IHMM Today, June 23, 2026

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IHMM Today is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management® (IHMM®).

Other than content specifically provided by IHMM, articles contained in IHMM Today are compiled from

independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.

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Table of Contents

|   FREE IMDG / 49CFR Training For 8 CMPs   |  IHMM Foundation Friend of the Institute Spotlight: LION  |  Serious Injury and Fatality – ASTM activity for 2026–2027  |  OSHA has Issued an Updated Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual   |  California Nalozone Requirement   |  IHMM Releases 2026 Salaries Survey Reports | IHMM Draft Comments on Two Proposed EPA Water Regulations  | IHMM Nominating Committee Announces Board Seats  | IHMM Global DG Transport Regulatory Update, June 17-23, 2026  | IHMM Credential Exam Prep Courses | IHMM Video Training Project  |  Looking For Work? 13 Job Listings Below |  The Certified Professional for June 11 |  IHMM’s 2.96 Million Communications | P2R Bloodborne Pathogen Training June 26 | DOT, EPA, & OSHA Cancel Penalty Increases for 2026

  • Lion
  • DGI
  • Certifications Matter – CSMP
  • The Value of IHMM Credentials
  • ISSM CHMM Prep Course
  • EHS IHMM Safety Credentials
  • Hazmat/Dangerous Goods Credentials
  • Microcredentials/Emeritus/BadgeCert
  • Follow IHMM on Social Media
  • IHMM Credentials Accredited
  • Need Help?
  • IHMM Recent News
  • Inside IHMM
  • IHMM Foundation Insider Friend of the Institute: LION Technology
  • IHMM Nominating Committee Announces Board Positions
  • Celebrating Excellence in EHS Leadership – Nominate a Trailblazer!
  • FREE 8-Hour IMDG / 49 CFR Training August 13-14
  • Lights. Knowledge. Impact
  • IHMM Foundation Seeks to Expand CDGP Professional Development
  • IHMM at Upcoming Conferences 
  • Professional Development – Earning CMPs
  • IHMM Recertification Videos
  • Support the Future of EHS
  • IHMM Foundation Jobs Board – 13 Job Openings
  • Research Resources for You – EPA Superfund Calculators
  • IHMM’s Unprecedented Outreach – 2,961,438 Messages for Jan-May
  • Advertise with IHMM
  • IHMM 2026 Salaries Survey Reports
  • Connect – Collaborate – Get Hired
  • IHMM Code of Ethics Video – New Code of Ethics One-Pager
  • IHMM Mentors Support You
  • IHMM Government Affairs
  • Regulatory Updates
  • CHEMTREC
  • IHMM Draft Comments on Two EPA PFAS Drinking Water Standards and Compliance Deadlines Regulations
  • Important Stories for IHMM Certificants
    • California AB 1976 Naloxone Requirement
    • OSHA Issues Updated VPPPP Manual
    • Serious Injury and Fatality – ASTM Activity for 2026-2027
    • DOT, EPA, and OSHA Freeze Civil Penalty Increases
    • P2R Consortium Bloodborne Pathogen Training
    • Environment News This Week June 17-23, 2026
    • LION
    • Workplace Safety News This Week June 17-23, 2026
    • Be a Safety Champion
    • Safe + Sound Week August 10-16, 2026
    • Global Dangerous Goods Transportation This Week, June 17-23, 2026
  • School Safety – 2026 COPS School Violence Prevention
  • ECHA – News from the European Chemicals Agency
  • IHMM Store
  • News from IHMM Affiliates
    • AHMP
    • AIHA – The Synergist
    • NSC
    • Advertise with IHMM
    • ASSP
  • The Certified Professional for June 11, 2026
  • IHMM Hazardous Materials Textbook
  • NAHMMA

Certified Safety Management Practitioner® (CSMP®)

Educated by experience. Developed by discipline. Addicted to progress. Energized by excellence. Welcome home, you are among those who highly respect your skills. IHMM’s Certified Safety Management Practitioner (CSMP®) credential recognizes workplace safety and health professionals who have a less formal education but can demonstrate a mastery of workplace safety and labor law regulations earned through training and experience. Gain the trust and confidence of your colleagues and management with a CSMP® credential.

