By  A. Scott HeckerAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: This week, OSHA is promoting safe workplaces for young adults and working teenagers.

According to OSHA, employers must follow all OSHA safety and health standards to prevent their employees from being injured or becoming ill on the job. Workers under age 18 may be limited in the hours they can work, the jobs they can do, and the equipment they can use. At the federal level, OSHA’s sister agency, the Wage and Hour Division, enforces such requirements, and OSHA refers stakeholders to federal and state wage and hour child labor law resources that should help them understand what rules apply.

OSHA advises young employees about their rights, their employer’s responsibilities, and ways to stay safe on the job.  For instance, employees, including young workers, have the right to:

  • Work in a safe place.
  • Receive safety and health training in a language that they understand.
  • Ask questions if they don’t understand instructions or if something seems unsafe.
  • Use and be trained on required safety gear, such as hard hats, goggles and ear plugs.
  • Exercise workplace safety rights without retaliation or discrimination

The employer is required to:

  • Provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards.
  • Provide training about workplace hazards and required safety gear.*
  • Tell them where to get answers to their safety or health questions.
  • Tell them what to do if they get hurt on the job.

To help protect themselves they may:

  • Report unsafe conditions to a shift/team leader or supervisor.
  • Wear any safety gear required to do the job..
  • Follow the safety rules.
  • Ask questions.
  • Ask for help if needed.

For more information on this or any related topic please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Environmental Team.

By Ilana MoradyPatrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: This week the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order revising COVID-19 definitions and procedures. Because the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard incorporates by reference certain CDPH definitions, the CDPH order impacts what the regulated community needs to be doing to comply with the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard.

Background

On January 9, 2024, CDPH updated its COVID-19 Isolation Guidance and State Public Health Officer Order. The most impactful aspect of the update is a new definition of “infectious period.” Instead of spanning 2 days before symptoms (or positive test date in the absence of symptoms) through 10 days after symptom onset or testing positive, the new infectious period is:

For symptomatic confirmed cases, from the day of symptom onset until 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND symptoms are mild and improving.

For asymptomatic confirmed cases, there is no infectious period for the purpose of isolation or exclusion. If symptoms develop, the criteria above will apply. 

CDPH still acknowledges that the “potential infectious period” is 2 days before symptoms (or positive test date in the absence of symptoms) through 10 days after symptom onset or testing positive, and accordingly still recommends wearing a mask through day 10. However for purposes of isolation and work exclusion, using the redefined, shorter, infectious period is recommended.

Why did CDPH make the change?

The context for the revisions is CDPH’s proclamation that “We are now at a different point in time with reduced impacts from COVID-19 compared to prior years due to broad immunity from vaccination and/or natural infection, and readily available treatments available for infected people. Our policies and priorities for intervention are now focused on protecting those most at risk for serious illness, while reducing social disruption that is disproportionate to recommendations for prevention of other endemic respiratory viral infections.” The order also explains that the revisions were made “In order for the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards​​​ to continue to be consistent with public health guidelines.”

What does the change mean for employers under the Cal/OSHA non-emergency COVID-19 standard?

Non-healthcare employers are still covered by the Cal/OSHA non-emergency COVID-19 standard, 8 CCR 3205, which does not expire until February 3, 2025. Under Section 3205, employers have several obligations that are significantly impacted by the shorter infectious period, the redefinition of which is incorporated by reference into Section 3205.

Shorter work exclusion: Although COVID-positive employees will still be subject to 10-day masking, employers can allow them to return to work much sooner than before, so long as symptoms are gone for 24 hours.

Close contacts: CDPH’s order specifies that the new “infectious period” definition is for the purposes of isolation and exclusion of confirmed cases. This raises the question of whether a different definition of “infectious period” should apply when making a contact-tracing determination of who might have had a close contact with the COVID-19 case. It appears possible that CDPH is still recommending a 48-hour look-back period for contact tracing based on the “potentially infectious period.” However for purposes of Cal/OSHA compliance under Section 3205, there is only one definition of “infectious period” that applies to all aspects of the regulation: the shorter infectious period that begins on the day of symptoms. It’s possible Cal/OSHA and/or CDPH may update their guidance to address this ambiguity. In any event, using a shorter infectious period for purposes of contact tracing will tend to result in a smaller pool of identified close contacts. This means that many employers will be able to winnow down the number of employees to whom they provide close contact notice and offer no-cost testing.

