By Robert A. Fisher, Benjamin D. BriggsAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: A beverage wholesaler has appealed an arbitration award to federal court where the Company discharged a CDL driver who tested positive for cocaine. The arbitrator had ruled that the Company did not have just cause for termination.

A recent complaint
Continue Reading Employer Challenges Arbitrator Award Which Held Positive Drug Test for Cocaine Insufficient to Prove Just Cause

By Andrew H. PerellisJeryl L. OlsonPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 29, 2020, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum regarding termination of the COVID-19 temporary enforcement policy. EPA has selected August 31, 2020 as the termination date for its temporary enforcement policy. Also updated were EPA’s Frequent
Continue Reading EPA Ends Enforcement Discretion Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic on August 31

By Jeryl L. OlsonAndrew H. PerellisPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final rule to add per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals required to be reported annually under the EPCRA Section 313 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements, and established
Continue Reading EPA Adds PFAS to 313 Reporting for 2020

By Jeryl L. OlsonAndrew H. PerellisPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rule would provide “procedures for developing and issuing guidance documents and to establish a petition process for public requests to modify or withdraw an active guidance document.”

We have previously blogged on agency
Continue Reading EPA Proposes Rule to “Improve Transparency” of Agency Guidance Documents

By Andrew H. PerellisJeryl L. OlsonPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Image from EPA.gov

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly developed and released guidance that is generally intended for everybody, whether a business, a school, a
Continue Reading Joint CDC/EPA Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes

By Andrew H. Perellis, Jeryl L. OlsonPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced interim guidance for the Agency’s regional offices to “ensure that decisions about new or ongoing cleanup activities at sites across the country are made with the
Continue Reading EPA Guidance Concludes COVID-19 Can Constitute Force Majeure Event for Parties Performing CERCLA/RCRA Remediation

By Jeryl L. OlsonAndrew H. Perellis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in support of the U.S. Government’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced a temporary enforcement discretion policy regarding environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EPA’s recently-released temporary enforcement discretion policy, COVID-19 Implications
Continue Reading EPA Enforcement Discretion Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic

By Jeryl L. OlsonPatrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, Ilana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The continued efforts of federal, state, and local governments to legalize cannabis, both in medical and recreational uses, leaves many potential impacts, including environmental law and regulatory issues in the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of cannabis
Continue Reading Future Enterprises and Environmental Impacts in the Cannabis Industry

By Condon McGlothlen, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Illinois General Assembly passed SB 1557, revising the language of the Recreational Cannabis Law to reduce but not completely eliminate employer liabilities.

As we previously blogged, the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705) (the “Legalization Act”) will legalize recreational cannabis
Continue Reading Illinois General Assembly Passes Amendments to Recreational Cannabis Law That Help Reduce Employer Liability

By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just updated its “Protecting Temporary Workers” website, for staffing agencies and their clients (i.e., host employers). The page reminds these employers that they are jointly responsible for a  temporary employee’s safety and health .

We have blogged previously about OSHA’s enforcement activities and guidance documents
Continue Reading OSHA Releases Two New Temporary Worker Guidance Documents