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Why Every Safety Manager Needs a Centralized Inspection Checklist Repository in 2026

By 2026, "I think the latest Confined Space checklist is in that shared drive somewhere" will no longer be an acceptable answer when OSHA shows up unannounced. Penalties are climbing past $17,000 per serious violation, inspectors want proof of inspections in seconds, and employees on night shift or at remote sites need the current Lockout/Tagout or Bloodborne Pathogens checklist on their phone-right now. Companies still managing inspection checklists in Word docs, PDFs, and email chains are exposing themselves to six-figure fines and preventable incidents simply because someone used a 2021 version. This article reveals why 2026 is the breaking point for decentralized checklists, the hidden costs of inaction, and how Simple Safety Coach gives EHS professionals a cloud-based, automatically updated repository of over 50 regulator-ready inspection checklists-plus the power to build unlimited custom ones in minutes.

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OSHA's SAFE (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) initiative.

In today's regulatory climate, demonstrating top-tier safety isn't just about compliance - it's about culture, credibility, and competitive advantage. The SHARP program from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes small to medium-sized worksites that operate exemplary safety and health management systems. This article explains what SHARP is, which companies should explore it, and how Simple Safety Coach can streamline your path toward SHARP recognition.

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Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in the Workplace

Lithium-ion batteries are common in today?s workplaces, powering tools, devices, and equipment. But when damaged or improperly charged, they can pose fire and injury risks. This article breaks battery safety down into clear, practical steps that employees and supervisors can follow, with guidance on storage, charging areas, recognizing warning signs, and responding to incidents.

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OSHA's 2025 Fines

As I'm sure you are already aware, OSHA updated its civil penalty structure for 2025, raising fines for serious, willful, and repeated violations. These changes make it more important than ever for employers to proactively identify hazards and ensure compliance. Small businesses also now have expanded opportunities for penalty reductions when hazards are corrected promptly.

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OSHA's New Direction: Why Employers Must Still Prioritize Safety

Employers would be well advised to keep the focus on maintaining a safe workplace, even with OSHA being less proactive.

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Employee Benefits of Workplace Safety

It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands, that it can become too easy to lose track of the basics behind workplace safety. This is just a reminder post that everything starts with the employee and resonates throughout the organization from there.

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National Farmers Safety Week

Did You Know That We Are In the Midst of National Farmer Safety Week?

Well, we are and, frankly, no other occupation or employer needs a heightened awareness of the unsafe conditions on the average farm, whether a family farm or an industrial farm.  In the 1993, when the Agricultural, 1928, standards were written, there were fewer industrial farms (the really large farms of dairy or grain products) than there are at present.  The last change to these standards was in November of 2021, and before that it was in 2011.

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Which Limit Applies When?

I recently reviewed a report from an Indoor Air Quality study for a residential client.  What caught my eye was the Volatile Organic Chemical, Carbon monoxide, and Carbon dioxide results were compared to Occupational Exposure Limits.  There are several reasons why this is...

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For PPE, There Is No Such Thing as One Size Fits All

The first day of my Ergonomics course at the University of Michigan Professor Strong explained how chairs, mostly not adjustable in those days were built for a 6' tall male.  Which explained a LOT.  He went on to point out that 6' males were not the majority at the time so this...

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Ten Tips To Surviving An OSHA Visit

Even though the number of OSHA Enforcement Officers as a ratio to the number of businesses is extremely small, one could show up at your door without notice.  In that case, you need a plan because, trust me, you don't want an Enforcement Officer to know your employees don't know who is in...

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