Does your workplace fall under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard? The answer may surprise you. Hospitals aren't the only workplaces at risk. Schools, janitorial services, manufacturing facilities, hotels, veterinary clinics, and even offices face potential blood exposure hazards. Learn how to protect workers and stay OSHA-compliant with these tips.
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September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that emergencies can happen at any time. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, power outages, hazardous material releases, and workplace emergencies can disrupt operations and put workers at risk. Preparing before an emergency strikes helps protect your employees, reduce downtime, and speed up your recovery efforts.
Start with these basics:
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Know your risks. Identify which emergencies are most likely to affect your location and operations.
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Write an Emergency Action Plan. OSHA requires most employers to have one. Make sure workers know it.
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Test your plan. Run drills, identify gaps, and fix them now — not during an event.
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Back up critical data. Protect essential records so your business can recover faster after a disaster.
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Keep workers informed. Employees who know what to do respond faster and more safely when emergencies happen.
DWC offers free Emergency Action and Preparedness publications, Natural Disaster Preparedness and Recovery publications, and videos. Visit www.txsafetyatwork.com or call 800-252-7031, option 2, for more workplace safety and health resources.
Every worker deserves to go home safe at the end of the day. DWC offers affordable safety and health training that helps Texas employers and employees recognize hazards, respond to emergencies, and prevent injuries.
This fall, choose from OSHA-authorized safety training courses or CPR, AED, and First Aid certification. Most classes are available in English and Spanish, with in-person and Zoom options.
Advance registration is required for all classes. A photo ID is required for OSHA courses. Click on a class date below to register.
🦺OSHA-authorized training
Whether you're new to the job or supervise others, OSHA training helps you recognize hazards and strengthen your workplace safety culture.
OSHA 10-Hour Construction — Free
OSHA 30-Hour Construction — $30
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry — $30
❤️CPR, AED, and First Aid classes — $35
When seconds matter, the right training can save a life. These hands-on, American Heart Association-certified classes teach participants how to perform CPR, use an AED, and provide first aid until emergency responders arrive.
Upcoming CPR, AED, and First Aid classes
Visit www.txsafetyatwork.com to learn more or call 512-804-4610.
Whether you're just starting a career in workplace safety or looking to strengthen your organization's safety programs, DWC offers free Zoom webinars to help you build knowledge and improve workplace safety. Choose the webinar series that best fits your experience and training needs.
📋 Essentials for New Safety Professionals
Free | 1-hour presentation plus 30 minutes of live Q&A | Zoom | Limited to 20 participants
New to workplace safety? This webinar series introduces the fundamentals of workplace safety and provides practical guidance from experienced safety professionals. Each interactive session encourages discussion. You’ll be able to ask questions, share ideas, and get advice from experienced safety professionals. While you may register for each class individually, it is recommended to enroll in all four to get the most out of this series. Each webinar is offered twice each day. Click on a time below to register.
Upcoming Essentials for New Safety Professionals webinars:
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Recordkeeping | October 27, 2026 | 10-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m.
Learn OSHA's recordkeeping requirements and how to complete required injury and illness records.
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Incident Investigations | January 25, 2027 | 10-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m. Learn how to investigate workplace incidents, identify root causes, and prevent similar events.
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Preparing for Internal Audits and OSHA Inspections | March 16, 2027 | 10-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m.
Learn how to prepare your workplace for internal safety audits and OSHA inspections with confidence.
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Safety and Health Program Development Overview | July 13, 2027 | 10-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m.
Learn how to build the foundation of an effective workplace safety and health program.
⚠️ Safety Program Builder Webinar Series
Free | 1-hour Zoom webinars
Take a deeper dive into today's most important workplace safety topics. Each webinar focuses on developing practical safety programs that help identify hazards, improve compliance, and protect workers.
Each webinar is offered twice each day. Click on a time below to register.
Upcoming Safety Program Builder webinars:
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Hazard Communication Program Development | September 17 | 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m.
Learn how to build a Hazard Communication Program that helps employees recognize chemical hazards and work safely.
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Safety Program Development, Evaluation, and Improvement | October 26 | 8-9 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Learn how to evaluate safety program performance and use incident trends and employee feedback to improve results.
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Machine Guarding Program Development | October 29 | 8-9 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Learn how to identify machine hazards, select appropriate guards, and protect workers from moving parts.
All webinars are free and presented live on Zoom, but registration is required. For more information or a complete list of 2026-2027 webinars, visit www.txsafetyatwork.com or call 512-804-4610.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 13-19, gives us an opportunity to thank Texas' nearly 200,000 professional truck drivers who keep our state’s businesses, communities, and supply chains moving.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking ranks among the most demanding and hazardous occupations in the country. Transportation incidents are the leading cause of work-related deaths in Texas — a sobering reminder that the road often poses the greatest danger during the workday.
Employers can show their appreciation in simple but meaningful ways. Host a thank-you event, recognize safe drivers, or hold a brief safety meeting that reinforces the importance of rest, seat belt use, and distraction-free driving.
Employers can also strengthen their safety programs with DWC's free Occupational Driving Safety publications, videos, and other resources. This week, thank the professional drivers who keep Texas moving, and give them the tools they need to return home safely every day. Visit www.txsafetyatwork.com or call 800-252-7031, option 2, for more information.
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