This past spring, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) issued a ruling striking down a longtime doctrine that permitted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to cite general contractors for safety violations committed by subcontractors even if none of their direct employees were exposed to the hazard.
This decision, overturning decades of established precedent, is welcome news for construction employers. But it’s not a blank check. There are still several circumstances under which a general contractor may be cited for safety and health hazards created by its subcontractors. And Elaine Chao, U.S. secretary of labor, has already stepped in and asked a court to review the OSHRC decision.
Don’t be caught off guard. Order this comprehensive 90-minute audio conference recording all about this important decision – and how it affects you.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- How OSHA defines “multiple employers,” and how the OSHRC ruling affects that definition
- When a general contractor may – and may not – be cited for the safety violations of its subcontractors
- How to reduce your chances of being held liable for your subcontractors’ safety missteps
- How to draft a liability disclaimer that will stand up in court
- Common (and costly) mistakes contractors make when dealing with their subcontractors – and how to avoid them
- Why you must always carefully examine your subcontractors’ incident rates
This audio conference was recorded on Tuesday, December 11, 2007
About Your Speaker:
Adele Abrams, Esq., is the president of the Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC in Beltsville, Maryland. She is an attorney and safety professional who represents employers and contractors nationwide in OSHA and MSHA litigation, employment law, and workers' compensation cases. She also provides safety and health training and consultation services. In addition to her legal and mediation practice, Abrams is on the adjunct faculty of Catholic University of America, instructing on employment and safety and labor law. She also regularly presents seminars for the U.S. Department of Labor, state agencies, national trade groups, and private companies. Abrams is admitted to practice before the Maryland, Pennsylvania, and District of Columbia bars; the U.S. District Courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia; the U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court.
