January 2026 Safety Suzy Newsletter

Welcome to the January issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!

As we head into the new year, January’s updates highlight evolving challenges in worker health, environmental safety, and regulatory oversight. This month, we’re tracking major policy shifts, from the FDA dropping proposed asbestos testing for talc cosmetics to debates over EPA rollbacks that could weaken chemical safety and emissions reporting.

New research points to rising risks tied to heavy metal exposure in welding, air pollution’s link to workplace injuries and fatalities, and persistent hazards reflected in OSHA’s Top 10 citations for 2025. We’re also sharing timely reminders on cold-weather safety, along with concerning enforcement cases involving asbestos violations and lead contamination in school drinking water.

Read on for key insights shaping safety, and don’t forget to review our latest course schedule at the end.

A Canadian study tracking 116 apprentice welders found significant increases in heavy metal exposure during a three-module training program, with rising levels of iron, manganese, nickel and chromium detected in urine, hair and nail samples. Notably, manganese levels exceeded recommended safety guidelines, raising neurological health concerns. Researchers also observed increases in arsenic and cobalt in certain samples.

The findings underscore the need for stronger controls on welding fume exposure, including improved ventilation and consistent use of personal protective equipment, to better protect worker health during training and beyond.

A December 2025 CPWR Data Bulletin finds construction workers face significantly higher occupational hazards than workers in other industries, including exposure to chemicals, noise, extreme conditions, and fall risks. In 2024, more than one-third of construction and extraction workers reported constantly working outdoors, and nearly one-quarter reported hazardous chemical exposure for four or more hours per week.

Construction workers’ average exposure to harmful contaminants was 70% higher than non-construction workers, and they were three times more likely to work at heights. While elevated blood lead levels declined 37% from 2010 to 2023, recent increases highlight ongoing risks. The report underscores the need for continued prevention and protective measures.

A new study suggests air pollution significantly raises the risk of workplace injuries and fatalities. Analyzing nearly 5,900 safety incidents in China from 2000 to 2020, researchers found that doubling fine particulate matter levels led to 37% more deaths and 51% more serious incidents, with a 2.6-fold increase in overall incident risk.

The impact was strongest in energy-intensive industries such as coal mining and construction. Researchers say pollution may impair workers’ physical and mental health and disrupt environments, and they urge linking air-quality controls with workplace safety policies.

OSHA’s Top 10 for FY 2025 reveal ongoing failures in basic workplace safety, with fall protection cited most often for the 15th straight year.

• Construction and general industry hazards dominate the list.

• Hazard communication violations show gaps in chemical labeling, safety data sheets, and worker training.

• Ladders and scaffolding citations point to improper use, setup, and fall protection.

• Lockout/tagout failures reflect continued risks from uncontrolled hazardous energy during maintenance.

• Respiratory protection violations often involve missing medical evaluations, fit testing, or written programs.

• Powered industrial trucks and machine guarding remain frequent hazards in manufacturing and warehousing.

OSHA says most violations are well-known and preventable and urges greater use of compliance assistance to reduce injuries, deaths, and penalties.

Republican lawmakers and major fossil fuel and energy industry groups are urging the Trump administration’s EPA to retain the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, despite broader efforts to roll back climate regulations.

Proposed for repeal in September, the rule has required large emitters to report greenhouse gas emissions since 2011. Critics, including oil and gas firms, ethanol producers, and GOP officials, argue the program is essential for verifying emissions, securing carbon capture tax credits, avoiding fragmented state rules, and maintaining U.S. competitiveness as the EU moves toward stricter carbon requirements.

The EPA is reviewing thousands of public comments as it weighs whether to finalize the repeal.

Cold weather poses serious risks for outdoor workers, including hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95° F, according to the National Safety Council. Early warning signs include shivering, confusion, drowsiness, fumbling and slurred speech. Prompt, proper response can be lifesaving. NSC advises focusing on gentle warming, seeking emergency help, and avoiding actions that could worsen the condition.

Do:

• Check body temperature and call 911 if it’s 95° F or lower

• Move the person to warmth and remove wet clothing

• Give warm, nonalcoholic drinks if conscious

• Warm the head, neck and torso first

Don’t:

• Assume an unconscious person can’t be saved

• Rub or massage the skin

The company’s president, Carl Fioravanti, is accused of making false statements about the asbestos removal process and lying to investigators to conceal violations. Prosecutors say the company was paid nearly $1.8 million for the work. Three companies were cited in connection with the incident, which raised significant safety and environmental concerns.

More than 40 districts in Suffolk County and over 20 in Nassau County tested above the new threshold. While one district cited a reporting error later corrected by the state, officials say contaminated outlets were shut down and remediated.

Health experts warn lead exposure poses serious developmental risks for children, prompting required closures, alternative water supplies, and follow-up testing.

If interested in posting a job opening, email us at [email protected] for rates.

OSHA Courses (Online & In-person):

• AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness
• OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) – Online
• OSHA Respirator User
• OSHA Crystalline Silica Standard for Workers
• OSHA Hazard Communication
• OSHA Hazard Communication plus NYS Right-to-Know
• Covid-19 Awareness Course
• Respirator Hierarchy
• Lead in Construction Awareness Course
• Mold in Construction Awareness Course
• Blood-borne Pathogen 4-Hour Course
• OSHA Lead in Construction Awareness Course – Online
• OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health Course
• OSHA 10 or 30-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Course

Mold Courses:

• • Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness – Online
  • Mold in Construction Awareness Course – Online
  • Mold Assessment Initial
    • Jan 20 – 23, 2026, 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
  • NYS Mold Refresher
    • Jan 9, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
    • Jan. 16, Feb 23, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
    • Jan 30, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Quality Air Care Cleaning

• Mold Remediation/Supervisor Initial
  • Jan 20 – 22, 2026, 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
• Mold Abatement/Worker Initial
  • Jan 20 – 21, 2026, 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset

Asbestos Courses:

• • AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Course – Online
  • OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) – Online
  • NYCDEP Handler/Supervisor Exam Prep – Online
  • NYCDEP Investigator Exam Prep – Online
  • AHERA LEA’s Designated Person Training – Online
  • NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Initial
  • NYS Asbestos Inspector Initial
    • Jan 26 – 28, 2026 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s, Syosset
  • NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
    • Jan 10, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Watral Brothers Inc
    • Jan 15, Feb 5, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset

• • NYS Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
    • Jan 13, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
    • Jan 7, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Virtual

• • NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
    • Jan 8, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
    • Jan 14, 2026 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosse

• • NYS Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
    • Jan 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
    • Jan 12, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Virtual

• NYS Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
  • Jan 29, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
  • Jan 12, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
• NYS Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
  • Jan 8, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
  • Jan 14, 2026 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset

For the most current schedule and additional courses, please visit Future Environment Designs’ website.
Please click on the individual courses’ link to discover more dates!

Don’t Forget Our Referral Program!

If you refer asbestos, indoor air quality, or OSHA training to us we will provide you with a 5% discount on any training you book with us. This would be in addition to any other discounts we provide.

Thank you to those who have taken advantage of this!