OSHA Compliance

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Seyfarth Synopsis: David Keeling’s confirmation as OSHA Chief could give regulatory and enforcement direction to OSHA when federal government funding is restored, likely moving the agency towards enhanced collaboration with industry and refocusing of enforcement priorities.  

Senate Confirms Keeling

On October 6, 2025, as part of a larger confirmation of Trump appointees, the Senate voted 51-47 to confirm as…

Continue Reading David Keeling Confirmed as OSHA Chief: A New Era for Cooperation and Enhanced Occupational Safety?

Seyfarth Synopsis: Despite Congress failing to fund the federal government, the Department of Labor and OSHA will continue to operate with a skeleton crew. Citations will still be issued, deadlines remain in effect, and employers must report serious injuries and fatalities.

OSHA Furloughed Most Staff

On October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown following Congress’s failure to fund…

Continue Reading Shutdown Guide: Navigating OSHA Compliance During the Federal Government Shutdown

Introduction

OSHA duty officers around the country routinely field complaints from employees and labor unions alleging workplaces are understaffed and unsafe. Unions often dispute staffing levels, complaining that employers have insufficient bargaining unit members and insufficient members with seniority. Individual complainants allege that they are left to work alone, have no backup in case of emergency, or are at enhanced…

Continue Reading Safe Staffing Levels? OSHA and Legal Liabilities

Seyfarth Synopsis: Oregon OSHA institutes program for comprehensive follow-up inspections based on an employer’s violation history, which necessitates employer care during inspections and negotiation of settlements.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 592 into law in 2023, requiring Oregon OSHA to increase penalties and implement a program for follow-up inspections for significant citations. In response, Oregon OSHA implemented its…

Continue Reading I’ll Be Back: Oregon OSHA’s “For-Cause” Inspection Program May Result in an Unlawful Return Visit

Seyfarth Synopsis: On Thursday, June 5, 2025, OSHA Nominee David Keeling testified that he plans to adopt a more cooperative, proactive approach and pursue a new workplace violence regulation.

As we previously blogged, on February 11, 2025, President Trump nominated David Keeling as Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, pending Senate confirmation. In the first Trump Administration, the…

Continue Reading Nominee for OSHA Chief David Keeling Testifies Before Senate Committee, Outlines Workplace Safety Priorities and Workplace Violence Plans

On May 13, 2025, Cal/OSHA released a new discussion draft of its proposed regulation on Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry. This latest version updates the July 15, 2024 draft we previously blogged about, and reflects stakeholder input gathered through the advisory committee process.

Key Proposed Revisions

Confronting Suspected Criminals

One of the most significant changes is the removal…

Continue Reading Update: Cal/OSHA Releases Revised Draft Workplace Violence Prevention Regulation, Strikes Prohibition on Confronting Shoplifters

The final day of the ABA Workplace and Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee Midwinter Meeting began with a panel discussion on mental health, behavioral issues, and workplace violence. Many employers and practitioners have observed state plans making significant efforts to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans. For example, California’s prevention plan requirements for general industry went into effect…

Continue Reading Report From Final Day of the 2025 ABA OSHA/MSHA Law Conference

Seyfarth Synopsis: This week we are attending the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Meeting in Rancho Mirage, California. The meeting includes representatives from management, labor, and safety professionals, some who previously worked in government.

We are attending the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Meeting this week in Rancho Mirage, California. On Thursday, March 6, the conference focused on…

Continue Reading Report From Day 2 of The 2025 ABA OSHA/MSHA Law Conference

Seyfarth Synopsis: This week we are attending the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Meeting in Rancho Mirage, California. The meeting includes representatives from management, labor, and safety professionals, some who previously worked in government.

Tuesday, March 4

We are attending the ABA Occupational Safety and Health Law Meeting this week in Rancho Mirage, California. On Tuesday, March 4, the…

Continue Reading Report From Day 1 of The 2025 ABA OSHA/MSHA Law Conference

Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 11, 2025, President Trump nominated David Keeling as Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, pending Senate confirmation. Keeling, with extensive experience in occupational safety, is expected to adopt a pro-employer stance, contrasting with the Biden Administration’s approach. Anticipated changes include a delay or termination of new regulations on heat illness and workplace violence, and granting employers…

Continue Reading Former Safety Director David Keeling Nominated to Lead OSHA