For employers, both those expecting to reopen and those who remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has several guidance documents regarding COVID-19 and workplace safety. Irrespective of this guidance, employers must comply with OSHA’s safety and health standards and regulations or where applicable, an OSHA-approved
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It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s … OSHA?
By Gerard M. Giordano on
Posted in OSHA
Sorry to disappoint you Superman fans but that’s not your favorite superhero in the sky – it’s an OSHA drone. OSHA has begun using drones to collect evidence. Over the past year, it has been confirmed that the agency has used drones in several inspections. We can only expect that OSHA’s use of drones will…
EPA Stripping the Hazards from Paint Strippers
By Gerard M. Giordano on
On March 15, 2019, the EPA issued a final rule that will ban the retail sale of methylene chloride containing products for consumer uses. Methylene chloride is a solvent that is currently, but not for much longer, commonly found in consumer paint and furniture strippers. It is sold by hardware stores and home improvement retailers.…
Safe Digging Will Not Put You in a Financial Hole
By Gerard M. Giordano on
Posted in Regulatory Counseling
The odds of OSHA showing up at your worksite have increased for construction employers engaged in excavation and trenching. OSHA recently announced an update to its National Emphasis Program (“NEP”) to prevent trenching and excavation collapses after a spike in construction fatalities. The October 2018 update focuses on both increased enforcement and education activities by…
OSHA Issues Final Rules On Reporting Injuries In The Workplace
By Gerard M. Giordano on
Posted in Regulatory Counseling
OSHA recently passed new rules requiring employers to notify OSHA of a fatality within eight (8) hours of the death. The new rules also require employers to file a report with OSHA for each in-patient hospitalization of an employee or situations where an amputation or eye-loss has occurred. The report must be made within 24…