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Ohio TechCred Returns: What Employers Need to Know About the Latest Changes

After being on hold for much of 2026, Ohio TechCred is preparing to accept employer applications again this fall. The next funding round is scheduled to open October 1–30, 2026 , giving Ohio businesses another opportunity to seek support for eligible workforce training. The Ohio TechCred return comes with several important updates, from a narrower credential list and new training provider requirements to changes in reimbursement and program timing. For employers considering the October round, understanding what has changed and how those changes could affect planning, eligibility, and training decisions will be key to making the most of the opportunity. How Ohio TechCred Works Ohio TechCred is an Ohio workforce development program designed to help employers offset the cost of short-term training for technology-focused skills. Employers apply for funding, pay for approved training, and then request reimbursement after an eligible employee successfully earns the approved...
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Proactive Safety Management: Using Data to Build a Stronger Safety Program

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Proactive safety management gives organizations a structured way to identify priorities, make informed decisions, and address risk before an incident occurs. Because operations, workforces, equipment, and risks change, a successful safety management program should evolve with the organization. OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs emphasize a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. A well-structured program connects policies, communication, training, reporting, and performance data to support ongoing evaluation and improvement. An effective safety management program should: Reduce the risk of workplace incidents, injuries, and fatalities through systematic evaluation and improvement. Involve employees at all levels of the organization, making safety a shared responsibility. Establish a clear and consistent structure for managing safety performance. Use leading and lagging indicators to guide decisions and measure resu...
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NFPA 70E 2027 Updates: What Employers Need to Know About the New Requirements

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With the NFPA 70E 2027 updates now in effect, employers should understand how the latest edition of NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® affects electrical safety programs and work practices. Effective May 6, 2026, the revised standard includes updated guidance for energized work, emergency response, electrical risk assessments, personal protective equipment (PPE), battery systems, direct-current (DC) equipment, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and stored electrical energy. NFPA 70E provides recognized safety practices to help protect employees from electrical hazards, including electric shock, arc flash, electrical burns, and other electrical-related injuries. Although NFPA 70E is not an OSHA regulation, OSHA may reference recognized industry standards when evaluating whether employers have adequately protected employees from known electrical hazards .  Key Changes in the NFPA 70E 2027 Update  Additional Support During Certain Energized Electric...
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Arc Flash Label Mistakes: 6 Common Errors That Invalidate Your Labels

Arc flash risk assessments are one of the most critical tools for preventing electrical injuries, yet they are also among the most misunderstood. OSHA provides the enforceable regulatory framework, while NFPA 70E is a widely used consensus standard that helps employers meet OSHA’s electrical safety-related work practice obligations. Even so, many organizations proudly display arc flash labels on their switchgear, believing compliance has been achieved. But in practice, those labels are only as accurate as the risk assessment, data, maintenance, and decision-making behind them. Many arc flash label mistakes begin when one or more of those inputs are outdated, incomplete, or disconnected from current conditions. When an incident occurs, the label is the last line of defense — but too often, it’s invalid before the breaker door is ever opened. Here are six common mistakes that can undermine your labels' accuracy. 6 Common Arc Flash Label Mistakes 1. “One-and-Done” Stu...
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Simple Ways to Reduce UV Exposure This Summer

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Summer is in full swing, and many areas have already experienced stretches of intense heat and strong sunshine. Whether you're working outdoors, spending time at the pool, or enjoying a weekend hike, taking steps to reduce UV exposure is just as important as staying hydrated. Here are some practical tips, tools, and resources to help protect your skin and eyes while making the most of your time outside. What are UV Rays? UV stands for ultraviolet, which is a type of light that comes from the sun. There are two main types of UV rays that can reach us: UVA and UVB. While sunlight helps us stay warm and can be good for getting vitamin D, too much UV light can be harmful to our skin and eyes. Why is it important to be “Sun Safe”? Excessive exposure to UV rays can cause sunburns, a painful reddening of the skin.  Over time, UV exposure increases your risk for skin cancers like squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas, and cutaneous melanoma.  UV light can also damag...
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Heat Stress Prevention: 5 Actions Employers Should Take During Extreme Heat

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As temperatures climb across much of the United States, employers face a familiar but serious workplace hazard: heat stress. While construction sites and agricultural operations often come to mind first, heat-related illnesses can affect employees in manufacturing facilities, warehouses, transportation operations, landscaping crews, utility work, and many other environments. Indoor workplaces without adequate climate control can present risks that are just as significant as outdoor job sites. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can develop quickly, particularly during the first major heat events of the season when employees may not yet be acclimated to working in elevated temperatures. Although OSHA's proposed heat standard remains under review, employers should not wait for new regulations before evaluating their heat stress prevention efforts. Many of the measures being discussed at the federal level reflect long-established best practices that can help pr...
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TEST-Are You Willing? The Question that Drives Our Passion and Commitment for Valuing Safety Every Day

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At Cardinal Compliance Consultants , we don’t just check boxes or recite regulations. We live a question that drives everything we do: Are you willing? It’s not just a slogan — it’s a challenge. A mindset. A heartbeat. And it applies to everyone — our team and our clients alike. If you've attended one of our training classes you may have heard these words, but what do they really mean and why are we as a company so passionate about them? The Inception of "Are You Willing?" At the beginning of 2024, Cardinal Compliance Consultants embarked on a mission to improve our business model, operations, and service efficiency. Our President and CEO, Richard Barcum, CIH, CSP, CHMM , introduced us to EOS, an Entrepreneurial Operating System designed to help us reshape the way we look at our business through six key components: Vision - Identifying who we are, where we want to be, and how we will get there Data - Performance tracked through scorecard measurables Process - S...
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