Below is an article written by the NJ Chapter President Phillip Bauknight who is a Partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP.

The rapid growth of data center development across the country presents workplace safety challenges that are very different from those found in a traditional office environment. The existence of high-voltage electrical systems, backup generators, sophisticated cooling equipment, confined spaces, and ongoing maintenance activities bring a host of safety obligations that many technology employers have not previously encountered. The good news is that companies that address these issues early are often in a much stronger position to protect their employees, avoid disruptions, and respond effectively if OSHA ever comes knocking. Below are five practical considerations for organizations developing, constructing, or operating data centers.

⚡KEY POINT: These issues deserve attention at the leadership level. OSHA applies the same enforcement standards to data center owners and operators that it applies to manufacturers and construction companies. A serious injury, fatality, or catastrophic event will almost certainly trigger an inspection, and incidents involving high-profile facilities frequently receive heightened scrutiny.

1. Begin with a Site-Specific Hazard Assessment

Every effective safety program begins with understanding the hazards unique to the workplace. That is particularly true in data centers, where electrical, thermal, mechanical, and atmospheric hazards often exist within the same facility. Generic corporate safety programs rarely capture those risks.

Your assessment should identify the hazards associated with each area of the facility, evaluate the likelihood and severity of employee exposure, and form the basis for engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). OSHA’s PPE standard also requires employers to certify this assessment in writing.

• Complete the assessment before operations begin and revisit it whenever equipment, layouts, or processes change.
• Use the assessment to determine which written OSHA programs are actually necessary instead of adopting boilerplate policies.
• Conduct periodic audits to identify gaps before OSHA does.

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We are pleased to announce that Corey Jones has been elected to serve as Chapter Secretary for the 2026–27 chapter year. Corey is a Past NJ ASSP President and previously served as Chapter Secretary, and we are grateful for his continued leadership and commitment to our chapter.

The remaining Executive Committee positions were filled through succession and are listed below. We look forward to another successful year and encourage all members to stay engaged and involved.

All meeting and event updates will be posted on the chapter website.

President: Phillip Bauknight

President-Elect: Cristiano A. Godoy, CHST, STSC

Vice President: Meghan Dhawan, CSP

Treasurer: Jessica Michelle Vallee-Vasquez, M.S., ARM (2nd year of a 2 year term)

Corey Jones

My name is Corey Jones. I am an experienced safety professional with over 20 years of experience. It will be an honor to serve as Chapter Secretary for 2026-27 chapter year. My experience includes holding the NJ ASSP Chapter Secretary position previously. In addition, I am a 2 term NJ ASSP Chapter President and have held various standing committee positions. My focus as Chapter Secretary will be to accurately record and disseminate chapter communications and to work towards standardizing chapter operations through improvements of chapter standard operating procedures. I will bring my expertise as a safety professional and leader to serve as a chapter leader who will be dedicated to the chapter’s success.