By Benjamin D. Briggs, Joshua M. Henderson, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam 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
By James L. Curtis, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Patrick D. Joyce, Matthew A. Sloan, and Adam R. Young
Seyfarth Synopsis: The growth of the gig economy has transformed the modern workforce and upended traditional models for developing a workplace safety culture and worker safety training. New and inexperienced workers confront evolving safety hazards. Given this transformed
Continue Reading Workplace Safety in the Gig Economy: New Hazards and Liabilities
By James L. Curtis, Daniel R. Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: With the seemingly random workplace violence that continues unabated, many employers are again asking how best to protect their employees.
We had blogged previously about “Workplace Violence Prevention: DHS Promotes “Active Shooter Preparedness” Programs – Is Your Company Ready?” In addition, we blogged
Continue Reading Workplace Violence and Shootings in the Spotlight
By Brent I. Clark, James L. Curtis, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: This week at the 2018 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress the speakers on this Executive Forum noted that “automation, wearables, augmented reality, virtual reality, drones, big data, machine learning, the Internet of Things – emerging technologies are now almost too
Continue Reading National Safety Council Congress: Executive Forum Industry 4.0 – EHS in the Future of the Workplace
By Brent I. Clark, James L. Curtis, Benjamin D. Briggs, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Due to the increased use of robotics and computer automation for many job functions that have historically been performed by employees raises, besides the traditional personnel and employment issues, a host of
Continue Reading Robotics, Automation, and Employee Safety for the Future Employer
By James L. Curtis, Daniel Birnbaum, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: NIOSH reiterated last week that healthcare workers are exposed to a wide range of hazards on the job and healthcare employers may not be following best practices to protect against these hazards.
Healthcare is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 18 million
Continue Reading Nothing to Sneeze At: Evaluating Employee Safety Protections in the Healthcare Industry
By Jane Hall, Paul Cutrone, Sam Witton, and Nick Neil
Seyfarth Synopsis: We are aware that many of the clients we advise on U.S. workplace safety and health laws and regulations also have operations in Australia. The below blog provides insights into recent significant developments in workplace safety and health law in Queensland. Please feel free
Continue Reading Australia: Industrial Manslaughter – Will the Response to Community Outrage Deliver Results?
By Brent I. Clark, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Federal Railroad Administration’s new Safety Advisory seeks to cover activities that fall outside the scope of FRA safety regulations, but within the purview of the OSHA regulations.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has just issued its Safety Advisory 2016–02 (November 28, 2016). The
Continue Reading FRA/OSHA Safety Advisory – Identification and Mitigation of Hazards Through Job Safety Briefings and Hazard Recognition Strategies
By Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a challenge brought by trade associations for the farm supply and fertilizer industries, the D.C. Circuit vacates OSHA memorandum narrowing the retail exemption from the PSM standard.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently ruled against OSHA on
Continue Reading DC Circuit Finds OSHA “Interpretation” Narrowing Retail Exemption Under the Process Safety Management Standard Really a “Standard” Subject to Rulemaking Process
By Benjamin D. Briggs, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Tenth Circuit held that a trucking company unlawfully retaliated against a truck driver after he abandoned a trailer on a public highway, finding that his actions constituted a protected refusal to operate a vehicle in unsafe conditions.
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Continue Reading Tenth Circuit Orders Truck Driver Who Abandoned Trailer on Interstate Highway to be Reinstated with Backpay