Search Our Site

Oct 1, 2025   Exoskeletons, an increasingly common technology used in manual labor to help reduce the lifting mechanisms that can cause musculoskeletal injuries, provide “minimal and inconsistent benefits” in reducing shoulder muscle strain during simulated construction tasks, according to a study.   The study, reported in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s October newsletter and conducted by researchers at Texas Tech University and the University of Florida, also found that “balance decreased while wearing the exoskeletons, thereby increasing the risk of falls, particularly when working on unstable surfaces and at heights.”   Researchers measured muscle activity and balance during simulated construction tasks in a laboratory setting, which included lifting a 35-pound cinder block onto a table at different heights while standing “on an unstable surface designed to simulate an elevated construction platform.” The participants, seven men ages 21 to 50, performed the lifting tasks while wearing three different exoskeleton models.

September 30, 2025   California’s workplace heat standard, which requires access to water and shade and includes provisions for high heat and training, has resulted in fewer heat-related illnesses for several industry segments, according to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.   A WCRI study estimated that California’s heat standard, enacted in 2005 in a first in the country, resulted in a decline in work-related injuries on hot days for industries with “substantial exposure” to outside heat by 15% to 17% in construction, 24% to 27% in agriculture and 19% to 25% in transportation.   The heat standard had an effect that increased with outside temperatures, and the effect was strongest for temperatures above 95 degrees, according to the study, which used claims and climate data. Researchers also found that the heat standard had a larger impact on younger workers, described as those under 35.   The study, which examined pre-2005 claims data to current years, comes at a time when several states have or have proposed heat rules for workers and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues to work on a heat standard.

September 26, 2025 A recent survey found that 44% of respondents currently experience chronic, ongoing foot pain. Foot pain is a prevalent issue. In a new survey of 1,000 Americans, sponsored by  KURU Footwear,  44% said they currently experience chronic, ongoing foot pain. Foot Pain by the Numbers When asked how often the pain strikes, the answers were as follows: 56% experience foot pain daily 24% feel it less than once a week 15% deal with it weekly 3% say it hits monthly 2% experience it constantly with no relief   Here's how respondents described the intensity of their pain: 61% say it’s moderate and occasionally disrupts their day 20% call it mild but annoying 18% say it’s severe Foot Pain on the Clock   When foot pain strikes, here’s how it affects people at work: 20% take more breaks than usual because of foot pain 18% take medication before or during work 16% have visited a medical provider 15% have avoided certain tasks 12% wear orthopedic or medical footwear 9% have left work early 7% have missed work entirely   When asked what’s behind the pain, many pointed to their jobs: 33% believe their foot pain was caused by their job 32% say it wasn’t caused by work 28% aren’t sure 7% say “somewhat”   And for many, work makes things worse. In fact: 62% say their pain is worsened by their job 17% aren’t sure 13% say it isn’t 8% say “somewhat”   The impact goes beyond the workday. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of those with foot pain have filed a workers’ compensation claim related to their condition. And for some, it’s career-altering:  48% have considered changing jobs or roles to reduce their foot pain 24% believe their job has permanently damaged their feet 8% already have   The survey named the industries that experience the most pain.