Outbreaks: The determination of whether an employer is in “outbreak” status under the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 standard hinges on the “exposed group” analysis. With a few exceptions, the “exposed group” is all employees who were in the same location as the COVID-19 case during the infectious period. The result of using a shorter infectious period in the analysis will likely generate smaller “exposed groups” and, accordingly, fewer “outbreaks.”

The CDPH’s order, and the resulting Cal/OSHA-compliance impacts, are welcome news for many employers. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the COVID-19 story, and in the interim, please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Teamfor more information on this or any related topic

By Adam R. Young, James L. CurtisBrent I. ClarkBenjamin D. BriggsMark A. Lies, Jeryl L. Olson, Patrick D. Joyce, A. Scott HeckerMelissa A. Ortega, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. DOL and U.S. EPA have published their 2024 increases to civil penalties.

We have blogged previously about the annual adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA and EPA violations. The agencies have now finalized the 2023 inflation adjustments, which increase the penalties.

Under the 2023 rule, the new maximum OSHA civil penalties will be:

 2023 Penalties2024 Penalties
Other than Serious Violations:$15,625$16,131
Serious Violations:$15,625$16,131
Repeat Violations:$156,259$161,323
Willful Violations:$156,259$161,323
Failure to Abate (Per Day):$15,625$16,131

The new OSHA penalty amounts are applicable to OSHA citations issued after January 15, 2024, for violations occurring after July 15, 2023.

Readers familiar with EPA’s penalty structure know that environmental statutes typically set out a “per day” penalty, as well as a maximum statutory penalty. However, certain statutes allow for civil judicial enforcement that does not carry a maximum statutory penalty.

While under the 2024 rule USEPA has updated penalties under all of the major environmental statues (including but not limited to the Toxic Substances Control Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, Oil Pollution Control Act, Safe Drinking Water Act),  as an example of the civil penalty increases for 2024,  the chart below shows the major increases under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,  and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act:

2023 Penalties2024 Penalties
Clean Air Act                        
Daily: Maximum (per violation):
$55,808 – $117,468  
$446,456
$57,617 – $121,275  
$460,926
Clean Water Act                   
Daily: Maximum (per violation):
$25,847 – $64,618  
$323,081
$26,685 – $66,712  
$333,552
RCRA                                    Daily:$70,752 – $117,468$73,045 – $121,275
CERCLA                               Daily:
(including EPCRA)
Maximum (per violation):
$67,544

$202,635
$69,733

$209,202

EPA’s 2024 penalties are effective for violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalty was assessed on or after January 6, 2024. EPA’s 2023 penalties remain effective for violations that occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalty was assessed on or after January 12, 2023 but before January 6, 2024.

DOL and EPA are required to continue to adjust maximum penalties for inflation by January 15 of each new year.

For more information on this or any related topic please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Environmental Team.

By James L. CurtisAdam R. Young, Melissa A. Ortega, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Bureau of Labor statistics addresses the rise in worker deaths in 2022, and expected data for 2023.

This week’s announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 5.7 percent increase in fatal occupational injuries nationally.  African-American and Hispanic workers saw the largest increase in workplace fatalities. 

“In 2022, 5,486 workers in the U.S. lost their lives. This equates to one worker death every 96 minutes, with deaths the highest among transportation and construction workers. We also saw growth in disparities for workers of color, including Black workers, whose fatality rate increased 12.4 percent, and Hispanic workers, whose rate grew by 10.4 percent.”

Women made up only 8.1 percent of all workplace fatalities but accounted for 15.3 percent of homicides in 2022.  In terms of age group, workers aged 55 to 64 continued to have the highest number of fatalities in 2022 with 1,175 (21.4 percent of total fatalities), up from 1,140 in 2021. Transportation incidents were the highest cause of fatalities for this age group (455), followed by falls, slips, and trips (251).

OSHA has made a primary focus on falls and fall hazards in 2023, with the Directorate of Construction focusing enforcement efforts on preventing fatal falls. Nevertheless, work-related fatalities due to falls, slips, and trips increased 1.8 percent in 2022, resulting in 865 fatalities.

Given this fatality data, we anticipate OSHA agencies will continue to focus their enforcement resources on industries with fall hazards, disadvantaged demographic groups, and the risks of workplace violence.  For more information on this or any related topic, please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.

