Posts Tagged ‘Workplace Safety’
WK Partner Presented at ABA’s Mid-Winter Meeting
The Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section held its mid-winter meeting on March 3rd to the 6th in Palm Springs, California. The meeting featured a full day of MSHA programming with many EMLF members speaking and a full OSHA program as well. One of Williams Kilpatrick’s…
Read MoreFederal 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 MoreWK&T Partner Spoke at Industrial Minerals Association-North America Spring Workshop
On March 28, John M. Williams spoke on the topic The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on the U.S. Labor Market at the Industrial Minerals Association-North America Spring Workshop in Savannah, Georgia. John discussed recent research on the impact of addiction on employment and labor force participation, focusing on the impact on employers and best…
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 MoreWKT Partner Presents “The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on the U.S. Labor Market”
On November 1, John M. Williams, WKT Partner & Attorney, spoke at the Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. John’s topic was “The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on the U.S. Labor Market.” He discussed the impact on the national labor pool and the developing responses among employers, the government and private…
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: “Five Contractors Cited Following Fatal Kentucky Shipyard Explosion”
“OSHA cited five contractors for safety and health violations after three employees were fatally injured and two others critically injured following an explosion on board a towboat. The five companies collectively received 55 violations with proposed penalties totaling $795,254. The employers were ship repair contractor First Marine, LLC, which has been placed in the agency’s Severe Violator…
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 More