Barrientos, Rose Discuss OSHA Regulations and Legal Considerations for Employers in Colorado Lawyer Article

07.06.2022

Stinson LLP Partners Brittany Barrientos and Bryan Rose authored an article, "OSHA is Knocking: How to Prepare and Respond," for Colorado Lawyer that touches on the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations affecting multiple industries.

Though OSHA requires employers to provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees, before the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers did not realize they were subject to OSHA's requirements. As staffing continues to pose a significant challenge across industries, and with OSHA's increased budget and its renewed emphasis on safety in the workplace, now is the time for attorneys and their clients to effectively prepare for OSHA's regulatory actions.

"Attorneys who routinely deal with regulatory inspections and administrative actions may assume that all agencies work the same. But OSHA is unique, and attorneys and clients should take specific steps to prepare for its knock, before OSHA arrives at the door," Barrientos and Rose said. "Whatever the workplace situation, the first step toward complying with regulations and having successful inspections is for employers to understand their underlying obligations."

Throughout the article, Barrientos and Rose offer tips on preparing for and responding to OSHA inspections and enforcement, emphasizing the value of employing "experienced safety counsel and safety teams" when addressing the potential impacts of the agency's impromptu actions and providing specific steps to prepare for OSHA's inevitable knock at one's door.

Barrientos' practice focuses on environmental, health and safety law. She routinely works with clients navigating OSHA and EPA matters, including both compliance with regulatory obligations and defense of agency actions. In addition to assisting clients with environmental, health and safety regulatory requirements, Barrientos serves on the Stinson Covid-19 Task Force. The COVID-19 Task Force continues to evaluate and monitor litigation filed nationwide about changing regulations and what this means for employers.

Rose is a trial attorney who has a wealth of experience in the manufacturing, transportation and aerospace sectors. He also has extensive experience in complex litigation across a variety of industries. In addition to his work in the aviation and aerospace sector, Rose handles matters related to intellectual property, trade secrets, trademarks, contracts, product liability, injury and fraud for his clients.

Read the full article.