President’s Message
As we head into 2026, I want to share an important update about how we communicate with you—and why this change is designed to better serve you.
We are transitioning our newsletter (with this issue) to a new platform that is purpose-built for publishing and professional insight, rather than marketing automation. This shift reflects how NAOHP has evolved and how you use our content.
Over the past few years, the newsletter has become more than announcements and reminders. It’s where we:
Interpret regulatory and policy changes
Share practical guidance you can apply immediately
Highlight trends shaping occupational health delivery
Provide context that helps you advise employers and health systems
To do that well, we need a platform optimized for clarity, consistency, and credibility—not one designed primarily around sales funnels and complex automation.
What this means for you
A better reading experience
Issues will be cleaner, easier to scan, and permanently accessible on the web. You’ll be able to bookmark, share, and reference articles more easily with colleagues and leadership teams.
More consistent, higher-value content
By simplifying the backend, we can focus more time on substance—analysis, guidance, and insights—rather than managing complex email mechanics.
Fewer “marketing” emails, more signal
Your membership, course access, and subscriptions are now managed directly within Occnation. That allows the newsletter to focus on what it does best: delivering relevant information without clutter or over-automation.
Designed for growth and sharing
This new approach makes it easier for you to forward issues to peers, recommend the newsletter to colleagues, and help expand the occupational health community with people who value thoughtful, practice-driven content.
What is not changing
Your access to NAOHP resources, courses, and memberships
The professional focus of our content
Our commitment to practical, defensible guidance for occupational health leaders
This change is about sustainability, focus, and respect for your time. It allows us to invest more in the work that matters most—supporting you as an advisor, leader, and advocate for high-quality occupational health programs.
Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to shape what NAOHP becomes.
— Larry Earl, MD
President, NAOHP
Last Chance to Shape 2026
So far our member survey is telling us you want an Innovation and Technology conference in the midwest for 1 - 1 1/2 days.
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If you haven't registered your preferences yet -
Your feedback directly shapes what we build next year - if you like the Innovations and Technology idea, confirm that or tell us otherwise.
What about innovation and technology would you most like to learn more about?
If you've used technology, an app, an AI service, a device, that has made a difference in your practice or program, or you are a vendor in this space, chime in, let me know if we should include it in a 1 1/2 day OccHealth Technology Summit in the midwest in March or April.
Just reply to this email - I get all replies and I'll respond directly.
Uberdoc is a digital healthcare platform that connects patients and employers with top doctors through transparent pricing and fast access.
We are proud to welcome them as our Premier Sponsor and strategic partner.
Uberdoc has exams available right now in most parts of the country. Reply here if you're ready to accept exams from Uberdoc and we'll get you set up. (members only)
Weekly 1 - pager Practice Tip
One Page. One Practice Win. Every Week
Practice Tip of the Week: Year-End OSHA Log Accuracy
As employers prepare to finalize and post their OSHA 300A summaries, documentation questions inevitably surface—first aid vs. recordable care, follow-up visits that change the narrative, and unclear restriction language. This week’s Practice Tip outlines how occupational health clinics can proactively support employers with year-end OSHA documentation review—strengthening clinical clarity, reducing over-recording risk, and reinforcing the clinic’s role as a trusted compliance partner, without taking ownership of the OSHA log.
👉 Includes practical guidance clinics can deploy immediately during the year-end window.
Recent tips:
Expedite authorizations, digital delivery, and enhanced automation with our easy to implement workers’ comp prior authorization software.
What’s Happening This Week
Upcoming Webinars & Trainings
👉👉 All events will be recorded, please go ahead and register even if you can't make it, we'll send the recording link when available
Effective Communication in Occupational Health
Join us for an insightful webinar designed for occupational health professionals seeking to improve communication with employer clients, patients, and other key stakeholders. Effective communication is crucial for delivering high-quality occupational health services, from regulated exams and drug screenings to workers' compensation and wellness programs.
