OSHA Pitfalls to Avoid in 2021
A recent federal appeals court ruling illustrates the risks of “single-employer” liability for OSHA citations for common business arrangements today. These involve separate companies that perform different functions but share...more
OSHA duty officers around the country routinely field complaints from employees and labor unions alleging workplaces are understaffed and unsafe. ...more
On October 25, 2021, a customer named Jacob Bergquist, with a history of violating the Boise Towne Square Mall’s firearms ban, opened fire at the mall. The shooting in the Idaho mall led to the deaths of a Professional...more
Cal/OSHA is increasing its focus on enforcement of heat illness violations. On December 12, Cal/OSHA issued its first willful violation alleging Parkwood Landscape Maintenance (Parkwood) failed to comply with California Code...more
As part of the backlash against employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccinations, Montana amended its antidiscrimination law to add vaccination status as a protected category. This means that employers are prohibited from inquiring or...more
Many employers have a false notion that OSHA cannot issue a citation if there is no specific standard violated. The reality is, however, that OSHA has a catchall/gap filler provision that allows it to cite an employer...more
Tropical Storm Helene is projected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane later this week, and evacuations are already underway in parts of the state. Employers are likely to face inevitable workplace safety risks...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is preparing to release a proposed standard on workplace violence prevention in healthcare settings in December 2024....more
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to focus on preventing workplace violence in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings, where employees are five...more
As record-high temperatures enveloped most of the U.S. earlier this month, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule for comprehensive heat injury and illness prevention....more
For several years, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been working on a safety standard intended to address worker exposure to heat stress and related medical issues. With summer temperatures...more
Although this is the OSHA webinar series, in this webinar, we’ll be analyzing the intersection of EPA’s new Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) chemical exposure limits and OSHA enforcement of workplace chemical exposure....more
Workplace violence has been a focus for both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) for several years, as it continues to be one of the leading...more
On January 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (“Department”) Office of Solicitor (“SOL”) published its FY2023 Enforcement Report (“Enforcement Report”). The report provides an insight into the Department’s labor and...more
Those in your workplace who use air fresheners are likely confident they are doing everyone a favor – but could an office air freshener actually lead to an OSHA citation against your organization? Read on to find the...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has recently highlighted tractor operator safety by increasing use of rollbars or cage frames....more
As technology evolves, unfortunately, so do ways to hack that technology. The recent cyberattacks in several casinos in Las Vegas are just one recent example of the growing concern about cyberattacks on businesses and the...more
With summer in full swing, employers should remain aware of employee safety risks associated with heat stress. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues work on a heat exposure safety standard after...more
As summer approaches, employers with employees potentially exposed to high temperatures should ensure that they have taken the necessary steps to protect their employees from heat-related illnesses. Employees who might be...more
The unfortunate uptick in active shooter events has led federal workplace safety officials to focus their sights on employers and whether they should be held responsible for the results of tragic events on their premises....more
As spring weather begins in many parts of the U.S., higher temperatures are just around the corner. Now is a good time for employers to review their response to situations involving employee exposure to high temperatures....more
With the holiday season approaching, employers should be mindful that office holiday parties can create HR headaches. As pandemic restrictions have declined, employers are eager to host, and employees are eager to attend,...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) recently unveiled a new National Emphasis Program (“NEP”) for outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards. To best protect workers in hot working environments,...more
As expected, state and local mask requirements continue to be lifted following the CDC’s loosening of its masking recommendations last month. As of yesterday, only 10 states require masks – and many of those requirements...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced today that, effective tomorrow, January 26, 2022, it will withdraw its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) mandating COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing/masking...more