When workplace accidents occur or complex OSHA issues require explanation, news organizations, publishers, and industry professionals often seek experienced safety professionals who can provide clear, objective insight.
Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP, has been featured by news organizations and safety-related publications to provide expert commentary on OSHA regulations, workplace hazards, accident investigations, employer responsibilities, and recognized safety practices.
His media commentary following serious workplace accidents helps reporters and the public better understand applicable OSHA requirements, industry safety practices, and measures that can help prevent similar incidents. In addition to accident-related news coverage, Curtis has contributed expert guidance to professional publications on a wide range of OSHA compliance and workplace safety topics.
With more than 40 years of industrial and construction safety experience, Curtis has trained thousands of workers, served as an OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer for more than 25 years, and provided expert witness services in approximately 450 workplace injury and fatality cases.
This page highlights selected news coverage, published articles, and expert contributions related to OSHA compliance and workplace safety.
Featured Media Coverage & Publications
Curtis Chambers has provided expert commentary and guidance for news organizations and professional publications covering workplace accidents, OSHA investigations, regulatory requirements, employee training, hazard recognition, and accident prevention.
The following news reports and published articles demonstrate the range of OSHA and workplace safety issues on which Curtis has been asked to provide professional insight (articles open in new tab).
Curtis Chambers provides expert commentary for ProFood World following a fatal accident involving unexpected equipment startup at a food manufacturing plant. He discusses the importance of effective lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, properly trained and authorized employees, and the role employee training plays in preventing similar incidents.
Curtis Chambers joins other OSHA professionals in providing expert commentary for SHRM on how OSHA penalties are calculated and how employers may contest or seek reductions of citations and fines. The article discusses factors OSHA considers when determining penalties, as well as informal conferences, settlement considerations, and the formal citation contest process.
Curtis Chambers provided expert OSHA commentary for two KSHB 41 News reports following a fatal building collapse at a Family Dollar store in Kansas City, Missouri. The reports address the need for employers to respond promptly when serious or imminent hazards threaten employees or the public, OSHA’s investigation and resulting citation, and why the penalty assessed against the employer may have ultimately been reduced.
Curtis Chambers provided expert OSHA commentary and analysis for the WCPO 9 I-Team following its investigation into the fatal collapse of the Killen Generating Station during demolition. After reviewing OSHA investigation records obtained by the I-Team, Curtis discussed demolition safety requirements, competent person responsibilities, hazard recognition, and issues surrounding OSHA’s citations and subsequent settlement of the case.
Curtis Chambers provides expert guidance for SHRM on OSHA requirements for portable fire extinguishers. Drawing on commonly asked questions encountered during mock OSHA inspections, he addresses employee training, monthly inspections and documentation, extinguisher placement, and requirements for identifying extinguisher locations.
Curtis Chambers provides expert guidance in Restoration & Remediation Magazine on selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for restoration and remediation work. The article addresses common PPE selection mistakes, with particular emphasis on choosing chemical-resistant gloves and selecting appropriate respiratory protection for atmospheric hazards.
Curtis Chambers provides expert guidance in Roofing Contractor on common mistakes employers make when completing OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping forms. The article addresses recurring errors involving OSHA 300 Logs, 301 Incident Reports, and 300A Annual Summaries, and provides practical guidance for improving the accuracy of required OSHA records.
In this Q&A with OSHA Chronicle, Curtis Chambers discusses OSHA training requirements, available training resources, common training mistakes, refresher training and documentation, and the widespread misconception surrounding “OSHA certification.”
Curtis Chambers provides expert guidance for SHRM on making OSHA toolbox talks and other short safety meetings more effective. He discusses practical ways to improve employee attention and participation, including minimizing distractions, using hands-on examples and props, encouraging questions, documenting training, and reinforcing safety expectations through the trainer’s own actions.
Frequently Asked Questions For Reporters & Media
How can a reporter find an OSHA expert for a workplace accident or safety story?
Reporters covering workplace accidents, OSHA investigations, citations, or other occupational safety issues can contact Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP, for experienced OSHA and workplace safety commentary. Curtis has more than 40 years of industrial and construction safety experience and has provided expert insight to television news organizations, trade publications, and professional media outlets.
He can help explain OSHA regulations, recognized safety practices, employer responsibilities, and accident prevention measures in clear language suitable for a general audience.
What workplace safety topics can Curtis Chambers discuss with the media?
Curtis provides expert commentary on a broad range of OSHA and workplace safety topics, including workplace fatalities, construction and industrial accidents, OSHA inspections and citations, lockout/tagout, fall protection, confined spaces, forklifts, trenching and excavation, fall protection and prevention, personal protective equipment, heat illness prevention, employee safety training, OSHA recordkeeping, and other occupational safety issues.
He can also help reporters understand how OSHA requirements may apply to the facts being reported without speculating about matters that have not yet been established.
Is Curtis Chambers available for breaking news interviews about workplace accidents?
Yes. Curtis Chambers strives to be available for time-sensitive media inquiries involving workplace accidents, fatalities, OSHA investigations, and other developing safety stories. He can participate in television, radio, telephone, Zoom, podcast, print, and online media interviews.
Because breaking news often develops quickly, every effort is made to respond promptly to reporters working on deadline.
Can Curtis Chambers explain OSHA regulations in terms the public can understand?
Yes. One of Curtis Chambers’ primary roles when providing media commentary is translating technical OSHA regulations and workplace safety requirements into clear, practical language.
His experience training workers, consulting with employers, and serving as an OSHA expert witness allows him to explain what a regulation requires, why the requirement exists, and how recognized safety practices are intended to protect employees without overwhelming the audience with unnecessary technical language.
Can an OSHA expert comment on an accident before OSHA completes its investigation?
An OSHA expert can explain applicable regulations, recognized safety practices, common hazards, and the OSHA investigation process based on the information publicly available at the time.
Curtis Chambers does not assume facts that have not been established or attempt to determine fault based solely on preliminary news reports. Instead, his media commentary focuses on helping reporters and the public understand the relevant OSHA requirements, safety principles, and issues investigators may consider as additional information becomes available.
OSHA Expert Witness Services
In addition to providing media commentary and contributing to professional publications, Curtis Chambers serves as an OSHA expert witness for attorneys, insurance companies, employers, and other organizations involved in workplace injury and fatality cases.
Expert witness services include OSHA compliance analysis, case evaluation, expert reports, depositions, trial testimony, and workplace safety consulting.