Date: January 8, 2025, 9 AM Pacific
Speaker: Andrew Seter, MD
Sensiatech
Individual Certification - with Dena Kirk
Individual Certification in Occupational Health Practice Management is the perfect way for you to make sure you have what it takes to run a successful occupational health program. This two-year certificate will help equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement an effective occupational health model, as well as provide guidance on staffing models, financial management, quality management and more
Articles & News
When an Employer Asks: “Can We Test All Employees for TB Every Two Years?”
A common early question from employers—especially healthcare, education, and congregate-care settings—is whether they should be testing all employees for tuberculosis (TB) on a routine cycle, such as every two years.
From Advocacy to Action: Why Supporting Workers Holistically Matters
Explore the importance of holistic support in occupational health, emphasizing advocacy and the biopsychosocial model. Discover how addressing mental health, family involvement, and workplace culture can enhance injury recovery and overall well-being.
🏭 Occupational Health Industry News & Signals
What’s changing — and why it matters to occupational health programs
🔹 Enforcement & Employer Liability
What’s happening:
Recent enforcement actions and litigation continue to highlight gaps in hazard recognition, exposure controls, and employer response protocols.
Why it matters:
These cases reinforce the value of proactive surveillance, defensible documentation, and early escalation—especially in environments not traditionally viewed as “high risk.”
🔗 Read more:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration – News Releases
https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleasesCalifornia workplace fatality lawsuit coverage
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/employees-sue-vallejo-store-two-co-workers-died-21237836.php
👉 Related resource:
Practice Tip: Employer Communication & OSHA Documentation
(Free for members / low-cost for non-members)
🔹 Workers’ Compensation Policy & Claim Trends
What’s happening:
Jurisdictions continue to revise workers’ compensation eligibility and benefit thresholds, particularly around psychological injury claims.
Why it matters:
Policy tightening increases scrutiny on work-relatedness determinations, injury triage decisions, and consistency of documentation.
🔗 Read more:
NSW workers’ compensation reform overview
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/11/nsw-workers-compensation-psychological-injury-claims
👉 Related training:
Certified Work Comp Injury Management Professional (CWIMP)
Learn how early triage, documentation, and RTW decisions reduce downstream risk.
🔹 Regulatory Modernization & Global Signals
What’s happening:
New occupational safety proposals abroad emphasize safety committees, structured reporting, and periodic medical surveillance for higher-risk roles.
Why it matters:
While not U.S.-based, these frameworks often preview expectations for multinational employers and influence emerging best practices.
🔗 Read more:
Delhi occupational safety rule proposal
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-proposes-labour-safety-rules-with-board-committees/articleshow/125842873.cms
👉 Related resource:
OSHA Program Review & Gap Analysis Toolkit
Designed to help clinics support employer compliance conversations.
🔹 Data, Recordkeeping & Access Improvements
What’s happening:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration has continued improving access to enforcement, inspection, and recordkeeping datasets.
Why it matters:
Improved data access supports benchmarking, employer education, and more informed safety and compliance discussions.
🔗 Read more:
OSHA data & inspection resources
https://www.osha.gov/dataAIHA commentary on OSHA data access
https://www.aiha.org/news
👉 Related resource:
OSHA Log Review & Documentation Toolkit
Includes employer-facing summaries and internal review templates.
HIPAA Compliant Occupational (Occ Med) and Employer Health EHR with Practice Management Software
🔹 Employer Cost & Risk Pressures
What’s happening:
Rising medical costs, litigation exposure, and claim complexity continue to pressure employers to reduce lost time and unnecessary escalation.
Why it matters:
Employers are increasingly looking for occupational health partners who can clearly explain what happens next—not just deliver care.
🔗 Read more:
Workers’ compensation cost trend analysis
https://www.workcompwire.comOccupational health industry updates
https://ohsonline.com/articles/list/news.aspx
👉 Related resource:
Return-to-Work Notes That Employers Can Act On
A short, practical guide to reduce friction and follow-up calls.
🔹 Bottom Line
Across enforcement, policy, and employer behavior, the consistent signal is clarity—clear risk identification, clear documentation, and clear next steps. Programs that provide structure and intent—not just services—are increasingly positioned as strategic partners.