Learn more about the CSMP here

The Value of IHMM Credentials

Below you will see the credential badges from BadgeCert that are now in each CHMM, CHMP, CDGT, CDGP, AHMM, Student CHMM, CSHM, CSMP, CSSM, ASHM, and Student ASHM certificant’s MYIHMM account. Every IHMM certificant may use these badges, linked as those below are to their IHMM credential page, for their email signatures, business cards, and other social media applications. You’re justifiably proud of the accomplishment of having earned your credential, and you can show the rest of the world.

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EHS / Workplace Safety Credentials

Certified Safety & Health Manager

Certified Safety Management Practitioner

Associate Safety & Health Manager

Student Associate Safety & Health Manager

Certified School Safety Manager

Hazardous Materials / Dangerous Goods Transportation Credentials

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager

Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner

Certified Dangerous Goods Professional

Associate Hazardous Materials Manager

Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer

Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager

Microcredentials – Emeritus – BadgeCert

Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist

Emeritus

BadgeCert

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Need Help? On the IHMM website, just click on the “NEED HELP?” button
and let us know what you need, and the right person will get back with you.

IHMM RECENT NEWS

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/DANGEROUS GOODS
EHS/WORKPLACE SAFETY

INSIDE IHMM

We thank Lion Technology for its ongoing support of the IHMM Foundation and for being a Friend of the Institute.

Generosity is more than a gift; it is a statement of an individual’s commitment and dedication to growing the hazmat and EHS communities of practice.

Thanks to friends like Lion Technology, the Foundation can provide certificants with access to vital educational and training programs, professional development opportunities, academic scholarships, networking, and more.

Together, we’re building a safer, stronger future.

Learn more about becoming a Friend of the Institute.

ABOUT Lion Technology

Lion Technology, an IHMM Foundation training partner, has had 2 courses approved in advance for earning IHMM recertification certification maintenance points. We are pleased to promote these programs. Thank you, Lion Technology, and thank you to the IHMM Foundation’s Professional Development Committee.

Thank you, Lion Technology, for contributing programs that enable IHMM certificants to engage in professional development and earn important CMPs! All  Lion Technology programs are available online and on demand.

Visit Lion Technology INC

IHMM Nominating Committee Announces Board Positions for Jan 1, 2027

Heather Waldmann, CHMM, chair of the IHMM Nominating Committee, is pleased to release the Call for Nominations for 2026. IHMM’s Board is filling three seats as follows:

  • One CSHM Board Member for a 4-year term beginning January 1, 2027
  • One CDGP Board Member for a 4-year term beginning January 1, 2027
  • One At-Large Board Member who may come from the ranks of the CHMM, CHMP, CDGP, CSHM, or CSMP,  for a 4-year term beginning January 1, 2027

Celebrating Excellence in EHS Leadership – Nominate a Trailblazer Today!

The Excellence in EHS Management Award is a prestigious honor recognizing an outstanding Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) manager who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to the profession. This is your opportunity to spotlight a true champion of workplace safety and environmental responsibility!

Presented by the Institute for Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), this award will be showcased at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo—one of the most influential safety events of the year.

What the Winner Receives:

🏆 A distinguished commemorative plaque
📣 Recognition in an official press release and IHMM member communications

Nominate an EHS Leader

Nominations are open from March through July each year, and the 2025 award presentation will take place at the National Safety Council Congress & Expo, September 14-16, 2026, in Indianapolis!

Help us honor the best in the field—nominate a deserving EHS leader today!

For more information and the Excellence in EHS Management Award Nomination Form Go Here

FREE – NSU Seamist/NCB – 8-hour IMDG Code, with additional 49CFR requirements training course August 13-14

Only 16 seats left – register today here

Lights. Knowledge. Impact. 

The IHMM Foundation is launching an exciting new initiative—a dynamic series of professional training videos designed to power your growth and advance your career.

These one-hour, high-impact learning modules will allow IHMM certificants to earn valuable CMPs—and that’s just the beginning.

Here’s where it gets even more exciting:
We’re inviting YOU to help create them.

If you have expertise to share, you can partner with us to develop these training videos—and earn CMPs for your contributions as a content creator. This is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, build your professional reputation, and directly shape the future of education across the IHMM community.

Each course will include:

  • A focused, one-hour training session
  • A follow-on quiz to reinforce learning
  • Direct alignment with IHMM certification blueprints

Whether you’re looking to earn CMPs, build your brand, or give back to the profession, this initiative puts you front and center.

Ready to lead, teach, and inspire?
Join us today and start the process of aligning your video topic with IHMM certifications.

👉 Sign up now and be part of something transformative.

