In keeping its momentum on temporary workers, on August 25, 2014, OSHA and NIOSH released a joint publication outlining recommended practices for staffing agencies and host employers using temporary workers.

This publication follows the July 15, 2014 memorandum that was issued to Regional Administrators providing instructions to compliance officers who conduct inspections at worksites with…

OSHA recently updated its compliance directive and enforcement policy related to safety and health issues associated with work on Communications Towers.  This update follows a letter that OSHA sent to employers reminding them of their duty to (1) provide appropriate fall protection to employees; (2) make sure that fall protection is consistently used; and (3)…

The latest issue of our weekly Workplace Safety and Health newsletter is available for viewing and contains the following articles:

NLRB to Advise of Labor Law Rights If Violations Revealed During Investigations. Regional offices of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that learn of an apparent violation of federal safety and health or wage and…

OSHA recently issued a Trade News Release reminding employers to protect workers from demolition hazards.  OSHA outlined the particular hazards associated with “Demolition: Construction in Reverse, with Additional Hazards.”  With proper planning, personal protective equipment, training and compliance with OSHA standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart T – Demolition), OSHA claims these hazards can be…

In November 2013, OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking, “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” to add electronic recordkeeping requirements that would require certain employers to electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping information on a quarterly and/or annual basis.  Additionally, the proposed rule would establish a public searchable website where OSHA…

The latest issue of our weekly Workplace Safety and Health newsletter is available for viewing and contains the following articles:

MSHA Proposes Far-Reaching Penalty and Citation Changes. MSHA has proposed profound changes to its Part 100 penalty assessment process and seeks to change how inspectors determine “serious” violations. It appears the changes would bypass controlling…

In April 2013, OSHA launched an enforcement initiative aimed at reducing injuries and illnesses suffered by temporary workers.  According to OSHA, the temporary worker industry has grown 125% since 1990 and approximately 10 million employees are in temporary jobs per year.  Given the increased reliance on staffing agencies and temporary workers, OSHA has made it…

Each year since 1976, the appropriations bill contains a rider that prohibits OSHA from spending funds on the enforcement of OSHA rules, regulations and standards for farming operations with 10 or fewer non-family employees.  And, there is no exception to this prohibition, such as for fatality or imminent danger cases.

OSHA has a directive on…