By A. Scott Hecker, Brent I. Clark, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 28, 2020, the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, announced a final rule governing the “Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People.” This new rule could lead OSHA to push for increased use of drones in its inspections.
Continue Reading New FAA Rule May Expand Use of Drones in OSHA Inspections
By Brent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, II, Benjamin D. Briggs, James L. Curtis, A. Scott Hecker, Patrick D. Joyce, and Adam R. Young
Seyfarth Synopsis: As the prospects of a likely Biden administration develop a key question becomes what should employers expect from OSHA under Biden? A COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, aggressive enforcement,
Continue Reading What to Expect from OSHA in a Biden Administration
By Jeryl L. Olson, Rebecca A. Davis, and Patrick D. Joyce
Seyfarth Synopsis: As the potential for a Presidential administration change moves closer to reality, another dramatic agenda swing is possible in the environmental regulatory world, from an anti-regulation Trump administration to a pro-enforcement Biden administration. While the past four years have been about easing restrictions on
Continue Reading What Now? Post-Election Environmental Outlook
By Brent I. Clark, Benjamin D. Briggs, James L. Curtis, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 13, 2020, OSHA released an Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is intended to provide instructions and guidance to Area Offices and
Continue Reading OSHA Publishes Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 Inspections
By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: A Democratic lead House subcommittee has proposed a large budget increase for both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
The Democratic budget proposal would allocate more than $660.9 million for OSHA in fiscal year 2020 – around $103 million more than the
Continue Reading Democratic House Proposes Large Increases for OSHA and MSHA Budgets
Seyfarth Synopsis: This morning our panel from Seyfarth’s Workplace Safety team led a briefing on OSHA regulation and enforcement under the Trump Administration.
One year into the Trump Administration, employers’ expectations for a more business-friendly Agency have not yet materialized, as the still-leaderless Agency proceeds ahead with widespread aggressive enforcement. The panel addressed recent developments and trends our Group
Continue Reading PPT Slides from OSHA Trends and Developments: One Year into the Trump Administration
Seyfarth Synopsis: On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, a panel from Seyfarth’s Workplace Safety team will lead an interactive Breakfast Briefing on OSHA regulation and enforcement.
One year into the Trump Administration, employers’ expectations for a more business-friendly Agency have not yet materialized, as the still-leaderless Agency proceeds ahead with widespread aggressive enforcement. The panel will address the new developments
Continue Reading OSHA Trends and Developments: One Year into the Trump Administration
By Jeryl L. Olson, Kay R. Bonza, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a guidance document issued last week, U.S. EPA sets out to deliberately move environmental enforcement responsibilities back to the states. While this may, to local interests, represent a noble purpose, few states are manned and ready to take on additional responsibilities.
In yet
Continue Reading U.S. EPA Moves Program Responsibilities Back to Resource-Starved States
By Brent I. Clark, Ilana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission (Review Commission) issued two orders this month — the first we have heard from the Review Commission since April 27, 2017. The orders followed, on August 28, 2017, James J. Sullivan, Jr., being sworn in as
Continue Reading OSHA Review Commission Back in Business
By James L. Curtis, Brent I. Clark, Benjamin D. Briggs, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: With a dramatic change from a progressive democratic to a conservative republican administration we anticipate that OSHA is likely to pivot away from the enforcement heavy agenda to a more business friendly agency.
As we try to anticipate the President-Elect
Continue Reading What to Expect From OSHA in a President-Elect Trump Administration