IHMM Foundation Seeks to Expand CDGP Professional Development Programs

As part of the IHMM Foundation’s continuing commitment to building a stronger, deeper, and more valuable professional development ecosystem for IHMM credential holders, the Foundation is now turning its attention to the Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP®) credential.

Following the recent work comparing the CHMM and CSHM blueprints against the education and training programs currently available through the IHMM Foundation, we are now undertaking the same focused review for the CDGP. This effort will compare the CDGP blueprint domains and subdomains against existing professional development offerings to identify where new or expanded courses can strengthen the knowledge base, practical skills, and career value of the CDGP credential.

This is an important opportunity. Dangerous goods transportation is a highly regulated, technically demanding, and globally significant field. CDGP credential holders operate at the intersection of safety, compliance, logistics, emergency preparedness, and international regulatory systems. Expanding CDGP-aligned training will help professionals stay current, employers build stronger compliance programs, and the Foundation deliver greater value to the hazardous materials and dangerous goods community.

The IHMM Foundation Professional Development Committee will begin by working with the 29 education and training vendors with whom we have existing relationships, giving preference to vendors who are Friends of the Institute, to identify priority programs that will strengthen and expand our CDGP course offerings.

FMI: Jelian Larbi at [email protected]

IHMM 2026 Trade Shows and Conferences

Visit IHMM at Booth #5431
Indiana Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN

AHMP EHS Hazmat Summit
September 29-October 1, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana

FET Annual Conference
October 20-22, 2026
Marriott Oshkosh Waterfront Conference Center

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supports IHMM certificants

Professional Development

The IHMM Foundation is your partner in growing your expertise and advancing your career. We’re committed to making professional development not only high quality—but easy, accessible, and directly aligned with your IHMM certification.

Simply click the button for your credential below, and you’ll be taken straight to the IHMM Foundation’s curated collection of training and education already approved for Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs).

No searching. No guesswork. Just the right courses to keep you sharp, confident, and ahead of the curve.

Invest in yourself. Advance your profession. Accelerate your success—starting today.

#1 – Recertification Video
#2 Recertification Video

IHMM Recertification Videos

Congratulations. After hard work and dedication, you earned your professional credential. Now, every 5 years, you will need to recertify your valuable credential. Over 5 years, you need to earn 200 certification maintenance points or CMPs. You receive 100 CMPs for the job you perform, and then need to earn a minimum of another 100 CMPs in a variety of ways, demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement and remaining current with the demands of your profession and our communities of practice.

Considering everything you did to achieve certification, don’t let it go to waste by failing to recertify.

The two, four-minute videos at left walk a certificant through every step of a simple process to recertify.

Support the Future of EHS

The IHMM Dr. John H. Frick Memorial Scholarship Program supports Student CHMMs and Student ASHMs—students who work hard, dream big, and are preparing to protect our workplaces, our communities, and our planet. For many, financial barriers stand between them and the credentials that will shape their futures.

Your gift changes that.
Every dollar opens a door, fuels a dream, and invests in a leader who will carry our profession forward.

Give today. Empower their future. Strengthen our field. https://hazmatsociety.org/donate/

The IHMM Foundation Jobs Board

We invite our participating companies to post their available employment opportunities here. There is no charge for this service. IHMM Foundation/HMS staff reviews each proposed posting for clarity and completeness before posting to the public view and may remove a posting without notice. Go here to post your available jobs.

Vice President of Safety 1849 – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Fort Myers, FL

EHS Manager Opportunity – Cleveland, OH area, Job 1838 – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Cleveland, OH

Environmental (EHS) Specialist III – Thermo Fisher Scientific – Stafford Springs, CT

EHS Manager: Join Our Client’s Team in Sumter, SC – 1853 Consentium Search Client – Sumter SC

Manager – Waste Management Program – Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino, CA

Field Safety Coordinator – Gen-Co LLC – Detroit, MI

EHS Leader Opportunity – Job 1850 – Toledo, OH Area – Consentium Search Client

1852 EHS Leader, La Porte, IN – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – La Porte, IN

1851 EHS Leader / Manager – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Logan Township, NJ

Environmental Compliance Professional (Job 1830) – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Millsboro, DE

Regional EHS Manager in Baltimore Job 1812 – Consentium Search Client Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Baltimore, MD

EHS Professional Job 1803 – Consentium Search Client 1803 Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Dover, NJ

Northeast Regional Service EHS Manager 1844 – Consentium Search Client 1844 Tying the Best Companies to the Best EHS Professionals – Various potential locations, see below

 

 

Research and Resources For You

The IHMM Foundation/HMS is committed to the continued growth of IHMM’s certificants and to supporting them in every way we can. We achieve this through work that aims to gain insights that align with our mission to educate, develop, inform, and unite the hazardous materials, dangerous goods, and environmental health and safety communities of practice.

