Safety/Health

The HR I.Q. Test: January ’11

01/11/2011

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

‘Spider-Man’ caught in OSHA’s web

01/04/2011

Preview performances of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” have been drawing big crowds of theater-goers eager to get a sneak-peak at Broadway’s most-expensive-ever musical. But the production isn’t earning rave reviews from some unlikely audience members—inspectors from OSHA and the New York Department of Labor.

When employee threatens, you can and should discipline–regardless of reason

01/03/2011

Employers and employees have the right to a safe work environment free from violence or direct threats of harm. Punishing an employee who puts others in danger or creates widespread fear is not only appropriate, but essential. That’s true regardless of the underlying reason for the threatening behavior. You can discipline the employee, no matter why he misbehaved.

Are employers required to ban texting while driving?

12/31/2010

The legal wall against texting while driving is building. In 2009, an executive order prohibited federal employees from doing it. In 2010, federal regulations made it illegal for commercial truck and bus drivers to do it. And laws in at least 30 states make it unlawful for all drivers to text in the driver’s seat. But what about drivers who aren’t covered under any of those laws?

L.A. postal facility gets shocking message from OSHA

12/21/2010

OSHA delivered a harsh message to the U.S. Postal Service’s International Service Center in Los Angeles in the form of 18 citations for unsafe working conditions. The problem: Mail processing equipment could cause fatal electrical shocks.

Highland County settles whistle-blower retaliation suit

12/13/2010

A Highland County government employee who was fired after complaining about unsafe working conditions and wage-and-hour violations is $18,000 richer, following a settlement with the county.

GINA’s effect on wellness programs

12/09/2010

To help you better understand your obligations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), we’ve assembled these resources:

How Leandra’s Law could affect your company-vehicle policy

12/02/2010

Leandra’s Law (the Child Passenger Protection Act) requires anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated in New York to install and maintain an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he or she owns or operates. That’s a condition of the person’s probation or conditional discharge. Leandra’s Law has several important provisions that apply to employers of people who have been convicted of DWI.

Harlem nonprofit sued for firing OSHA whistle-blower

12/02/2010

OSHA is suing the East Harlem Council for Community Improvement for allegedly retaliating against an employee who complained about unsafe working conditions.

After 40 years, OSHA enforcement about to get much tougher

11/24/2010

Get ready for much tougher enforcement under OSHA’s new Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The SVEP will concentrate OSHA’s resources on inspecting employers that have demonstrated indifference to their safety and health obligations by committing willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for this new workplace safety regime.