Water
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New York Becomes First State to Pass Natural Gas Ban for New Construction
On May 2, 2023, New York passed its 2024 fiscal year budget, including a prohibition on fossil fuel equipment and building systems in new construction. The policy will go into effect in 2026 for new buildings not more than seven stories tall, except for new commercial or industrial buildings greater than one hundred thousand square… Continue reading
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OSHA Makes a Statement on Hex Chrome Enforcement
On January 19, 2018, OSHA issued a citation to Spirit Aerosystems, Inc. alleging one willful and five serious violations of the OSHA hexavalent chromium standard (29 CFR 1910.1026) and assessing $194,006 in penalties. Continue reading
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EPA Publishes Proposed Rule on Reporting Requirements for the TSCA Mercury Inventory
On October 26, 2017, EPA published a proposed rule requiring manufacturers and importers of mercury and mercury-added products or any other person who intentionally uses mercury in a manufacturing process to provide EPA with both quantitative and qualitative information about the elemental mercury and mercury compounds involved in their activities. 82 FR 49564 (October 26,… Continue reading
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New OSHA Penalties Announced
By Andi S. Kenney On January 18, 2017, the Department of Labor published a final rule adjusting civil penalties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act for inflation as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015. As required by the Act, the adjustment is based on changes to… Continue reading
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OSHA’S New Anti-Retaliation Rule: Effect on Safety Incentive Programs
On May 12, 2016, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a final rule addressing employers’ workplace injury and illness reporting and recording obligations addressing retaliation against employees who report a work-related injury or illness to an employer. Continue reading
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OSHA Issues Final Rule On Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection
On November 18, 2016, OSHA finally published a final rule updating the walking-working surfaces and fall protection standards for general industry. Continue reading
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Flint, MI Water Crisis: Lessons Learned
The International Bar Association’s Water Law News was published this week and includes an article written by Lynn Grayson regarding the Flint, MI water crisis which provides a detailed factual account of the circumstances, decisions and governmental actions that led to the discovery of elevated levels of lead in Flint’s drinking water. Continue reading
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Workers Comp: Will the Opt-Out Initiative Alter the 100 Year Old Social Compact Between Employers and Employees for Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses?
Dissatisfaction with existing workers compensation programs seems to be the norm these days. A few states . . . have allowed employers to opt out of state workers compensation programs entirely, . . . alter[ing] the social compact that has driven workers compensation programs since the early 1900s. Continue reading
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OSHA Moves on Walking-Working Surfaces Revisions . . . Again
On May 24, OSHA published a proposed rule to amend its walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment standards, Subparts D and I of the General Industry Standards. The proposed revisions are intended to reduce the number of workplace injuries and fatalities due to slips, trips and falls by requiring the use of updated technologies and… Continue reading