Presented by the Partners in Conn Maciel Carey’s national OSHA Practice Group 

As we approach the midway point of the Biden Administration, it’s time to look back and take stock of what we learned from and about OSHA during another very eventful year. More importantly, it is once again time to look ahead and discuss what employers should expect from OSHA during Year 3 of the Biden/Harris administration. In this webinar, the Partners in Conn Maciel Carey’s national OSHA Practice Group will review OSHA enforcement data and trends as well as changes to the SVEP program and new emphasis programs, rulemaking, and personnel developments from 2022. We will also discuss the top OSHA issues employers should monitor and prepare for in the New Year. 

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• 2022 OSHA enforcement data and important case decisions

• The future of OSHA enforcement during the Biden Administration

• Rulemaking initiatives and predictions

• Significant OSHA policy issues to watch out for in the New Year

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Andrew Sommer, Fred Walter, Megan Shaked, and Samuel Rose 

Cal/OSHA and the California legislature have continued to focus their efforts on extending workplace mandates associated with COVID-19, heat illness and wildfire smoke. This update will cover the transition from Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard to the Non-Emergency COVID-19 Rule as well as other workplace safety mandates that have been recently adopted or are under consideration. 

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Non-Emergency Standard and the status of rulemaking over a general infectious disease standard

• Updates to the COVID-19 exposure notice and outbreak reporting requirements - Assembly Bill (AB) 2693

• Extended sunset date for law creating a disputable presumption, under specified circumstances, that a COVID-19 related illness is compensable for workers’ compensation purposes – AB 1751

• Mandate for Cal/OSHA to develop rulemaking proposal for revising the heat illness and wildfire smoke standards– AB 2243

• Law establishing “Fast Food Council” to promulgate minimum employment standards for fast food restaurants, including standards on wages and working conditions – AB 257

• Workplace posting requirements to include specific languages other than English – AB 2068

• Other regulatory developments from the Cal/OSHA Standards Board, such as the status of the proposed indoor heat illness rule and the workplace violence prevention rule for general industry

• Insight into DOSH enforcement trends and strategies for managing the regulatory landscape 

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Jordan Schwartz, Lindsay DiSalvo, and Victoria Voight

Over the past several years, employers have seen a significant uptick in retaliation claims filed by employees and investigated by federal agencies.  For example, in 2010, only approx. 30% of all charges filed with the EEOC included a retaliation claim, but that number shot up to almost 60% in FY 2021.  Similarly, the vast majority of whistleblower complaints filed with OSHA in FY 2021 – about 75% - were filed under Sec. 11(c) of the OSH Act (retaliation based on protected safety acts).

When a general retaliation or whistleblower complaint is received, employers have a chance to explain why the complaint should be dismissed. The response is an opportunity for the employer to provide information so the agency investigating the complaint can close its file; whether that means OSHA decides an onsite inspection is unnecessary or the EEOC dismisses the discrimination charge. The responses can, however, create a written record of admissions that OSHA or the EEOC could use against the employer.  Employers should thus be strategic about the information shared at that early stage and should ensure there is a procedure in place for managing and developing these responses.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• Applicable federal whistleblower and anti-retaliation laws

• How the EEOC and OSHA evaluate whistleblower and retaliation claims

• Strategies employers can use to effectively respond to retaliation complaints

• Proactive measures employers can take to avoid employee complaints

Click here to register for this webinar.

This program is valid for 1.00 PDCs for the SHRM-CPSM or SHRM-SCPSM.

Presented by Eric Conn, Aaron Gelb, and Darius Rohani-Shukla

OSHA violations characterized as Repeat or Willful will soon carry penalties exceeding $150,000 each. You may be wondering, however, what exactly leads OSHA to characterize a violation as Repeat or Willful, and why are they important beyond their high-dollar cost? No doubt, you heard that OSHA changed the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) in September 2022, making it easier to place employers into the program and saddle them with all the negative consequences associated with it even though the citations which prompted the referral are not yet final orders. And the word around the Beltway is that OSHA will soon be revising its “Egregious” enforcement policy which it has been using to generate multi-million-dollar enforcement actions. 

This webinar explains the legal standard for Repeat, Willful and Egregious violations, the potential consequences for receiving them, and how OSHA’s enforcement policies have resulted in a significant increase in the frequency with which we see these aggravated characterizations. 

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• The legal standards OSHA must meet to establish Repeat and Willful violations

• Background and details about OSHA's Egregious / Per-Instance Enforcement Policy

• Policy changes that have resulted in more Repeat and Egregious violations

• Impacts of these aggravated characterizations, including qualifying into the Severe Violator Enforcement Program, facing criminal charges, etc.

