Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just issued its final rule that removes the requirement for establishments with 250 or more employees to electronically submit information from OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and...more
Employers should be aware that OSHA and some state environmental agencies are now using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or “drones” in select inspections and investigations. ...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has recently released its National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation, CPL 02-00-161 (October 1, 2018), which requires OSHA to open inspections against any contractor involved in trenching or...more
12/12/2018
/ Construction Project ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Excavation ,
Inspection Rights ,
Negligence ,
OSHA ,
Safety Inspections ,
Safety Laws ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Injury ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: New state and federal laws and rules require employers to have compliant phones systems for 911 direct dialing and E-911....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: We had blogged previously that OSHA appealed an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ruling that severely limited OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine and citation of a “controlling employer” general...more
The flu and cold season is now approaching. Tragically, each year, a number of deaths result from flu and other infectious diseases. Employers again routinely face concerns about how to respond to highly infectious diseases...more
11/14/2018
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Incident Response Plans ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Premises Liability ,
Public Health ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Vaccinations ,
Workers' Compensation Claim
Seyfarth Synopsis: Last month at the 2018 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress the speakers noted that “safety programs shouldn’t end when employees walk out the door and get into a vehicle to drive.” ...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: This week at the 2018 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress the speakers on this Executive Forum noted that “automation, wearables, augmented reality, virtual reality, drones, big data, machine learning,...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just issued a Standard Interpretation clarifying the Obama-era guidance that prohibited incentive programs and circumscribed post-incident drug testing; “Clarification of OSHA’s Position on...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employers must evaluate their safety protections for pregnant women and engage in the interactive process with employees to find reasonable accommodations....more
9/17/2018
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Disability Discrimination ,
Employee Reassignment ,
Employee Rights ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
OSHA ,
Pregnancy ,
Pregnancy Discrimination ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: With Hurricane Florence bearing down on the East Coast, employers are looking at potentially huge liabilities, including employee injuries and fatalities, not to mention facility damage and rebuilding....more
9/11/2018
/ Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Hazardous Substances ,
Hurricane Season ,
Mandatory Evacuation ,
Natural Disasters ,
OSHA ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Public Health ,
Public Safety ,
Severe Weather ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employment in healthcare occupations continues to outgrow all other industries, as the American population continues to age and nursing home and hospital services expand....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employment in healthcare occupations continues to outgrow all other industries, as the American population continues to age and nursing home and hospital services expand. ...more
Employment in healthcare occupations continues to outgrow all other industries, as the American population continues to age and nursing home and hospital services expand. Healthcare workers face a range of safety issues,...more
8/30/2018
/ Employer Liability Issues ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Hostile Environment ,
OSHA ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Injury ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
Seyfarth Synopsis: A contractor’s employee fell 36 feet while working at a warehouse construction site and not using fall-protection equipment. ...more
OSHA recently released new publications directed towards safety professionals and managers. The publications offer guidance on what to look for during worksite safety check walk-arounds. In addition, OSHA suggests that the...more
A recent Eastern District of Wisconsin case held that an OSHA 11(c) retaliation claim will survive summary judgment where the employer failed to comply with its own investigation procedures....more
OSHA has scheduled a meeting on June 12, 2018, in Washington, D.C., to solicit comments and suggestions from stakeholders in the trucking and railroad industries, on whistleblower issues within OSHA’s purview. 83 Fed. Reg....more
Yesterday our panel from Seyfarth’s Workplace Safety team led a briefing on OSHA regulation and enforcement under the Trump Administration.
One year into the Trump Administration, employers’ expectations for a more...more
5/16/2018
/ Administrative Appointments ,
Best Practices ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enforcement Actions ,
OSHA ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Freeze ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Safety Inspections ,
Severe Violators Enforcement Program (SVEP) ,
Trump Administration ,
Whistleblowers ,
Workplace Injury ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
Seyfarth Synopsis: Due to the increased use of robotics and computer automation for many job functions that have historically been performed by employees raises, besides the traditional personnel and employment issues, a host...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Employers are widely installing AEDs to protect employees and visitors, but some states require strict compliance with AED regulations to insulate employers form tort liability....more
We continue to attend the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Meeting this week in Santa Monica, California.
A hot topic, discussed at yesterdays meeting, is sexual harassment in the workplace....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Here is today’s update from the presentations and room discussions at the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee’s 2018 Midwinter Meeting....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA may refuse to allow its compliance officers to testify in civil tort proceedings....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has found a seven percent increase in 2016 fatal injuries reported over those reported in 2015. BLS noted that this was the third consecutive increase in annual...more