WorkSTEPS

04/07/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month.

At WorkSTEPS, Occupational Therapists bring essential clinical insight to functional testing—helping validate physical demands, reduce risk, and support defensible employment decisions.

We’re grateful for the expertise our OT team brings to every evaluation.

03/31/2026

Large manufacturers face different occupational health risks than office‑based environments, and the medical decisions behind them carry real operational impact.

In our latest blog, WorkSTEPS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ben Hoffman, shares why physician‑led medical director oversight is critical to managing risk and preventing injury escalation.

Read the blog: https://okt.to/TMPK2f

Physician‑led medical director oversight helps manufacturers reduce injury escalation, improve consistency, and manage occ health risk.

03/26/2026

Commercial driving involves more than time behind the wheel, with injury risks that extend beyond the cab.

Our partner, Fit For Work, looks at how preventive safety and wellness habits help commercial drivers stay healthy for the long haul—from cab ergonomics and safe entry/exit to small daily routines that prevent strain before pain appears.

The takeaway:
✅ Small, consistent habits outperform reactive injury response
✅ Early support builds resilience across every career stage
✅ Prevention works best when it’s embedded into daily operations

Read the full blog here: https://okt.to/QesEl0

Preventive safety and wellness habits help commercial drivers reduce injury risk, improve ergonomics, and stay healthy for the long haul.

03/11/2026

We’re live at !

The team is on site today, presenting three sessions and connecting with attendees on the expo floor to share practical strategies for reducing MSK risk and building sustainable ergonomics programs.

If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and say hello.

03/03/2026

Next week we’re heading to in Arlington, TX.

The conversation begins Monday with our pre-conference workshop, a hands-on session built around practical, performance-driven ergonomics strategies.

Then on Wednesday and Thursday, our team will present across multiple sessions and connect with attendees on the exhibitor floor.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here: https://okt.to/8WeF2s

If you’ll be there, let us know — we’d love to connect.

02/26/2026

Another impactful day on schedule for Thursday, March 12 at .

Thursday’s sessions dig into the real‑world conversations shaping how we design and deliver better work. From exploring inclusive, economic, and behavioral approaches to human‑centered design, to looking at how behavioral interventions help strengthen engineering controls over time, the focus is on what truly works in practice.

Learn more: https://www.iise.org/aec/

We’re continuing the conversation at the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2026 with two in-depth sessions on Thursday, March 12.

🔹Designing for the Human: Inclusive, Economic, and Behavioral Approaches, 90-Minute Master Track Session, 8:00-9:30 AM CT
Rupert Edwards | Stephanie Carroll | Ashley Mayo | Victoria Ballard | Kaysey Aguilar, Moderated by Lauren Noens
This extended session explores how inclusive design, economic considerations, and behavioral science intersect to create solutions that work in real-world environments.

🔹Spanning the Gap: Behavioral Interventions Used to Enhance Long-Term Engineering Solutions, 10:30-10:55 AM CT
Ashley Mayo | Stephanie Carroll
A practical discussion on how behavioral interventions can reinforce and sustain engineering controls for long-term impact.

Learn more: https://okt.to/HOVvjf

02/24/2026

We are looking forward to and the important sessions ahead. From professional certification to executive buy‑in, these conversations matter.

Learn more: https://www.iise.org/aec/

Planning your schedule for the 2026 Applied Ergonomics Conference?

On Wednesday, March 11, our team will be part of three sessions focused on advancing the profession and the real‑world impact of ergonomics:

🔹 Pathways to Professional Certification in Human Factors and Ergonomics: A Panel Discussion
Time: 8:00-8:40 AM CT
James Rethaber joins leaders from BPCE and RIMKUS to discuss certification pathways and professional standards.

🔹 Translating Ergonomics into Business Value: Securing Executive Buy-In for Lasting Program Success
Time: 2:15-2:55 PM CT
Terri Leigh Rhody and Ashley Mayo share strategies for aligning ergonomics initiatives with executive priorities and measurable outcomes.

🔹 The Ever‑Evolving Ergonomist: Preparing for Today's and Tomorrow's Challenges
Time: 4:00-4:40 PM CT
James Rethaber and Mark Benden explore how the ergonomist role is evolving—and how practitioners can stay ahead.

If you’re attending , we hope you’ll join us!
Learn more: https://okt.to/Umk5Mn

02/18/2026

The Applied Ergonomics Conference is just a few weeks away — and our team is ready.

We’re proud to be contributing in multiple ways this year:

🔸 Pre-Conference Workshop | March 9
"Building a Sustainable Ergonomics Program: From Hire to Retire"
Join James Rethaber for a practical, business-aligned approach to building ergonomics programs that deliver measurable ROI.

🔸 Conference Sessions: Our team will also be leading and participating in several sessions throughout the week.

🔸 Exhibit Hall: Stop by our booth to connect with the team and learn more about our services.

If you’re attending, we’d love to see you there.
Workshop and registration details: iise.org/aec/workshops

02/12/2026

As enforcement intensifies and legal challenges continue, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is becoming more complex for employers.

In this update, we share key PWFA developments, recent court activity, and what organizations should prioritize in 2026.

➡️ Read the full PWFA 2026 update: https://okt.to/jvsBit

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act 2026 update: key legal developments, EEOC enforcement trends, & what employers need to know to stay compliant.

02/06/2026

This February, we celebrate the legacy, leadership, and impact of Black trailblazers who have shaped our history and our future. At WorkSTEPS, we’re dedicated to building an inclusive culture where every voice is valued and every person can thrive. Together, let’s keep learning, honoring, and advocating for positive change.

02/05/2026

OSHA’s priorities are shifting in 2026—with new leadership, changing budget proposals, and evolving expectations for employers. These updates will shape how organizations plan for inspections, compliance, and worker‑centric safety programs in the year ahead.

In this blog, our partner, Fit For Work, breaks down what employers should expect and how FY 2026 budget changes may influence enforcement, outreach, and training.

For safety leaders, HR teams, and operations professionals, staying ahead of these shifts is key to managing risk and maintaining compliant, resilient workplaces.

Read the full breakdown here: https://okt.to/oWf8Fw

Learn about OSHA’s 2026 leadership and budgets shifts, and what employers should expect for inspections, compliance, and safety programs.

02/03/2026

The Fit For Work and WorkSTEPS teams are gearing up for the Applied Ergonomics Conference in Arlington, TX March 9–12.

Our team will be onsite throughout the week — exhibiting, connecting with peers, and contributing insights that support safer, healthier workplaces. More details on our sessions coming soon.

Thinking about attending? Register now: https://okt.to/E4uWn2

We hope to see you there!