IHMM’s certificants will find important resources that most of our certificants use. If you don’t find what you need, use the button below to let us know, and we will get it and post it here for you.

If you are you looking for additional resources not listed on this page? We can help!

IHMM Research is found at https://hazmatsociety.org/research/

Added this week > EPA Superfund Calculators

IHMM’s Unprecedented Outreach: Elevating Excellence Worldwide

2026 marks another milestone moment for IHMM! IHMM has sent 2.96 million messages in January, February, March, April, and May to thousands of private and public sector entities, amplifying awareness of IHMM, our prestigious credentials, and the dedicated professionals who hold them.

This momentum is more than just numbers; it’s a testament to our unwavering mission. Every day, across 50 states and 85 countries, IHMM champions the critical role of its credentialed professionals, setting standards of excellence in environmental, health, and safety fields. Together, we are shaping the future—one message, one connection, one breakthrough at a time!

IHMM Releases 2026 Certificant Salaries Survey Reports

IHMM is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 IHMM Salary Surveys, presenting powerful new data on the professional value, job-market strength, and economic performance associated with IHMM credentials.

This year’s surveys cover three essential areas of practice: Hazmat and Dangerous Goods professionals holding the CHMM, CHMP, and CDGP credentials; Workplace Safety professionals holding the CSHM, CSMP, and CSSM credentials; and the Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist (CPPS) credential.

Across all three reports, the message is clear: IHMM certificants are working in fields that continue to grow in importance, visibility, and opportunity. The 2026 data show strong job growth tied to these credentials, expanding professional responsibilities, and outstanding economic performance for those who have invested in proving their knowledge, competence, and commitment through IHMM certification

As employers confront increasingly complex challenges in hazardous materials management, dangerous goods transportation, workplace safety, emergency readiness, and pandemic preparedness, IHMM certificants stand out as trusted professionals prepared to lead.

The 2026 Salary Surveys confirm what the marketplace already knows: IHMM credentials deliver value, create opportunity, and help professionals advance in critical, high-demand fields.

IHMM launched its “Open to Work” online COLLABORATION community exclusively for IHMM certificants looking to connect, share resumes, and discover job opportunities together in a supportive environment.

You can find this community after logging into COLLABORATION here: https://community.ihmm.org/home

The IHMM Code of Ethics

At IHMM, integrity isn’t just a principle—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our Code of Ethics is the guiding standard for all IHMM Certificants, ensuring that professionals in hazardous materials, dangerous goods, environment, health, and safety uphold the highest levels of honor, trust, and responsibility in their work.

By committing to this Code, Certificants reinforce their dedication to excellence, ethical conduct, and public safety. Violating these standards isn’t an option—those who do may face disciplinary action from a peer review panel, including credential suspension or revocation.

We’ve recently updated our Code of Ethics to reflect evolving industry standards and best practices. Stay informed, stay accountable, and continue leading with integrity.

📜 Explore the updated IHMM Code of Ethics here: IHMM Code of Ethics

🎥 Watch the latest Code of Ethics video below!

Click on the graphic above to download the IHMM

Code of Ethics One-Page PDF

IHMM Mentors Support

Welcome to the Future of Professional Growth with IHMM’s Mentoring Program!

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Dive into a world of opportunity and advancement with IHMM’s dynamic mentoring program! Our experienced mentors are here to share their expertise, offer personalized guidance, and help you navigate both credential exams and everyday work challenges.

✨ Unlock Your Potential: Learn from industry leaders and accelerate your professional journey. ✨ Tailored Support: Receive personalized advice and strategies to overcome your unique challenges. ✨ Build Connections: Join a vibrant community of professionals eager to support and inspire each other.

Whether you’re a newcomer in the field or seeking to hone your skills, IHMM’s mentoring program is your gateway to growth and success. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, valuable tips, and exclusive insights from our mentors!

Embark on a journey of discovery and achievement with us. Welcome aboard!

IHMM’s Collaboration platform contains a “Mentor Match” module [see below at right] that allows mentors to signup designating the hours, number of mentees, subject areas, and length of time they wish to mentor – as well as enabling mentees signup requesting assistance in specified areas. The mentor match module does the rest by matching mentors and mentees.

