By Andrew H. Perellis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: EPA has promulgated its new per violation penalty rules for 2018.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has again issued final regulations adjusting the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for violations of various environmental regulations. 83 Fed. Reg. 1190 (January 10, 2018).

The action
Continue Reading EPA Adjusts for Inflation the Maximum Civil Penalties for Violations of Environmental Statutes

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

Seyfarth Synopsis: The DOL has published its 2018 OSHA civil penalties.

We had blogged previously about the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2017 adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA violations. The DOL has now finalized the 2018 inflation adjustments which will nudge
Continue Reading OSHA Civil Penalties Going Up Again – Adopts 2018 Maximums

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

Seyfarth Synopsis: The DOL has published its 2017 OSHA civil penalties.

We had blogged previously about the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2016 adjustments to the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA violations. The DOL has now finalized the 2017 inflation adjustments which will nudge
Continue Reading OSHA Civil Penalties Going Up Again – Adopts 2017 Maximums

By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

Warehouseman after accident at heightSeyfarth Synopsis: OSHA just updated its annual list of the top ten cited standards. The list provides a starting point for employers reviewing their own safety programs.

OSHA just announced the Agency’s annual listing of the “Top Ten Most Frequently Cited Standards.” OSHA’s release noted that, “one remarkable thing about the
Continue Reading OSHA Updates and Publishes “Top Ten” Most Frequently Cited Standards

By Andrew S. Boutros, Benjamin D. Briggs, and Craig B. Simonsen

iStock_000042612884_MediumSeyfarth Synopsis: Companies cannot go to prison, but their executives and managers can when they violate the OSHA laws. And, companies can face stiff fines and other business-disrupting (or ending) collateral consequences for conduct resulting in worker deaths. Make sure that your company’s safety programs and
Continue Reading Scrap Processor Sentenced on OSHA Criminal Violation Causing Death of Employee

By Andrew H. Perellis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Compliance Concept on İnterface Touch ScreenSeyfarth Synopsis: EPA finalized its new per violation penalty rules that in some cases now increase by substantial amounts.

In a federal rulemaking published last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued interim final regulations adjusting the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for violations of
Continue Reading Maximum Civil Penalties for Violations of Environmental Statutes are now Significantly Higher After Inflation Adjustment

By Brent I. Clark, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA finalized a 78% increase to per violation penalties.

In a an interim final rulemaking published last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) finalized amendments to adjust the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for OSHA violations. 81 Fed. Reg. 43430 (July 1, 2016).
Continue Reading FINAL UPDATE: OSHA Finalizes New Maximum Civil Penalties

By Brent I. Clark and Ilana R. Morady

iStock_000076487827_LargeExpedited Hearings

A hot topic today is developments in the law of California OSHA (Cal-OSHA). Panel members are discussing the new and controversial rule on expedited proceedings under 8 CCR 373. Under the expedited proceedings rule, cases are put on a fast track when abatement has been appealed or abatement has not
Continue Reading Update from the ABA OSHA Conference — Cal-OSHA Developments

By Patrick D. Joyce, Jeryl L. Olson, and Craig B. Simonsen

EPA SignThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is modernizing its self-disclosure policy, commonly known as the Audit Policy, through a centralized “eDisclosure Portal” to receive and automatically process self-disclosed civil violations of environmental laws. 80 Fed. Reg. 76476 (December 9, 2015).

The new Portal will serve as
Continue Reading EPA Modernizes the Audit Policy

By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

iStock_000060649768MediumOn International Workers’ Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Al Franken, the top Democratic Senator on the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, introduced legislation to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The legislation would expand OSHA’s coverage to include public employees. The bill would also significantly increase penalties for OSHA citations, raising
Continue Reading Senator Al Franken Introduces Protecting America’s Workers Act