Canadian Safety Experts Advocate for Treating All Excavations as Confined Spaces

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Excavations present many of the same hazards as confined spaces – exposure to toxic gases, slips/trips/falls, falling equipment, contact with electrical lines, heat exhaustion, etc., as well as some unique hazards such as flooding and dust exposure. However, in some Canadian provinces, excavations sites are not treated as confined spaces.

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OSHA Issues Final Rule to Protect Workers from Silica Dust

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On 1 September, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new rule intended to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica (silica dust). The rule is comprised of two standards - one for the Construction industry, which takes effect starting 23 September, and another for "General Industry" and maritime industries, which takes effect in September 2018.

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Emergency Preparedness in the Wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

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With Hurricanes Harvey and Irma having ravaged much of the Caribbean and the southeastern US coastline, now is a good time for employers to review their legal obligations to protect their employees before, during and after major disasters. Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides an outline of such obligations give a number of recommendations for employers.

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