1. Introduction -
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, drugs and alcohol remain a significant occupational safety issue for employers across the country. The legal environment is rapidly changing for many drugs, and additional...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Cal/OSHA has issued guidance on protecting workers from exposure to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or Coronavirus)....more
2/6/2020
/ Cal-OSHA ,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
China ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Emergency Response ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Incident Response Plans ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Public Health ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Risk Management ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: In recent decisions—including Secretary of Labor v. Integra Health Management, Inc., No. 13-1124 (OSHRC Mar. 4, 2019)—the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has upheld violations of...more
3/27/2019
/ Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
General Duty Clause ,
Healthcare ,
Home Healthcare Workers ,
Hostile Environment ,
Mass Shootings ,
OSHA ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
The flu and cold season is now approaching. Tragically, each year, a number of deaths result from flu and other infectious diseases. Employers again routinely face concerns about how to respond to highly infectious diseases...more
11/14/2018
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Incident Response Plans ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Premises Liability ,
Public Health ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Vaccinations ,
Workers' Compensation Claim
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just issued a Standard Interpretation clarifying the Obama-era guidance that prohibited incentive programs and circumscribed post-incident drug testing; “Clarification of OSHA’s Position on...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: NIOSH has released a study on the safety and health hazards posed by marijuana growing farms. Of concern for employers are the risks for musculoskeletal disorders, as well as dermal contact exposure to...more
5/16/2017
/ Agricultural Land ,
Agricultural Sector ,
Agricultural Workers ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Farms ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
NIOSH ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: As OSHA’s enforcement relating to employee cell phone use gains more notoriety, it can be expected that it will have a significant collateral impact on law enforcement at all levels to address this hazard....more
10/13/2016
/ Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) ,
Cell Phones ,
Distracted Driving ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
General Duty Clause ,
Mobile Apps ,
Mobile Devices ,
OSHA ,
Pokemon ,
Protected Concerted Activity ,
Smartphones ,
Technology ,
Video Games ,
Workplace Safety
Employers today can find themselves in a seemingly untenable dilemma when they have violence threaten to invade their workplaces. Two recent cases illustrate the competing liabilities that employers face in their...more
8/14/2015
/ Abusive Conduct Training ,
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Best Practices ,
Discrimination ,
Employee Assistance Programs ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
OSHA ,
Workplace Violence