March 6, 2026 Cannabis can’t qualify as reasonable and necessary medical treatment under the Longshore Harbor and Workers’ Compensation Act because it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. Growing acceptance of cannabis having some medicinal value — and an apparent willingness of the federal government to entertain rescheduling — are irrelevant in Luis Peña Garcia’s request for reimbursement for edibles recommended

March 5, 2026 Workplace safety is a core priority for every organization that cares about its people and its performance. Many employers talk about safety and display slogans like Safety First or Zero Harm in their break rooms. These messages can be helpful in setting expectations. However simply saying safety matters is not enough in most workplaces. To truly protect workers and prevent incidents, employers need both an intentional safety culture and a robust safety m

March 5, 2026 Risk normalization occurs when repeated safe experiences lead workers to underestimate hazards, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Key Highlights Experience can create blind spots, making seasoned workers more prone to shortcuts and complacency, which can be mitigated through targeted retraining focused on reflection and storytelling. Leadership plays a crucial role; by modeling humility and encouraging open conversations about near misses, managers can fos

March 4, 2026 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally

March 4, 2026 "This progress shows that when employers focus on serious injury and fatality risks, invest in prevention and build strong safety cultures, lives are protected," said Lorraine Martin, CEO, NSC. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 fatal occupational injuries data showed 5,070 worker deaths – a second consecutive year of decline. The fatal work injury rate was 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2024, a decrease from a rate of

March 1, 2026 As older workers remain in or reenter the labor force, the workers compensation industry is zeroing in on an area where claims tend to be more severe, medically complex and costly. “Our workers compensation data clearly show that the percentage of the workforce that is older is growing,” said Rich Ives, Hartford, Connecticut-based senior vice president of business insurance claim for Travelers. “That comes with favorable impacts — lower injury frequency — and un

February 27, 2026 For more than a decade, insurance companies and physician groups have battled it out over the true meaning of Florida statutes: Are doctors considered pharmacists, allowed to dispense medications to injured workers, often at a higher price? A Florida appeals court this week may have finally answered that question, giving a multimillion-dollar win to employers and carriers that have spent years trying to undo state workers’ compensation regulations that have

February 27, 2026 Washington — OSHA has released a new version of its poster informing workers of their rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 , as part of the agency’s “OSHA Cares” initiative. The Job Safety and Health Workplace Poster must be displayed in the workplace where workers can easily see it, per regulation 1903.2 . OSHA says employers can use this version, which is available for free, or continue using an older version. For employers under

February 26, 2026 MIAMI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a concrete manufacturer for exposing workers to hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries after entering the unprotected area of a concrete block cubing machine in July 2025. The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Adonel Concrete Corp. – operating as Adonel Block Manufacturing Corp. – with nine serious violations for inadequate machine guarding, and for failing to ensure

February 23, 2026 In 2023, 725 workers were killed after a fall to a lower level, according to Injury Facts – an online statistical database managed by the National Safety Council. Falls to a lower level, which includes ladder-related falls, is the third leading “fatal workplace event.” Are your workers properly trained in ladder safety? March is Ladder Safety Month , so make ladder safety the focus of your next safety meeting. Remind workers that when they’re selecting a la

February 23, 2026 How can workplaces reduce confusion and misinformation during emergencies through standardized response communication? The worst time to develop an emergency action plan is during an actual emergency. There’s simply no replacement for pre-planning. Most employers know this but often don’t know where to start. The truth is that an EAP can be as simple or as in-depth as the amount of time and resources you want to invest. For anyone tasked with the health an

February 20, 2026 Takeaways Current work authorization remains valid for now. Employers should update Form I-9s with specific notations according to USCIS/E-Verify guidance (expiration “03-15-2026” and “as per court order”). Employers should handle E-Verify consistently and use the 03.15.26 date from the I-9 in E-Verify cases. Status of Haiti TPS Work Authorization A federal court in the D.C. District has stayed the planned termination of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (