On July 1, 2024, California’s workplace violence prevention law—the nation’s strongest and broadest workplace violence prevention statute for general industry—took effect, with the requirement that the California Division of...more
On October 11, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation—Senate Bill (SB) No. 19—that updates the California Penal Code to add Section 422.3, a new statute that closes a loophole and includes, as criminal...more
10/15/2025
/ California ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Criminal Prosecution ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Governor Newsom ,
New Legislation ,
Reporting Requirements ,
State and Local Government ,
Threat Management ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
Two cases before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals could place limits on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) ability to cite employers for failing to prevent workplace violence....more
10/8/2025
/ Appellate Courts ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Enforcement Authority ,
General Duty Clause ,
Heat Exposure ,
Hospitals ,
OSHA ,
OSHRC ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA Standards Board) authorized a limited advisory committee to consider clarifications and training requirements for interior framing work, opening the door...more
10/1/2025
/ Cal-OSHA ,
Construction Industry ,
Construction Site ,
New Regulations ,
OSHA ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Safety Inspections ,
Safety Precautions ,
Safety Standards ,
Training Requirements ,
Workplace Safety
On September 18, 2025, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA Standards Board) voted to adopt revisions to regulations on construction safety orders for confined spaces. ...more
On September 18, 2025, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA Standards Board) declined to adopt an emergency request to provide pay and sick leave protections for agricultural workers...more
On July 1, 2025, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published a “Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations” notice. The CRD also published guidance in the form of...more
The New York Retail Worker Safety Act is now in effect as of June 2, 2025. Following months of anticipation and planning, covered employers in New York State will now have to comply with the act’s workplace violence...more
6/4/2025
/ Employee Rights ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Enforcement ,
New Guidance ,
New York ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Retail Workers ,
State Labor Laws ,
Workplace Safety
On Friday, May 9, 2025, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced discussion drafts for the wildfire smoke regulation, as well as the indoor heat and outdoor heat regulations. ...more
Every April, organizations across the United States recognize Workplace Violence Awareness Month, an important time to highlight the risks of workplace violence and the steps necessary to prevent it. It is also an opportunity...more
4/2/2025
/ Cal-OSHA ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
OSHA ,
OSHRC ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Risk Management ,
State Labor Laws ,
Workplace Violence ,
Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
New Mexico is the next state to propose a heat exposure rule for workers. The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed a rule aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses and injuries in the workplace....more
On February 21, 2025, California Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D), representing San Diego, introduced Assembly Bill (AB) No. 1371 (“Right to Refuse Unsafe Work With Pay”) in the California State Assembly....more
In a significant decision regarding workplace inspections, the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (OSHAB) upheld citations against a California employer after finding the employer had consented to an...more
Workplace violence continues to be a primary concern for employers and a challenge to maintaining workplace safety. Still, it is unclear whether there will be further movement on regulation at the federal level under the...more
This is the twelfth installment in a series of articles intended to provide the reader with a very high-level overview of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 and the Occupational Safety and Health...more
On March 7, 2025, Virginia’s General Assembly passed House Bill (HB) 1919, requiring by January 1, 2027, any Virginia employer of one hundred or more employees to develop, implement, and maintain a workplace violence policy....more
In what might have been a Valentine’s Day gift for retail employers across New York, on February 14, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358B/A8947C, Chapter...more
2/19/2025
/ Amended Legislation ,
Effective Date ,
Employee Training ,
Enforcement ,
Notice Requirements ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Retail Workers ,
Retailers ,
State Labor Laws ,
Time Extensions ,
Training Requirements ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
On October 25, 2021, a customer named Jacob Bergquist, with a history of violating the Boise Towne Square Mall’s firearms ban, opened fire at the mall. The shooting in the Idaho mall led to the deaths of a Professional...more
2/14/2025
/ Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enforcement Actions ,
General Duty Clause ,
OSH Act ,
OSHA ,
OSHRC ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
As temperatures rise, the risk of heat-related illnesses in the workplace becomes a significant concern. To address this, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) has implemented a new regulation...more
Although later than anticipated, the New York State Legislature has just passed an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358C/A8947C, Chapter 308) that would extend the effective date of the act’s workplace...more
The last California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 regulation came into effect on February 3, 2023, with provisions scheduled to sunset on February 3, 2025. There have been no further...more
Wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, causing death, massive destruction of property, and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. President Biden has approved a “Major Disaster Declaration” for...more
As temperatures continue to rise, protecting workers from heat-related illnesses becomes increasingly critical. In response to this pressing issue, Nevada has implemented a comprehensive regulation aimed at safeguarding...more
Retail employers are bracing for the annual surge in customer traffic and sales during the holidays, but the large crowds, stress of the season, and other factors increase the risks of workplace violence. As the holiday...more
The New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358B/A8947C) has been signed into law and the effective date of March 3, 2025, is fast approaching. Meanwhile, there have been some discussions of a possible amendment before the law...more