• What employers should do to avoid Repeat and Willful citations

Click here to register for this webinar. 

Presented by Kate McMahon, Lindsay DiSalvo, and Beeta Lashkari

As we move into the second half of President Biden’s first term, OSHA is turning up the heat on the rulemaking gears. The next two years may see the most active rulemaking period in the agency’s history – lead, heat, infectious disease, LOTO, PSM, E-Recordkeeping, HAZCOM, COVID-19 for Healthcare, etc. … and the list goes on. Join us for a lively discussion of OSHA’s rulemaking agenda, a refresher on the OSHA rulemaking process generally, and our take on the agency’s true rulemaking priorities and significant changes of which you should be aware. We also will discuss state agency rulemaking activities of note and how those differ or align with the equivalent federal regulatory programs.

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Aaron Gelb, Dan Deacon, and Ashley Mitchell

Over the past year, the number of OSHA inspections has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic eased and restrictions were lifted. We are seeing more inspections, higher penalties, record numbers of $100K+ citation packages, and a continuing rise in willful and repeat citations and worker safety criminal prosecutions. OSHA has also continued its aggressive inspection strategies, including targeted enforcement initiatives and emphasis programs, that create a minefield for employers. In short, the consequences for employers being caught ill-prepared for an OSHA inspection, and making bad choices during an inspection, are more dire now than ever.

This webinar will provide employers with the knowledge and tools they need to prepare in advance for an OSHA inspection, and once an OSHA inspection begins, to manage it to a successful outcome.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• Employers’ Goals for managing an OSHA inspection

• Steps employers can take now to prepare in advance for an OSHA inspection

• Employers’, employees’, and OSHA’s rights during OSHA inspections

• Stages of OSHA inspections, with tips and strategies to manage each stage

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Eric Conn, Dan Deacon, and Darius Rohani-Shukla

Having shared a series of predictions during our January webinar regarding how OSHA continue focusing on enforcement and rulemaking in Year 3 of the Biden Administration, we will take stock of what has happened at DOL and OSHA during the first 6 months of 2023, discuss surprise developments, and look ahead at the remainder of 2023 and beyond. We will take a close look at enforcement trends, including new emphasis programs, and check in on various rulemakings likely to matter to the regulated community. At the same time, we will evaluate how President Biden is faring on his promises to increase OSHA’s budget, grow the number of inspectors and generally be the best president for labor in history. We will also review key changes regarding compliance assistance, Voluntary Protection Programs, and other trends.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• OSHA’s Regulatory Agenda, including rulemaking and policy setting priorities around Heat Illness, COVID-19, and other hazards

• Changes in Congressional oversight as the Republicans take control of the House

• Key organizational changes at OSHA

• New or renewed enforcement initiatives and emphasis programs

• Predictions for what employers can expect from OSHA for the remainder of 2023

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Aaron R. Gelb, Rachel L. Conn, Megan S. Shaked, Valerie Butera, and Victoria Voight

Twenty-two states have OSHA-approved state plans that cover both private and state and local government workers. State plans have their own penalty reduction policies and procedures that may differ from OSHA but must be at least as effective. While the regulations are often like OSHA, they are not identical – employers in state-plan states cannot assume that complying with federal OSHA regulations will suffice. Keeping up with the changes in policies and procedures in state plan states can also be challenging for employers. We will take a look at how state plans differ throughout the country.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• The differences between state and federal OSHA

• Key differences in state-plan regulations

• How policies and procedures vary in state-plan states

• Compliance tips for employers that have employees working in multiple states

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Aaron Gelb, Dan Deacon, and Ashley Mitchell

Warehouses, typically cleaner and quieter than a manufacturing facility, can nevertheless pose a series of hazards, many of which are not readily apparent to the naked eye. The warehousing and storage industry includes facilities focused on general merchandise, refrigerated goods, and other products, as well as establishments providing logistical services relating to goods distribution. Potential hazards include those associated with powered industrial trucks (forklifts), ergonomics, material handling, hazardous chemicals, and slip/trip/falls. Included among the most common types of injuries in the warehouse setting are musculoskeletal disorders and being struck by powered industrial trucks and other materials handling equipment.

Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs) are ubiquitous across general industry as they are used for a variety of purposes in warehousing and logistics facilities, as well as in all manner of production establishments. OSHA’s PIT standard (1910.178) imposes a host of requirements, a number of which are often misunderstood by employers and some that are misapplied even by OSHA. Given the serious hazards associated with operating PITs, OSHA has launched Local Emphasis Programs in a number of regions that enable Area Offices to open programmed inspections or expand unprogrammed inspections into an employer’s PIT programs.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• OSHA enforcement priorities related to warehousing operations and PIT Local Emphasis Programs

• Key requirements for material handling and storage, walking working surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and PIT programs, including selection, training, maintenance, and safe operations

• How to identify deficiencies in your PIT program

• Tips to audit your workplace for compliance with 1910.176 and 1910.178

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Nick Scala, Dan Deacon, and Victoria Voight

Safety and health audits and accident or near-miss investigations are invaluable tools to identify hazards at a workplace and improve safety, but what happens when a government regulator or plaintiffs’ attorney demands copies of the reports and/or recommendations from the audit or investigation? When not done carefully or under attorney-client privilege, audit and investigation reports can serve as admissions and/or a roadmap for OSHA and MSHA investigators or plaintiffs’ attorneys regarding areas of non-compliance. This in turn can create a disincentive for employers to audit their facilities at all or conduct thorough investigations.

This webinar will explore the benefits of conducting audits and investigations at the direction of counsel so as to improve safety and compliance while also protecting the company and management from adverse use by 3rd party litigants or regulators. We will review audit and investigation and report-writing strategies and best practices. We will also review OSHA’s policy on self-audits and the reality of OSHA’s use of voluntary self-audits during inspections. And we will review best practices to manage MSHA’s unlimited lookback period for enforcement.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• Implementing attorney-client privileged audit programs and investigations

• Key steps to conduct a thorough investigation

• Maintaining privilege over results of audits and investigations, while still effectively implementing findings

• How OSHA, MSHA or 3rd party litigants can use self-audits and inspections against an employer

• OSHA and MSHA statute of limitations and policies on lookback for audit and incident and/or near miss reports

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Rachel Conn, Megan Shaked, Andrea Chavez, and a Special Guest Speaker.

Even while Cal/OSHA was working away on a General Industry Workplace Violence Prevention Rule, on September 30, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 553 – a sweeping new law addressing Workplace Violence Prevention in virtually all California workplaces.  California employers (unless they fall under one of the limited exemptions) will be required by July 1, 2024 to establish, implement, and maintain an “effective” written workplace violence prevention plan, investigate every incident workplace violence (broadly defined), create and maintain violent incident logs, conduct annual employee and supervisor training, and abide by additional recordkeeping requirements.  The new law also expands the circumstances and parties who may seek workplace violence restraining orders on behalf of employees and broadens workplace violence restraining orders to also include harassment.  Finally, the law requires Cal/OSHA to finalize the Workplace Violence Prevention rule that it has been crafting in short order.

Employers will need to work quickly to understand their new compliance obligations and develop and implement the onerous new requirements. This program will be a deep dive into the background of this new law, the new requirements, the other employment laws implicated by implementing a workplace violence prevention program, what to expect from Cal/OSHA moving forward, and tips and strategies for employers.

Participants will learn:

• The requirements of the Workplace Violence Prevention law

• Landmines awaiting employers as they move into compliance with the new law

• Strategies for developing compliant workplace violence prevention programs

• The intersection between this new Workplace Violence legislation and Cal/OSHA’s ongoing workplace violence rulemaking.

Click here to register for this webinar.

Presented by Kate McMahon, Beeta Lashkari, and Tony Casaletta

Although the understanding of the hazards of combustible dust has developed over the last decades, it remains an elusive and complex subject to both regulators and employers. Combustible dust hazards can be present in a broad spectrum of industries, including the food (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain, tobacco, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, rubber, pesticide, pharmaceutical, dyes, coal, and metals (e.g., aluminum, chromium, iron, magnesium, and zinc) industries. Although OSHA does not have a specific standard for general industry regulating combustible dust (OSHA’s standard is limited to grain handling facilities), it does have a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on the hazard, which it uses regularly to inspect certain facilities and issue citations under the General Duty Clause. Additionally, as one of its Drivers of Critical Chemical Safety Change, combustible dust hazards are one of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s (CSB’s) top advocacy priorities, prompting the CSB to initiate investigations and, if it deems them appropriate, issue recommendations to employers (among others) and publicize reports detailing the cause of combustible dust incidents.

To mitigate the risk of potentially catastrophic incidents and avoid citations from OSHA and/or recommendations from the CSB, employers with dusts that may be combustible are well-advised to proactively address any associated hazards they may have in their facilities.

Participants in this webinar will learn:

• Background on the hazard

• CSB findings and investigations

• OSHA’s Combustible Dust NEP

• Applicable NFPA standards

• Employer best practice tips

Click here to register for this webinar.