| Welcome to the Preparing for Summer issue of the May Safety Suzy newsletter. | | | | | This month’s updates highlight a shift from awareness to action across several key safety risks. From expanded OSHA enforcement on heat hazards to growing concerns around air quality and consistency in training, the focus is increasingly on preparedness, especially as construction activity ramps up for summer. Alongside these industry developments, we’re also proud to share recent recognition for our training and indoor air quality services, reinforcing the importance of integrated, practical approaches to keeping workers safe, compliant and job-ready. | | | | | Future Environment Designs Voted Top Indoor Air Quality Services 2026 | | | | | We were named Top Indoor Air Quality Service 2026 by Environmental Business Review for our focus on keeping workers compliant and ready in regulated environments. By bringing training, medical clearance, fit testing and documentation into one process, we help reduce delays and keep projects moving. Ongoing support, renewal tracking and clear regulatory guidance ensure teams stay prepared so workers can move from training to the job site without disruption. | | | | | | | OSHA Extends Heat Safety Focus Through 2031 | | | | | | OSHA has extended its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on heat hazards through 2031, reinforcing heat as a major workplace risk. especially in construction. The program increases inspections on days above 80°F and expands enforcement in high-risk industries. While not a formal rule, it provides clear expectations: water, shade, rest breaks, acclimatization and training. The updated directive also formalizes how OSHA targets and inspects job sites, with a strong focus on proactive enforcement, outreach and evaluating employer heat safety programs in real-world conditions. For employers, the message is clear: treat heat as a serious hazard and ensure your prevention plan is fully in place before peak summer conditions hit. For more detail on requirements and inspection criteria, review the full OSHA directive here. | | | | | | | Summer-Ready: Key Takeaways from the 2026 Training Survey | | | | | The 2026 Training Survey shows steady investment in safety training, with many organizations holding budgets flat while adapting delivery methods. Construction and manufacturing make up the largest share of respondents, reinforcing the need for practical, field-focused training. As summer ramps up, with new hires, heat stress and faster-paced work, training must be targeted, efficient and easy to apply on the job. - Construction (27%) and manufacturing (24%) are the largest respondent groups
- Budgets mostly flat (47%) or increasing (34%)
- Per-learner spend remains low—efficiency matters
- Instructor-led (81%) and custom content (78%) are most used
- Safety professionals lead training (86%)
- Top goal: reduce injuries (92%), followed by compliance (74%)
For summer readiness, focus on short refreshers, heat safety, and onboarding new workers quickly. Use blended formats to reinforce key behaviors without pulling crews off the job for long periods. | | | | | Recognized for Training Excellence: Coursecheck Brilliance Badge 2026 | | | | | We’ve been awarded the Coursecheck Brilliance Badge 2026 recognizing consistently high-quality training and learner experience. This badge is given to providers with a 4.9+ star rating from verified reviews, reflecting our focus on continuous improvement driven by real feedback. | | | | | | | Rising Air Quality Risks Demand Long-Term Action | | | | | A University of Waterloo study warns that without climate action, summer air quality alerts in the U.S. could become routine by 2100, with one in three Americans exposed to unhealthy air. Sensitive groups may be advised to stay indoors every other day, driven by increases in ozone and fine particulate pollution. While limiting global warming would reduce alert days, indoor-only solutions aren’t enough. The study emphasizes long-term strategies: cutting emissions, improving building filtration and adapting infrastructure to address what is becoming a chronic public health and workforce risk, especially for outdoor industries. | | | | | | | NYS Asbestos Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Certification Courses The New York State Asbestos O&M Certification Course is intended for all staff of an employer who perform maintenance or repair work that will fit into one glovebag or one tent. This course also meets the training requirements for the OSHA construction asbestos standard 1926.1101, Class III worker, and Class III and Class IV competent person. Under the OSHA asbestos standard, a Class III worker is a worker who is likely to disturb (even accidentally) asbestos-containing materials (ACM) that will fit into a maximum of one 60-inch waste bag. We discuss this course in our blog post, “Difference Between Allied Trades and Operations & Maintenance.” If you want to read the blog, click here. What we cover: - Operations and Maintenance (2 days): physical characteristics, medical hazards, respiratory protection, and recognition of damage, deterioration, and delamination of ACM, proper handling techniques, and proper clean-up procedures. NYS requires a 1/2-day annual refresher course to renew the certification.
