January 16, 2025
OSHA increases penalties, new partnership explores chemical safety and more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA announces increased penalty amounts
OSHA has adjusted its civil penalty amounts for 2025 to account for inflation. The maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $16,131 to $16,550 per violation. For willful or repeated violations, the maximum penalty will rise from $161,323 to $165,514 per violation. These changes, effective January 15, 2025, are part of the annual adjustments required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA and OSHA partner to enhance chemical safety
EPA and OSHA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve coordination on chemical safety under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This agreement aims to strengthen workplace health and safety protections for employees using existing chemical substances. The agencies will share information on risk evaluations, rulemaking efforts, outreach materials and enforcement activities. This collaboration recognizes the complementary roles of EPA and OSHA in regulating chemical hazards while acknowledging their different jurisdictions and regulatory approaches.
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
DWC seeks presenters for workers' compensation conference
DWC has announced a call for presenters for its 2025 Texas Workers' Compensation Conference, scheduled for September 29-30 in San Marcos. The conference theme, Decoding Workers' Comp, will focus on complex aspects of workers' compensation and emerging trends. DWC is looking for presentations on topics such as data analytics in claims management, return-to-work issues, new injury prevention technologies and developments in medical treatment for injured employees. The deadline for submitting proposals is February 28.
DWC releases 2023 fatal occupational injuries report
DWC is conducting a routine review of rules related to income benefits, death benefits, medical provisions and disability management. The review covers eight chapters in the Texas Administrative Code, including temporary income benefits, impairment and supplemental income benefits and guidelines for medical services. DWC is seeking public comments on whether these rules should be repealed, readopted or amended. The deadline for submitting comments is January 27.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC reports on current H5 bird flu situation
The CDC has released an update on the H5 bird flu situation in the United States. While the current public health risk is considered low, the virus is widespread in wild birds and causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows. There have been 67 confirmed human cases across several states, with one death reported. The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and using its flu surveillance systems to detect H5 bird flu activity in people. In Texas, one confirmed human case has been reported, associated with exposure to dairy herds.