By Adam R. YoungDaniel 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 HeckerAdam 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

By Adam R. YoungPatrick D. JoyceJames L. CurtisDaniel R. Birnbaum, Melissa A. Ortega and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Biden Administration is seeking a 17% funding increase for OSHA under the Department of Labor’s fiscal year 2024 budget request.

The FY 2024 budget request for OSHA is approximately $738.7 million, an

Continue Reading Biden Administration Requests Big Budget Increase For OSHA

By Benjamin D. Briggs, A. Scott Hecker, Adam R. YoungDaniel R. BirnbaumPatrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Biden Administration’s Fall 2022 Regulatory Agenda for DOL indicates the Agency’s intent to revise and expand its use of administrative subpoenas through an “interim final rule.” OSHA claims the purpose of

Continue Reading Who Let the Docs Out?  OSHA Intends to Expand Subpoena Practices

By A. Scott HeckerAdam R. YoungPatrick D. JoyceBrent I. ClarkDaniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Occupational noise exposure is common in certain industries across the United States, such as construction, manufacturing, and even warehousing and logistics. According to OSHA, the “Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22

Continue Reading OSHA Reiterates Concerns About Occupational Hearing Damage and Loss

By Adam R. Young, Brent I. ClarkBenjamin D. BriggsDaniel R. BirnbaumMark A. LiesPatrick D. Joyce, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In an effort to significantly increase the number of citations and penalties it may issue during an inspection, OSHA has updated its enforcement procedures for

Continue Reading OSHA Issues New Instance-by-Instance Penalties Policy

By Adam R. YoungMelissa A. Ortega, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Mark A. Lies, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In the wake of increased employee mental health concerns and mass shootings across the country, employers looking to create or enhance a workplace violence program can look to the National Safety Council (NSC)

Continue Reading National Safety Council Releases Workplace Violence Resources for Employers

By Adam R. YoungDaniel R. BirnbaumJames L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The continuing proliferation of accidents involving carbon monoxide have drawn the attention of OSHA and NIOSH, which have issued regulations and recent press releases on the issue.

Approximately 400 Americans die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can overcome an

Continue Reading Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Deadly Gas Continues to Menace Winter Workplaces

By Adam R. Young, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Mark A. Lies, and James L. Curtis

Seyfarth Synopsis: Recent involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin serve as a reminder of the state criminal manslaughter liability that may result from industrial accidents. Company management and employees involved in an accident face potential criminal prosecution, prison, and hefty personal fines.

Continue Reading Alec Baldwin Manslaughter Charges Spotlight Criminal Liability For Occupational Fatalities

By A. Scott HeckerAdam R. YoungPatrick D. JoyceJames L. CurtisDaniel R. Birnbaum and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA announced enhanced enforcement and oversight efforts following an “alarming rise” in trenching fatalities, intended to draw attention to construction worker safety and present issues and solutions. Current OSHA enforcement guidelines require inspectors

Continue Reading As Fatality Numbers Skyrocket, OSHA Scrutinizes Trenching and Excavation Hazards with Redoubled Enforcement