By Adam R. Young

Seyfarth Synopsis: Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board approved the Division’s revisions to the silica standard on an emergency basis, requiring a regulated area, PPE, and air monitoring for any workplace with a stone or tile cutting task. The regulations go into effect on December 29, 2023.

Recent stories from the LA Times have noted California occupational silicosis cases linked to small stone fabrication shops that cut natural stone (e.g. granite, marble) and “engineered” stone products (e.g. engineered quartz). Related studies and sworn testimony have linked each of the silicosis cases to workplaces that fail to use exclusively industry-standard “wet” methods to cut, grind, and polish stone. The use of outdated “dry” methods for cutting stone at small fabrication shops (like those pictured here) has been the primary source of the health hazard.

In response to a petition for an emergency temporary standard, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) approved for the Division to propose amendments on the existing General Industry Silica Standard on an emergency basis. Throughout the regulatory process, industry worked closely with Cal/OSHA to try to target new regulations to effectively address the airborne crystalline silica hazard.

On Thursday December 14, 2023, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Division’s draft emergency regulations. Many industry representatives and Seyfarth Partner Adam R. Young spoke in favor of Cal/OSHA’s proposed ban on dry cutting and proposed requirement for effective wet methods for fabricating stone in the draft revised regulations. But industry objected to the draft regulations’ task-based regulatory scheme – requiring regulated areas and PPE (e.g. forced air or N100 respirators) regardless of the abatement of the hazard through effective wet methods. Industry instead advocated for a health-based approach consistent with the regulation of carcinogens through permissible exposure limits (PELs).

The onerous new requirements apply to General Industry employer with so-called High-Exposure Trigger Tasks, defined to include machining, crushing, cutting, drilling, abrading, abrasive blasting, grinding, chiseling, carving, gouging, polishing, buffing, fracturing, intentional breaking, or intentional chipping of artificial stone with .1% or more silica or natural stone with 10% or more silica. Artificial stone is broadly defined to include porcelain tile. The regulations ban all dry processes, requiring wet-cutting and wet housekeeping. Worksites that engage in those tasks are required to conduct air monitoring and perform the tasks in a regulated area (regardless of the airborne hazard in those areas). The regulated area must be cordoned off with specific signage and all workers who enter the regulated area for any reason must wear intense respirators (e.g. forced air respirators fed from outside the regulated area or N100 respirators). Employees must prohibit walking or moving equipment through dry dust and ensure frequent cleanup.  Employees much enhance their written exposure control plant with air monitoring, procedures, and training.

Beginning December 29, 2023, non-compliance with some of the emergency regulations will be designated an “imminent hazard” that can trigger an immediate Cal/OSHA inspection, Cal/OSHA citations, and even a shutdown order (called an Order Prohibiting Use).

The draft regulations have been approved by the Board and likely will be submitted today to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). OAL will have ten calendar days to review and potentially approve, and file the new regulations with the Secretary of State.  The regulations will be law for 180 days. This will allow time for a permanent rule-making or an extension of emergency regulations.

Employers who cut stone or tile in any context are struggling to ensure that they comply with these new onerous requirements in the next ten days.  As we previously blogged federal OSHA has increased enforcement on this issue as well.

For more information on this or any related topic, please contact the author, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.

By Adam R. YoungJames L. CurtisMelissa A. OrtegaPatrick 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 establishments.

Since its announcement earlier this year, OSHA has attempted to adjust its enforcement focus to address the Nation’s growing warehousing and logistics industries. Starting July 13, 2023, federal OSHA began conducting inspections under its National Emphasis Program for Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations. NEP inspections have been moving forward steadily, including programmed and expanded complaint/injury inspections in the 27 states where federal OSHA regulates private employers.

According to OSHA, the NEP is intended “to identify and reduce or eliminate hazards during warehousing and distribution center operations, mail/postal processing and distribution centers, parcel delivery/courier services, and certain high injury rate retail establishments.” 

Under [the NEP], OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress and fire protection. The program will also include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas; however, OSHA may expand an inspection’s scope when evidence shows that violations may exist in other areas of the establishment.

The primary focus areas of the NEP are already broad, but OSHA has explicitly noted “it may expand an inspection’s scope [to] other areas of the establishment” and may open health inspections where warranted, so the bounds of OSHA’s NEP enforcement activity could expand quickly. Employers can continue to expect programmed inspections in the industry going forward.

