Skip to main content

Sixth Circuit Wins ETS Lottery and OSHA Suspends ETS-Related Activities

Yesterday, November 16, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “Panel”) held a lottery to select the federal appeals court to address the 34 petitions seeking review of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”). Since the ETS was published on November 5, 34 petitions had been filed in 12 different federal appeals courts […]

| 1 min read | Tagged: , , ,

President Biden Issues New Vaccine Mandate For All Employers With 100 Or More Employees

Frustrated with a lagging rate of vaccinations, the Biden Administration decided to get out the stick since the carrot has not improved the vaccination rates to the levels that it wants to see. The Department of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), plans to issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) within the […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,

President Biden Focuses on Strengthening COVID-19 Workplace Compliance

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issues and proposed actions took center stage in the first week of the Biden Administration. The President called for greater enforcement by OSHA of more stringent worker safety standards. Central to this call is greater protection for workers regarding COVID-19 workplace exposures. To accomplish this, in part, OSHA would have […]

| 1 min read | Tagged: ,

Cal-OSHA Emergency COVID-19 Regulation

On Thursday, November 19, 2020, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board unanimously passed an emergency Cal-OSHA regulation. The final draft was sent to the Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) on November 20, 2020. OAL will have 10 days to review and approve the regulation. Thereafter, stakeholders will have five days to submit comments. Thus, […]

| 1 min read | Tagged: , , ,

COVID-19: Employment Squalls Likely to Hit Employers

Many employers have opened for business and now hope for much-needed smooth sailing. As they chart their course for open and calm waters, however, employers would be well-served to keep their spyglasses focused on the horizon’s rough seas. Click here to continue reading.

| 1 min read | Tagged: , , , , ,
KB
AD
BH
Of Counsel

Employees’ Refusal to Work Over Coronavirus Concerns

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most businesses were faced with making difficult decisions regarding their workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that, in April, the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent totaling 23.1 million unemployed. While the number of new unemployment claims appears to be dropping, for the week ending May 2, 2020, […]

A Roadmap to Reopening or Resuming Business in the Midst of a Pandemic

As businesses begin to contemplate reopening, what will be the expected norms for employees, vendors, customers, and visitors? Click here for more information.

| 1 min read | Tagged: , , ,

Not All Face Masks Are Created Equal: What Employers Should Know Before Distributing Dust Masks or Respirators in the Workplace

Employers considering whether to distribute any type of face mask in the workplace should know the potential occupational safety and health implications. OSHA’s respiratory protection standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134, governs employee use of dust masks and respirators. An employer’s obligations under the respiratory protection standard hinge on the type of face mask offered and whether […]

| 1 min read | Tagged: , ,
AE
Former Associate

OSHA Recordable and Reportable COVID-19 Illnesses

OSHA recently provided a reminder (through its website) to employers on recording of workplace exposures associated with COVID-19 (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html). The current pandemic does not alter the rules regarding recording contagious diseases. Click here for more information.

| 1 min read | Tagged: , ,
AE
Former Associate
KB

COVID-19 & OSHA: Taking the Body Temperatures of Employees

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently issued guidance giving employers the green light to take employees’ body temperatures in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Should an employer decide to implement such measures, there are possible implications under the Occupational Safety and Health Act that employers should keep in mind. Click here […]

| 1 min read | Tagged: , , ,
AE
Former Associate