By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: A recent active shooter incident at an international airport illustrates both how quickly an incident may be over, yet how ancillary impacts take much longer to resolve. While the shooter was apprehended in less than two minutes, the international airport was shut down for most of a full day, impacting
Continue Reading Airport Active Shooter Incident — What Can Happen in Just 15 Seconds, and What Business Needs to Know
By Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, and Benjamin D. Briggs
Seyfarth Synopsis: It is imperative that employers develop and implement organized and clearly communicated procedures for responding to a disaster. A well-planned and executed emergency response program will provide orderly procedures and prevent panic, thereby minimizing employee injuries and damage to
Continue Reading After the Rain: Disaster Recovery and Employee Safety Following Hurricane Harvey
By Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a challenge brought by trade associations for the farm supply and fertilizer industries, the D.C. Circuit vacates OSHA memorandum narrowing the retail exemption from the PSM standard.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently ruled against OSHA on
Continue Reading DC Circuit Finds OSHA “Interpretation” Narrowing Retail Exemption Under the Process Safety Management Standard Really a “Standard” Subject to Rulemaking Process
By James L. Curtis, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Chemical Safety Board offers recommendations and best practices for chemical facilities regarding emergency planning and response programs.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (the “Board”) is an independent federal agency charged with investigating significant chemical accidents. According to the Board, inadequate or poor emergency
Continue Reading U.S. Chemical Safety Board Provides Recommendations to Upgrade Employers’ Emergency Planning and Response Programs
By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen
Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security spoke today at the Air and Waste Management Association’s Annual Conference, on their collaboration on chemical facility safety and security.
The conference session speakers included Mathy Stanislaus, EPA’s Office of Solid Waste
Continue Reading EPA, OSHA, and DHS are Collaborating on Chemical Facility Safety and Security
By Brent I. Clark, Meagan Newman, and Craig B. Simonsen
OSHA has scheduled a meeting for “stakeholders” on its consideration of standards for emergency response and preparedness. 79 Fed. Reg. 32199 (June 4, 2014).
OSHA notes that emergency response is one of the most hazardous occupations in the U.S. To support a need for proposed rules OSHA references the
Continue Reading OSHA Considering Proposed Standards for Emergency Responders
By James L. Curtis, Meagan Newman, Patrick J. Bannon, Barry J. Miller
In a recent Client Alert, Jim Curtis and Meagan Newman discuss workplace safety issues in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Employers need to keep in mind that storm cleanup poses significant hazards that must be addressed. Employees may be asked to perform tasks, or volunteer
Continue Reading After the Storm: Workplace Safety and Wage & Hour Considerations
By James L. Curtis and Meagan Newman
As much the East Coast of the U.S. is dealing with Hurricane Sandy it is important to keep in mind that the dangers of a storm of this magnitude persist long after the winds, rains and sleet have passed.
Storm and flood cleanup activities can present hazards to workers and volunteers. Before embarking
Continue Reading After the Storm: Clean-up is Hazardous so Plan Accordingly