During our national Workers Memorial programs on April 23, at the Department of Labor's national headquarters in Washington, D.C., we will join families nationwide to honor their loved ones and all of America's workers who lost their lives on the job. Families who lost a loved one – whether recently or in past years – are invited to attend this ceremony to recognize them and serve as their voice to help prevent other families from experiencing similar loss.

This year's featured speaker, Christopher Pabon, will share the story of his stepfather, Angel Luis Rivera of Orlando, Florida. In 2023, Rivera was fatally injured while working on a generator exhaust system. Rivera was a devoted husband, father, and friend who loved fishing, cooking, and traveling with family and friends. Chris's story, like so many other families, reflects the lasting impact of workplace fatalities and the urgent need to come together to prevent future tragedies and ensure everyone returns home safe each day.

Following the program, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Veteran's Plaza on the Department's grounds. Both programs will be livestreamed at OSHA.gov for those unable to attend in person. The day will conclude with the first-ever candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Throughout the week of April 20–24, we will host safety and health training, panel discussions, and interactive exhibits. Visit our Workers Memorial page for a list of events and information on how to sign up for them.

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry but are preventable. During the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, May 4-8, employers and workers nationwide will focus on training, hazard recognition, and safe use of ladders, scaffolds, and fall protection systems. Be part of the effort to stop falls and save lives. Visit the Stand-Down webpage to learn more and find out how you can participate.

A water and sewer line construction contractor faces more than $4.7 million in penalties after willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards that contributed to a trench collapse last year that claimed the life of one worker and seriously injured another. We issued 57 citations, including 33 for failing to address common hazards that the employer was already aware of from previous inspections, such as failing to provide a safe way to exit, cave-in protection, and keeping piles of dirt away from the edge – all preventable risks with proven solutions.

At OSHA, we work to help employers who make a good faith effort to keep their workers safe and prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities from ever occurring. We also hold those employers accountable who fail to make the safety and health of their workers a priority.

Last month, we launched a new local emphasis program to strengthen safety and health protections for maritime workers throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This five-year initiative focuses on programmed inspections on maritime operations on or near U.S. waterways traveled by boats and ships. It covers shipbuilding and repair, boat building, marine cargo handling, navigation services to shipping, port and harbor operations, and recreational boat repair at marinas. This effort is in response to persistently high injury and illness rates in maritime industries, which in some cases are nearly three times higher than the private industry average. Through this program, we aim to keep maritime works safe and reduce preventable injuries and illnesses.

April 20-24: Work Zone Safety Awareness Week

April 20-24: Workers Memorial Day Events

May 4-8: National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls

June 15-19: Trench Safety Stand Down

Do you have a public safety and health event, training, or webinar that you'd like to have featured in QuickTakes? Please share event information with us including the date, time, location, and a short description.

Having an evacuation plan in place before a flood occurs can help avoid confusion and prevent property damage, injuries, and loss of life. Visit our website to learn more about how to be prepared for a flood and other severe weather emergencies.

My manager fired me for reporting grease being illegally dumped outside to a state environmental agency, recalled a truck driver in Missouri who worked in the industry for nearly nine years. After speaking up and filing a complaint with OSHA under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the employee was placed on administrative leave, had their hours cut, and allegedly faced ongoing harassment. When told they would be terminated unless they signed an agreement waiving their rights, the employee refused. They later settled the complaint with OSHA, highlighting the retaliation they experienced and reinforcing the protections available to whistleblowers. This case also underscores that workplace safety is a shared responsibility – both employers and workers play a crucial role, and it's essential for everyone to speak up when safety concerns arise.

Visit our website to learn more about 50 years of whistleblower protections. If you have a concern that you have ben retaliated against by your employer for legally protected actions, file a complaint.

To keep workers safe during a major two-year expansion of a historic Pittsburgh museum, OSHA and Mascaro Construction Company have formed a Strategic Partnership focused on proactive safety measures. Every year during the project, the company will participate in the Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, Trench Safety Stand-Down, and OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Campaign. Beyond participating in national safety and health initiatives, Mascaro and its 30-50 contractors on the project will develop and follow comprehensive safety and health programs – ensuring every worker is protected on site. Learn more about OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program on our website.

As we approach the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, we will be featuring important events in the history of OSHA's ongoing efforts to protect the safety and health of America's workers.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of our On-Site Consultation Program launched on May 20, 1975. The On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost, confidential occupational safety and health services specifically tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. Consultants from state agencies or universities collaborate directly with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide guidance on correcting these hazards, advise on complying with OSHA standards, deliver training and education for workers, and assist businesses in developing effective safety and health programs. These services are provided separately from OSHA's enforcement activities.

Over the past five decades, the On-Site Consultation Program has enabled countless employers to safeguard their employees, build stronger businesses, and foster resilient workplaces. In the last decade alone, the program averaged nearly 24,000 worksite visits annually – 98 percent to worksites with 250 or fewer employees – and prevented nearly three million workers from being exposed to hazards each year.

Explore the 50th Anniversary webpage for the complete timeline of the On-site Consultation Program's safety and health milestones.

Mike Troutman, Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety Excellence for Miter Brands, shares how his company values their work with our Voluntary Protection Programs and explains that their foundational pillar of safety is championed by everyone from their line leaders to their CEO. This means that every member of their team feels comfortable coming forward with any safety concerns, which protect both workers' safety and the company's continued success.

Last month, over 30 representatives from current, former, and prospective national Alliances gathered for OSHA's annual Construction Roundtable. The event centered around the theme "Building Bridges: Enhancing Collaboration and Strengthening Partnerships in the Construction Industry." Participants heard from OSHA senior leadership regarding initiatives and strategies for improving workplace safety. Attendees exchanged valuable tools and resources to help employers protect their workers effectively. OSHA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Amanda Wood Laihow commended all attendees for their dedication to promoting safety and health in the construction workplace. The event reinforced the power of collaboration, showing that when industry leaders work together, construction sites become safer.

In 2023, there were 39,000 injuries in roadside work zones and nearly 900 fatalities. During National Work Zone Awareness Week, we join our Alliance partners in spreading the word that drivers can save lives by being alert and following warning sign instructions whenever they are travelling through work zones. You can help spread the word by downloading or ordering the official Work Zone Awareness Week poster.

❓ How does the new OSHA CARES initiative align with existing programs like the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), and the new Safety Champions program?