By Daniel R. Birnbaum, Ilana R. MoradyBenjamin D. Briggs, and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis:  Following California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan regulation becoming effective, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) recently published its draft Workplace Violence Prevention regulation.  It is seeking public comments by September 3, 2024, with an advisory committee

Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Drafts Rules for Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry

By Patrick D. Joyce and Ilana Morady

Seyfarth Synopsis: A new rulemaking is underway at the California Department of Industrial Relations that will allow Cal/OSHA to cite employers for “enterprise-wide and egregious” violations, implementing a 2021 law signed by Governor Newsom. Cal/OSHA will convene an advisory committee on August 19, 2024 to solicit input.

Background

California employers may remember back

Continue Reading California Employers — Brace Yourselves; Rules and Penalties are Coming for “Enterprise-wide and Egregious” Violations

By Patrick D. JoyceIlana Morady, and Daniel R. Birnbaum

Seyfarth Synopsis: On July 24, 2024, Cal/OSHA’s indoor heat rule was approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and filed with the Secretary of State (SOS), rendering the rule effective immediately.

If you’ve been following our postings, you know that last month the Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted

Continue Reading Hot Fun in the Summertime: Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Rule Effective Immediately

By Bernard Olshansky and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis: Expanding a law enacted in 2022, New York’s legislature passed another bill that seeks to limit warehouse-related injuries by requiring employers to establish and implement an injury reduction program, evaluate certain jobs for ergonomic injury risks, correct risk factors, and provide injury reduction training.

Background: New York State’s Commitment to Warehouse

Continue Reading New Bill Seeks to Provide New York State Warehouse Workers with Additional Injury Protections

By Jacob RoesPatrick Joyce, Ilana Morady, and Adam Young

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Cal/OSHA Standards Board unanimously voted to approve Cal/OSHA’s indoor heat rule at the June 20, 2024 Standards Board meeting. Employers should be prepared to comply within the next 30-60 days.

Originally expected to be approved at the Standards Board’s March 21, 2024

Continue Reading The Heat is On: Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness Standard Gains Unanimous Approval

By Adam R. YoungDaniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) Hazard Communications (“HazCom”) Standard was the most frequently cited general industry standard in the past fiscal year.  OSHA recently announced a final rule that will update the current HazCom Standard to require new information on Safety Data Sheets

Continue Reading OSHA Final Rule to Revise Chemical Labelling and Safety Data Sheets

By James L. Curtis,  Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Numerous business groups led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued the Occupational Safety and Health Administration over the Agency’s new walkaround rule. The suit, Civil Action No. 24-271, was filed last week in federal court in the Western District of Texas

Continue Reading U.S. Chamber of Commerce Sues OSHA to Block Union Walkaround Rule

By Adam R. Young, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 9, 2024, President Joe Biden announced that his administration has formally recommended relaxing restrictions on cannabis, marking the most significant federal policy shift on cannabis since the drug was criminalized more than 50 years ago.

The U.S. Department of Justice formally published

Continue Reading DOJ Publishes Proposed Rule to Reschedule Cannabis

By Stanley Jutkowitz and Susan Ryan 

Seyfarth Synopsis: Cannabis would move to Schedule III from Schedule I under this reclassification.

In a move long awaited by the cannabis industry, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has decided to re-schedule cannabis. Currently classified under Schedule I, along with heroin, cannabis would now move to Schedule III, along with ketamine and

Continue Reading BREAKING NEWS: DEA To Reschedule Cannabis

Apr. 17, 2024  – As most California employers are now aware, a new workplace violence law (SB 553) requires essentially all CA employers to develop and implement written Workplace Violence Prevention Plans and training by July 1, 2024. The new requirements will be enforced by Cal/OSHA.

Cost  –  There is no cost to attend, but registration is

Continue Reading WEBINAR – New Workplace Violence Prevention Program Requirements in California