Signs point to Federal OSHA issuing rule under new administration as states continue to modify COVID-19 rules and guidance

As the transition in presidential administration draws closer and COVID-19 cases continue to increase in certain parts of the country, it appears increasingly likely that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) will undertake a rulemaking relating to COVID-19. Additionally, state plan OSHA agencies continue to revise and issue guidance relating to their own rules, … Continue Reading

Racing toward a standard: How Virginia, Oregon, and Washington are moving to regulate workplace hazards of COVID-19

By Ben H. Patton, Jennifer A. Smokelin, Mary M. Balaster, Randa M. Lewis, Brian J. Kay (Summer Associate) and Veronica Miclot on 23 July 2020 Posted in Emerging Legislation and Regulation, Incident Response, Regulatory Compliance

Individual states’ safety agencies have undertaken the development of their own workplace safety rules in response to potential hazards from COVID-19 as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has declined to promulgate specific standards and instead relied on existing regulations and guidance. Specifically, Virginia recently published a temporary emergency COVID-19 rule, while Oregon has … Continue Reading

ICYMI: States sign joint memorandum to advance vehicle electrification

By Daniella D. Landers on 21 July 2020 Posted in Emerging Legislation and Regulation, Enforcement and Litigation, Incident Response

A group of 15 states and the District of Columbia agreed to collaborate on advancing and accelerating the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including large pickup trucks and vans, delivery trucks, box trucks, school and transit buses, and long-haul delivery trucks (big-rigs). The goal of this initiative is to ensure that 100 percent … Continue Reading