Two years into President Donald Trump’s first term, how would you grade the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) performance? Is MSHA more effective or efficient?
Yes, OSHA violations can send you to jail
By Brian Hendrix & Erik Dullea on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
Can mis-steps with OSHA land you in jail? Several recent cases are a reminder that the risk is real. While OSHA rarely makes a criminal case out of safety violations, it does pursue criminal charges when people mislead the agency through false statements, falsified records, or destroyed documents. A company that does not take great care in handling an investigation risks such costly errors, leading to criminal prosecution and stiff penalties under federal law.
The view from DC: OSHA and its congressional overseers get new staff leaders as new OSHA bill would increase enforcement
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
OSHA is surely bracing for new oversight as the new Congress gets down to business. Who will be the key players? What oversight and enforcement pressures will OSHA face? New people, new priorities, and new legislative initiatives are already here.
An MSHA blind spot on powered haulage safety?
By Brian Hendrix on
Posted in MSHA, Rulemaking news
MSHA engaged in an important exercise last year when it asked for comments on how to improve “powered haulage” safety in mining. But, are some important questions missing from the discussion?
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…
OSHA penalties are going up. Repeats will cost up to $132,598 in 2019.
By Donna Pryor on
Posted in OSHA
As of the end of last month, OSHA citations will cost you more. The Department of Labor published the official version of the Final Rule for the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustment for 2019, which adjusts civil penalties for inflation. Federal law requires the annual adjustment to occur each year by January 15th. This year’s publication was delayed due to the partial government shutdown.
Clearing up confusion on OSHA’s safety incentive program policy (the “pizza party” rule)
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
Based on questions we’ve fielded from clients, it seems many are understandably unsure what OSHA’s current position is on safety incentive programs. Here’s a quick rehash to clear it all up.
What happens when technology and practice exceed MSHA regulations?
By Donna Pryor on
Posted in MSHA, Rulemaking news
Many of the MSHA regulations that are currently in effect were written in the 1970s; at that time in history, digital meant using your fingers (digits). Since then, technology has become so advanced that the regulations do not even address the latest hazards involved in mining.
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.
Top 10 questions (and answers) about OSHA’s new record-keeping rule
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
Last week, the years-long saga of OSHA’s 2016 injury and illness record-keeping rule took another turn, leaving many employers confused about what injury records they must submit to OSHA. In this quick-and-easy FAQ, we clear up the confusion with answers to the top 10 questions about OSHA’s new injury and illness records rule.