IHMM Government Affairs

Regulatory Updates

IHMM Draft Comments on Two EPA – PFAS Drinking Water Standards and Compliance Proposed Regulations

IHMM Draft Comments on Two Proposed EPA Water Regulations

EPA – PFAS Drinking Water Standards and Compliance Deadlines – The EPA issued two related notices of proposed rulemaking: Extended Compliance Deadlines and Rescission of Certain PFAS Drinking Water Standards. The proposals would revise federal drinking water requirements for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Comments due July 20th

Federal Register – Extending Deadlines

Federal Register – Recissions

California’s AB 1976 Naloxone Requirement

California employers should begin preparing now for a major change in workplace first-aid compliance. AB 1976, signed by Governor Newsom on September 27, 2024, added Labor Code § 6723 and directs Cal/OSHA to submit a draft rulemaking proposal by December 1, 2027, to revise Title 8, §§ 1512 and 3400, so workplace first-aid materials include naloxone hydrochloride or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist, together with instructions for use. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board must consider adoption of the revised standards by December 1, 2028.

The law also requires Cal/OSHA to consider employer guidance on proper storage consistent with manufacturer instructions and preserves civil liability protections for individuals who administer naloxone or another FDA-approved opioid antagonist in a suspected overdose emergency, subject to existing Good Samaritan limitations.

Employers should use the runway wisely: review first-aid kit procurement, identify worksites where opioid-overdose response may be needed, update emergency-response procedures, train designated personnel, track expiration dates, and ensure naloxone is stored and accessible. Cal/OSHA’s pending first-aid rulemaking already recognizes that removing restrictions on medicines in kits could help employers include naloxone pursuant to AB 1976.

The compliance message is simple: the rule is coming, and prudent employers should prepare before the mandate arrives.

Important Stories for IHMM Certificants

OSHA has Issued an Updated Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual

OSHA's updated Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) policy manual aligns participant safety systems with the seven core elements found in their framework for safety and health programs.
The significant changes to the VPP framework include requiring safety and health management systems to cover the following seven core elements:
    • Management Leadership
    • Worker Participation
    • Hazard Identification and Assessment
    • Hazard Prevention and Control
    • Education and Training
    • Program Evaluation and Improvement
    • Communication and Coordination (specifically for host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies)
In addition to the seven elements, the directive (OSHA Directive CSP 03-01-005) established two new VPP recognition levels:
    • VPP Elite: For sites that have maintained VPP Star status for 15 or more consecutive years.
    • VPP Emeritus: For participants with 25+ years in the program.
The updated 7-element framework does not change the core goals of VPP. Instead, it breaks down the original 4 elements into more precise, actionable categories.
Here is how the old and new frameworks align:
1. Management, Leadership & Worker Participation
The old framework combined these two critical roles into a single element. The updated framework splits them into two distinct categories to emphasize that worker involvement is just as critical as executive buy-in.

Serious Injury and Fatality – ASTM activity for 2026–2027

Serious Injury and Fatality, the ASTM activity for 2026–2027 is a major shift from traditional injury-counting toward SIF classification, pSIF identification, SIF risk prioritization, safeguard verification, and leadership/worker engagement.

Bottom line

Three SIF-related ASTM standards are already active in 2026, and one related engagement standard remains the principal 2026–2027 watch item.

1. ASTM E2920-26 — revised injury/illness and SIF recording standard

ASTM E2920-26 is active as of January 26, 2026. It revises the prior injury/illness recording guide to expressly address SIF-related serious injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The important change is that it now classifies incidents into benchmarkable Level One and Level Two incidents, nonmandatory lower-level incidents, potential SIFs (pSIFs), and SIFRisk conditions.

The legal/practical significance is that employers using ASTM E2920-26 will be expected to look beyond OSHA-recordable rates and ask whether an event had life-ending, life-threatening, or life-altering potential, even where the actual injury was minor or avoided by safeguards.

2. ASTM E3519-26 — new standard for non-injury SIF events

ASTM E3519-26 is active as of May 27, 2026. It covers serious incident and fatality events other than employee work-related injuries and illnesses, including serious fires, environmental impacts, operational disruptions, and similar high-consequence events.

This is a significant expansion of SIF thinking. It means an organization’s SIF program should not stop at employee injuries. Serious fires, chemical releases, business interruption, community impacts, and major asset-damage events may now be classified and benchmarked as SIF-related events if they meet the standard’s criteria.

