By Benjamin D. BriggsJames L. Curtis, Adam R. Young, Ariel D. Fenster, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Smoke produced during surgical procedures is carcinogenic and can carry pathogens.  Employers who fail to abate surgical smoke hazards may face liability from employee injuries and OSHA citations.

Surgical smoke is created during numerous surgical and
Continue Reading Holy Smoke! Health Care Employers Must Abate Surgical Smoke Hazards in the Operating Room

By Brent I. Clark, Kristin G. McGurn, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, has just released a Report on “Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids,” (Washington, DC: HHS, September 2018).

In the Report, Alex M. Azar, II,
Continue Reading Facing Addiction in the Workplace: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight

By Mark A. Lies, II and Ilana R. Morady

iStock_000004162096LargeAs many employers know, California frequently does things a little differently than other jurisdictions. Cal/OSHA is no exception.

When it comes to injury/illness reporting, Cal/OSHA (a.k.a. “the Division”) requires “any serious injury or illness, or death” to be reported within 8 hours to the nearest District Office. Serious injury or illness
Continue Reading Cal/OSHA District Offices Taking Expansive View of Injury/Illness Reporting Requirements