Here is a list from OSHA’s presentation of expected areas of focus during a NEP inspection:

Here is a link to OSHA’s full presentation.

For more information on this or any related topic, please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.

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 and nationally.  In November 2018, voters in Michigan “passed a proposal that legalized cannabis for recreational use and required the State to create a licensing system for growers, processors, and retailers.”  Since the implementation of the Michigan marijuana licensing system, the “number of growers in Michigan has swelled to over 1,000, and the state now has 228 processors and 1,040 dispensaries.”

According to a review by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), studies have found that workers in cultivation, harvesting, and processing of cannabis face dermal exposure to the “psychoactive and medicinal chemicals in cannabis, ergonomic stressors, and potential exposure to allergens and respiratory hazards through inhalation of organic dusts (such as fungi, bacteria, and endotoxins) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as diacetyl and 2, 3- pentanedione.”  The exposure to organic dusts and VOCs was found in the “decarboxylation and grinding of dried cannabis material, activities that produced elevated concentrations of VOCs and endotoxins.”  On top of that, the marijuana industry presents a range of safety issues associated horticulture, manufacturing, heavy equipment, logistics, and retail.  The industry regularly engages in cash transactions, creating an increased risk of workplace violence to workers handling cash.

The MIOSHA SEP is limited in scope to the “growing, harvesting, and processing of cannabis due to the occupational safety and health hazards found at those operations.”  The emphasis program will be the legal basis for programmed MIOSHA inspections, targeting worksites related to cannabis drawn from “public sources.”  As of June 2023, MIOSHA conducted “12 enforcement inspections of cannabis facilities and found 37 violations of MIOSHA regulations.” The deficiencies encompassed “respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, chemical hazard communication, eyewash facilities, the storage and handling of flammable liquids, electrical safety, equipment guarding, recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses, and a chemical overexposure to peracetic acid.”

For more information this or any related topic please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team

By Adam R. YoungA. Scott Hecker, Daniel R. BirnbaumJames 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 or fatigued operator.

NIOSH on Well-being Matters for Driving on the Job

“Millions of workers drive or ride in a motor vehicle as part of their jobs.  And motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S.”  Given the risks inherent to operating CMV, NIOSH has provided guidance to employers on driver safety.  NIOSH’s Center for Motor Vehicle Safety offers advice designed to mitigate the risks of workplace car accidents, emphasizing guidance for truck drivers, drivers in other high-risk jobs (EMS, law enforcement, oil and gas extraction), and light-vehicle drivers (real estate, sales, health care).

The November 2023 issue of NIOSH’s Behind the Wheel at Work offers employers thoughts on:

  1. Challenges to Driver Well-being
  2. How Well-being Impacts Driving
  3. How Employers Can Promote Driver Well-being

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA)

Under the Fatigue Rule, drivers may not drive and employers may not require them to drive when they are too sick or fatigued to operate safely.  Employers would be wise to address driver well-being and design a program to manage claims of fatigue and illness.  The STAA protects CMV drivers from retaliatory action by carriers if drivers refuse to drive due to safety concerns, including claims of fatigue and sickness.  The Act’s implementing regulations are found at 29 CFR Part 1978.  As part of its whistleblower investigation responsibilities, OSHA investigates alleged STAA violations and corresponding retaliation claims.  Employer subject to retaliation claims may face exposure to both monetary damages or injunctive requests from employees. 

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH Act)

OSHA recognizes that long work hours may increase the risk of injuries and accidents and can contribute to poor health and worker fatigue.  This can include increased level of stress or lack of physical activity and illness. Increased levels of stress has the potential to escalate into instances of workplace violence, governed by OSHA’s general duty clause.  Lack of physical activity or illness has the potential to increase into a host of injuries or illnesses that may become recordable instances for purposes of recording on OSHA’s 300 form.  As such, with respect to both OSHA enforcement and general compliance, employers should evaluate and address worker fatigue in the workplace.

For more information on this or any related topic please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) or Workplace Policies and Handbooks Teams

By Adam R. YoungMelissa 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 cold temperatures, ice, and snow, it’s Seasons Greetings from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  As with heat stress, cold exposure and resulting cold stress can result in a range of injuries and illnesses, ranging from minor skin irritation to serious illness and death. NIOSH addresses cold stress in detail in online guidance.  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/default.html.  When combined with metabolic heat and indoor occupational heat sources, the heavy PPE, in addition to jackets, and hats worn for cold weather can also create heat illness risks that also must be addressed and managed. 

