3.19.12  

  Bloomberg's BNA Occupational Safety and Health Daily  

 

Amanda R. Strainis-Walker was quoted in an article titled "Enforcement: Talks in Postal Service Enterprisewide Case Progressing Toward Settlement, Attorney Says."

 

An excerpt:

 

During the midwinter meeting of the American Bar Association's Section of Labor and Employment Law Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee, Strainis-Walker spoke on a panel about the discussions between the U.S. Postal Service and the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

 

Strainis-Walker, who is not involved in the postal service case, challenged whether the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has authority to rule on the matter.
 

Strainis-Walker said the courts have interpreted this clause "very narrowly." The bottom line, she added, is that OSHA "can only issue citations for specific violations."

 

She conceded that both cases were good tests for enterprisewide liability because they involved companies that had many copies of what was essentially the same building or equipment.

 

She added, however, "I think opening this door could lead to pushing it wide open."