As we approach the warmer months ahead, heat illness prevention remains a top priority for regulators at both the federal and state levels. Most recently, the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate have introduced companion...more
While it may feel like a rollback of employment law compliance requirements and enforcement priorities at the federal level, state legislatures continue to enact and amend state employment laws....more
On February 13, 2026, Cal/OSHA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would significantly broaden who may accompany inspectors during workplace inspections. Although the proposal is intended to align California with...more
The Western States are home to some of the most unique state-plan states in the country, often implementing regulations requiring more than is required under federal OSHA. For employers operating in multiple jurisdictions or...more
We are back in San Juan, Puerto Rico for Day 2 of the American Bar Association’s Workplace and Occupational Safety and Health (WOSH) Committee Midwinter Meeting. Today’s sessions featured a diverse mix of experts—behavioral...more
As previously alerted, federal OSHA’s May 2024 walkaround rule clarified that employees, like employers, have the right to designate a non-employee third party to be their representative during worksite inspections. If...more
Cal/OSHA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would significantly broaden who may accompany inspectors during workplace inspections. The proposed regulation (8 CCR 331.8) would define the roles of employer...more
Consistent with its tradition of dropping surprise regulatory proposals near the end of the day before a holiday weekend, Cal/OSHA published a formal proposal on Friday the 13th, 2026, to promulgate a California version of...more
Last week the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) released its Top 10 citations issued during fiscal year 2025. The list shows hazardous energy control remains a top enforcement focus of the...more
While Federal OSHA establishes the baseline for OSHA standards, it is increasingly no longer the full story for employers. Indeed, the real compliance challenge today is keeping up with state plans as rules, guidance, and...more
MIOSHA published its annual list of its top 10 most frequently cited occupational safety and health standards in the past year. This list offers a glimpse to employers of where their safety policies and enforcement measures...more
Twenty-two states have OSHA-approved state plans that cover both private and state and local government workers. While state plans must be at least as effective as federal OSHA, some state plans have regulations unique to...more
Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is moving to make changes to its excavation, trenching, and shoring standard, and they want to hear from employers. ...more
Unless exempt, California employers must post their annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses in a visible and easily accessible location at each worksite from February 1 through April 30, 2026. Employers must use...more
Puerto Rico (PR) OSHA has issued a public notice announcing revisions to the fines and penalties imposed on employers for noncompliance with adopted OSHA standards, effective as of November 3, the date of the notice’s...more
Workplace violence continues to be a growing national concern and one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities. In 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,283 workplace deaths nationwide. Of...more
Takeaways- • Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PR OSHA) has increased penalty amounts for workplace safety violations. • The new penalty structure ensures consistency with federal OSHA...more
Under 29 CFR 1910, employers are not automatically required to provide first aid. As of July 2025, Kentucky’s final amendment to its Occupational Health and Safety Act went into effect. House Bill 398, and Senate Bill 84...more
On May 22, 2025, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed Executive Order (EO) 2025-09 as part of the state’s broader initiative to enhance worker safety amid rising summer temperatures. ...more
Maryland employers are facing the first summer under a heat-related illness prevention standard issued by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)....more
As the weather warms, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) is set to enforce its new Heat Illness Prevention Standard (the Standard). Under the Standard, Maryland employers will likely need to provide 10-minute...more
Two new Kentucky laws will soon reshape workplace safety rules and how courts review agency decisions — with big implications for employer compliance and litigation strategy. Lawmakers passed House Bill 398, which will bring...more
In Michigan, various state employment laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees. But can an employee pursue a public policy retaliation claim against the employer in addition to a statutory retaliation claim?...more
This is the first in a series of articles intended to provide the reader with a very high-level overview of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and how both...more
On September 22, 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a budget for the period from July 1, 2023, through June 20, 2025. After its passage, Governor Roy Cooper announced that he would allow the budget to become...more