The average mining operator now spends over $20,000 per year on citations and penalties. In this must-attend cost-savings workshop, learn how to reduce or eliminate fines—with the added benefit of improved safety conditions. In an era of increasing citations, this workshop will prepare you to handle Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors and challenge citations.Continue Reading Announcing Fall MSHA Workshop in Denver: Understanding MSHA Litigation
OSHA Injury and Illness Data Submission Due March 2, 2024
Remember injury and illness data must be reported to OSHA electronically by March 2, 2024. OSHA does not send out notifications or reminders to establishments to report injury and illness data (i.e., required data from the Form 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, Form 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and Form 301 Injury and Illness Incident Report).Continue Reading OSHA Injury and Illness Data Submission Due March 2, 2024
OSHA Announces Preference for Safety Helmets over Hard Hats
On December 11, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced that it will be “replacing traditional hard hats used by its employees with more modern safety helmets.” Continue Reading OSHA Announces Preference for Safety Helmets over Hard Hats
OSHA to Replace Existing Fire Brigades Standard with Broad Emergency Response Rule
On December 21, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiled an unofficial version of its proposed Emergency Response Rule. The Emergency Response Rule, if finalized, would replace an existing rule applicable to firefighters with a much broader rule that also covers emergency medical personnel and search-and-rescue workers. The Rule aims to resolve what the agency has described as a “patchwork” of unrelated standards for emergency workers and will address a variety of workplace hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, equipment failures, infectious diseases, and the mental health impact of first-responder positions.Continue Reading OSHA to Replace Existing Fire Brigades Standard with Broad Emergency Response Rule
MSHA Announces Final Rule on Surface Mobile Equipment
On December 19, 2023, MSHA announced a final rule to have written safety programs for surface mobile equipment (excluding belt conveyers) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines.
Both the Part 56 and Part 57 rule requires:Continue Reading MSHA Announces Final Rule on Surface Mobile Equipment
OSHA 2023 Fall Regulatory Agenda Released
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) released its latest regulatory agenda on December 11, 2023. According to the agenda, OSHA intends to advance several long-promised rules in either the final days of 2023 or early 2024.Continue Reading OSHA 2023 Fall Regulatory Agenda Released
Recent Updates on OSHA Policies and Rulemaking
The following are updates on recent policy and rulemaking efforts by the agency. Please reach out to your Husch Blackwell workplace and health contact with any questions.Continue Reading Recent Updates on OSHA Policies and Rulemaking
OSHA Announces Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Authorized Employee Representation During Inspections
The Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking on August 29, 2023, concerning who employees can authorize to act as their representative during Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) workplace inspections. Continue Reading OSHA Announces Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Authorized Employee Representation During Inspections
MSHA Releases Proposed Silica Rule
MSHA has published the proposed silica rule on their website. Among other things, MSHA proposes to set the permissible exposure limit of respirable crystalline silica at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) for a full shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average for all miners.Continue Reading MSHA Releases Proposed Silica Rule
OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program to Prevent and Reduce Workplace Falls
On May 1, 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it has begun a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to prevent and reduce fall-related injuries and fatalities for people working at heights in all industries. Continue Reading OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program to Prevent and Reduce Workplace Falls
OSHA Continues to Pursue Healthcare Workplace Violence Rule
Back in January, we posted about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) intention to convene a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel (“SBAR Panel”). This Panel would help decide whether OSHA should enact a Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance standard.Continue Reading OSHA Continues to Pursue Healthcare Workplace Violence Rule