Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launches the National Preparedness Month campaign. The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness for emergencies at home, work, business, school, and place of worship. In the last few weeks, we have seen how devastating natural Read more
The first triple digit temperatures of the year have already hit California. With summer just around the corner, Cal/OSHA is urging employers to review their heat illness prevention plans and emergency response procedures to make sure their workers are prepared and protected from increasing outdoor temperatures and the risk of heat-related illness. Outdoor Places of Read more
What is an EAP? “EAP” stands for Emergency Action Plan. Federal OSHA and State Plan standards require almost every workplace to have an EAP. For example, if fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be evacuating during a fire or other emergency, then OSHA requires you to have an Read more
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet has revised the mandatory state Safety and Health on the Job posting to reflect the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) anti-retaliation provision. As previously shared on our blog, last May, federal OSHA issued a final rule requiring employers to inform employees of their right to report workplace injuries and illnesses Read more
Last May we first blogged about federal OSHA’s controversial Final Rule to “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses.” The Final Rule requires, among other things, employers to specifically inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation. This provision, referred to as the “anti-retaliation” rule, was originally scheduled to Read more
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has revised its mandatory Job Safety and Health Protection posting to reflect current federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) law. As one of several states operating under an OSHA-approved State Plan, the protections and benefits offered under Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) law are required to Read more
On October 27, 2015, an Act to amend various statutes with respect to sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence and related matters passed the first reading. The Act, also known as Bill 132, has amended provisions that specify employers’ obligations to have a program and a policy to protect employees from workplace harassment. The new Read more
Adjustments to Penalties On August 1, 2016, new penalty amounts for violations of Federal OSHA law took effect. OSHA’s maximum penalties, which were last adjusted in 1990, have been adjusted for inflation. The penalties, which include an initial “catch-up” adjustment, have increased 78%. Going forward, OSHA will continue to adjust its penalties for inflation each Read more
Last May, OSHA issued a final rule amending its Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses regulation (29 CFR 1904). The final rule requires certain employers to electronically report injury and illness data to OSHA and to inform employees of their right to report work-related injuries and illnesses free from retaliation. The anti-retaliation provisions of the Read more
Virginia has made two important posting changes that require employers to post the revised Virginia All-On-One Labor Law Poster. The changes affect the Virginia Occupational Safety & Health (VOSH) posting and the State-mandated federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) posting. VOSH Virginia has adopted work-related injury and illness reporting regulations that mirror federal Occupational Safety Read more
