is working alongside other industry stakeholders to protect and advance key EHS programs. As the senior director for policy at ISEA, Dan Glucksman is helping lead the charge. In his role, Glucksman heads the organization’s legislative and […]

OSHA, Safety Partners Offering Construction Safety ‘Stand-Down’

On April 16, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) encouraged employers and safety professionals to participate in the 12th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction from May 5 to 9. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) partners in the stand-down include the ASSP, the National Safety Council, the Center for […]

EPA Considers Fluoride Removal from Drinking Water

On April 7, 2025, the EPA announced it will expeditiously review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water. The National Toxicology Program released a report in August 2024 concluding with “moderate confidence” that fluoride exposure above 1.5 milligrams per liter is associated with lower IQ in children.  The report also […]

EPA Reconsiders ‘Good Neighbor’ Plan and Guidance on Impact of International Emissions

On April 7, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the Agency is rescinding Guidance on the Preparation of Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions. Last month, the EPA also announced in a news release it’s tackling the troubled “Good Neighbor Plan.” The release reiterated the […]

Back to Basics: Understanding Your Workers’ Compensation Responsibilities

Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine the ins and outs of workers’ compensation claims. In your safety and health responsibilities, workers’ compensation claims are the flipside of regulatory compliance. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance officers can […]

EPA Plans to Review TSCA Regulations

As part of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative, the EPA announced in a press release its intent to reconsider the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) “regulation governing the review of chemicals already in commerce by initiating a rulemaking that will ensure the agency can efficiently and effectively protect human health […]

CSB Looks Back at 20 Years Since Texas City Refinery Explosion

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a report on March 24, marking the 20th anniversary of fatal explosions and fires at the BP America Texas City Refinery in Texas City, Texas. The March 23, 2005, explosions and fires at the BP America refinery led to 15 deaths, 180 injuries, and significant […]

The Legality of ‘Clawing Back’ GGRF Funds

Shortly after assuming his new role as EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin accused the Biden administration of fraudulent activities in the distribution of funds made available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). A March 11, 2025, EPA news release stated it was terminating funding for several grant recipients awarded under the National Clean Investment Fund […]