By  A. Scott HeckerAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Mine Safety and Health Administration “remains troubled by the fact that our impact inspections continue to discover the same hazards we’ve identified as root causes for fatal accidents and that we know can cause serious occupational illnesses,” says MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson.

The federal

Continue Reading Mining Accidents Lead to ‘Troubling’ 31% Increase in Worker Deaths

By Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, Daniel R. Birnbaum, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have become increasing factors in construction and general industry workplaces, creating not only potential safety hazards employers must address, but also opportunities for businesses to modernize and

Continue Reading A Brave New World: How to Manage Safety Hazards From Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

By Adam R. YoungA. Scott HeckerPatrick D. JoyceBrent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Powered Industrial Trucks (forklifts) are the focus of a new OSHA Regional Emphasis Program (REP). The program covers Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota—the federal-OSHA states in Region 8.

As we noted in a previous blog

Continue Reading OSHA Continues to Target Employers who Utilize Powered Industrial Vehicles with New Regional Emphasis Program

By Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: With Hurricane Ian drenching the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Atlantic coastal states, employers are facing daunting emergencies, safety and health risks, property damage, employee disruption, and re-building.  

This blog contains an updated primer on (1) preparing for an emergency;
Continue Reading The Rain is Coming Again: Disaster Preparedness, Recovery, and Employee Safety During Hurricane Season

By James L. CurtisAdam R. YoungPatrick D. Joyce, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Department of Labor Tweeted and blogged about the safety of workers during the busy holiday season, indicating an area of potential enforcement for OSHA in the coming weeks.

Unsurprisingly, OSHA has targeted workplace
Continue Reading Ho, Ho, Health and Safety! Keeping Workers Safe and Merry this Holiday Season

By Brent I. Clark, Mark A. Lies, IIAdam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The CDC published guidance aimed at assisting retail and service companies in limiting workplace violence against or involving their employees that may be associated with enforcing face mask mandates and other COVID-19 precautions.

On March
Continue Reading CDC Guidance on Workplace Violence in Retail Associated with COVID-19, Customer Face Mask Enforcement

By Andrew J. Sherman, Chantelle C. Egan, Anne R. Dana, and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis: As restaurant and hospitality consumers rethink their dining experiences, increased concerns are coming from food service providers about how to ensure food safety, reassure patrons, and address issues arising when workers get sick. The good news is that the food
Continue Reading Recipe for Action for Restaurants and Food Service Chains to Address Coronavirus Concerns

By James L. CurtisMark A. Lies, IIAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: In its introduction to its New Active shooter training materials, the Illinois State Police note that “civilians that are present at any given incident are the true first responders.”

The Illinois State Police (ISP) have developed and are making
Continue Reading Illinois State Police Provide Training on Active Shooter, Workplace Violence

By James L. Curtis, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its annual National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (National Census), concluding that the fatal work injury rate in 2018 remained at 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. 

Commenting on the BLS National Census,
Continue Reading National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Released

By Benjamin D. Briggs, Joshua M. HendersonPatrick D. JoyceAdam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis:  The Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC), part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), has identified new safety hazards from the expanding nanotechnology industry.

We have previously blogged on future issues related to the
Continue Reading Future Enterprises: New Safety Hazards from Nanotechnology Materials and Processes on the Horizon