NYSDEC Issues Revised Program Policy DER-12
Did you know that NYSDEC recently updated Program Policy DER-12? New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Division of Environmental Remediation (DER)-12, which provides guidance regarding the regulatory requirements under 6 New York Codes,...
An Introduction to Confined Space Work
What Is a Confined Space? There are two types of confined spaces: permit-required and non-permit-required. A confined space is an enclosed space that: Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and Has limited or...
All About National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a campaign led by FEMA to encourage individuals and organizations to be ready for emergencies before they happen. Whether talking about homes or businesses, there is a risk of disasters in our life every day. Natural disasters...
OSHA’s New Penalty Reduction Policy
On July 14, 2025, OSHA announced a series of important updates to its penalty reduction policies. These changes are designed to support small businesses, encourage swift hazard correction, and reward the companies that have a strong compliance history. By expanding...
Walden Conducts Cook Stove Emissions Testing in NYC
Cook stove emissions testing is becoming a priority for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP). The testing criteria, last amended in May 2017, aims to reduce particulate matter emissions from smokers, grills, and stoves in New York City...
Comment on OSHA’s Proposed Changes to Respirator Requirements
OSHA is making moves to update several respirator-related standards, and now is the time to speak up. Public comments are being accepted until November 1, 2025 on a series of proposed changes that primarily affect filtering facepiece respirators (i.e., N95s) and...
OSHA Proposes to Limit Use of the General Duty Clause
On July 1, 2025, OSHA announced a proposed rule that would significantly narrow the scope of its General Duty Clause (GDC) – a foundational tool the agency uses to protect workers when no specific standard applies. The proposed change would prevent OSHA from citing...
OSHA’s Updated Site-Specific Targeting Inspection Plan: What Non-Construction Employers Need to Know
On May 20, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implemented a revised Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program, focusing on non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. This update aims to direct OSHA’s attention toward...
Reissuance of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations in Manufacturing Industries is a data‑driven initiative whose purpose is “to identify and reduce or eliminate amputation hazards in manufacturing industries.” Under this NEP, OSHA uses injury and inspection data to...
Understanding DER-25: Key Updates and What They Mean for PBS Facilities
What Is DER-25? This policy was first issued April 20, 2011, in New York State. It applies to petroleum bulk storage (PBS) facilities, including both underground (UST) and aboveground (AST) tanks, ensuring compliance with ECL Article 17, Title 10 (state law), 6 NYCRR...