Workplace Safety & HealthOverviewMichael Best’s Workplace Safety and Health team is among the most active such groups in the country, handling hundreds of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations, fatalities, and accidents at any given time. We have represented employers in virtually every industry sector, establishing a strong track record of successfully defending clients before OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, and state and federal courts. Our experience extends beyond federal OSHA to include “state plan” agencies, as well as the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Another important part of our practice is working with clients to develop safety and health policies. Given our significant experience with OSHA standards, we understand the trigger points for OSHA investigations and citations. We work with some of the nation’s leading experts to help clients proactively minimize the risk of an OSHA inspection and citation and manage industrial hazards and employee complaints on a real-time basis. Our Workplace Safety and Health lawyers assist clients with matters such as:
- Quantifying the cost of compliance upgrades in mergers and acquisitions
- Establishing effective, legally compliant safety and health policies
- Handling employee violations of safety/health policies and employee discipline
- Developing and protecting self-audit and inspection reports from disclosure
- Advising on reporting and recordkeeping obligations, and minimizing public reporting of same
- Managing the public image impact of safety reporting and citations
- Handling inspections by OSHA and MSHA (we participate in inspections, particularly in the aftermath of fatalities and serious injuries)
- Citation and post-citation proceedings
- Negotiating terms of citation settlements to minimize future exposure in inspections or related litigation over injuries
- Contesting and challenging inspections, enforcement demands, and citations in court
MORERelated People Preview Attorney's BiographyKurt counsels clients on a variety of labor and employment and business-related matters with a concentration in employment litigation.  Preview Attorney's BiographyDenise represents management clients in regard to labor and employment matters. Clients in sectors such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, food, and education turn to her for informed guidance on matters involving Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issues, including investigating, defending citations, and assisting with abatement.  Preview Attorney's BiographyBen is an experienced labor & employment attorney who brings a winning combination of big-picture strategies, attention to detail, and a responsive, collegial approach to his work representing employers of all sizes. Ben has particular expertise working with food, beverage, and agribusiness clients, and leads the firm’s Beer, Wine & Spirits group. In addition, he works extensively with many of the firm’s higher education clients.p>  Preview Attorney's BiographyBethany advises and represents employers on the many facets of the employment relationship. Clients turn to her for counsel on the everyday dealings of employees, such as accommodating disabled employees, administering the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and reviewing handbooks and policies.  Preview Attorney's BiographyChuck is a go-to lawyer for complex cases involving OSHA, employment law, labor negotiations, independent contractor and joint employment matters. Clients rely on his years of experience in dealing with state and federal enforcement agencies to develop human resource, safety and environmental policies and practices that prevent problems and save them significant expense. Chuck has defended employers in more than 1,000 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation cases over the past 26 years.
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