September 26, 2025   Key Highlights Most workers are aware of their organization’s safety and health initiatives, but nearly 1 in 5 don’t have a good understanding of MSDs and very few demonstrate understanding of how tasks can contribute to MSD risk. Just under 60% of workers say they consistently have access to proper ergonomic tools and equipment. Stronger safety culture and trust are linked to better perceptions of MSD prevention and more proactive reporting. A recent survey from the National Safety Council, Frontline Worker Perspectives on Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention, found that almost a third of workers who experience pain at work don't report it. Furthermore, 25% of workers said they either don’t know how to report pain or aren’t sure if a process exists.   But when a safety culture is participatory, and workers are actively involved in identifying risks and shaping solutions, companies achieve better safety outcomes. Participatory practices, such as involving workers in equipment design, job task planning, and feedback mechanisms, can enhance the effectiveness of MSD prevention efforts, the report concludes.   “These findings offer a powerful reminder that safety cannot be achieved without the voice of those doing the work every day,” said Paige DeBaylo, PhD, director MSD Solutions Lab at NSC, in a statement. "When we engage frontline workers meaningfully, we unlock new opportunities to reduce injuries, foster trust and improve organizational safety culture."   The survey found that workers are more likely to report pain promptly when they understand safety programs, hear about ergonomics regularly and are asked about symptoms. Looking at the data from an age and experience lens, older workers are less likely to have a good understanding of their organization’s safety programs, report pain promptly and feel confident in their workplace’s ability to prevent injuries. Newer employees are less likely to suggest safety improvements compared to more tenured workers.   Highlights from the report include:  Awareness and Understanding of Safety Programs  • Most workers are aware of their organization’s safety and health initiatives, but nearly 1 in 5 don’t have a good understanding of MSDs and very few demonstrate understanding of how tasks can contribute to MSD risk.    • About 70% say their workplace has an MSD prevention or ergonomics program, though awareness may not always reflect actual participation in ergonomic initiatives.   • Workers who hear about ergonomics more often tend to have a more positive view of their organization’s ability to prevent injuries.   Workplace Tools and Training • Just under 60% of workers say they consistently have access to proper ergonomic tools and equipment.   • While most workplaces offer new hire orientations, key MSD-related topics, like how to use ergonomic tools or report issues, are often missing.   •About half of respondents say workplaces provide regular ergonomics or MSD prevention training. Feedback and Engagement • Around 60% of workers know how to suggest safety improvements, but older workers are less likely to be aware of or use these systems.   • Respondents reporting their workplace collects employee feedback and follows up on it tend to have better safety perceptions and faster pain reporting.   • Trust and engagement are stronger when workers feel their input is valued and acted on.   Safety Culture and Trust  • Workers feel most involved in improving job tasks and workflow, but less so in areas like return-to-work processes or mental health.    • Trust decreases with organizational hierarchy: Most workers trust their peers, but fewer trust senior leadership.   • Stronger safety culture and trust are linked to better perceptions of MSD prevention and more proactive reporting   Non - Physical   Risk   Factors • Fatigue and workplace stress were the most commonly reported non-physical risk factors contributing to workplace MSDs, especially among newly hired employees. Technology and Innovation   • About 41% of workers are excited about using technology (like wearables or robots) to improve their jobs.   • However, of those concerned about using technology, over half have concerns about how their data will be used, and nearly half worry about job replacement.   • Workers are more comfortable with technology when they feel involved in decisions, trust leadership and have access to proper tools.   Leadership vs. Frontline Perceptions  • Safety leaders consistently rate their organization’s safety culture, communication and worker involvement more positively than frontline workers do.   These perception gaps suggest a need for more inclusive, transparent and participatory approaches to safety planning and communication.

September 25, 2025   What's going on in Florida workers' compensation? A recent  WCRI webinar  covered trends, costs, and, as you might expect for the Sunshine State, the role of hot temperatures in workplace injuries.   Medical Workforce Addressing the trend of decreasing physicians and increasing demand for them, WCRI CEO Ramona Tanabe explored who's providing care. "The average number of physicians per person has decreased, and there is increasing demand because of population growth and aging," Tanabe said. This has led to predictions that there will be a shortage of as many as 124,000 physicians by 2034 and a shortage of up to 450,000 registered nurses as soon as this year. How has this trend shown up in Florida? According to Tanabe, it has to do with whom an injured worker sees for care. "Florida almost doubled in number of injured workers seen by advanced practitioners on first visit between 2013 and 2022," Tanabe said. "What we saw was a shift in who's providing the care."   What about Costs? According to WCRI Senior Policy Analyst Dr. Rebecca Yang, total costs per claim have grown in recent years in Florida, matching a trend seen across the country. A Florida-specific trend has been medical stability, driven by fee schedule changes. Notably, hospital payments per claim fell 11% in 2023 and utilization remained stable. What are those fee schedule changes, which went into effect during 2023? Hospital Inpatient . Per diem fee schedule (removing the stop-loss threshold). Hospital Outpatient . Fixed-amount fee schedule (as about to the previous fixed-amount or charge-based fee schedule). Ambulatory Surgery Center . Fixed-amount fee schedule (as about to the previous fixed-amount or charge-based fee schedule).   Prescription Trends Yang also examined prescription payments per medical claim between 2015 and 2023, pointing to a decrease from $102 to $67 during that time. Currently, dermatologicals and NSAIDs lead the pack on driving costs with increases that have matched the decreasing prescriptions of opioids and compounds. "We saw an especially large increase between 2018 and 2021 and stabilizing since then," Yang said. "Dermatological agents remain the top driver of prescription costs."   Heat Hurts In a topic especially relevant to Florida, Tanabe explained that days with excessive heat, or when the temperature is above 90 degrees, are becoming more frequent, and Florida is no stranger to that trend. Heat is the leading cause of death among hazardous weather conditions, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating 33,890 heat-related work injuries and 479 deaths from 2011 to 2020. As if those numbers aren't bad enough, Tanabe said they are likely "vastly underestimated" due to a lack of national heat safety standards and underreporting. Tanabe also pointed out two different types of injuries from the heat: (1) Heat-related illnesses of a physiological nature, known as HRIs. These include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, syncope, cramps, rash, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. (2) Injuries occurring when heat impairs the perceptual, motor, or cognitive abilities of workers, leading to accidents. For example, when someone falls off a ladder on a hot day. Some workers are at a high risk for HRIs, including: Workers in southern states. Outdoor workers, with construction workers representing 21% of HRI claims.  Younger workers. Men. Newly hired workers with 0-2 months on the job. "Newly hired workers tend to have less training and less experience handling the heat," Tanabe said. "That's why OSHA has acclimatization training for new workers." Challenges for addressing HRIs are that there are no national heat safety standards apart from a proposed rule that OSHA published in 2024. At the state level, only seven states have heat safety rules, while 19 have proposed standards. For states that have adopted rules, the best practice emerging seems to be to follow OSHA's 2024 proposed guidelines.

