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 14 to 7 days.
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Definition Changes Make Outbreaks Less Likely
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 handling an OSHA inspection.
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Continue Reading Be Ready to Defend the Castle: Seyfarth Legal Update Guides Employers on How to Implement an Effective OSHA Inspection Management Policy
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 is available here
Continue Reading Small Business Panel has Big Recommendations for Potential OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Standard
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 million hectares (9.4 million
Continue Reading See Through the Haze: NIOSH Guidance on Outdoor Workers Exposed to Wildfire Smoke
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 hazards, and serious industrial
Continue Reading High Times: Marijuana Positivity in Workplace Drug Tests Reaches 25-Year Record
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 most frequently in construction
Continue Reading OSHA Announces a National Emphasis Program to Reduce and Prevent Workplace Falls
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 Parker, National
Continue Reading Looking to Prevent and Address Workplace Retaliation, Government Leaders from DOL, NLRB, and EEOC Present Employers with “Best Practices”
By Ilana R. Morady, Adam R. Young, and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: After a lengthy delay due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal/OSHA has published its proposed indoor heat illness prevention standard. After the publication, there is a 45-day comment period, ending at the Standards Board May 18, 2023 meeting. The Standards Board
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA Turns Up The Heat on Employers
By Adam R. Young, Daniel R. Birnbaum, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Highlighting the current administration’s focus on using press releases to assure workplace health and safety regulations are being followed, OSHA announced that a major retailer who has allegedly continued to expose workers to blocked exit routes is being cited for
Continue Reading Are Your Exits Clear? Major Retailer Faces Over $15 Million in OSHA Fines as OSHA Enforcement Wave on Exit Access Continues
By A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA is promoting grain safety and compliance with the Grain Handling Facilities Standard on it’s website and links to additional information about Stand Up for Grain Safety Week, which takes place March 27-31, 2023.
Each year, dozens of
Continue Reading OSHA Highlights Grain Handling Facility Safety: March 27-31