3. ASTM E3529-26 — new SIF risk identification and reduction standard

ASTM E3529-26 is active as of June 3, 2026. It provides a systematic approach to identify, prioritize, reduce, and control workplace risks specific to serious incidents and fatalities, including hazard identification, risk assessment, safeguards, performance monitoring, and leadership review.

This is the most operationally important of the new standards. It moves SIF management from “record what happened” to “identify where catastrophic potential exists, verify safeguards, and reduce risk before the event occurs.” ASTM states that the guide is intended to align with safety management system principles such as ISO 45001.

4. ASTM WK92350 — worker and executive engagement standard still in development

ASTM WK92350 remains a work item for a new guide on evaluating worker and executive engagement in occupational safety and health management. Its scope includes involvement from frontline workers through executives, with keywords including employee engagement, worker involvement, and safety culture.

This appears to be the key 2026–2027 pending item. ASTM’s E34.80 subcommittee lists WK92350 along with the SIF risk and non-injury SIF work items, and ASTM’s May 2026 update identifies related proposed standards on assessing SIF risks and engaging leaders and teams in SIF prevention.

What this means for IHMM / EHS programs

Read more here…

DOT, EPA, and OSHA Freeze Civil Penalty Increases for 2026

In a noteworthy development for regulated industries, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will not increase their civil monetary penalties in 2026, marking the first interruption in the annual inflation-adjustment process since Congress enacted the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

The unusual decision stems from the federal government funding lapse during the fall of 2025. Because the shutdown prevented the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from publishing the required October 2025 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), federal agencies lacked the statutory data necessary to calculate annual penalty adjustments. In April 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formally directed federal agencies to cancel the 2026 inflation adjustment and continue using 2025 penalty levels.

As a result, OSHA’s maximum penalties remain at $16,550 per violation for serious violations and $165,514 per violation for willful or repeat violations. OSHA confirmed there will be no inflation-based increase for 2026.

Similarly, DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and EPA will maintain their existing civil penalty structures throughout 2026 rather than implementing the annual upward adjustment.

While many employers, hazardous materials shippers, and environmental compliance professionals may welcome the temporary pause in escalating penalties, organizations should not mistake the freeze for reduced enforcement. Existing penalty levels remain substantial, and federal agencies retain full authority to investigate violations and pursue enforcement actions. Compliance with OSHA, EPA, and DOT requirements

Sources:

  • Lion Technology, “DOT, EPA, & OSHA Cancel Penalty Increases for 2026.”
  • Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-26-11, “Cancellation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2026.”
  • OSHA Memorandum, “2026 Annual Adjustments to OSHA Civil Penalties.”
  • ICC Compliance Center, “PHMSA Penalty Increases Canceled for 2026.”

P2R Consortium | Bloodborne Pathogen Training – June 26

Environmental News for This Week: June 17-23, 2026

Sponsored Content

Workplace Safety News This Week: June 17-23, 2026

For the week of June 17–23, 2026, workplace safety developments in the United States continued to be driven by federal budget deliberations, heat-related hazards, and significant worker-safety incidents.

Congressional consideration of the FY 2027 budgets for OSHA and NIOSH remained the most important policy issue. Proposed reductions to OSHA funding and workforce levels, elimination of the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, and restructuring of NIOSH research functions continued to generate concern among employers, labor organizations, occupational health professionals, and safety associations regarding future enforcement, training, and research capabilities.

OSHA intensified nationwide outreach concerning heat illness prevention as extreme temperatures affected large portions of the country. Employers were reminded that failure to address recognized heat hazards may result in enforcement under OSHA’s General Duty Clause. Construction, agriculture, warehousing, transportation, and utility employers remained particular areas of focus.

Several significant worker-safety news stories also emerged during the week. Reports of worker fatalities and serious injuries involving construction falls, heavy equipment operations, roadway work zones, and industrial maintenance activities continued to draw attention to persistent workplace hazards. In addition, investigations into electrical-contact incidents and confined-space accidents highlighted the continuing need for rigorous hazard assessment, energy-control procedures, and employee training.

Meanwhile, NIOSH continued research and outreach related to occupational heat exposure, respiratory protection, silica control, and injury prevention. Collectively, the week reflected both immediate workplace safety challenges and an ongoing national debate over the resources available to address them.

Safety Champions Program

The Safety Champions Program is a new program for employers to develop and implement an effective safety and health program. The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. The Program incorporates the seven core elements of Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs.

