January News Brief

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TREND WATCH

Spike in Flu Cases Calls for Prevention Measures 

Seasonal influenza activity in the U.S. was reported as high or very high in 44 states in early January, with 40.6 hospitalizations per 100,000 people and rising, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu-related deaths were also trending up. Public health officials estimated at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 related deaths by the end of 2025. (Flu season disease burden estimates for the 2024-2025 season are featured in this WorkCare blog post.) A review of 48 studies on the impact of influenza on work absence and productivity found loss is particularly high among workers who are not vaccinated, over age 65, or have severe underlying disease. Vaccination, washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding contact with others when sick helps prevent spread of the flu and other illnesses. This season’s trivalent vaccine is effective against H3NW, H1N1, and influenza B viruses, and it provides partial protection against a recently detected viral mutation (H3N2 subclade K). View the weekly CDC Flu View map for current regional and state data. 

Managers Getting More Direct Reports, Study Shows 

Gallup reports that larger U.S. companies are downsizing or consolidating middle management roles while increasing direct reports. Meanwhile, more managers and frontline employees are reporting stress-related symptoms, higher levels of burnout, and lower engagement in work. Gallup research shows: 

• Direct reports increased overall from 10.9 in 2024 to 12.1 in 2025 
• 66% of leaders manage less than 10 employees 
• 37% oversee less than five people 
• 22% have 10 to 24 direct reports 
• 13% manage 25 or more employees  

Gallup cited uncertainty about the effects of AI in the workplace and increasing pressure to define the “ideal” span of control in management as significant trends. WorkCare offers a range of cost-effective solutions to support human resources, occupational health, safety, and workforce wellness teams. View our products and services to learn more.  

Workplace Fatality Prevention Tool Released 

The National Safety Council and NCCCO Foundation have collaborated to create a free Organizational Safety Gap Analysis Tool to help employers identify weaknesses in safety systems before incidents occur. After decades of progress, fatality rates have plateaued at more than 5,000 annually across all U.S. workplaces. Fatalities and injuries are preventable with the right systems in place, the council says. 

Recommended Resource 

Clinical guidelines for an initial assessment and documentation of work-related medical conditions are explained in a January 2026 Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine article, providing helpful insights for early intervention and management of common complaints. 

HHS Reinstates Hundreds of NIOSH Positions, Reversing Prior Cuts 

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced it is reversing recent staffing reductions at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, restoring hundreds of positions. An HHS spokesperson confirmed the decision this week, marking a significant shift for the agency responsible for much of the nation’s workplace health and safety research. 

NIOSH plays a critical role in advancing evidence-based guidance that employers rely on to prevent injuries, reduce exposure risks, and strengthen safety programs. The reinstatement helps preserve essential research capacity and supports continued progress in protecting worker health across industries. 

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REGULATORY UPDATES

New Rules Focus on Pipeline and Hazardous Material Operations  

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued two new rules and an enforcement policy: 

• A Pipeline Safety Class Location Change Requirement updates class location regulations for gas transmission lines to reflect technological and safety advancements. Officials said the rule will allow operators to avoid unnecessary pipeline replacements and pressure reductions by implementing risk-based integrity management practices. 

• Eliminating Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens on Fuel Transportation amends PHMSA’s hazardous materials regulations. It is expected to lower compliance costs associated with transporting fuel via cargo tank.  

• The enforcement policy, Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion and Statement of Policy for Issuing Special Permits in Response to National Energy Emergency, allows regulated entities to apply for special permits to defer the performance of compliance activities in response to the national energy emergency initiated by the Trump administration.  

The two new rules take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The enforcement policy will take effect 30 days after publication.  

EDITOR’S NOTE: Links included in this article refer to pre-publication information. Refer to the PHMSA website for final rule publication. 

EPA Releases Chemical Regulation Plans 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released plans to regulate the use of five phthalate chemicals to reduce what it has determined to be “unreasonable environmental and workplace exposure risks.” Phthalates are commonly used to make flexible plastics. They have the potential to cause human health abnormalities, including hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption. The EPA also announced its intent to regulate the use of 1,3 butadiene in 11 specific industrial settings. A colorless gas, 1,3-butadiene is used for the manufacture of tires and other automotive products, adhesives and sealants, paints, and coatings. Exposure risks for unprotected workers include low birthweight babies, anemia, leukemia, and bladder cancer. Unreasonable exposure risks related to 1,3 butadiene in the environment were not identified.  

OSHA Recordkeeping Deadlines Employers Can’t Miss 

Two upcoming OSHA milestones require action to stay compliant and maintain transparency with your workforce: 

• February 1 through April 30: Employers must post the OSHA Form 300A Summary of 2025 work-related injuries and illnesses in a visible location where employees can easily review it. This supports transparency and reinforces your commitment to workplace safety. 

• March 2: Covered employers must submit their 2025 injury and illness data through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Timely submission helps avoid penalties and ensures your organization remains aligned with federal reporting requirements. 

Learn how WorkCare can help simplify recordkeeping and reduce compliance risk. 

Compliance Deadline for Hazardous Communications Standard Extended 

OSHA has announced an extension to the compliance timeline for its updated Hazard Communication Standard final rule. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors were originally required to complete substance evaluations by January 19, 2026. That deadline has now been moved to May 19, 2026. 

The extension gives OSHA time to publish additional guidance so employers and supply chain partners can better prepare for the revised requirements before they take effect. Employers should use this window to review upcoming changes, assess internal processes, and align safety and compliance teams for a smooth transition. See the Federal Register Notice for more details.