Welcome to the June issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!

As summer sets in, urgency grows across the safety and health sector. From reinstated NIOSH workers to rising fall fatalities in construction, this month highlights the persistent need for action. Federal agencies and advocacy groups are calling for tougher lead paint enforcement, smarter work zone protections, and expanded education on hidden hazards like Legionella and spring floods.

Meanwhile, the State of Safety 2025 report reveals growing risks tied to new hires, mental health, and distracted driving—reminding us that safety culture must evolve with the times. We also spotlight federal funding’s deep impact on New York’s essential services and offer tools to strengthen your financial resilience.

At the end, you can find an updated list of our course schedule for the summer!

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has released an interactive online guide showing how deeply federal funding supports essential state services—from Medicaid and education to housing and infrastructure. With looming cuts in Washington, the guide highlights the potential risks to millions of New Yorkers who rely on these programs.

Key takeaways:

• NY received $96.7B in federal funding in FY 2025—over 38% of total revenue;

• 3M+ residents depend on SNAP food assistance;

• 3.7M received Social Security in 2023;

• 150K+ children benefit from federally backed childcare;

• 8 counties have over one-third of residents on Medicaid;

• Nearly 9,000 state jobs are federally funded.

The tool offers county-level data and will be updated as federal policy changes unfold.

Falls remain the leading cause of death and a major source of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry. In 2023 alone, slips, trips, and falls claimed 421 construction worker lives (39% of all deaths in the industry). Despite years of awareness campaigns, Fall Protection – General Requirements continues to top OSHA’s most-cited violations list for the 14th year in a row.

Here’s a look at the most recent data:

• The number of fatal falls in construction has increased by 61% since 2011;

• Since 2013, there have been over 20K non-fatal, fall-related injuries;

• 48% of all fall-related deaths happened on private construction;

• Roofing and residential building construction accounted for the most fall-related deaths in 2023.

Source: Safety+Health, May 2025 print edition.

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive, hormone-sensitive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. While treatment can manage the disease, doctors say it is unlikely to be curable. His diagnosis serves as a wake-up call for men to stay informed and vigilant.

Here are the signs you should watch out for:

• Trouble urinating (weak stream, urgency, or frequent night trips)

• Blood in urine or semen

• Pain or discomfort when urinating or sitting

• Back, hip, or chest pain (could signal cancer spread)

• Erectile dysfunction

• Painful ejaculation or reduced semen volume

These symptoms can also stem from benign prostate issues—but don’t ignore them. Early detection saves lives.

The EPA has released a new webpage, Legionella in the Indoor Environment, to help reduce the risk of Legionella bacteria growing in building water systems. While naturally found in freshwater, Legionella can thrive in indoor plumbing and be released through mist from fixtures like showerheads and humidifiers. Inhaling these droplets can lead to Legionnaires’ disease—a severe type of pneumonia—or Pontiac fever, a milder illness. Those at greater risk include adults over 50, smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses.

To lower the risk of exposure, the EPA recommends:

• Keep water fixtures clean to remove buildup or biofilm;

• Control water temperature—keep hot water above 124°F or below 80°F;

• Flush pipes after periods of disuse to eliminate stagnant water;

• Maintain hot tubs and spas properly to prevent bacterial growth.

Early detection and proper treatment with antibiotics can significantly improve outcomes.

The National Safety Council’s 2025 State of Safety report highlights growing concerns across industries about rising workplace risks, workforce challenges, and safety culture gaps. As organizations adapt to evolving hazards, a strong safety commitment in the first 90 days of employment and beyond is critical to reducing injuries and building lasting safety habits.

Key Findings:

• New hires face higher injury risks: Most injuries happen within the first 90 days, underscoring the need for strong onboarding.

• Mental health impacts safety: Stress and burnout are driving more workplace incidents.

• Distracted driving is rising: Both work-related and personal driving risks remain high.

• Sustainability matters: Companies are prioritizing eco-friendly safety solutions.

• Digital tools are gaining ground: Wearables and smart monitoring are reshaping injury prevention.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s financial literacy initiative offers New Yorkers tools to strengthen financial knowledge, save for education and disability expenses, protect against scams, and access support for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. With rising economic challenges, financial education is more crucial than ever to achieve long-term stability.

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 30-Hour Construction Safety and Health Course
  • Aug 12, 14, 19, & 21, 6:45 AM - 3:30 PM, Nassau County

Mold Courses:

• Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness - Online
• Mold in Construction Awareness Course - Online
• Mold Assessment Initial
  • Aug 25-28, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
• NYS Mold Refresher
  • Jun 6, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
  • Aug 22, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
• Mold Remediation/Supervisor Initial
  • Aug 25-27, 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
• NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
• Jun 19, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
  
• Jun 23, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
  
• Aug 15, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, National Grid Inc.
• Asbestor Management Planner Initial
  • Jun 17-18, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
• Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
  • Jun 23, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Virtual
    
• Asbestos Operations & Maintenance Refresher
• Jun 7, 07:00 - 11:00 AM, IUOE
• Jul 1, 07:30 - 11:30 AM, Suffolk County
• Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
  • Jun 24, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
  • Jun 16, Jul 28, Aug 18, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM FEDTC's Syosset
• Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
  • Jun 25, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
  • Aug 1, 08:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
• Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
  • Jun 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
• Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
  • Jun 9, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
  • Aug 13, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM,National Grid Inc.

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!