The Safety Champion Program has three Steps (Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced). The Steps are self-guided, and participants may work at their own pace. Safety Champion participants may also request a Safety Champion Special Government Employee (SGE) to assess their safety and health program and Step progress at any time.

I want to become a Safety Champion to embark on the pathway to safety and health success!  SIGN UP HERE

Safe +Sound Week – August 10-16, 2026

We appreciate your continued hard work and dedication to promoting safety and health programs in workplaces across the country. To keep our communications current, we ask our Safe + Sound Partners to update their profiles by May 8, 2026. Please access the form and complete the fields to ensure your information is accurate.

Some key items to consider:

We are very excited for Safe + Sound Week this year which will focus on celebrating safety and health program successes and recognizing workers’ contributions. The event will be held the second full week of August (8/10/26 – 8/16/26). We expect registration to open the first week of July. We will have new and engaging resources available to help people celebrate with us.

In the meantime, if there is anything we can do to help support you, please feel free to contact Inanje and me at [email protected].

Global DG Transport Regulatory Update: June 17-23, 2026

IHMM Global DG Transport Compliance Matrix (2025–2026)
IHMM Certificant Compliance Checklist
June 17-23, 2026
United States, Canada, and Mexico

For the period of June 17–23, 2026, dangerous goods and hazardous materials transportation regulation across North America continued to be characterized by regulatory modernization, international harmonization efforts, battery transportation oversight, fuel and LPG safety initiatives, and increasing emphasis on digital compliance systems. While no major hazardous materials statute was enacted during this reporting period, regulators throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico continued advancing policies designed to improve transportation safety, documentation integrity, emergency preparedness, and cross-border consistency.

The principal themes emerging this week include continued implementation of PHMSA registration modernization initiatives, ongoing Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) program enhancements, and Mexico’s continued focus on fuel transportation safety and UN-aligned dangerous-goods modernization.

United States

PHMSA Registration Modernization and Harmonization Activities

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) continues implementing modernization initiatives affecting hazardous materials registration, permitting, and compliance management.

The 2026–2027 Hazardous Materials Registration Program remains active, with PHMSA continuing its transition toward expanded electronic registration and payment systems through DOT’s modernization efforts. These changes are intended to improve regulatory efficiency, enhance compliance monitoring, and streamline interactions between regulated entities and the agency.

Meanwhile, PHMSA’s HM-215R international harmonization rulemaking remains the most significant pending hazardous materials regulatory initiative. The proposal would continue aligning U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations with:

  • UN Model Regulations;
  • ICAO Technical Instructions;
  • IMDG Code requirements;
  • International multimodal transportation standards.

Areas expected to be affected include:

  • Proper shipping names;
  • Hazard classifications;
  • Packaging authorizations;
  • Special provisions;
  • Air transportation limitations;
  • Vessel stowage requirements.

Special Permit Activity

PHMSA continues processing applications for:

  • New special permits;
  • Modifications of existing permits;
  • Renewals of special permits.

Special permits remain particularly important because they frequently establish regulatory precedents for emerging technologies, battery systems, alternative packaging methods, and specialized transportation operations.

Important News Developments

Transportation incidents involving fuel cargoes, rail operations, and battery-powered equipment continue receiving significant regulatory attention.

Recent investigations reinforce recurring enforcement themes involving:

  • Shipping-paper accuracy;
  • Emergency-response planning;
  • Hazard communication;
  • Classification integrity;
  • Packaging compliance.

Legal Significance

For U.S. shippers and carriers, regulatory risk increasingly centers on:

  • Documentation accuracy;
  • Classification defensibility;
  • Battery transportation controls;
  • Digital compliance recordkeeping;
  • Special permit adherence.

The modern compliance environment increasingly requires demonstrable due diligence and auditable compliance systems.

Read more here…

2026 COPS School Violence Prevention Program

The COPS Office has officially opened applications for the FY2026 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). This initiative focuses on enhancing K-12 school security by funding evidence-based safety programs, specialized law enforcement training, and critical security technology. If you want more information about the program guidelines or want to register for COPS’ upcoming webinar on 6/30, visit our webpage for more details.

Recent News from the European Chemicals Agency

News from IHMM Affiliates

Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals

IHMM is affiliated with AHMP and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.

AHMP News

We hope to see you on Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 pm EST for the next round of Trivia. The recurring trivia series is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins ERC and hosted via Kahoot on Zoom. The ERC is covering the platform subscription and custom trivia content, created specifically for AHMP by the HazMat Scholar duo, Kurt and Phil. All are welcome to attend! Register now for June!

