☕The future of N95 masks

Good morning! We hope you got a chance to rest, reset, and maybe even enjoy a chocolate bunny or two over the weekend. Now it’s back to business—and this week, we’re digging into three critical topics safety pros need to know:🧬 Nanoparticles and what they mean for worker health 😷 The future of N95 masks🌡️ OSHA’s latest heat safety update. Let’s dive in and keep pushing safety forward.

And don’t forget, the fight for NIOSH is still happening. If you haven’t already, send a letter to your reps—Fight the NIOSH cuts!

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• Nanoparticles - what you need to know

• The future of N95 masks

• OSHA Heat Safety Update

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• Is It Time to Leave Your Comfort Zone? How Leaving Can Spark Positive Change

They’re in your paint, your PPE, your jobsite — and possibly your lungs.

Nanoparticles are being used in everything from construction materials to cosmetics. They make products tougher, more UV-resistant, longer-lasting. But there’s a dark side: these tiny particles can get deep into your body and may be linked to serious health risks — including cancer.

Most workers don’t even know they’re being exposed. And just as safety experts were making progress on protecting us, the federal agency leading that work is being gutted.

This isn’t a future problem — it’s already on your jobsite.

Your Ergo Solution.

Overexertion is costing companies $12.49 BILLION each year and feeding into a much larger problem! That’s why we’ve partnered with 3motionAI to enhance workplace safety with their Risk Flashlight solution. Together, we’re empowering EHS professionals to tackle these costly problems at the root, building a safer, more equitable workplace.

Steps to Take:

1. Learn more about 3motionAI: Read, here

2. Show company leadership how you can protect the bottom line.

3. Earn the respect you deserve by making a real impact.

N95s at Risk: The Lab That Keeps Them Safe Is Closing

The U.S. is about to lose its only lab that certifies N95 masks. The NIOSH-run lab in Pennsylvania, which approves every respirator used on American job sites, is shutting down in June. Mass federal layoffs are behind the closure, and there’s no plan to replace it. That means no oversight, no new certifications, and a likely flood of fake or unsafe masks. Experts say millions of workers could be exposed—with no warning and no backup.

OSHA’s Heat Rule Could Change the Game—If It Survives

As extreme heat kills more U.S. workers every year, OSHA is finally stepping in—but not without pushback. A new rule would force employers to provide water, rest, and shade once the heat index hits 80°F, and ramp up protections even more at 90°F. It includes monitoring workers, enforcing rest breaks, and posting warnings in hot zones. A public hearing is set for June 16, but the rule already faces political opposition. Want to know if your job—or your workers—will be impacted? Here’s what you need to know.

NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• The National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents

• Health and Safety Among Top Concerns for Leaders According to the Latest AMCS Safety Management and Sustainability Trends Report

• Preventable injuries are common in small businesses, survey shows

• Florida bill would let 14-year-olds work the night shift

SHARE THE NEWS

Enjoying the newsletter? Share it and earn some free Safety Knight swag. The more referrals you have the more you earn!

All you need is one to start earning.