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June 2025 Risk Advisor Konnect (RAK) Safety & Compliance Update

By Drew Lester • 06/10/2025

🚨 Backover Prevention: A Persistent Safety Risk

Backover incidents occur when a vehicle or machine strikes a pedestrian while moving in reverse—often due to blind spots, communication failures, or background noise masking warning signals. Between 2005 and 2010, OSHA data reported 194 backover fatalities involving dump trucks, forklifts, garbage trucks, and other vehicles.

Preventative Strategies Include:

  • Equip spotters with high-visibility PPE

  • Require walkarounds before operating vehicles

  • Ban distracting items like headphones or phones

  • Train operators on blind spot awareness

  • Establish clear, standardized hand signals

  • Conduct mirror checks and inspect alarms

  • Consider rear-automatic braking systems

  • Mark travel paths for clarity

  • Maintain organized work zones

🔗 Learn more about backover prevention at OSHA

🌡️ OSHA’s Proposed Heat Rule: What You Need to Know

A public hearing on OSHA’s new heat rule is scheduled for June 16th. In the meantime, employers are urged to:

  • Educate workers on recognizing and preventing heat-related illness

  • Provide accessible water, rest, and shade

  • Monitor conditions and encourage hydration and cooling breaks

🔗 OSHA Heat Rulemaking Info
🔗 General Heat Exposure Resources

🚛 DOT Medical Card Changes: Digital Transition in Effect June 23, 2025

Starting June 23, 2025, the DOT will implement the National Registry II (NRII) final rule, streamlining the medical certification process for CDL and CLP holders:

Key Updates:

  • Paper medical cards will no longer be issued for CDL/CLP drivers

  • Medical results will be electronically submitted to FMCSA

  • CDL medical certification will be digitally tied to driving records

  • Expired/incomplete cards may result in CDL downgrade within 60 days

  • Employers must obtain MVRs from licensing states as proof of medical qualification

Non-CDL operators will still receive and carry paper certificates.

🔗 FMCSA Medical Certification Learning Center

🤝 Civility in the Workplace: Why It Matters

Defined as respectful and polite behavior, civility is essential to a healthy work environment. Unfortunately, incivility is on the rise:

SHRM Reports:

  • 58% of workers feel society is increasingly uncivil

  • 223 million acts of incivility occur daily in U.S. workplaces

  • $2 billion lost per day due to productivity dips and absenteeism

Effects of Incivility:

  • Higher employee turnover

  • Lower engagement and morale

  • Reduced collaboration

  • Increased sick days

What Employers Can Do:

  • Train leadership to model respectful behavior

  • Monitor workplace culture via surveys

  • Promote mindful communication

  • Address issues immediately to prevent escalation

🔗 Read more on Civility from SHRM

💬 What is Risk Advisor Konnect?

Risk Advisor Konnect is your go-to helpline for guidance on:

  • OSHA & safety compliance

  • DOT/FMCSA requirements

  • HR best practices

  • Insurance claims handling

Example Questions Answered:

  • "Do I need to maintain OSHA 300 logs?"

  • "Is this injury a workers' comp claim or auto claim?"

  • "How do we meet FMCSA qualification standards?"

  • "How should I handle a workplace harassment report?"

We’re here to help you make informed decisions, reduce risk, and maintain a safe, compliant workplace.

 

All Lester Insurance Commercial Customers have access to Risk Advisor Konnect

Call 888.976.7565 or email myriskadvisor@keystoneinsgrp.com

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