Safety/Health

How to object to non-employee representative under OSHA’s new ‘walk-around’ rule

04/15/2024

OSHA’s new “walk-around” rule has drawn fierce criticism from business advocates who argue that it offers no formal way for employers to object to who employees select to accompany OSHA compliance officers during workplace inspections. Employment law attorney Carrie Hoffman suggests how employers should handle the situation.

New ‘walk-around’ rule permits outsiders at OSHA inspections

04/08/2024

The Department of Labor on April 1 issued the final version of its controversial “walk-around” rule that lets employees choose outsiders to accompany OSHA officials when they conduct workplace inspections. The rule expands the rights of employees to authorize third-party representatives to accompany OSHA compliance safety and health officers as they tour worksites.

DOL offers employer tools to support employees’ mental health

04/01/2024

The U.S. Department of Labor has compiled a suite of resources to help employers assist employees who may be struggling with mental-health problems.

Beware the fine line between insubordinate threats and actual violence

03/13/2024

It’s up to HR to keep an eye out for workplace discord that could erupt into violence. Train supervisors to be alert for obvious insubordination. An employee who refuses to follow directions or openly challenges authority other than through reasonable channels may be on the verge of escalating insubordination into violence. In turn, HR should have a plan to intervene, either through appropriate internal discipline or by referring the matter to the police.

Washington Watch: NLRB, OSHA in the news

02/23/2024

A constitutionality argument against the NLRB and OSHA’s new walkaround rule.

Study: Front-line workers need mental-health support, aren’t likely to seek it

02/20/2024

Despite having more demanding roles tied to a higher degree of stress, front-line workers are less aware of employer mental well-being benefits, are more likely to say they do not have a problem and—even when they acknowledge a problem—are less likely to reach out for help than their non-front-line colleagues, according to a new meQuilibrium study.

$4.35 million lesson: Ensure safety of teenage workers

02/20/2024

Many teens as young as 14 work fast-food and retail jobs. They’re often not aware of their rights in the workplace, what constitutes harassment and where they can turn if they are harassed—or worse.

DOL offers mental-health assistance, compliance resources for employers

01/08/2024

Worker stress rose to record levels during the pandemic—and has remained high ever since, according to Gallup Poll surveys. In fact, Gallup says 52% of employees report they have experienced “a lot of stress” in the previous 24 hours. Employers are responding, with 63% of HR professionals surveyed by Willis Towers Watson last fall saying they planned to enhance benefits addressing employee mental health in 2024.

OSHA offers safety guidance for working in cold weather

01/02/2024

Are your employees prepared to work outdoors in frigid winter weather? OSHA provides pages of online advice to help keep workers safe when temperatures plunge.

White House releases kit to help employers help recovering addicts

12/19/2023

The Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit: Guidance and Resources for Private and Public Sector Employers aims to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction, encourage treatment and recovery, and help recovering individuals realize that they have employment options.