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

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Approves Emergency Changes to the Silica Standard With Onerous New Requirements For Cutting Stone and Tile Products

By Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. YoungA. Scott Hecker, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a new set of best practices to assist host employers in better protecting the safety and health of temporary workers.

Since 2013, Federal OSHA has maintained

Continue Reading NIOSH Best Practices to Help Host Employers Protect Temporary Workers

By Jennifer L. Mora and Frederick T. Smith

Seyfarth Synopsis As previously reported here, on February 22, 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act” (CREAMMA), which amended the New Jersey Constitution to legalize recreational cannabis.

The law allows employers to conduct numerous forms of drug testing for
Continue Reading New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Issues Guidance on “Workplace Impairment” Determinations

By Ilana R. Morady and Eric E. Boyd

On October 1, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published final changes to its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, commonly known as the “Green Guides.” The FTC first issued the Green Guides in 1992 to help marketers ensure that claims they make are true and substantiated. The guidance

Continue Reading FTC Issues Revised “Green Guides”

By Ilana R. Morady and Eric E. Boyd

On September 25, 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is trying to bolster the manufacturing industry by increasing the number of biobased products available to federal agencies.  Under the USDA’s BioPreferred program, the Department designates categories of biobased products and lists individual products available for preferred

Continue Reading USDA’s BioPreferred Program is Expanding

By Ilana R. Morady and Eric E. Boyd

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently released a five-year Strategic Plan that sets targets to improve the safe handling and transportation of hazardous materials.  PHMSA is the principle arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that promulgates and enforces regulations pertaining to the movement of hazmat by all

Continue Reading PHMSA Strategic Plan Setting Goals for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety

By Ilana R. Morady, Eric E. Boyd, and Craig B. Simonsen

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program plans to post on its website in September a list of chemicals that are acceptable for use in DfE-labeled products.

DfE.jpg

EPA’s intention is that the list serve as a resource for product formulators and consumers, to increase

Continue Reading EPA Design for the Environment Program Will Post List of Chemicals

By Eric E. Boyd and Craig B. Simonsen

George P. Nassos, of George P. Nassos & Associates, recently provided our Group with a presentation on “The Urgency of Adopting Sustainability”. It is an interesting analysis on the rationale for and the cost-benefit value in adopting sustainability within large corporate businesses and organizations. Sustainable strategies are listed and reviewed.

Continue Reading Benefits to the Bottom Line from Adopting Sustainability in Industry

By Eric E. Boyd

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a study regarding “up to” claims, such as a  marketing claim that a product will save people “up to 47%” in energy costs.  Not surprisingly, the FTC study concluded that people interpret such claims to mean that the typical user would achieve the maximum benefit using the product. 

Continue Reading Green Marketers Should Use “Up To” Claims Carefully

By Jeryl L. Olson and Eric E. Boyd

On May 10, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its draft “Permitting Guidance for Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Using Diesel Fuels.” The initial public comment period for this proposal was 60 days, ending on July 9, 2012. In response to requests from stakeholders, the EPA has

Continue Reading EPA Permitting Guidance for Fracking Activities Using Diesel Fuels