OSH Act

New guidance seeks to keep unsafe companies out of federal bidding process

August 25, 2016

Companies who repeatedly violate safety regulations should have a tougher time getting federal government contracts, under new guidance published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

New manual helps OSH activists push for criminal charges in workplace tragedies

March 24, 2016

Every year, thousands of workers across the United States are killed on the job — 4,679 in 2014 alone. Thousands more are seriously injured. Many of these deaths and injuries are entirely preventable when employers put in place basic safety measures. Some even result from company policies and practices that encourage and reward behavior that creates unacceptably risky conditions.

DOL sues Lear Corp., three managers who retaliated after employees raised safety concerns

Suit seeks back wages, damages for violations of the OSH Act

March 8, 2016

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Lear Corp., doing business as Renosol Seating LLC, and three of its managers for suspending and terminating employees who reported workplace hazards in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

OSHA puts new workers' rights video online

March 5, 2015

OSHA has produced a new video describing the workers’ rights to a safe workplace. Viewers of the video are directed to www.osha.gov/workers for more information. There’ll they’ll learn about:

Safety groups call for OSHA reforms

January 28, 2015

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) has filed a petition before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), calling for greater worker and public participation in Commission proceedings.

Companies bidding on federal contracts must self-report violations

August 11, 2014

An Executive Order (EO) signed by President Obama July 31^st requires companies competing for new federal contracts to self-report safety and other labor law violations.

Disciplining an injured employee for violating a safety rule

Mark S. Dreux Matt Thorne

May 1, 2014

Disciplining employees for violating safety and health rules is a critical component of any good safety and health program. OSHA's recent policy on employee discipline for violating safety and health rules undercuts the use of such discipline and encourages employees to consider possible claims for retaliation.

After a fatal blast, company agrees to install safety technology

Three workers killed in 2010 West Virginia explosion

December 20, 2013

Following an explosion at its facility that killed three people, a West Virginia metal recycler has agreed to implement extensive, company-wide safeguards to prevent future accidental releases of hazardous chemicals from its facilities.

OSH Act violation sends company president to federal prison

Two workers died from exposure to hydrogen sulfide

November 20, 2013

The former president of Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services LLC (PACES) has been sentenced for occupational safety crimes which resulted in the death of an employee. Matthew Lawrence Bowman, 41, of Houston, was sentenced last month to 12 months in federal prison, after pleading to violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and making a false statement.