National COSH Names Annual Dirty Dozen Employers
Advocates and laborers highlight rising workplace fatalities and declining federal enforcement in the 2026 report.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 27, 2026
A new report released by National COSH indicates a growing gap between workplace hazards and federal oversight, noting that a worker dies every 104 minutes in the United States. The organization’s 2026 "Dirty Dozen" findings, released during Workers’ Memorial Week, emphasize the impact of reduced inspections and declining financial penalties on laborer safety.
According to a December 2025 analysis by Good Jobs First, federal health and safety penalties decreased by approximately 47% in 2025. National COSH advocates attribute this decline to a significant lack of resources, reporting that OSHA currently employs roughly 1,850 inspectors to monitor more than 130 million workers.
The report highlights specific recurring hazards across various industries, including extreme heat, exposure to toxic chemicals and dangerous machinery. Organizers noted that at current staffing levels, it would take federal authorities approximately 150 years to inspect every workplace under their jurisdiction a single time.
"Every year, we honor workers who have lost their lives on the job, and every year, we see the same pattern: companies prioritizing profit over people," said Jessica E. Martinez, MPH, executive director of National COSH. "These tragedies are not accidents; they are the result of choices. Employers must be held accountable, and workers must be empowered to speak out without fear."
The findings identify 12 employers alleged to have engaged in unsafe practices, ranging from child labor violations to the mismanagement of silica dust exposure. National COSH is calling on policymakers to increase enforcement resources and establish stronger safeguards against retaliation for workers who report hazardous conditions.
The full list of employers and specific testimonies can be found in the National COSH Dirty Dozen 2026 report.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.