By David S. Wilson and Joshua A. Rodine
Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Supreme Court unanimously held that while claims brought by an employee’s spouse for COVID injury are not barred by the Workers’ Compensation Act’s (WCA) exclusivity provision, policy considerations cautioned against imposing a tort duty to the members of an employee’s household. Kuciemba v. Victory
By Hoorya R. Ahmad and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: Effective July 17, 2023, employers with outdoor workers in the state of Washington will be required to follow revised heat illness prevention rules. The revised rules modify Washington’s long-standing 2008 rule and expand employees subject to the rule’s protection. Employers should review the required Washington State
By Ilana Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Benjamin D. Briggs
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 20, 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its guidance to local health departments on the definition of a COVID-19 outbreak. The new definition changes the timeframe for counting COVID-19 cases that make up an outbreak from
By: Andrew Scroggins and Benjamin Briggs
On May 19, 2023, both Houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed HB2862, which amends the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act, 820 ILCS 175/. On June 16, 2023, the bill was sent to the Governor, with an effective date that is the later of July 1,
By Adam R. Young and Mark A. Lies II
With the Biden Administration’s aggressive new generation of OSHA compliance officers and enforcement objectives, employers would be wise to develop a written program that incorporates all best practices for inspection management. Attached is a link to an article outlining best practices for employers when faced with
By A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, Benjamin D. Briggs, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: A Small Business Advocacy Review Panel for a potential OSHA standard to address Prevention of Workplace Violence in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sectors concluded on May 1, 2023. The Final Report
By Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: As Canadian wildfire smoke spreads across the Northern United States, employers should review the CDC/NIOSH guidance on occupational exposure to wildfire smoke and implement effective measures to protect employees.
Canadian forests continue to burn, with about 3.8
By Adam R. Young, Jennifer L. Mora, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Across nationwide testing, marijuana positivity rates for 2022 reached 4.3% (up from 2.7% in 2017), with biggest gains found in states that legalized recreational marijuana.
Impairment and related safety hazards have been disrupting the workplace resulting in lost time, absenteeism, safety
By A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, Mark A. Lies, James L. Curtis, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just announced a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites
By A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 14, 2023, we attended a webinar presented by U.S. DOL Solicitor Seema Nanda, DOL Wage and Hour Division Principal Deputy Jessica Looman, DOL Occupational Safety and Health Administration Assistant Secretary Doug