Category Archives: Washington

Workplace Bullying and the NLRB

Posted on June 6, 2014 by mavity2012

Workplace and school violence events have contributed to our increasing national conversation about “bullying.” Recently, NPR quoted a Zogby poll in which more than a quarter of American workers reported that they have experienced abusive conduct at work. 64% of … Continue reading →

Posted in attitude/culture, cultural changes, hospitality, public attacks, restaurants, retail, social media, union organizing, unions, Washington, workplace violence | Tagged , | Leave a comment

My Essential OSHA “Enforcement” Posts This Year.

Posted on December 23, 2013 by mavity2012

These are the links I sent to F & P attorneys after recently conducting an in-house session on our workplace safety practice.  The focus of the links was not on building a safety culture, which is my favorite topic, or … Continue reading →

Posted in civil and criminal exposure, combustible dust, discipline and discharge, discrimination, emergency response, food processing, harassment, OSHA, public attacks, recordkeeping, repeat items, Washington | Tagged | Leave a comment

More Heat On Federal Contractors With OSHA and Wage-Hour Violations.

Posted on December 16, 2013 by mavity2012

 Hopefully you do not need further motivation to maintain an effective workplace safety culture; however, Senator Labor Chair Tom Harkins’ December 11, 2013 Report may serve as additional motivation.  In the 4” thick Report, “Acting Responsibly? Federal Contractors Frequently Put … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, government contracting, OSHA, Washington | Tagged , | Leave a comment

MSHA’S POV Rule Still Alive and Kicking

Posted on December 8, 2013 by mavity2012

by Matthew Korn Yesterday, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied the mining industry’s request to stay implementation of MSHA’s new POV final rule, pending its review of the rule.  Essentially, the Court of Appeals found that enforcement … Continue reading →

Posted in MSHA, Washington | Tagged | Leave a comment

Will OSHA’s Proposal To Publicize More Employer Injury Data Improve Safety?

Posted on November 8, 2013 by mavity2012

OSHA has announced a proposed rule which will require establishments with 20 or more employees, in certain industries with high injury and illness rates, to electronically submit their summary of work related injuries and illnesses to OSHA every year.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in hospitality, OSHA, recordkeeping, Washington | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Smooth Restart For OSHA So Far.

Posted on October 23, 2013 by mavity2012

Whatever you may think of this Administration, one has to admire how well OSHA returned to full operations after the government shut down, and the behind the scenes work that made the return seem so seamless.  As I wrote earlier and … Continue reading →

Posted in government inspections, OSHA, state osha plans, Washington | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Confusion About OSHA During the Shutdown

Posted on October 10, 2013 by mavity2012

Under OSHA’s Contingency Plan, all but approximately 10% of its employees are furloughed.  If one calls an Area Office, you’ll encounter an Area Director and perhaps an Assistant Area Director, who will respond to workplace fatalities or complaints of situations … Continue reading →

Posted in Cal-OSHA, government inspections, OSHA, state osha plans, Washington | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

All Employers Face October 1st Health Reform Deadline

Posted on September 11, 2013 by mavity2012

  With the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) set to open its figurative doors for enrollment on October 1, 2013, employers face a new obligation.  Nearly all employers must distribute a notice … Continue reading →

Posted in Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, Washington | Tagged | Leave a comment

More On Ellen Widess’ Resignation as Cal-OSHA Head

Posted on September 5, 2013 by mavity2012

Yesterday, we broke the news on our Fisher & Phillips LLP Workplace Safety Blog that  Ellen Widess had abruptly resigned as head of Cal-OSHA.  We reported: September 4, 2013 08:57 by Howard Mavity I just learned from Fred Walter at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cal-OSHA, OSHA, Washington | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Labor Secretary, NLRB Point to More Activist Workplace Regulation

Posted on July 19, 2013 by mavity2012

From TLNT, one of my first reads each day, along with EHS Today and the WSL.  I’m always flattered to be picked up by folks of this caliber. New Labor Secretary, NLRB Point to More Activist Workplace Regulation by Howard … Continue reading →

Posted in government inspections, MSHA, NLRB, OSHA, state osha plans, Washington | Tagged , , | 1 Comment