Compliance Watch

OSHA Updates National Emphasis Program on Indoor and Outdoor Heat-Related Hazards

OSHA revised its National Emphasis Program targeting heat-related workplace hazards, using 2022–2025 injury data to prioritize inspections across 55 high-risk industries. The update introduces reorgan

OSHA Cites Massachusetts Contractor $4.6M After Fatal Trench Cave-In — 7 Willful, 33 Repeat Violations

OSHA cited Revoli Construction Co. Inc. with 7 willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations after a November 2025 trench collapse at a Yarmouth worksite killed one worker and seriously injured anothe

Compliance Roundup: March 2026

4 regulatory updates across OSHA — here is what changed and what employers need to know.

OSHA Cites Georgia Stone Product Manufacturers for Repeat Respirable Crystalline Silica Violations

OSHA cited two Cartersville, Georgia stone product manufacturers — Stone Atlanta Countertops Inc. and GT Stone Granite LLC — for repeat violations related to respirable crystalline silica exposure aft

OSHA Cares Initiative — Expanded Compliance Assistance for Employers

OSHA launched the OSHA Cares initiative, an agency-wide effort to help businesses meet workplace safety requirements through increased access to compliance assistance specialists, improved educational

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard — Compliance Date Extension to May 19, 2026

OSHA extended compliance dates for the updated Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) by four months owing to the complexity of the transition to GHS Revision 7. Employers now have until May 19, 2026, to

Healthcare Worker Background Check Requirements

New York requires criminal history background checks for unlicensed personnel in healthcare facilities. Providers must comply with DOH regulations for personnel screening and maintain appropriate docu

Cannabis Employment Protections Take Effect

Minnesota employers cannot refuse to hire, discharge, or discipline employees based solely on off-duty cannabis use, with exceptions for safety-sensitive positions and federal requirements. Pre-employ

BWC Drug-Free Safety Program Requirements Updated

Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation updated Drug-Free Safety Program requirements. Employers must maintain compliant programs to receive premium discounts of up to 7%.

DOT Final Rule: Hair Testing for Drug Screening

DOT published final rule allowing hair testing as an alternative to urine testing for pre-employment drug screening of CDL holders. Employers may opt in to hair testing programs with proper MRO review

OSHA Penalties for Recordkeeping Violations Increase

OSHA increased maximum penalties for serious violations to $16,131 per violation and willful/repeat violations to $161,323, effective January 2025. Employers must ensure accurate OSHA 300 logs and tim

Occupational Health Surveillance Program

The Massachusetts DPH Occupational Health Surveillance Program monitors work-related injuries and illnesses using multiple data sources. Healthcare providers treating occupational conditions should be

Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act

Texas Business & Commerce Code § 503.001 requires employers to obtain informed consent before capturing, collecting, or otherwise obtaining biometric identifiers including fingerprints, voiceprints, a

FMCSA Medical Examiner Certification Requirements

Certified Medical Examiners must maintain active registration in the National Registry and complete periodic training and testing for recertification. Examiners who fail to recertify are removed from

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens: Hepatitis B Vaccination Requirement

Under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, employers must offer the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to all employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potenti

OSHA Electronic Recordkeeping Requirements

Establishments with 100+ employees in designated high-hazard industries must electronically submit Forms 300, 300A, and 301 by March 2, 2025. This is a federal OSHA requirement applicable nationwide.

OSHA Proposed Rule: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in the Workplace

OSHA advanced a proposed rule requiring employers to develop and implement heat injury and illness prevention plans, provide drinking water, rest breaks, and shade or cool-down areas, implement acclim

Drug-Free Workplace Program Standards

Compliance Roundup: June 2024

2 regulatory updates across Workers' Compensation, Occupational Health — here is what changed and what employers need to know.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: EEOC Final Rule

The EEOC final rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbi

Virginia Heat Illness Prevention Standard

Virginia OSHA (VOSH) adopted a permanent heat illness prevention standard requiring employers to provide water, rest, shade or cool-down areas, and develop written heat illness prevention programs whe

AB 2188: Pre-Employment Drug Testing Restrictions for Cannabis

Employers cannot discriminate based on off-duty cannabis use or non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites detected in pre-employment drug tests. Exceptions apply for federal contractors, positions requiri

Lawful Off-Duty Activities Protection

Colorado prohibits employers from terminating employees for lawful off-duty activities, which includes legal cannabis use. However, employers may still enforce workplace policies prohibiting impairmen

PA 21-1: Cannabis Employment Protections

CREAMMA: Cannabis Employment Protections

Under the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA), New Jersey employers generally cannot take adverse employment action against employees or applicants

OSHA National Emphasis Program: Respirable Crystalline Silica

OSHA directs increased inspection and enforcement resources toward industries with significant crystalline silica exposure risks. Employers in construction, stone cutting, glass manufacturing, and fou

HB 1340: Pre-Employment Cannabis Testing Restrictions

Washington prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants based on off-duty cannabis use or non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites detected in pre-employment drug tests. Exceptions apply fo

Employee Medical Records Retention

Federal OSHA requires employers to preserve employee medical records for the duration of employment plus 30 years. This includes exposure records, medical opinions, and any analyses related to workplace health hazards.

BIPA Damages Clarification

Illinois Supreme Court ruled in Cothron v. White Castle that each biometric scan (fingerprint, facial recognition) can constitute a separate BIPA violation, significantly increasing potential employer

FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: Full Compliance Required

All employers of CDL drivers must query the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse before hiring and annually for existing drivers. The Clearinghouse is a federal database that tracks DOT drug and alcohol