Workplace Safety and HealthBlog Posts
Cal/OSHA Releases Guidance for MonkeypoxAs Monkeypox (MPX) continues to be an issue throughout California, Cal/OSHA issued guidance to assist in protecting employees. However, this guidance applies only to workplaces covered by the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard, which is notable because the guidance itself states that “MPX spreads primarily by close or direct contact with infectious rashes, lesions, scabs, or body fluids.” However,...September 21, 2022 |
Washington State Adopts Emergency Heat and Wildfire RulesThis summer is shaping out to be another scorcher and Washington State employers should know about the Department of Labor & Industries (“LNI”) new emergency requirements for heat and smoke protections for outdoor employees effective June 15 through September 29. Washington’s emergency requirements are meant to help employees avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Covered...August 16, 2022 |
Proposal to Quadruple OSHA Fines Appears to be Off the Table Despite Support from Some LawmakersEmployers can breathe a sigh of relief for now as it appears that Senate Democrats are no longer pursuing a massive increase to OSHA’s penalties for safety violations. Currently, the maximum fine OSHA can assess against an employer per alleged repeat, willful, or failure-to-abate violations is $145,027. The penalty amount is subject to automatic annual...August 12, 2022 |
White House Pushes OSHA Heat Illness Prevention InitiativeAs thermometers hit their peak, the White House is touting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) heat illness prevention efforts to “protect millions of workers from heat illness and injury.” To read this article in its entirety, please click here.July 26, 2022 |
Beat the Heat: Nevada’s Response to OSHA’S Heat Illness National Emphasis Program Focuses on Prevention and InspectionsFederal OSHA previously announced the creation of the Heat Illness National Emphasis Program (NEP) and signaled its intent to take a more proactive approach to prevent heat related illnesses. Now various states, including Nevada, are moving to adopt their own regulations regarding heat related illnesses. Understanding Nevada’s response to the NEP will help your business...June 23, 2022 |
The Heat is On – Oregon OSHA Adopts Heat Illness Prevention StandardWith summer arriving and temperatures starting to rise, Oregon employers should familiarize themselves with the new Oregon OSHA Heat Illness Prevention standard (OAR 437-002-0156) that comes into effect on June 15, 2022. Covered Employers The new standard applies to workplaces when an employee is performing work activities in any environment (both indoor or outdoor) where...June 14, 2022 |
Cal/OSHA Proposes an All-Industry Workplace Violence Prevention Standard. Are You Ready?It may come as a surprise to some, but Cal/OSHA’s workplace violence regulations currently apply only to the Health Care Industry. Cal/OSHA plans to change that. Right now, for non-healthcare industries, Cal/OSHA regulates workplace violence using the employer’s obligation to regularly identify and evaluate workplace hazards under Section 3203, California’s version of the general duty clause....June 13, 2022 |
OSHA Proposes Expanding Electronic Recordkeeping Rule to Add Smaller EmployersThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed rule to restore and expand Obama-era requirements for high-hazard employers with at least 100 employees to submit their injury and illness forms electronically to the agency. To read the article in its entirety, please click here.April 20, 2022 |
OSHA Pushes Heat StandardThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has made clear that heat illness is a top priority, and the forthcoming heat exposure standard is certain to affect construction firms. To read this article in its entirety, please click here.March 31, 2022 |
OSHA Partially Opens Record on Rulemaking for Permanent Healthcare COVID-19 StandardOSHA has just announced it is partially reopening the record on the rulemaking for the permanent healthcare COVID-19 standard known as the rule on Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings. Comments are due by April 22, 2022. The docket number is OSHA-2020-0004. Following the written comments, there will also be a hearing held online on...March 22, 2022 |