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NIOSH Layoff Notices Revoked — What This Means for Worker Safety

Earlier last week, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) confirmed a major reversal related to staffing reductions made at the beginning of 2025. NIOSH layoff notices were revoked via emails sent to former agency employees by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The email stated that their reduction in force notifications were “hereby revoked” — a major reversal in one of the most controversial developments in occupational safety policy in recent years. The email stated that their reduction in force notifications were “hereby revoked” — a major reversal in one of the most controversial developments in occupational safety policy in recent years. When The First NIOSH Layoff Notices Were Sent In early 2025 , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began executing a sweeping reorganization that included laying off the majority of NIOSH’s workforce, impacting scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff who carry out vital o...
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What Is EMR — and How It Affects Your Worker’s Compensation Insurance Rates

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If you’ve ever filled out a prequalification form, reviewed a workers’ compensation renewal, or pursued a new construction or industrial project, you’ve likely been asked one question early in the process: What is your EMR? The Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is often referenced but rarely explained in clear, practical terms. Yet it plays a significant role in how insurers assess risk—and how your company is viewed by clients, owners, and general contractors. So what is EMR, and how does it actually affect your workers’ compensation insurance rates? What Is EMR? EMR stands for Experience Modification Rate . It’s a numerical factor used by insurance carriers to compare your company’s workers’ compensation claims history to other businesses performing similar work. In simple terms, EMR answers this question: How does your injury and claims history compare to the industry average? Here’s how it works: An EMR of 1.0 represents the industry average A number below 1.0 indic...
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The 4 Cold Stress Types: Keeping Your Employees Safe

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Many organizations assume cold stress is straightforward: if workers dress appropriately, the risk is managed. Cold stress occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. As temperatures drop and wind, and moisture increase, the body works to protect its core. Blood flow shifts away from the skin and extremities, which is why hands, feet, ears, and exposed skin are usually affected first. These early signs are easy to miss, especially when work needs to continue. Exposure is not limited to a single job site or season. It can develop outdoors, in partially enclosed areas, or indoors, where drafts, condensation, and air movement quietly lower body temperature. Construction crews, snow removal teams, landscapers, public safety personnel, baggage handlers, and other field-based or support roles all encounter risk in different ways. What makes cold stress especially dangerous is that severity varies widely based on conditions and individuals. “Extreme cold” is not a fixed ...
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Upcoming Compliance Requirement: OSHA Form 300A Must Be Posted by February 1

As the new year progresses, employers must prepare for an important annual compliance requirement: the posting of the OSHA Form 300A , the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This mandatory posting period, beginning on February 1 and ending on April 30, is a critical aspect of Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordkeeping regulations. Employers should act now to ensure they are ready to meet these obligations. What Is the OSHA Form 300A? The OSHA Form 300A is a summary of the work-related injuries and illnesses recorded on the OSHA Form 300 throughout the previous calendar year. It includes: Total number of work-related injuries and illnesses Total days away from work or days of restricted duty Types of injuries and illnesses experienced The average number of employees and total hours worked during the year Unlike the OSHA Form 300, which documents detailed information about each individual injury or illness, the OSHA Form 300A provides a high-level...
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Winter Road Safety: Smart Tips for Getting Through a Harsh Winter

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Did you know that over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are in regions that see at least five inches of snow each year? If you live in or are planning to travel to one of these areas, now’s the perfect time to brush up on winter road safety. In 2023, there were an estimated 101,390 police-reported crashes during snow or sleet conditions, including 320 fatal crashes. In 2023, there were an estimated 101,390 police-reported crashes during snow or sleet conditions, including 320 fatal crashes. Winter road safety isn’t just about preparing for the occasional storm; it’s about understanding how quickly conditions can change and how those changes affect your everyday driving. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures create hazards that aren’t always obvious until it’s too late. In this article, we’ll walk through the key risks to watch for, how to prepare your vehicle, safer habits for driving in winter conditions, and what to do if you ever become stranded. Hazards to Look Out For Wint...
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The Safety Guards for Machines Were Missing, but Production Resumed: A Preventable Incident in Detroit Facility

In facilities where safety guards for machines are part of daily operations, routine can sometimes feel deceptively safe. This is a true story. Certain names and details were altered to preserve anonymity. It was a busy morning at a manufacturing plant in Detroit. The line was moving, the usual hum of production filled the air, and maintenance tasks were underway before the next shift change. James, a 34-year-old assembly worker known for his reliability, was completing a routine check on a conveyor belt he’d serviced many times before. Nothing about the task felt unusual. He reached in to make a quick adjustment, something he’d done countless times without issue. His glove caught on the moving belt, pulling his hand into the machinery. Within a second, everything changed. His glove caught on the moving belt, pulling his hand into the machinery. Nearby coworkers immediately hit the emergency stop and rushed to help, but the damage was already done. What Investigators Found D...
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Why Ohio Employers Should Plan Their 2026 Training Strategy Now — and How Ohio TechCred Can Help

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Ohio TechCred is becoming one of the most powerful tools available to Ohio employers—especially in a competitive, compliance-driven landscape where upskilling is no longer optional. Whether you’re preparing for new project demands, expanding your site services, or strengthening your safety culture, employee training remains one of the most important investments you’ll make in 2026. Yet too often, companies wait until budgets are finalized or until problems surface to plan their training strategy. The most successful organizations take the opposite approach: they plan early, allocate intentionally, and leverage every available resource to maximize ROI. Understanding Ohio TechCred: A Funding Program Built for Workforce Growth Ohio TechCred is a government-funded program that enables employers to upskill their existing workforce by reimbursing training costs for short-term (typically completed in less than one year), industry-recognized credentials. Many of the programs supported ali...
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