Though Safety Law Matters is all about workplace safety and health, we know many of you deal with employment law issues at your companies and wanted to flag an important blog post by our colleagues. This Spring, the Social Security Administration began sending employers “no-match” letters for W-2s that had mismatched names or Social Security Numbers (compared with SSA’s records). How should you respond?
Compliance tips
Marijuana at work? As state law develops, time to revisit policies.
By Donna Pryor on
When medical marijuana first started to become legal, many employers in mining and other safety-sensitive industries adopted zero-tolerance policies. After all, safety at these work sites is critical. But, new court decisions are calling this approach into question.
Accident investigation? What could go wrong?
By Avi Meyerstein on
You may have some work to do to prepare for your next accident. How you handle the minutes, hours, and days following an incident can determine what kind of mess you may be dealing with — or not — for years to come.
Reminder: You must submit your OSHA Form 300A by Saturday, March 2nd!
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, OSHA
Public service announcement: Saturday is your last day to submit electronically to OSHA your 2018 OSHA Form 300A – the annual summary of injuries and illnesses at your workplaces. What’s this all about? Read on…
Countdown to 2019 NSSGA AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, February 12-13, in Indianapolis
By Jeff Ramsey on
Next week – on February 12 and 13 – Husch Blackwell attorneys Erik Dullea, Phil Bower, Avi Meyerstein, Hal Perloff and Brian Waagner will be presenting at the 2019 NSSGA AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo in Indianapolis on a number of topics. Please join us if you are at the event.
OSHA rolls back guidance on drug testing and incentive programs
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, OSHA
OSHA announced this month that it is clarifying, and effectively rolling back, portions of the injury and illness rule guidance it issued in 2016. The decision clarifies and walks back guidance that potentially penalized employers for certain drug testing policies and safety incentive programs.
MSHA launches Fire Suppression Safety Initiative
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, MSHA
During its recent quarterly stakeholder call, the Mine Safety and Health Administration announced a new “Fire Suppression Safety Initiative” (FSS) to ensure that fire suppression systems on mobile equipment are in working order and capable of extinguishing equipment fires. The initiative appears to involve educating operators about FSS, including proper inspections and maintenance, as well as stepping up related enforcement.
Digging in deeper: OSHA raises enforcement on trenching and excavation
By Avi Meyerstein on
OSHA says it will increase enforcement with a revised National Emphasis Program (NEP) for trenching and excavation because of an increase in fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trenching and excavation deaths nearly tripled between 2011 and 2016 (130 deaths in all in that time). The revised NEP will add enforcement, compliance assistance, and outreach programs.
How a familiar brand cut injuries by 90%
By Avi Meyerstein on
How did one of the world’s most familiar brands go from 30 lost-time injuries per month to two in just ten years? Safety professionals across industries will be interested in this first-hand account about David White’s remarkable run overseeing supply chain at Campbell Soup.
MSHA offers a new way to see your data
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, MSHA
Last week, MSHA announced a revamp of its Data Retrieval System web site. The site enables the public to search for information about particular mines, operators, and contractors, including their violation and enforcement histories. During early usage, the new site appeared to be more graphical, slightly more flexible, and somewhat slower than the previous version.