With the 2019 holiday shopping season kicking off in earnest this upcoming Black Friday, OSHA circulated reminders last week of some of its key resources and concerns for safety and health in retail stores, especially during the holiday rush. What can retailers expect from OSHA this holiday season, and how can you stay prepared to reduce the chance of enforcement?
OSHA
Can you predict your safety future? OSHA wants to follow your lead(ing indicators)…
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA
Finding a hazard in need of a fix may be obvious after an incident occurs, but what about predicting in advance where to focus your safety and health resources to prevent injuries? On November 7th, OSHA will convene a stakeholder meeting to gather examples and success stories with safety and health leading indicators.
OSHA moves to potentially adjust silica rule
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
Last week, OSHA began a potential rulemaking process to expand what some might consider exceptions to the 2016 silica rule in construction. Here’s what we know…
What does the new leadership at DOL mean for OSHA and MSHA?
By Avi Meyerstein on
With the departure of Alexander Acosta as Secretary of Labor, the Department immediately got an acting chief who is expected to more closely align with the White House. Meanwhile, the nominee to replace him, Eugene Scalia, is well known for his DOL and workplace safety-related law practice. What do these new leaders mean for OSHA and MSHA?
Nevada operator and employer alert: New marijuana bill becomes law
By Donna Pryor on
A new Nevada law will soon prohibit employers from denying employment to job applicants who test positive for marijuana use in pre-employment drug testing. What does this mean for your company and its safety sensitive positions?
Chemical accident rules? EPA’s accidental release prevention requirements remain uncertain…
The most recent Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Regulatory Agenda shows a further delay for the agency to finally promulgate long-awaited changes to its Chemical Accident Prevention Program, also known as the Risk Management Program (“RMP”). After Obama made major changes, the Trump EPA delayed them and now seeks to reverse them. Want to understand this complicated saga and learn what to expect? Read on.
Dazed by the complexity of state and federal marijuana laws? How to maintain safety without tripping over legal obstacles.
By Donna Pryor on
The nation’s largest drug testing laboratory, Quest Diagnostics, recently released its latest data on the the number of workers and job applicants who tested positive for drugs in the U.S. workforce. According to the data, marijuana use in the workforce climbed 10% last year to 2.3% according to an analysis of 10 million urine, saliva…
Look! Up in the sky … it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s OSHA?
By Erik Dullea on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
An internal DOL memorandum last year to OSHA regional administrators confirms that OSHA can deploy Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) otherwise referred to as “drones” equipped with cameras to assist with its enforcement and regulatory functions. What do employers need to know? How should you respond to a drone inspection?
As we mark National Heat Awareness Day, is a heat stress standard on the horizon?
By Donna Pryor on
Posted in OSHA
May 31 is National Heat Awareness Day, according to OSHA and the National Weather Service. This year, the day falls at a time when the rules about preventing heat illness may be in flux. In fact, after OSHA lost a recent case to use its general duty clause to make heat exposure enforceable, state and federal authorities are talking about creating a heat stress regulation.
Will Google Glass and other virtual reality wearables play a new role in workplace safety?
By Avi Meyerstein on
An article last week by Thomas Black at Bloomberg News reveals that Google Glass – and other virtual reality “wearables” are finding their place at work even if they didn’t initially succeed with consumers. The implications for safety could be significant.