An OSHA on-site inspection consists of four parts. The OSHA inspection will present his/her credentials. The credentials should include a photograph and a serial number. If you are not presented credentials, you can and should request them. Also, an OSHA inspector should not object to you calling the OSHA regional office to confirm credentials and identity. IF anything seems out of the ordinary, call the OSHA office to verify the inspection.The inspector will conduct an opening conference. This will explain why OSHA has chosen the site for inspection, the scope of the inspection, the procedures and areas to be inspected, any employee representation, and ... Continue Reading
OSHA’s Top Ten Citations
Each year OSHA identifies the standards that lead to the most frequent citations. The last set covers October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Each year there are some of the same standards. Four of the latest top ten are directly linked to falls. Fall protection, scaffolding, ladders and Fall protection training. You could address 4 of the 10 most cited standards by training related to working at heights and fall protection. Sounds like a cost effective place to start. If you have already covered those topics, follow the link to OSHA’s top ten list and see what you can address next. Top 10 Citations Mr. Brunetz has experience working as an outside ... Continue Reading
Partner Jack Reale to Speak at the WCI Conference 2019
Jack Reale is to speak on the subject of bankruptcy, insolvency, and self-insurance at the Workers' Compensation Institute (WCI) Annual Conference on August 12, 2019. The conference is taking place at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida August 11-14. This is the nation's largest Workers' Compensation seminar and provides excellent networking opportunities. Register Now ... Continue Reading
Is your Safety Culture Proactive or Reactive?
There are a few key ways you can tell if your safety culture is proactive or reactive. I am going to run through a few key questions I have come to hold dear to my heart. Feel free to reply with ones you use. How do you update your safety programs? One Proactive answer is that we take suggestions from operators on the floor and work them into our programs. One Reactive answer is that whenever someone gets hurt we find out way and then dust off the old safety program, if we can find it, and update it to prevent what created the injury.How do employees know about the safety program? One proactive answer is that we discuss a safety topic at the beginning ... Continue Reading
GDLA 52nd Annual Meeting Featured in Daily Report: After Hours
The 52nd Annual Meeting for the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association was featured in the Daily Report: After Hours, which focuses on the lives of attorneys outside of the office. Partners Hall McKinley, Jeff Ward, and Karen Karabinos were featured in the post and attended the meeting. Karen received the Presidents' Award from Hall McKinley for creating and chairing the GDLA Women Litigators Group. Hall McKinley Hall McKinley has been practicing for more than 38 years with a focus on trucking companies, the retail industry, general insurance litigation, and larger self-insured companies. He serves General Counsel, in-house Legal Departments, Claims Departments, and Risk Managers in ... Continue Reading
OSHA Provides Guidelines for Fireworks Displays
Happy Fourth of July to everyone. We hope your fireworks display is everything you hoped it would be. Did you know that in order to help you stay safe OSHA provides guidelines for fireworks displays. Top Ten List for Operators from OSHA: Make sure personnel are trained and competent.Obtain required licenses, permits and inspections.Maintain display site security and communications.Wear protective gear and proper clothing.Prohibit accidental ignition sources.Properly install mortar boxes, racks and drums.Keep fireworks cartons closed.Keep fireworks dry and in good condition.Always handle fireworks carefully.Stay away from loaded mortars. See Guidelines ... Continue Reading
How do you Create a Positive Safety Culture?
Communication is key. Starting from the top down. Safety as a first priority requires constant positive communication. Having a plant-wide safety meeting after an accident happens is a must, but having plant-wide communication that allows a potential hazard to be identified and corrected before the accident happens is better. And by better I mean more cost effective and morale boosting. Leadership has to be front and center in defining the safety culture, communicating the culture, providing opportunities for everyone to participate in the culture, and enforcing the culture. Here are a couple of easy examples: A 5 minutes start of shift safety ... Continue Reading
Partner Jeff Ward Speaks at DRI Trucking Primer
Partner Jeff Ward is presenting with Lindsay Gorbach, Cox PLLC, at the DRI Trucking Primer 2019 in Nashville, TN on June 26. Their topic, Direct Examination of Your Trucking Safety Expert, Charlie Beachley, will answer questions on if your safety expert is ready. This discussion will teach "skills needed to prepare a trucking safety expert for trial, and what you can expect from a plaintiff's counsel once your expert is on the stand." More Information For nearly 17 years, Jeff Ward has practiced as a trial lawyer in Georgia. He has successfully tried cases to jury verdict in both state and federal court and regularly provides guidance and counsel to a variety of clients. His civil ... Continue Reading
What is Safety Culture?
So what exactly is safety culture? Therein lies part of the problem. Safety culture is not exact, but a collection of attitudes and practices existing in an organization related to the commitment, type and effectiveness of health and safety matters. Sometimes it is simply referred to as how we do things around here. Historically, safety culture arose as a result of accidents or near misses. Think big issues: Cernobyl, Three-Mile Island and plane crashes. These types of accidents arose out of what are called broken safety cultures. There are a number of reasons or factors that may contribute to a broken safety culture. This can include: non-compliance with standards, policies, and ... Continue Reading
Partner Karen Karabinos to Speak at 2019 CLM Southeast Conference
Partner Karen Karabinos is speaking on a panel titled, "Navigating through the Complexities of an Arson Investigation" at the 2019 CLM Southeast Conference in Orlando, Florida on October 3-4, 2019. Partner Karen Karabinos is speaking on a panel titled, "Navigating through the Complexities of an Arson Investigation" at the 2019 CLM Southeast Conference in Orlando, Florida on October 3-4, 2019. Registration opens on June 19, 2019. More Information Karen Karabinos has been litigating cases for more the 32 years, with the last 21 primarily focused on the complexities of property insurance law. She also represents clients with family law issues, including divorce and child custody ... Continue Reading