September 24, 2025 Kitakyushu, Japan — Workers who have stronger connections with co-workers and management are less likely to be injured or have health-related issues, according to the results of a recent study out of Japan. Researchers surveyed 11,000 employees at Japanese companies. Questions asked about three types of “workplace social capital”: ·         Bonding – relationships between members of the same social structure ·         Bridging – relationships across social structures, such as workplace teams ·         Linking – relationships between workplace teams and management The researchers conducted a follow-up survey on work-related injuries and illnesses one year later. Workers with “high total WSC scores” had 37% fewer injuries or illnesses than those with low WSC scores. High scores for each type of social capital were also associated with a lower risk of injuries or illnesses: 32% for bonding, 27% for bridging and 45% for linking. Even the workers with “intermediate total WSC scores” had 17% fewer injuries and illnesses than the participants with low WSC scores. “The findings add to previous evidence that higher scores for WSC – relationships that promote cooperation and coordination to accomplish work – may be associated with the effectiveness of workplace safety measures,” an American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine press release states. Added study co-author Tomohisa Nagata: “Managers need to be aware that promoting trust and cooperation with their subordinates contributes to the prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses.” The study was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

September 24, 2025 Workplace safety experts say industries are moving forward with heat safety precautions despite the lack of a federal mandate forcing them to enact such measures. Vendors at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo last week marketed such items as cooling “ice” vests and other personal protective equipment used to prevent overheating. Attendees crowded into sessions on heat safety and what heat stroke looks like. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still working on a proposed standard for workforce heat safety, according to an agency spokesman at the conference, held Sept. 14 to 17 in Denver. During a news conference, National Safety Council President Lorraine Martin addressed the various measures being implemented at both state and federal levels. Seven states have adopted occupational rules for heat safety as of mid-2025, and more are proposing policies. Meanwhile, the federal government is navigating the range of opinions for and against its proposed heat standard after a series of public hearings over the summer, according to the  OSHA spokesman. Safety professionals, meanwhile, lamented how long it takes for a standard to be implemented. Years, in most cases. “Tune it out and do what’s best” for workers, Ms. Martin said, applauding what she sees as a heightened interest among employers seeking guidance. On managing a workforce dealing with high temperatures, Ms. Martin said, “You’ve got to know your environment. And there’s plenty of research on the human body and where it functions best. Make sure that the conditions you’re putting your workers in are within those guidelines.”

