By Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, Patrick D. Joyce, Daniel R. Birnbaum and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Here we go again. The impending federal government shutdown may suspend many enforcement and consultation functions of the United States Department of Labor, including OSHA.
The federal government is currently funded through November 17,
By A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Mine Safety and Health Administration “remains troubled by the fact that our impact inspections continue to discover the same hazards we’ve identified as root causes for fatal accidents and that we know can cause serious occupational illnesses,” says MSHA Assistant Secretary
By Daniel R. Birnbaum, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Image from OSHA.
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has recently highlighted tractor operator safety by increasing use of rollbars or cage frames.
Employers use tractors to clear winter snows. As snow season approaches, OSHA warns that many older tractors are in use that are not
By Ilana Morady, Brian B. Gillis, Clara Rademacher, Patrick D. Joyce, and Bradley Doucette
Seyfarth Synopsis: Senate Bill 553, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, requires nearly all employers in the State of California to prepare a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, train employees on how to identify and avoid
Seyfarth Synopsis: USEPA has published a new Memo on RCRA Applicability to End-of-Life Lithium Batteries.
In May 2023 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) published a Memorandum and Q&A on the applicability of RCRA to end-of-life Lithium Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries. The guidance, sent to the USEPA Regional Division Directors, clarifies how the RCRA rules
By Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that OSHA has launched a new initiative focused on enhancing enforcement and providing compliance assistance to protect workers from the hazards of silica.
Exposure to crystalline silica dust above recognized permissible exposure limits can result in
By: Adam R. Young and Mark A. Lies, II
Most employers understand that they are required to report serious injuries and illnesses to OSHA shortly after they occur. Even employers in low hazard industries who are not required to keep written OSHA records still face reporting obligations. Federal OSHA regulations require employers to report work-related
By Matthew A. Sloan, A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Department of Labor has announced notice and comment rulemaking as it seeks to revise its regulations regarding who can be authorized by employees to act as their
By Adam R. Young, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Patrick D. Joyce, A. Scott Hecker, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: To increase enforcement concerning workplace violence incidents, OSHA published a Standard Interpretation Letter concluding injuries resulting from workplace violence are recordable, even if the incident occurs outside of the
By Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA announced last week a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the personal protective equipment standard for the construction industry. A revised standard will clarify that personal protective equipment (PPE) must fit each affected employee properly, to protect them from occupational hazards.