OSHA Region 2 issued a Local Emphasis Program directing increased inspections and outreach for maritime industries in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following heightened workplace safety concerns. The LEP targets shipyard, marine terminal, and longshoring employers, and complements existing federal maritime standards (29 CFR Parts 1915, 1917, and 1918). Employers in covered industries should expect programmed inspections.

OSHA cited a Huntsville-based home builder with 8 serious safety violations following a December 2025 worker fatality, finding the employer exposed construction workers to multiple trenching and excavation hazards during groundwork preparation. Violations include inadequate cave-in protection, unsafe access/egress, and failure to inspect excavations — among the most frequently cited fatality drivers in residential construction.

OSHA revised its National Emphasis Program targeting heat-related workplace hazards, using 2022–2025 injury data to prioritize inspections across 55 high-risk industries. The update introduces reorganized appendices for evaluating heat programs and citation guidance, removes outdated numerical inspection goals, and directs compliance officers to conduct random inspections in high-risk industries on days when the National Weather Service issues heat advisories or warnings. Effective immediately for five years.