Looking Forward to a Safe 2026 – January 2026 Safety Newsletter

As we enter into 2026, it’s a time to reflect on the safe, quality, and productive work that we accomplished in 2025. Champion worked 3.2 million man-hours with an OSHA Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.44.

We pride ourselves on our Safety Culture and Behaviors, where team members are working safely looking out for themselves and looking out for their co-workers with 200% accountability.

Through everyone’s participation in our Safety Program, adhering to the procedures, and holding ourselves accountable, we aim to improve our safety statistics year over year. Our target will always be a ZERO injury workplace, where all of our team members go home unhurt at the end of the shift.

With the start of a new year, it is a good time to take a hard look at our sites with OSHA’s 2026 construction focus intensified efforts on the “Focus Four” hazards (falls, struck-by, caught-in/between, electrical), heat illness prevention with mandatory plans, stronger fall protection enforcement (guardrails, PFAS), and expanded recordkeeping, alongside targeted inspections for high-risk areas like trenching, cranes, and repeat offenders, emphasizing proactive hazard control, documentation, and supervisor accountability for high-energy sites.

OSHA Key Focus Areas for 2026:

• Focus Four Hazards: Continued intense focus on Falls, Struck-By, Caught-In/Between, and Electrical hazards, which cause most fatalities.
• Falls: Stricter rules for guardrails, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), and training for elevated work.
• Heat Illness Prevention: New federal standards expected, requiring heat exposure monitoring, mandatory breaks, and written prevention plans.
• High-Energy Hazards: Increased inspections for heavy equipment, trenching/excavation, and crane operations.
• Supervisor Accountability: Greater emphasis on supervisors ensuring compliance and training.
• Enhanced Enforcement: More targeted inspections, especially for repeat offenders, and fewer warnings before citations.
• Updated HazCom: Implementation of GHS Revision 7 for hazard communication.

What Construction Employers Should Do:

• Update Safety Programs: Develop written heat illness prevention plans, improve fall protection systems, and ensure comprehensive training.
• Focus on Documentation: Maintain detailed records of training, inspections, and safety protocols.
• Proactive Hazard Control: Address high-energy and high-risk activities before inspections occur.
• Prepare for Inspections: Expect increased scrutiny, especially for falls, trenching, and heavy equipment.

OSHA Key Violations Expected to Be Cited:

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Ensure your site is compliant with training and understands the provisions of the Champion S.H.&E. Lock-Out/Tag-Out Procedure in compliance with OSHA Standards.
• Head Protection (Hard Hats): Along with other PPE, perform inspections, annually and prior to each use. Ensure manufacturer expiration dates are adhered to.
• Aerial Lifts & Ladders: Ensure annual and pre-use inspections are being conducted; ensure operator and user training has been completed prior to operation and use.
• Excavation & Trenching: Ensure there is a Competent Person on site, daily inspections are being performed, air quality sampling is being conducted daily prior to entry (deeper than 4’), and the permit is filled out and current.
• Respiratory Protection: There must be an assigned Respirator Program Administrator for the project. Ensure everyone wearing a respirator has a medical written opinion prior to use, that fit tests are performed annually, respirators are being properly stored and maintained, and the correct cartridge is being used.

Let’s all make working safe a priority and make 2026 an injury-free year.

George Pacific Mill Roof Rebuild | Franklin, AL

The January Crew of the Month has been awarded to the outstanding team working at the Georgia Pacific Mill Roof Rebuild Project. This crew has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safety and continues to embody Champion’s values in every step of their work every day. Their work includes building and sealing a full enclosure system, performing extensive surface preparation and coating applications, managing dust collection and cleanup, and executing a complex roof removal and rebuild process in full compliance with state and federal regulations. This crew has approached every phase with precision, professionalism, and a relentless focus on doing the job the right way. Their dedication to the job and to each other is exceptional.

A big congratulations to the Georgia Pacific Mill Roof Rebuild Crew!

Crew Photo Left to Right: James Trotter (Painter), Alan Reyes (Utility Worker), Jason Mayse (Painter), Damauriyon Hall (Apprentice Painter), Brian Clarke (Painter/QC), James Brown (Painter), Timothy Kates SR (Foreman), Timothy Kates JR (Apprentice Painter), Marus Simpson (Painter)