September 23, 2025 As businesses strive to maintain safe and compliant workplaces, staying informed about the latest updates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is crucial. Recent changes, effective from 2024 through 2025, carry significant implications for employers across various industries. Below are key updates that employers should consider and their potential impact on business operations.   Introduction to OSHA OSHA, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Labor, is dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for employees by setting and enforcing standards. Through inspections and investigations, OSHA ensures compliance with workplace safety regulations, addressing issues such as hazard prevention and safety training. Additionally, OSHA manages whistleblower cases, protecting employees who report violations or unsafe practices from retaliation. OSHA’s mandate is to advocate for employee safety and rights, often viewing circumstances from the perspective of the workers to ensure their protection and well-being in the workplace. Increased Penalties for Safety Violations OSHA increases its maximum penalties for violations in mid-January each year. The increase is based on an inflation-based factor.  Effective January 15, 2025 , OSHA increased its maximum penalties for serious and “other-than-serious” violations to a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation, while willful or repeated violations can result in fines up to $165,514 per violation. OSHA’s firmer stance on both the imposition of penalties and not backing away in penalty negotiations underscores the importance of compliance.   Revised Penalty Guidelines for Small Businesses Effective July 14, 2025 , businesses with up to 25 employees can benefit from a 70% penalty reduction, previously reserved for those with 10 or fewer employees. Additionally, a new 15% reduction is available for employers that promptly address identified hazards, encouraging swift corrective actions. A 20% reduction is available to employers that either (1) have never been inspected by federal OSHA or a state plan, or (2) have been inspected within the past five years without receiving serious, willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Construction A new  rule , effective January 13, 2025, mandates that employers ensure PPE “fit[s] properly” for each construction worker, regardless of their body size or type. Depending on circumstances, PPE in the construction industry may include hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets, hearing protection devices, respirators, coveralls, vests, harnesses, and full body suits. This change aims to provide better protection by requiring correctly sized and adjusted gear, emphasizing the importance of personalized safety equipment. While specific to the construction industry, OSHA seeks to apply the “properly fit” standard across all industries. Notably, even when employees provide their own PPE, employers must check for proper fit under this new rule.   Proposed Heat Illness Prevention Standard In August 2024, OSHA proposed a  rule  to address heat hazards in both indoor and outdoor work environments. If enacted, this rule could require employers to provide water, rest breaks, and shade in high-heat conditions, along with developing heat illness prevention plans. This proposal highlights OSHA’s commitment to safeguarding workers against heat-related illnesses and could result in additional whistleblower and safety violation claims concerning heat-related illness. Employers are encouraged to develop comprehensive heat illness prevention plans tailored to their specific work environments, which may include training programs to educate employees on recognizing symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Currently, individuals may participate in a notice-and-comment period until September 30, 2025. Updated Inspection Programs In May 2025, OSHA updated its Site-Specific Targeting (SST)  program , the primary planned inspection program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. Under this program, OSHA focuses inspections on high-risk, non-construction workplaces using recent injury and illness data from 2021 to2023. This targeted approach aims to identify establishments with the highest rates of workplace injuries.   OSHA has also increased efforts to support voluntary compliance through its On-Site Consultation Program. This free and confidential service helps small and medium-sized businesses identify and rectify workplace hazards, improve safety and health management systems, and comply with OSHA standards. Separate from OSHA’s enforcement activities, this program does not result in penalties or citations. Instead, it offers expert advice and assistance from state-run consultation agencies, focusing on preventing workplace injuries and illnesses.   Employers can benefit from tailored recommendations and solutions to enhance their safety practices, fostering a safer work environment. Participation in the program can lead to recognition through OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), which acknowledges exemplary safety and health management systems.   Conclusion These updates reflect OSHA’s ongoing efforts to enhance workplace safety and streamline regulatory processes. Employers should review these changes carefully and consider consulting with legal experts to ensure compliance and optimize safety strategies.

September 22, 2025 Psychosocial factors such as fear of movement, poor coping skills, and low mood play a strong role in the recovery from knee and shoulder injuries, according to findings of a study released Thursday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The study, which used data from 65,000 episodes each of knee and shoulder physical therapy from 2021 to 2024, found that psychosocial risk factors are “widespread” among injured workers with knee and shoulder injuries, and are associated with “poorer functional recovery.” Among shoulder-injury patients, 46% reported high levels of negative coping and 32% had high levels of fear avoidance; for knee-injury patients, those percentages were similar at 42% and 31%. For both injury classifications, 8% reported bad moods.

September 22, 2025 Motor vehicle accidents account for about 5% of lost-time claims but 10% of their costs, according to an analysis by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Motor vehicle accidents are about 70% more expensive than the average lost-time claim, in part because car crashes are more than twice as likely to result in injuries to multiple body parts, according to the analysis. Motor vehicle accidents account for about 20% of the money spent on claims with total costs exceeding $1 million, and they cause about 40% of work-related fatalities, and the frequency of car crash claims has not declined along with the overall trend of declining claim frequency. The analysis, however, found that the trucking industry has experienced several consecutive declines in accident frequency, likely the result of implementing technology such as dash cameras, addressing driver fatigue and an enhanced focus on overall safety.

September 19, 2025 Washington — Outdoor workers may lower their risk of developing kidney problems by regularly drinking water and resting in the shade, a group of international researchers say. A team led by researchers from the nonprofit group La Isla Network studied more than 1,000 sugarcane workers during four harvest seasons in Nicaragua. Focusing on the workers with the most difficult job – burned cane cutters – the researchers found that with regular water, rest and shade, as well as improved sanitation facilities, the percentage of those who developed kidney issues dropped to 1% by the fourth harvest season from 21% in the first season. “When you remove the exposure, you improve the outcomes,” lead study author Erik Hansson, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said in a press release. “This is actionable evidence for a future where extreme temperatures are the new normal.” The study was published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.