Weekly Safety News - October 20th, 2025

Safety Connection News is a complimentary service from Safety Meeting Co. that delivers links to timely articles and updates on workplace and public safety. It’s designed to help you start your day with informed conversations and a broader perspective on emerging safety topics.

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Top 3 Biggest Occupational Safety Stories

• Senate-confirmed OSHA chief outlines priorities. David Keeling’s Oct 7 confirmation was noted this week with an outline of collaboration-first goals for enforcement and compliance. (Oct 21, 2025) jjkeller.com

• National School Bus Safety Week is underway. Schools and fleets are spotlighting stop-arm compliance and loading-zone safety. (Oct 20–24, 2025) https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/communication-calendars Traffic Safety Marketing

• Shutdown-strained cyber defenses raise workplace risk. With most CISA staff furloughed and information-sharing protections lapsed, experts warn of heightened infrastructure and enterprise risk. (Oct 2, 2025) https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/10/02/cisa-shutdown-cybersecurity/ The Washington Post

Regulatory & Enforcement Updates

• OSHA heat rule — final briefs due Oct 30. Post-hearing submissions close next week for the Heat Injury & Illness Prevention rule. (Updated Sept 26, 2025) https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking

• OSHA web updates paused during federal funding lapse. Public pages note a “Lapse in Appropriations”; core hotlines remain active. (Noted Oct 1, 2025) https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes

• Leadership moves continue. Jonathan Snare confirmed to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. (Oct 20, 2025) https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/jonathan-snare-confirmed-to-the-4770596/

• Outlook under new OSHA/MSHA heads. Counsel brief employers on likely shifts in inspection focus and compliance expectations. (Oct 14, 2025) https://natlawreview.com/article/osha-and-msha-under-new-leadership-anticipating-developments-workplace-safety National Law Review

Texas Spotlight:

• DWC stakeholder meeting (virtual). Quarterly system meeting scheduled Oct 22, 2–3:30 p.m. CT. (Oct 2025) https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/events/quarterly.html Texas Department of Insurance

• Workers’ comp interest/discount rate. DWC set the rate at 7.12%, effective Oct 1, 2025. (Oct 2025) https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/dwc/media.html Texas Department of Insurance

Roadway & Transportation Safety

• Teen Driver Safety Week. Campaign focuses on seat belts, speed, impairment, and distraction. (Oct 19–25, 2025) https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/communication-calendars

• Halloween impaired-driving enforcement window. NHTSA’s “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving” messaging ramps up this week. (Oct 25–31, 2025) https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/communication-calendars

• NCAP update delay. NHTSA pushed back new car rating enhancements by a year, affecting rollout of pedestrian AEB and other features. (Sept 19, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/nhtsa-delays-new-car-rating-updates-one-year-industry-request-2025-09-19/

Texas Spotlight:

• TxDOT pedestrian safety push. October is the deadliest month for TX pedestrians; “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign continues. (Oct 1, 2025) https://www.txdot.gov/about/newsroom/statewide/shorter-days-bring-deadly-risks-for-walkers-in-texas.html

• Laredo district outreach. Pedestrian safety and Friday Night Lights engagements run through late October. (Oct 2025) https://www.txdot.gov/keeplaredomoving.html

School Safety

• National School Bus Safety Week. Promote loading/unloading zone vigilance and stop-arm compliance. (Oct 20–24, 2025) https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/communication-calendars

• TXSSC fall offerings. Sandy Hook Promise “Say Something” virtual trainings and other resources available statewide. (Fall 2025) https://txssc.txstate.edu/events/

• TEA school safety resources hub. Centralized links to TXSSC, cybersecurity, and required checks for districts. (Accessed Oct 2025) https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/safe-and-supportive-schools/school-safety-resources

Texas Spotlight:

• TEA correspondence & updates. October letters include finance/compliance items; districts should review for impacts on safety planning and reporting. (Oct 16, 2025) https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence Texas Education Agency

Consumer & Public Safety

• CPSC recall activity (recent). Lithium-ion power bank recalls underscore ongoing micromobility/charging hazards. (Updated Oct 2025) https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

• CPSC public calendar. Standards work this week includes drowning-detection systems and candle safety meetings. (Oct 20–23, 2025) https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/Public-Calendar

• Thanksgiving cooking fire risks (plan ahead). NFPA resources stress unattended-cooking prevention as the holiday approaches. (Accessed Oct 2025) https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/thanksgiving

Texas Spotlight:

• City cyber hygiene outreach. Midland’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month proclamation highlights recent municipal incident lessons. (Oct 15, 2025) https://www.mrt.com/news/article/midland-cybersecurity-proclamation-21100994.php

Emergency Management & Preparedness

• FEMA grant disruptions. Judge says administration flouted a court order on preparedness funding; states report novel rules and delays. (Oct 14 & Oct 19, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-administration-flouted-court-order-fema-grant-funding-us-judge-rules-2025-10-14/

• EMPG release paused pending population data. FEMA halted key preparedness grants, heightening planning uncertainty. (Oct 2–3, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-agency-halts-emergency-funds-demands-state-population-data-reflecting-2025-10-03/

• CISA resources for October. Cybersecurity Awareness Month toolkit supports enterprise and SLTT partners. (Sept 29, 2025) https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/09/29/dhs-and-cisa-announce-cybersecurity-awareness-month-2025

• NIOSH eNews: hurricane/flood safety messages. Updated multilingual guidance for employers and responders. (Oct 21, 2025) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv23n1.html

Texas Spotlight:

• Wildfire posture. Governor Abbott activated additional wildfire response resources earlier this month amid elevated risk. (Oct 10, 2025) https://tdem.texas.gov/press-release/10-10-25

• Mutual aid deployment. Texas sent emergency management assets to assist Arizona floods. (Oct 1, 2025) https://tdem.texas.gov/press-release/10-1-25

Heads Up Dates

• Oct 21–24, 2025 — International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health®.

• Oct 25–31, 2025 — Halloween impaired-driving enforcement (“Buzzed Driving”).

• Oct 30, 2025 — OSHA heat rule post-hearing briefs/comments due.

• Nov 2, 2025 — Daylight Saving Time ends (plan for shiftwork/fatigue risk).