By Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, Melissa A. Ortega, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA Region V last week provided a Webinar on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) national emphasis program (“NEP”) to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities, distribution centers, and high-risk retail
By Adam R. Young and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The State of Michigan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Cannabis – State Emphasis Program (SEP) (August 28, 2023) was established to address safety and health hazards associated with the growing, harvesting, and processing of recreational cannabis (marijuana).
Marijuana is a booming business, in Michigan
By Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, Daniel R. Birnbaum, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Resources and laws supporting best practices to ensure commercial motor vehicle (“CMV”) driver safety include CDC-NIOSH guidance, the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (“STAA”), and OSHA’s Fatigue Rule. 49 CFR § 392.3 – Ill
By Adam R. Young, Melissa A. Ortega, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has put out a reminder to employers on winter weather Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements on how to design an effective PPE program. Employers must provide PPE, to protect workers’ safety, and health.
As winter returns and brings with it
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