| | | | | | | Gaps in Training and Risk Management Among Small Construction Firms | | | | | Small construction establishments make up a large share of the industry but tend to have fewer formal safety structures and less consistent training practices. Injury rates vary by company size, with smaller firms often facing greater challenges in standardizing prevention efforts. Payroll and workforce patterns also reflect more limited capacity compared to larger organizations. Overall, the data points to uneven training delivery and resource constraints, which can impact how effectively safety risks are managed across smaller operations. | | | | | Ladder Safety: Preventing Falls at Height | | | | | Falls remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities, with 725 deaths in 2023 alone. Proper ladder selection, setup and use are critical to reducing risk. Workers must ensure ladders are stable, appropriate for the task and used correctly at all times. Reinforcing simple safety checks and climbing practices can significantly prevent injuries and save lives. Key advice: - Check ladder condition and weight capacity
- Ensure stable, secure positioning (4:1 ratio)
- Fully open and lock step ladders
- Maintain three points of contact
- Never use unstable surfaces or overreach
| | | | | Generator Safety Critical for Summer Construction Sites | | | | | With increased generator use during summer construction, carbon monoxide risks rise. Updated standards and shutoff technology have reduced fatalities, but safe operation is still critical. Generators must be used outdoors, with exhaust directed away from workers. As crews spend longer hours on active sites, reinforcing these basics helps prevent serious incidents. Key advice: - Use generators outdoors only
- Direct exhaust away/downwind
- Follow manufacturer guidance
- Watch for CO exposure symptoms
| | | | | 🎙️ Tune In to After the Refresher!🎙️ | | | | | Join Angelo Garcia III of Future Environment Designs as he takes you beyond the classroom to unpack the latest in asbestos, mold, indoor air quality, and OSHA compliance. From New York project phases and EPA bans to the ARBAN bill and new contamination guidance, this podcast keeps you ahead of the curve on regulations, safety, and industry trends. Listen to our latest episode: Episode Five: FED’s Training Library 🔥 Stay informed. Stay compliant. Stay refreshed. 👉 Subscribe now to After the Refresher on YouTube and never miss an episode! | | | | | | | | Use SafetySuzy10FEDTC at checkout to get 10% off of any of our health and safety courses. Don’t forget that our loyal customers get 15% off, so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more. | | | | | | | | Important Links | | | Upcoming FEDTC Courses (virtual, in-person, online). FED Creates Asbestos Air Sampling Tables That Can be Used In the Field or the Office
Order Here! ELEVATE YOUR SAFETY PROGRAMS with SiteDocs and Future Environment Designs. Contact SiteDocs here. “Do As I Say, Not As I Did! What I’ve Learned After 30-Years of Being in Business” – book by Angelo Garcia III
Order Here! FEDTC Training Library: Click Here to access our Library.
Additional Resources
FEDTC’s Recent Blog Post: Recent Discussion: Young Workers Facing High Asbestos Exposure Risks Join the conversation and become a member of a thriving group of health and safety professionals. | | | | | | | | EPA Lead RRP Courses: 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
- NYS Mold Refresher
- May 8, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- Jun 5, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
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 Asbestos Handler Initial
- NYS Asbestos Inspector Initial
- NYS Asbestos Management Planner Initial
- NYS Asbestos O&M Initial
- May 11-12, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Bergen Point Treatment Plant
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Initial
- Jun 15-19, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
- May 7, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- May 26, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Virtual
- NYS Asbestos Project Designer Initial
- Jul 20-22, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- NYS Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
- May 5, Jun 1, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Virtual
- May 27, Jun 9, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
- Jun 12, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- May 6, Jun 2, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
- NYS Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
- May 21, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Virtual
- NYS Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
- May 4, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, FEDTC’s Syosset
- May 21, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Virtual
- NYS Asbestos Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Refresher
- Jun 11, 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Suffolk County DPW
- NYS Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
- May 6, Jun 2, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Virtual
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! | | | | |
