Workplace Safety
Federal Audits Show Gross Mishandling of KY Department of Workplace Standards
After federal audits showed serious mishandling of the Kentucky Department of Workplace Standards last year, Dwayne Depp, Commissioner of the Department, has since acknowledged “that agency culture, a lack of accountability and staffing shortages had often led to poor investigations.” Since the investigation has brought to light internal issues, Depp now claims that the Department…
Read MoreTop 10 Most Frequently Cited Construction Violations
Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Construction Violations – 2018 (from OSHA Website, as of Sept. 30, 2018)
Read MoreSnow Season Workplace Safety Advisory
When winter comes around, workers are faced with potential hazards that result in becoming seriously injured or killed during snow (or ice) removal from buildings and homes. According to OSHA, in the past 10 years, they have investigated “16 serious injuries or fatalities.” These 16 incidents could have all been prevented. It is crucial for…
Read MoreTips for Your Company’s Emergency Action Plan (“EAP”)
If you have more than 10 employees, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) requires that your company’s Emergency Action Plan (“EAP”) be in written form. What are the minimum requirements of an EAP? 29 CFR § 1910.38(c) requires that an EAP include: Means of reporting emergencies; Evacuation procedures and escape routes; Procedures for employees…
Read MoreOSHA Advises on Heat Hazards for Workers
Every year, thousands of workers become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some are fatally injured. These illnesses and fatalities are preventable. The heat index is high and summer has just begun. OSHA is advising employers throughout the U.S. to protect their workers from heat-related hazards or illnesses by utilizing preventative methods. “While workers in construction, agriculture,…
Read MoreMine Accident Investigations: Why Legal Counsel Is So Important
Safety is a top priority for mining operators, and with good reason. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mining is among the top ten most dangerous occupations, with more than 25 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Managing hazards and ensuring safety compliance can go a long way toward reducing the risks inherent in the…
Read MoreOSHA: An Acronym Kentucky Employers Know Well
In the dynamic landscape of Kentucky business, the pursuit of profitability goes hand in hand with the responsibility of ensuring workplace safety. At Williams Kilpatrick, PLLC, we recognize that a company’s most valuable asset is its people. Prioritizing workplace safety not only makes good business sense but is also a moral imperative. Our firm sheds…
Read MoreWhat to Expect During an MSHA Mine Inspection
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) division of the U.S. Department of Labor is required to inspect surface mines twice a year, and underground mines four times a year. Additional inspections are required for mines with higher levels of toxic gas and/or explosives, as well as those that are reported due to hazardous conditions. Knowing what…
Read More10 (In)frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Safety
Written by John M. Williams Typically, lawyers only get questions after legal problems arise. What do I do now? What are my rights? How can I defend this? The best questions often go unasked. This isn’t to suggest that the best question is the most complex. The best are those that, if answered, prevent rather than minimize…
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