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...
New York State Insurance Fund to Provide Financing for Small Businesses to Purchase Heat-Related PPE
It is unclear when or if OSHA’s new heat rule will come into effect as planned. However, savvy business owners know that, regardless of the law, it is a wise business decision to protect workers from the risks associated with excessive heat. Incidents related to...
NYC’s Tier IV Engine Rule Is Now in Effect—Here’s What It Means for Your Business
At the beginning of 2025, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) began enforcing new Tier IV emission standards for stationary reciprocating compression ignition internal combustion engines. With the rule now in effect, NYC businesses that rely...
Common Semi-Annual Site Compliance Inspection Error Findings
What Is a Semi-Annual Site Compliance (SASC) Inspection? Sites that are covered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) Stormwater General Permits are subject to various inspection and documentation requirements. The General...