Join us on July 22, 2026, for Webinar: Combustible Dust Explosions – Awareness and Mitigation, presented by Dr. Ashok Ghose Dastidar. This webinar will explore the causes and trends behind combustible dust incidents using U.S. Chemical Safety Board data and introduce the NFPA 7-point dust explosion hazard schematic to help identify risks and implement effective mitigation strategies. Register Now

2026 EHS HAZMAT Summit Keynote & Plenary Speakers Announced! 

  • Tuesday, September 29 Plenary: Lessons Learned from Katrina; Rich Varuso, Geotechnical Engineer & Senior Program Manager at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Wednesday, September 30 Keynote: Circular Economy; Charlie Sellars, Director of Sustainability at Microsoft
  • Thursday, October 1 Plenary: Regulatory & Political Changes; Gene Guilford, Executive Director at IHMM

In addition, our program committee has been hard at work reviewing nearly 100 abstract submissions—an incredible response that reflects the innovation, expertise, and passion within our community. With so many outstanding proposals to consider, we’re confident this year’s Summit will feature exceptional educational content and valuable insights for attendees. Stay tuned for program announcements—we can’t wait to share what’s in store!

Attendee registration is open, including group rates, so secure your spot and start planning to join us in New Orleans this September!

This premier event brings together environmental, health, safety, and hazardous materials professionals from across the country for three days of learning, networking, and industry insight. Organizations can also expand their visibility through exhibit booths and sponsorships, with new options available for a range of budgets. Also new this year, exhibitors and sponsors can step into the spotlight with a “Rich Pitch“!

AHMP Webinars

  • Registration is now open for the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Night School, running September 2–November 11, 2026. This live, online 11-week program offers expert-led instruction on Wednesday evenings, providing practical knowledge for professionals preparing for CHMM or CHMP certification, earning CEUs, or expanding their environmental, health, and safety expertise. AHMP members can also apply for the EHMM Scholarship, which helps cover tuition costs and is awarded quarterly to eligible members in good standing. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your professional growth—register today.

  • Webinar: Combustible Dust Explosions – Awareness and Mitigation – July 22. Learners will gain knowledge of the trends in causal factors of combustible dust explosions through CSB report data review.

American Industrial Hygiene Association

IHMM is affiliated with AIHA and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.

The Synergist

Who Should be Performing Fit Tests?

By Stephanie Lynch

While OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard spells out fit-test procedures in detail, it does not address who is qualified to perform them. Appendix A specifies which steps to perform, how long each should last, and what constitutes a pass or fail. But the standard is largely silent on the person behind the instrument. There is no required training, no certification, and no formal competency standard for the individual administering the test.

Continue reading…

National Safety Council

IHMM is a member of the National Safety Council and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.

NSC News

NSC Webinars

American Society of Safety Professionals

IHMM is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and is pleased to bring this important information to all of our certificants.

ASSP News

ASSP Webinars

ASSP SBUGs – Standards-Based User Groups

Turn safety standards into measurable safety performance with Standards-Based User Groups (SBUGs), a structured forum where environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals, employers, and industry experts come together to share best practices, learn from peers, and translate standards into measurable workplace safety outcomes.

With regular virtual meetings and ongoing engagement through a private online community, SBUGs connect you with professionals, organizations, and solution providers tackling the same high-risk challenges, empowering you to benchmark performance and implement effective strategies.

Learn more here

June 11, 2026

The Certified Professional 

From the IHMM Foundation | Highlighting Our Commitment to Professional Development | Scholarships | Research | Affinity Programs | Networking |

Friends of the Institute

Home

IHMM and The IHMM Foundation

Check it out! The graphic to the left brings to life the powerful partnership between IHMM and the IHMM Foundation — a collaboration built to support YOU and every IHMM credential holder!

IHMM created the IHMM Foundation with one goal in mind: to empower and elevate its certificants. While IHMM delivers a wide range of prestigious professional credentials, the IHMM Foundation steps in with game-changing professional development programs designed to support both current certificants and those on the path to certification.

Together, they’re building a stronger, smarter, and more connected community of professionals. 🚀 Ready to take your career to the next level? This is where it all begins!

9210 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 470
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
www.ihmm.org | [email protected]
Phone: 301-984-8969 | Fax: 301-984-1516

2026-06-23T16:05:57+00:00

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