According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over the past 10 years, at least, an average of 346 workers were killed from falls, slips, and trips, and nonfatal injuries and illnesses that resulted from falls, slips, and trips occurred at a rate of 31.4 per 10,000 full-time workers in 2020. Moreover, fall protection violations continue to be among the most cited standards in the construction industry, consistently topping the list of OSHA’s most frequently cited violations.

On August 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposal to amend its regulation authorizing which individuals can serve as representatives of employees and employers during the physical inspection of a workplace. OSHA’s stated purpose is to clarify the right of workers and certified bargaining units to specify a worker or union representative regardless of whether the representative is an employee of the employer, even in the absence of a recognized collective bargaining agreement.

On August 25, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) formally convened the Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel, also known as a “SBREFA” panel, on a possible heat standard. The panel provides Small Entity Representatives ("SERs"), that meet the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size standards, with an opportunity to review OSHA’s proposed approaches to regulating heat exposures in indoor and outdoor workplaces. As part of the review process, SERs will inform the agency of the potential impacts the proposal will have on the small business community as well as offer alternative approaches.

The unprecedented wildfires that have devastated Lahaina and other parts of Maui the past few weeks have affected thousands of people in the island community. With the death toll, injuries, and the amount of damages rising, there is a strong desire from our members to help. The Maui Strong Fund was created to provide community resilience with resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The fund is currently being used to support communities affected by the wildfires on Maui. HCF is working in close collaboration with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and philanthropists to get a clear understanding of the quickly evolving priorities for the Maui community. Donate Now!!