Safety and Collaboration: Why the OSHA Workers Memorial Safety Summit Matters

During the week of April 20, 2026, industry leaders, safety professionals, and federal officials gathered in Washington, D.C. for the OSHA Workers Memorial Safety Summitopens in a new tab. The Recycled Materials Association's (ReMA) Safety Outreach Manager, Holly Brownell, attended the event to engage with OSHA staff, brainstorm future programming, and exchange insights.

These types of opportunities put ReMA at the center of critical conversations grounded in real stories from real people in the field. The work reinforces a simple truth: safety is fundamental to every operation in the recycled materials industry.

ReMA's ongoing alliance with OSHA makes participation in this type of event an especially valuable opportunity for collaboration, sharing resources, and helping both employers and workers better understand their safety roles and responsibilities.

The three-day summit was a fusion of learning, conversation, and ideas for constructing and maintaining safe workplaces. The sessions covered topics including emerging hazards, PPE, and what tactics different industries are implementing to protect employees.

Attendees also heard from key OSHA leaders including Deputy Assistant Secretary Amanda Wood Laihow and Assistant Secretary David Keeling, underscoring the agency's commitment to worker protection.

Highlights included presentations on the OSHA Cares and OSHA Champions programs, which acknowledge organizations that put workers' health and safety first.

The Summit also coincides with Workers Memorial Day on April 28, a reminder of the stakes involved. Each year, thousands of workers lose their lives to workplace incidents and illnesses. This day serves both as a moment of remembrance and a call to action for stronger protections and a renewed commitment to prevention. For more information on this day, visit this link.opens in a new tab

Remember to work safely, or not at all.