March News Brief

TREND WATCH

OSHA: Injuries Involving Personal Devices with Lithium-ion Batteries are Recordable 

In a letter of interpretation, OSHA clarifies that employers are required to record an employee injury that occurs in the workplace when rechargeable lithium batteries used in a personal device explode or catch fire – unless specific exceptions apply. The letter was written in response to a scenario in which employees used e-cigarette devices at work. It is the first interpretation letter to be released by the agency so far this year. Read more. 

Pain Management is a Workers’ Comp Cost Driver 

Pain management comprises about 30% of workers’ compensation medical costs, with significant variability in costs among states, according to a report by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. Research shows that surgery accounted for 34% of total costs, drugs (including topical medications) 14%, and physical medicine 14%. Work-related pain is a leading cause of absence and disability. Prevention and early intervention help reduce the development of chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and traumatic injuries. Learn how a workplace participatory ergonomics program can help reduce risk for the development of MSDs and chronic pain. 

CDC Responds to Nationwide Measles Outbreaks 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remains committed to helping Americans contain and prevent measles outbreaks, according to a March 6 press release. For example, scientists with the agency’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) are supporting on-the-ground response activities in South Carolina and analyzing outbreak data in South Carolina and North Carolina to help identify transmission patterns, strengthen containment strategies, and guide targeted vaccination and prevention efforts. The CDC recommends vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the most effective way to prevent measles, which can cause serious illness in vulnerable populations and increase sickness absence at work and in schools. View current U.S. outbreak data here. 

NLRB Reinstates Joint-Employer Standard  

The National Labor Relations Board voted to reinstate a 2020 joint-employer standard, clarifying that a company is a joint employer only when it has “substantial direct and immediate control” over the essential terms and conditions of another company’s employees. The standard contains detailed guidance on collective-bargaining issues, including wages, benefits, work hours, hiring, discharge, discipline, supervision, and direction. Depending on the assignment of roles and responsibilities, the standard may affect the way occupational health and safety programs are managed, especially in situations involving multi-employer worksites, contractors, subcontractors, or franchises. OSHA regulatory compliance is still required for all affected parties. “Businesses may want to review their contracts, operational practices, and day-to-day interactions with workers and business partners to ensure they understand the potential for joint employer liability,” labor law attorneys with Ogletree Deakins advise.  

White Paper Provides Foundation for AI Adoption by EHS Professionals 

An American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) white paper, “AI and the Evolving Role of EHS Professionals,” provides guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in environment, health, and safety programs. The white paper is part of ongoing efforts by an ASSP task force to give EHS professionals the knowledge and tools they need to have an influential role in AI-driven decisions. The task force reports that early adopters are using low-cost, accessible AI tools to analyze incident data and save time on tasks like writing reports, policies, and training materials. Confirming findings from other studies, the ASSP team said AI enhances decision-making, but it does not replace human interaction and the professional judgment that is needed to evaluate results. Read AI in Occupational Health: Emerging Risks, Rapid Change, and What Employers Can Do Next to learn more. 

Younger Employees are Driving Up Healthcare Costs, Study Shows 

Employees are developing chronic conditions earlier in life, driving up the cost of healthcare and employer-sponsored health plans, according to a new white paper jointly released by UnitedHealthcare and the Health Action Council (HAC). Employees born between 1981-1996 (Millennials) and 1997-2012 (Gen Z) still have fewer healthcare claims than older generations, but their claim rates are rapidly rising due to the development of conditions like diabetes and obesity earlier in life. They also tend to visit emergency rooms more often and see primary care providers less often than other generations, according to data based on the experience of 225,000 health plan members. WorkCare’s on-site, prevention, and wellness teams offer programs to help employees in all generations reduce chronic disease risk and manage medical conditions so they can enjoy a high quality of life throughout their careers. Contact us to learn more. 

Is an Employer Liable for an Injury Caused by a Fall on Ice? Not in This Case 

In a March 3, 2026, ruling in the case of Patricia King v. ER OPCO Craig, d/b/a The Craig Senior Living, the 7th District Texas appellate court found in favor of the employer. King, a nurse, slipped, fell, and broke her hip when she stepped from the nursing home driveway onto an icy sidewalk on company property at the end of her shift. She crawled to the facility entrance, where the automatic doors repeatedly opened and closed on her until a co-worker assisted her. She was transported to a hospital, underwent surgery, and was treated for hypothermia and frostbite. The court found that the employer did not assume a duty when it promised employees it would clear sidewalks, stating that “even if The Craig undertook such a duty, ice and snow are naturally occurring conditions for which no actionable duty arises under Texas law.” In some states, injuries caused by falls on snow or ice in employer-controlled areas like sidewalks, entryways, and parking lots are considered compensable, but liability interpretations vary. Employers are advised to double-check workers’ compensation and other applicable laws that apply in the jurisdictions where they operate and take steps to reduce slip-and-fall hazards caused by severe weather and other conditions.