September 2025 Safety Roundup
This blog series serves as a monthly highlight of recent news/updates in the safety industry, including airport, construction, events, and general safety news.
To keep you informed about recent and current safety highlights, we’ve compiled some of the most pertinent updates and national stories here to keep you updated on all things safety.
This month, we’ll highlight September as National Preparedness Month, discuss how contractors are hoping for even further cuts to interest rates, and explore the new technologies making waves in the Florida airspace.
In OTW news, we’ll tell you all about our new Crowd Control weights (coming soon!) and our annual Photo and Video Contest!
Table of Contents
1 – National Preparedness Month
2 – Club Fest chaos continues despite new crowd control rule
3 – Contractors welcome rate cut, push for more
4 – Orlando International Airport Advances AAM Integration with FAA Collaboration
5 – OTW News and Featured Products
National Preparedness Month
“Preparedness starts at home” is what FEMA’s Ready Campaign wants to relay this year for their annual observance of National Preparedness Month. Observed since 2004, National Preparedness Month is a way to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for any disaster, natural or otherwise, that may occur. Their four main points for 2025 are these:
- Know your risk
- Make a family emergency plan
- Build an emergency supply kit
- Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies
The month may be nearly through, but it’s never too late to prepare your home for potential emergencies. Read their tips in more detail by clicking the title link above – it pays to be prepared!
Club Fest chaos continues despite new crowd control rule
Club Fest is one of New York University’s most popular events, but, year after year, the chaos of an overcommitted venue leaves attendees feeling let down. Even with a new RSVP rule in 2025, this year’s event mirrored years past. Attendees were required to RSVP for free tickets for three different time slots, with approximately 1,400 tickets per time slot. While this should have technically given attendees plenty of time to peruse the available club booths, many found themselves waiting in lines for a minimum of 30 minutes – some even waited in the wrong line because there was no clear direction or definition of which line was for what (we think some Billboard Barricades and custom signage would have helped immensely here!). Fewer attendees per time slot may have also helped ease the crowd crush. Here’s hoping that next year’s event is more successful!
Example of OTW Safety Billboard Barricades used for crowd control outside the entrance of Autzen Stadium at an Oregon Ducks game.
Contractors welcome rate cut, push for more
The Fed recently lowered interest rates by a quarter of a point, and contractors nationwide are hopeful for the future of their projects. Many projects in both the private and commercial sectors stalled due to tariffs, inflation, and high labor and borrowing costs in the last year. Still, this small percentage cut has many contractors on the lookout for a continuing trend in the months to come. While projects that were just on the edge of being financially viable now may be able to move forward thanks to the small shift, most projects will only see movement if the rate cuts continue in the later months of 2025, which contractors in the private sector, especially, will be hoping for.
Orlando International Airport Advances AAM Integration with FAA Collaboration
New technologies are constantly evolving, and airspace travel is no different. One of the latest research deep dives is the possibility of integrating electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, specifically at the Orlando International Airport. The airport recently completed an Advanced Air Mobility assessment for eVTOL aircraft in conjunction with the FAA, which was a three-day simulation to assess the potential impact of such aircraft operating at MCO. The evaluation itself is a major milestone in integrating eVTOL aircraft into Florida airspace, and the FAA, USDOT, and FDOT are poised to position MCO as a leader in eVTOL technology in the years to come.
OTW News
Annual OTW Photo and Video Contest
Every year, we eagerly await our annual OTW Photo and Video Contest, as we love seeing snaps of our barricades in action.
With two grand prizes – one each in the categories Crowd Control and Airport & Construction – don’t miss out on this opportunity to win big! Entries are unlimited, so send us your best photos and videos of OTW airport, construction, and crowd control barricades now through the end of October. Don’t forget to share the contest with your friends, family, and colleagues, too – and if you attend a university or work on staff at a school, share it with students and faculty alike. There’s a chance for anyone to win!
If you’re feeling happy with your OTW barricades, we’d love to see a Google review* from you, too (*not a condition of the contest, just helpful for us to see what we’re doing well and how we can continue to innovate and improve)!
Our winners will be announced in November, so submit your entries today!
Crowd Control Weights coming soon
We’re excited to announce that our original OTW Billboard Barricades are gaining a partner in crime! Coming this fall, the Crowd Control Weight will be the ultimate accessory to your pedestrian barricades – perfectly weighted and designed to support your Billboard Barricades with added heft to keep them perfectly stable, even in the most inclement of weather.
Keep an eye on our socials for details!
