Many Americans affected by the coronavirus outbreak will benefit from new workplace protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. If you work for a private employer with fewer than 500 employees and are in one of the situations described below, you may be eligible for paid sick leave and/or paid family […]
The new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, issued by the U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers in January as a replacement for the 2015 rule, was published in the Federal Register April 21st which makes it effective on June 22nd. The 2015 rule was strongly opposed by the IAAP and other industry groups […]
On the front lines with Fisher Phillips by Christopher G Peterson Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most mine operators have been waiting for MSHA to release some health and safety guidance regarding the outbreak and how to safeguard the safety and health of their miners. After a protracted period of silence, on its […]
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports. During the coronavirus […]
Essential businesses, as well as state and local government agencies and authorities, must procure, fashion or otherwise obtain face coverings and provide such coverings to employees who directly interact with the public during the course of their work at no-cost to the employee. Businesses are deemed essential by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD), pursuant […]
WASHINGTON, DC — Associated Builders and Contractors Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment and Workforce Development Greg Sizemore recently issued the following statement on the release of Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s April 10 guidance on recording cases of COVID-19: “ABC is pleased OSHA has clarified its position regarding the recordability of COVID-19 cases under […]
On the front lines with Fisher Phillips by Kristin White and Chantell Foley The Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSH Act”) requires covered employers to meet several reporting requirements to prove compliance. At this time of the year, many covered employers have posted (or should have posted) OSHA Form 300A for injuries and illnesses that […]
The U.S. Department of Labor released a temporary rule guiding how American workers and employers can use the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, which were included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The department’s Wage and Hour Division posted the temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant […]
Source: EHS Today Temporary policy addresses enforcement discretion for companies Stefanie Valentic Mar 27, 2020 Companies encountering civil violations during the COVID-19 outbreak should not expect penalties for noncompliance, according to new temporary guidance the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released. The agency is suspending its enforcement policies for civil violations indefinitely, citing lack […]
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This relief to employees […]
Source: Safety Law Matters By Avi Meyerstein on March 25, 2020 Posted in Enforcement updates, MSHA Now for a story that has nothing to do with viruses… In last month’s Rock Products magazine, our colleague Charles Fleischmann analyzed MSHA’s revisions to its inspection procedures. To find out what’s new and different in MSHA inspection policies, […]
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses in your state that are suffering substantial economic loss as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The attached press release will outline the details on the governor certification that makes SBA assistance available for the entire state. […]
Below please find a model notice poster released by the United States Department of Labor notifying employees of their rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). All employers covered by the FFCRA are required to give employees notice. This poster will satisfy the FFCRA notice requirements. For a copy of the poster, click here.
For Immediate Release: 3/20/2020 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Guidance on essential services under the “New York State on Pause” executive order On Friday, 3-20, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced he was signing the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, a 10-point policy to assure uniform safety for everyone. It includes a new directive that all […]
Governor Cuomo has issued guidance on essential services and businesses under his “New York State on PAUSE” Executive Order, which requires non-essential businesses to close in-office functions effective 8pm Sunday. The Governor’s order declares construction as “essential” and updated guidance posted by Empire State Development further states that “essential businesses or entities, including any for […]
WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today issued a National Interest Exemption memorandum to facilitate response efforts for COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus. In view of the special circumstances in the national interest presented by the novel […]
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. Click here for link.
WASHINGTON, DC – A direct final rule revising safety standards for mining explosives has gone into effect, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced. Published Jan. 14, 2020, the rule updates existing standards to incorporate technological advancements involving electronic detonators at metal and nonmetal mines. Learn more about MSHA rulemaking […]
Source: safetylawmatters by Avi Meyerstein on March 13, 2020 Posted in MSHA, OSHA All of us are being inundated by rapidly changing news and tons of advice about COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. For those whose job it is to keep workplaces safe and healthy, here are two key resources to cut through the clutter. New […]
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) has taken steps to reform the self-insurance process for coal mine operators to better support the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. The Black Lung Benefits Act requires each coal mine operator to secure the payment of its potential benefits liability by […]
Agency revises National Emphasis Program to further target high-risk industries. Stefanie Valentic Feb 07, 2020 With OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica (RCS) standards now in full effect for the general, maritime and construction industries, the agency has announced a revision to its National Emphasis Program (NEP). The adjustments to the directive were enacted in an effort to […]
Source: EHS Today David Sparkman Jan 16, 2020 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing its scrutiny of 3D printing emissions just as recent predictions say the technology is just beginning to revolutionize manufacturing and the supply chain. Working in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), EPA is studying possible harmful emissions that […]
Source: EHS Today Stefanie Valentic Jan 17, 2020 Effective Jan. 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has increased the maximum allowable penalty amounts for OSHA violations in federally-mandated states. The new numbers are based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which former President Barack Obama signed in […]
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a revised National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in general industry, maritime, and construction. The NEP targets specific industries expected to have the highest numbers of workers exposed […]
Felix Digilov Fisher & Phillips LLP On November 21, 2019, the House of Representatives passed The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers Act (H.R. 1309) by a 251-159 vote. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), seeks an enforceable federal standard that will require employers to establish comprehensive workplace violence […]