In OSHA’s recent guidance, OSHA has reminded employers of their responsibilities to ensure that employees wear winter gear for both outdoor and indoor workers who are exposed to the cold. Under federal OSHA’s rules, there is no requirement for employers to compensate employers for the ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, hats, and raincoats. See 29 CFR 1910.132(h)(4).  Specialized work equipment, like insulated nitrile work gloves or lined fire-resistant jackets, must be provided by the employer.  Under some state laws, any equipment needed for the job must be provided by the employer.  Of course, there is no prohibition in any state on employers choosing to provide employees with non-specialized “street wear” to use at work. 

Dressing Properly for the Cold

OSHA notes that dressing properly is extremely important to preventing cold stress. When cold environments or temperatures cannot be avoided, the following would help protect workers from cold stress:

  • Use at least three layers of loose-fitting clothing. Layering provides better insulation.
  • Use of insulated coat/jacket (water resistant if necessary). Tight clothing reduces blood circulation. Warm blood needs to be circulated to the extremities.
  • Use of a knit mask to cover face and mouth (if needed).
  • Use of a hat that will cover an employee’s ears. Hats help keep the whole body warmer. Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head.
  • Use of insulated gloves (water resistant if necessary), to protect the hands
  • Use of insulated and waterproof boots to protect the feet.

In its guidance, OSHA also provides cold weather safety tips:

  • The employer should ensure that employees know the symptoms of cold stress.
  • Employees should monitor their physical condition and that of your coworkers.
  • Employees should stay dry in the cold because moisture or dampness, e.g. from sweating, can increase the rate of heat loss from the body.
  • Employees should keep extra clothing (including underwear) handy in case you get wet and need to change.
  • Employees should drink warm sweetened fluids (no alcohol).
  • Employees should use proper engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the employer.

For more information on this or any related topic, please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.

By Adam R. YoungA. Scott HeckerPatrick D. JoyceDaniel 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, 2023. If Congress does not approve a funding deal by the time the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, November 18, the federal government will be left without its glass slippers and will shut down. Under federal law, a failure to fund the government will suspend nonessential government activities, including certain functions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA). The United States Department of Labor (“USDOL”) has developed a contingency plan, as have other government agencies, describing in detail which operations will be maintained and which will be suspended. USDOL’s plan covers OSHA.

The plan, if triggered, will furlough about 43% of OSHA staff. All signs point to furloughs covering support operations and not compliance officers.

According to the USDOL contingency plan, the agency will continue to inspect:

  1. Imminent dangers;
  2. Workplace fatalities and catastrophes;
  3. Serious safety and health complaints; and
  4. Follow-ups relating to abatement and high gravity serious violations.

We understand OSHA has held internal meetings determining that OSHA will continue to issue Serious OSHA citations and conduct informal conferences to resolve those citations. While OSHA will investigate fatalities, other catastrophic events, and high hazard complaints, other inspections for more minor hazards will be postponed.

Per the contingency plan, the Agency will discontinue all:

  1. Compliance assistance;
  2. Outreach programs;
  3. Training classes;
  4. Technical assistance;
  5. Rulemaking, including deregulation efforts;
  6. Whistleblower protection activities not described above; and
  7. Financial and other administrative efforts.

Appearing before the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee earlier this year, OSHA chief Doug Parker represented OSHA would not be doing “proactive” inspections, likely referring to the programmed inspections that constitute about 44% of OSHA’s inspection activity. According to Assistant Secretary Parker, OSHA’s recently-announced initiative on respirable crystalline silica, discussed in a prior blog, would be tabled during a shutdown.

While OSHA maintains a fair amount of activity under USDOL’s contingency plan, other Department agencies will feel greater impacts. For example, the Wage and Hour Division expects to furlough 1,531 of its 1,538 employees, leaving seven workers to “protect life and property” during any shutdown. Despite these reductions in enforcement personnel, employers must continue to comply with applicable laws – shutdowns do not represent a license to cut corners or relax vigilance, particularly regarding workplace safety and health.

For more information on this or any related topic, please contact the authors, your Seyfarth attorney, or any member of the Workplace Safety and Health (OSHA/MSHA) Team.