United States: Health & Safety

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has proposed regulations implementing New York Labor Law section 27-f, which requires certain employers to make an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone or Narcan, available for workplace first aid or emergency treatment.

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a significant policy shift affecting Cessna Citation CE-500 series aircraft, ending decades of single-pilot exemptions due to safety concerns and widespread noncompliance. The agency's decision, backed by accident data showing twice the rate of incidents in single-pilot operations compared to two-pilot configurations, will impact owners, operators, pilots...

As the opioid epidemic continues to impact workplaces nationwide, OSHA has issued new guidance to help employers prepare for and respond to overdose emergencies. The September 2026 Fact Sheet outlines practical strategies for maintaining reversal medications, training workers to recognize overdose symptoms, and implementing emergency response protocols.

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard requires covered employers to update chemical labels, written hazard communication programs, and employee training by November 20, 2026. The revisions align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System and introduce new hazard classifications, downstream use considerations, and updated requirements for compressed gases and aerosols. Employers must navigate separate compliance timelines for chemical mixtures while ensuring their workplace practices meet the updated st

Florida's 2025 McDaniels decision and permitless concealed-carry law have fundamentally altered the state's firearms landscape, creating new challenges for private employers navigating the intersection of constitutional rights, workplace safety, and property control. How can businesses protect their employees and customers while complying with evolving legal requirements around open carry, parking lot protections, and firearm restrictions?

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has approved significant revisions to California’s workplace first aid requirements for both construction and general industry. For general industry employers, the most notable change is the elimination of the longstanding requirement that first aid kit contents be approved by a consulting physician. Instead, employers may now comply by providing a first aid kit meeting ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 Class A requirements.

New Jersey has officially adopted the Uniform Construction Code 2024, introducing significant updates to building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and energy standards that will impact construction projects across the state. The new requirements bring enhanced permitting processes, expanded inspection oversight, and stricter energy conservation standards that construction companies and project owners must navigate.

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a rule that would prevent state and local meal and rest break laws from applying to pilots and flight attendants during duty periods, asserting that federal aviation safety regulations must take precedence. This regulatory action directly responds to recent court decisions applying California's break requirements to in-flight crews, raising questions about the balance between worker protections and aviation safety imperatives.

Louisiana's Behind the Counter Protection Act, effective August 1, 2026, strengthens criminal penalties for workplace violence against retail, restaurant, and customer-facing employees. While the law doesn't mandate new compliance programs, businesses should understand how enhanced penalties for assault and battery apply to their workforce and consider integrating these protections into existing safety practices.