Occupational Health & Safety: keeping the workplace safe from hazards and in full compliance with laws and regulations -- Occupational Health & Safety

VPP’s Next Chapter: Safety Culture, Workers and 2027

VPPPA Executive Director Chris Williams reflects on the 2026 Safety+ Symposium and discusses the association’s priorities for VPP and workplace safety in 2027. Listen Now

September 2026

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Magazine

Building Greater Confidence in Arc Rated PPE

Product Showcase

Oregon OSHA Cites Contractor for Sixth Fall Protection Violation in Less than Two Years

Inspectors found a ladder too short to safely reach the roof and no records showing workers had been trained on fall hazards. Read Now
- Fall Protection
- Construction Safety
G8 Wearable That Sends Firefighters' Gas Readings to Commanders Wins Innovation Award

The device combines gas monitoring with lone worker features and two-way communication, and it gives the company a second straight Firehouse award after its EXO 8 area monitor won in 2025. Read Now
After a Fall: Protecting a Worker's Spine in the First Minutes

Coworkers are often first on the scene, and knowing what to do and what not to do can keep a possible spinal injury from getting worse. Read Now
Workplace Noise Can Affect More Than Your Hearing

Long-term exposure to hazardous noise can affect worker safety, overall health and quality of life, making consistent hearing protection essential. Read Now
Why Hands-On Training Still Matters in a Digital Age

VR, AR and AI can expand training opportunities, but physical practice remains essential when workers must handle equipment, coordinate with teams and perform correctly in high-risk situations. Read Now
The Heat Stress Standard and the Employer's Decision Dilemma

With OSHA's proposed heat rule unfinished but enforcement expanding, the metric an employer chooses to trigger protective action — Heat Index or wet bulb globe temperature — may matter more than the regulation itself. Read Now
Navigating Electrical Safety’s Gray Areas

Electrical safety standards provide a framework, but real-world work doesn't always offer clear-cut choices. Five common gray areas show why understanding the hazard, the task and the worker’s qualifications matter when the right decision is not immediately obvious. Read Now
The Keys to a Successful Smart PPE Rollout

A rushed rollout produces resistance. A focused pilot and transparency on goals produce a program workers trust. Read Now
What Employers Can Expect from This Winter’s El Niño

NOAA forecasts a very strong El Niño this winter, giving safety professionals regional guidance to prepare for likely worker hazards. Read Now
Bringing Joy into Workplace Safety

Moving beyond fear-based messaging and focusing on discovery, participation and personal value can help safety leaders create more meaningful learning experiences. Read Now
Beyond the SDS: Building a Stronger Chemical Management Program

As HazCom 2024 implementation continues, employers should look beyond document management to ensure chemical inventories, workplace labels, ingredient information and employee training work together to protect workers. Read Now
Beyond the Rankings: What OSHA’s Top 10 Says About Workplace Safety

OSHA’s fiscal 2026 list highlights familiar hazards, but the compliance problems behind the numbers offer employers a roadmap for finding weaknesses in their own safety programs. Read Now
From Testing to Protection: Applying Penetration and Permeation Data in the Real-World

How testing methods and real-world conditions influence protective apparel performance. Read Now
Proposed OSHA Changes Put Respiratory Protection Programs in Focus

Potential changes to medical evaluation requirements could reduce administrative burdens, but effective respirator selection, exposure assessment, training and other core protections remain essential. Read Now
Cal/OSHA Proposes $212,500 in Penalties Following Fatal Tunnel Collapse

Two employers were cited for alleged ground support and safety violations after a tunnel collapse killed one worker and seriously injured another. Read Now
- Regulatory & Standards
- Construction Safety
Study Finds Rising Opioid-Related Emergency Visits Among Injured Workers

Research identifies significant increases in opioid-related emergency visits among injured workers, particularly in machining, construction and materials handling. Read Now
Washington Seeks Public Input on Indoor Heat Rulemaking

The rulemaking will consider heat hazards in every industry, with a preliminary draft expected before more meetings in 2027. Read Now
OSHA Forms Alliance With Four Safety Groups to Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities

The agreement, which is not legally binding, covers joint training, technical briefings for federal and state OSHA staff, and resources in multiple languages on spotting and preventing SIF risks. Read Now

More News

Artificial Intelligence

Why Hands-On Training Still Matters in a Digital Age
VR, AR and AI can expand training opportunities, but physical practice remains essential when workers must handle equipment, coordinate with teams and perform correctly in high-risk situations.
Survey Links Unverified AI Guidance to Higher Regulatory Fines
Respondents linked unchecked AI output to incorrect filings, missed deadlines and failed audits, and teams that put sensitive data into personal AI tools reported problems far more often.
ASSP Survey Finds AI Adoption Growing in Workplace Safety
AI use in workplace safety is growing, but investment, data quality and organizational challenges remain barriers.
Firefighter Health and Safety Technology Guide Research Collaboration
International working groups will examine occupational health risks, smart protective equipment and oversight of AI tools.
Data Center Construction Raises Confined Space Safety Considerations
Electrical and mechanical spaces on rapidly expanding data center projects can present access, ventilation and rescue challenges that require careful hazard evaluation.