Midwest OSHA and Labor and Employment Law Summit

Thursday, June 5, 2025 | Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan

About The Event

Conn Maciel Carey’s Midwest Workplace Safety (OSHA / MSHA) and Labor and Employment Law Summit is an in-person program hosted by the attorneys in CMC’s national OSHA / MSHA Workplace Safety and Labor & Employment Practice Groups based out of our Midwest Region offices (Chicago, Detroit, and Columbus), and joined by their colleagues from Washington, DC, and California. This program is designed to update employers on important developments from federal OSHA, MSHA, and the State OSH Plans in the Midwest (i.e., Michigan OSHA, Indiana OSHA, Iowa OSHA, and Minnesota OSHA), as well as important labor and employment law issues.

A New Era of Workplace Law and Deregulation: Key Updates and Compliance Strategies

This comprehensive event will provide essential updates on federal and state OSHA regulations, the latest developments from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and enforcement trends in wage and hour investigations under the second Trump administration. Our panel of legal and compliance experts from both private industry and the regulatory community will offer valuable insights and practical strategies to help businesses remain compliant and mitigate risks in a shifting regulatory landscape.

With 22 states operating OSHA-approved state plans, employers must understand how these differ from federal regulations and how appeals and penalty reduction policies vary by state. This program will break down the complexities of compliance, helping businesses navigate state and federal oversight effectively.

Attendees will also hear updates on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) including key developments and what they mean for unionized and non-unionized employers and what to expect moving forward. Additionally, wage and hour litigation remains a pressing concern, requiring employers to stay vigilant about classification, meal and rest breaks, and evolving compensation rules. As federal oversight shifts and the Administration tests the limits of Executive power over independent agencies like the EEOC and OFCCP, understanding these changes is critical for risk mitigation and compliance.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to protect your business in an unpredictable regulatory environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights, stay compliant, and prepare for the future of workplace safety and labor relations.

Logistics and Continuing Education

The event will consist of networking, panelist sessions, interactive mock inspections, and open forums to collaborate with the CMC team and your fellow attendees.Continental breakfast, lunch, and program materials will be included with registration.

This program will be submitted for approval for state MCLE credit and recertification credit through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Jump to Locations

2025 Agenda

8:00 am – 8:30 am EDT

Continental Breakfast/Networking

8:30 am – 9:45 am EDT

Workplace Safety Enforcement and Regulatory Update

Join us for a comprehensive session covering key updates and priorities from workplace safety agencies at both state and federal levels. Our panelists will provide the latest insights on MIOSHA’s enforcement strategies, regulatory priorities, and compliance expectations. We will also explore what a second Trump administration could mean for Fed OSHA, including potential policy shifts and enforcement trends and how they may apply to State-Plan States. Additionally, the session will include an essential update from MSHA on mine safety regulations and enforcement activities, as well as an overview of Indiana OSHA’s latest initiatives and compliance focus areas.

9:45 am – 10:00 am EDT

Break

10:00 am – 11:15 am EDT

Labor and Employment Regulatory Update

We’ll discuss what a second Trump administration could mean for labor policies, workplace regulations, and employer obligations. Then, we will follow up with an overview of updates on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and General Counsel and with the agency’s operations. Wage and hour experts will provide updates on critical compliance issues and enforcement trends. We’ll also examine the rise of anti-DEI rules, exploring their legal and organizational implications. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and prepared for the evolving labor and employment landscape.

11:15 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Investigations, Privileged Audits, and Report Writing

This session will take a deep dive into workplace audits and investigations, offering best practices for ensuring compliance and mitigating risk. Our panelists will guide attendees through the critical aspects of wage and hour audits, safety audits, and incident investigations, highlighting common pitfalls and strategies for maintaining compliance. We will also explore the role of attorney-client privilege in audits and investigations, ensuring sensitive findings remain protected. Additionally, the session will cover best practices for reviewing and strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to align with legal requirements and organizational goals.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT

Lunch and Panel Discussion on OSHA and Labor

This session will explore the evolving landscape of workplace safety and labor relations, focusing on the Worker Walkaround Rule and its implications for traditional labor environments. Our panelists will discuss how this rule impacts employer obligations, union representation, and workplace inspections. Additionally, we will address the growing concern of workplace violence, examining its effects on labor relations, employer responsibilities, and strategies for prevention.

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm EDT

Networking Break

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm EDT

Hidden Hazards

Manufacturing and construction worksites often include many unseen health hazards that pose potential threats to workers. These hazards are often in the form of musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motion and awkward lifting, exposure to airborne dusts and vapors, noise, and high ambient temperatures from equipment and local weather. Evaluating risks and having a plan to mitigate health hazards is an integral part of your company’s safety plan. This session will take a look at several of these hazards and provide you the tools to identify, recognize, and control these unseen risks, and offer solutions to meet the latest OSHA Standards and enforcement initiatives– setting in place processes to protect your workers and avoid citations.

2:15 pm – 2:30 pm EDT

Break

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT

Interactive Mock OSHA Inspection

This interactive session will simulate an OSHA inspection scenario, including the participation of a third-party union organizer under the Worker Walkaround Rule. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into employer rights, compliance obligations, and best practices for managing inspections while balancing regulatory requirements and labor dynamics.

3:30 pm – 3:45 p.m EDT

Closing Remarks

The agenda may be subject to change.

Who Should Attend?

Safety Managers
In-House Safety and Health Attorneys
In-House Employment Attorneys
C-Suite Executives
Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Operations Managers
Process Safety Consultants and Experts
Trade Association Staff
Human Resources Professionals

2025 Guest Speakers

Jim Frederick led the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary from January 2021 to January 2025. He has worked with employers as a consultant and worked as a union safety and health leader. Joining Nexus HSE, Mr. Frederick continues his commitment to worker safety and health, supporting our Organizational Partners in achieving and maintaining health and safety excellence. With a focus on exceeding regulatory compliance, leveraging institutional knowledge, minimizing risks, and driving continuous improvement of HSE programs, Mr. Frederick brings a wealth of expertise and a proactive, innovative approach to advancing workplace safety.

Shannon Magari, ScD, MS, MPH is a Principal Owner, Vice President of Health Sciences, and Co-Chair of the Litigation Support Practice at Colden Corporation. She aids clients in determining the origin and nature of workplace health concerns and provides litigation support in suspected cases of occupationally or environmentally induced illnesses. Over the course of 25 years, Dr. Magari has evaluated myriad industrial and nonindustrial settings and a wide range of health effects. She has investigated occupational and environmental clusters involving reproductive, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory illness. Dr. Magari and her team routinely develop and execute exposure assessment plans for those working in industrial and nonindustrial settings such as energy production and distribution, hospitality, higher education, retail, healthcare, food, pharmaceutical and television production.

Steve Hawkins is the Chief Operating Officer of FDR Safety LLC. Prior to joining FDR Safety, Mr. Hawkins served as the Head of Tennessee OSHA. He began his career with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development in 1986 as an Occupational Safety Specialist in Tennessee OSHA. Mr. Hawkins served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and as the Assistant Commissioner for Tennessee OSHA for seven years. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Safety and Health Conference, and the Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Advisory board at Tennessee Technological University.