From monthly archives: December 2016

We are pleased to present below all posts archived in 'December 2016'. If you still can't find what you are looking for, try using the search box.

OSHA Issues Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs

On Dec. 1, OSHA issued Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction a document meant to help small and medium contractors who may not have safety and health specialists on staff to create proactive programs to keep their workplace safe. The recommendations do not change any existing obligations from OSHA standards or create new legal obligations, rather is meant only as advisory.  Read the rest of entry »

OSHA Issues Final Rule on Walking/Working Surfaces

On Nov. 18, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) final rule. This is an update for general industry and does not change the construction standard. This update could impact maintenance activities being completed on a facility. OSHA indicated that under the final rule they have worked to align the general industry standard with the construction standard. 
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New I-9 Form Beginning Jan. 2017

On Nov. 14, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised I-9 Form. Employers can begin to use the newly revised I-9 Form or continue to use the current version, which is dated 3/8/2013. However, beginning Jan. 22, 2017, all employers must use the revised I-9 Form (edition date 11/14/2016 noted at the bottom of the form) for all new hires to verify their employment eligibility, including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. Employers who fail to use the new form on or after Jan. 22 may be subject to penalties. Read the rest of entry »

Anti-Retaliation Provisions of OSHA’s Reporting Rule Take Effect Dec. 1

The anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Electronic Injury Reporting and Anti-Retaliation final rule (also known as Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses) go into effect Thursday, Dec. 1. The rule, which was finalized on May 12, 2016, will make the submission of the injury and illness forms mandatory and exclusively electronic for most employers. For the first time, OSHA plans to make this information publicly available on the Internet through a new searchable database and use the data for enforcement purposes. Also, some forms of post-accident drug testing and accident-free programs will be deemed to be unlawfully retaliatory. 
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DOL’s Controversial Overtime Rule Blocked

On Nov. 22, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) burdensome and costly overtime final rule. The rule would have changed the federal exemptions to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act for administrative, executive and professional employees, the so—called "white collar" worker classifications that have long been exempt from time-and-one-half pay for working more than 40 hours per week. The new rule will not go into effect without further action from the court.
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