New Mexico is the next state to propose a heat exposure rule for workers. The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed a rule aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses and injuries in the workplace....more
On February 21, 2025, California Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D), representing San Diego, introduced Assembly Bill (AB) No. 1371 (“Right to Refuse Unsafe Work With Pay”) in the California State Assembly....more
In a significant decision regarding workplace inspections, the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board (OSHAB) upheld citations against a California employer after finding the employer had consented to an...more
Workplace violence continues to be a primary concern for employers and a challenge to maintaining workplace safety. Still, it is unclear whether there will be further movement on regulation at the federal level under the...more
This is the twelfth installment in a series of articles intended to provide the reader with a very high-level overview of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 and the Occupational Safety and Health...more
On March 7, 2025, Virginia’s General Assembly passed House Bill (HB) 1919, requiring by January 1, 2027, any Virginia employer of one hundred or more employees to develop, implement, and maintain a workplace violence policy....more
In what might have been a Valentine’s Day gift for retail employers across New York, on February 14, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358B/A8947C, Chapter...more
2/19/2025
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Effective Date ,
Employee Training ,
Enforcement ,
Notice Requirements ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Retail Workers ,
Retailers ,
State Labor Laws ,
Time Extensions ,
Training Requirements ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
On October 25, 2021, a customer named Jacob Bergquist, with a history of violating the Boise Towne Square Mall’s firearms ban, opened fire at the mall. The shooting in the Idaho mall led to the deaths of a Professional...more
2/14/2025
/ Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enforcement Actions ,
General Duty Clause ,
OSH Act ,
OSHA ,
OSHRC ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Risk Management ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
As temperatures rise, the risk of heat-related illnesses in the workplace becomes a significant concern. To address this, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) has implemented a new regulation...more
Although later than anticipated, the New York State Legislature has just passed an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358C/A8947C, Chapter 308) that would extend the effective date of the act’s workplace...more
The last California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 regulation came into effect on February 3, 2023, with provisions scheduled to sunset on February 3, 2025. There have been no further...more
Wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, causing death, massive destruction of property, and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. President Biden has approved a “Major Disaster Declaration” for...more
As temperatures continue to rise, protecting workers from heat-related illnesses becomes increasingly critical. In response to this pressing issue, Nevada has implemented a comprehensive regulation aimed at safeguarding...more
Retail employers are bracing for the annual surge in customer traffic and sales during the holidays, but the large crowds, stress of the season, and other factors increase the risks of workplace violence. As the holiday...more
The New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358B/A8947C) has been signed into law and the effective date of March 3, 2025, is fast approaching. Meanwhile, there have been some discussions of a possible amendment before the law...more
On September 27, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation that requires the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to submit a draft rulemaking proposal to revise the California Code...more
On September 27, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation that will enhance current healthcare safety regulations by requiring hospitals to implement weapons detection screening and personnel...more
10/2/2024
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Concealed Weapons ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Governor Newsom ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Hospitals ,
New Legislation ,
Notice Requirements ,
Posting Requirements ,
Safety Standards ,
Screening Procedures ,
Training Requirements ,
Workplace Safety
After a summer hiatus, the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358C/A8947C) was delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul on September 4, 2024, and signed into law the same day....more
On September 30, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) No. 553, establishing a new workplace violence prevention standard in California. SB 553 came into effect on July 1, 2024, and the new law requires...more
According to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), California’s new heat illness prevention rules for indoor workplaces became effective on July 23, 2024....more
7/25/2024
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Employer Liability Issues ,
Health and Safety ,
Heat Exposure ,
New Regulations ,
Occupational Exposure ,
Safety Precautions ,
Severe Weather ,
State Labor Laws ,
Training Requirements ,
Workplace Hazards ,
Workplace Safety
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) will hold an advisory committee meeting on August 19, 2024, to solicit input on proposed regulations concerning enterprise-wide and egregious violations of...more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiled its long-anticipated proposed heat illness prevention rule, which would require employers to monitor excessive heat in the workplace and develop and implement...more
7/9/2024
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Chevron Deference ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
General Duty Clause ,
Heat Exposure ,
Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo ,
NPRM ,
OSH Act ,
OSHA ,
Regulatory Authority ,
Safety Precautions ,
SCOTUS ,
Workplace Safety
On June 20, 2024, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted unanimously to adopt the latest draft version of Title 8 CCR § 3396, Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment, after a prior...more
On June 20, 2024, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board partially adopted Petition 602—a proposal to require employers to provide opioid overdose reversal medications (e.g., naloxone) at all worksites...more
Effective July 1, 2024, nearly every California employer will be required to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan with very specific requirements....more