The increase in the frequency of violent confrontations faced by healthcare workers in the workplace is prompting OSHA to pursue a standard for Prevention of Workplace Violence in the Healthcare and Social Assistance...more
On January 4, 2023, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the 2022 Unified Regulatory Agenda and Regulatory Plan (Fall 2022 Agenda) that reports on all planned rulemaking actions of administrative...more
In January of 2022, a worker in a Massachusetts cannabis cultivation facility died because of “the hazards of ground cannabis dust,” according to a report issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). ...more
MSHA has announced a new enforcement initiative regarding overexposure to respirable crystalline silica.
The silica enforcement initiative is intended “to take immediate action to reduce the risks the silica exposure.” ...more
On May 3, 2022, OSHA held a stakeholder meeting regarding the development of a nationwide occupational heat standard to prevent heat injuries and illness. The meeting featured opening remarks by Assistant Secretary of Labor,...more
On April 4, 2022, MSHA began a new enhanced enforcement program. Due to the number of fatalities around the country, all citations written under the following standards will be considered and reviewed for a special assessment...more
On Monday, April 4, 2022, OSHA released a new memorandum to regional administrators regarding enforcement of OSHA’s rule requiring electronic submittal of injury and illness records....more
MSHA finally has a new leader. On March 29, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed by voice vote Christopher Williamson (Williamson) as Assistant Secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) at the Department of...more
On March 23, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a notice in the federal register announcing a limited re-opening of the comment period regarding OSHA’s final standard to protect...more
MSHA has announced a new campaign focusing on mine operators’ obligations to ensure that miners are fully trained and able to take time to follow best safety practices. To that end, MSHA is providing resources on powered...more
This month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) applicable to employers of 100 or more employees...more
President Biden has nominated Christopher Williamson for the position of Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health. The White House statement on the nominee states Mr. Williamson is a “native of the coalfields of...more
On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) applicable to employers of 100 or more employees. The ETS requires employers to adopt a soft vaccine...more
11/9/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Documentation ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Joe Biden ,
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) ,
OSHA ,
Religious Exemption ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing
On Thursday, November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) applicable to employers of 100 or more employees. The ETS requires employers to adopt a...more
11/5/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Documentation ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
Franchisors ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Masks ,
OSHA ,
Paid Leave ,
Recordkeeping Requirements ,
Religious Exemption ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing
On August 13, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published updated guidance for the mitigation and spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance is for workers not covered by OSHA’s COVID-19...more
On June 9, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its long anticipated interim final rule and request for comments for the Occupational Exposure to COVID-19; Emergency Temporary Standard...more
6/11/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Federal Register ,
General Duty Clause ,
Healthcare Workers ,
OMB ,
OSHA ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Recordkeeping Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
Ventilation Systems
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance withdrawing the mask and physical distancing requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. The new CDC guidance raises issues for...more
On March 22, 2021, former two-term Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor in a 68-29 Senate vote. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) supported Walsh’s nomination as Secretary of Labor due in...more
5/13/2021
/ ABC Test ,
Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Independent Contractors ,
Joint Employers ,
Minimum Wage ,
OSHA ,
Paid Leave ,
Popular ,
Secretary of Labor ,
Tipped Employees ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
Wage and Hour
On April 20, 2021, the Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidance related to adverse reactions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. According to the guidance, an adverse...more
On March 22, 2021, former two-term Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Labor in a 68-29 Senate vote. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) supported Walsh’s nomination as Secretary of Labor due in...more
4/14/2021
/ ABC Test ,
Biden Administration ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Independent Contractors ,
Joint Employers ,
Minimum Wage ,
NEP ,
OSHA ,
Paid Leave ,
Parental Leave ,
Secretary of Labor ,
Tipped Employees ,
Trump Administration ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
Unemployment Insurance ,
Wage and Hour ,
Willful Violations ,
Workplace Safety
On April 9, 2021, the White House issued a press release announcing its nomination of Douglas Parker (Parker) for the position of Assistant Secretary for the Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA). Parker is currently...more
As mandated by President Biden’s January 21 Executive Order, OSHA has announced a National Emphasis Program (NEP) designed to protect workers from contracting COVID-19. On March 12, 2021, OSHA announced its new national...more
3/17/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Enforcement ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Inspections ,
Joe Biden ,
NEP ,
Occupational Exposure ,
OSHA ,
Retaliation ,
Whistleblowers ,
Workplace Safety
One year into the pandemic, MSHA has released new guidance to help miners and operators identify the risks of being exposed to COVID-19 at work and to help them determine appropriate control measures to reduce the risk of...more
3/11/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Training ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) ,
Mining ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Screening Procedures ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety
On January 29, 2021, OSHA posted new guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The latest OSHA guidance standardizes a new name for employer policies: “COVID-19 Prevention Program.” In the...more
On January 21, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic...more