Environmental, Safety, & Toxic Tort

By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

iStock_000060649530_MediumSeyfarth Synopsis: The National STEPS Network provides a working model of an industry wide employee onboarding and safety training program.

We attended the World Safety Organization International Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Symposium this week. A Keynote address at the Symposium, presented by Rick L. Ingram of BP America and
Continue Reading National Organization for Onboarding and Training of New Employees Industry Wide in the Oil and Gas Industry Provides Example for Others

By Adam R. Young, Kylie Byron, and Craig B. Simonsen

shutterstock_178475264Seyfarth Synopsis: NIOSH releases a comprehensive training curriculum that home healthcare employers can use to minimize safety risks and prevent OSHA citations.

We had blogged previously about OSHA’s “Strategies and Tools” to “Help Prevent” Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Setting. Now the National Institute for Occupational
Continue Reading NIOSH Offers Free Training Program to Help Employers Address Safety Risks Faced by Home Healthcare Workers

By Parnian Vafaeenia and Karla Grossenbacher

Seyfarth Synopsis: Pokémon GO’s popularity is at a fever pitch. However, the game poses several risks for employers including software security, privacy and workplace safety concerns.

Your employees may be on a quest to catch ‘em all. Over 15 million people have downloaded the Pokémon GO game since its release two weeks ago. 
Continue Reading Pokémon NO: New App Creates Risks For Employers

By Mark A. Lies, II, James L. Curtis, and Craig B. Simonsen

Three engineers

Last week the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced and issued a 161 page final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. 80 Fed. Reg. 25366 (May 4, 2015), which is effective on August 3, 2015.

Confined spaces can be loosely defined
Continue Reading OSHA Final Rule for Confined Spaces in the Construction Industry

By Johanna T. Wise and Andrew J. Masak

Every day new stories about the uses (and misuses) of drones surface in the media.

They have been used to: photograph the 2015 Winter X Games, assist in firefighting operations, monitor agricultural drought, monitor pipelines in remote areas of the world, and take pictures for realtors.  One drone even famously crashed on
Continue Reading Send in the Drones: Transforming the Workplace through the Use of Drone Surveillance

By Ilana R. Morady and Craig B. Simonsen

shutterstock_30524071On August 6, 2014, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule modifying the requirements governing the transportation of lithium cells and batteries. 79 Fed. Reg. 46012.

The final rule revised hazard communication and packaging provisions for lithium batteries to harmonize the Hazardous Materials Regulations with applicable
Continue Reading DOT Partially Extends Compliance Date for HazCom and Labeling of Lithium Cells and Batteries

By: Mark A. Lies IIKerry M. Mohan, and Brent I. Clark

As reported in the news recently, the Ebola virus is a significant health hazard. There are now reported cases of the virus in at least two locations in the United States. Certain industries, such as healthcare, emergency responders and transportation, particularly the airline industry, are already
Continue Reading Ebola and Employer Liability Issues

By: Mark A. Lies II and Kerry M. Mohan

On Tuesday we wrote about OSHA’s September 11, 2014, announcement of its Final Rules that revised current recordkeeping standards.  Today, we provide you more information regarding what the changes to those rules will mean.

Increased Reporting Of Injuries And Incidents Will Lead To Increased OSHA Inspections

Under the current rule, all
Continue Reading Happy New Year! OSHA’s Revised Recordkeeping Rule — Major Implications on Employers (Part II)

By: Mark A. Lies II and Kerry M. Mohan

As many employers know all too well, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) requires them to record work-related injuries and illnesses and to maintain the OSHA 300 Log for five years. Moreover, OSHA requires all employers to report to OSHA certain serious injuries within a short time period. On September
Continue Reading Happy New Year! OSHA’s Revised Recordkeeping Rule — Major Implications on Employers (Part I)

By Wan Li and Craig B. Simonsen

This just in from our CHINA correspondence desk…. Actually, we wanted to make you’re aware that Seyfarth has offices in China, Australia and United Kingdom. From time-to-time we will let you know about topics that are impacting our international counterparts and our clients that do business there.  Read on and Enjoy!

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The
Continue Reading Business Interests in China? State Council Issues Guidelines for Pilot Emissions Trading Program