A decision recently rendered in Illinois involved a requirement that a property be retrofitted with an automatic sprinkler system. The municipality had previously mandated that commercial buildings be retrofitted with the fire/life safety solutions. The ordinance excluded multiple residence dwellings from the retrofit sprinkler requirement.

In Michigan, an arsonist set the plaintiff’s liquor store on fire.

A California rule is used in deciding cases of workplace safety.

Under a new proposed rule, the FTC would ban employers from saddling workers with non-compete agreements that prohibit them from working at competitors. 

A state trooper dispatched to a burglar alarm activation at a warehouse leads to litigation over whether or not the defendant was legally apprehended.

An Illinois state law ensures that individuals are in control of their own biometric data and prohibits private companies from collecting it unless they meet certain consent criteria.

A plaintiff entered into a negotiated plea agreement under which he agreed to reimburse his victim for a video surveillance camera and other security equipment.

A plaintiff argued that the terms of an original alarm services agreement were immaterial because it wasn’t suing on the contract, but on tort and implied warranty theories.

State legislatures are enacting consumer data privacy laws, which provide consumers with more choice over how companies acquire and utilize their personal data.

Guest columnist James D. Berkeley details why a U.S. federal court dismissed an inventor’s attempt to copyright artwork produced by an image generator he designed.

At issue is a contractual provision whereby an insured waives the right of their insurance carrier to seek redress or seek compensation for losses from a negligent third party.

A party that signs a document is conclusively bound by its terms absent a valid excuse for having failed to read it.

Before entering the house from the garage, the defendant announced his and the K-9’s presence and ordered anyone in the house to surrender or they would be bitten by the dog.

A court has to decide whether or not a malfunctioning smoke alarm was the fault of the manufacturer or intentional disablement.

A home invasion case recently decided by the Court of Appeals in the State of Michigan involved the use of video from a security camera entered into evidence.

A court has to decide if a police officer’s actions rise to the level of reckless disregard for the safety of others.

A class action lawsuit against a law firm for alleged negligence in safeguarding personal data highlights the growing importance of confidentiality in security practices amid rising cyber threats.

A court affirmed an insurer’s decision to deny a fire damage claim due to the absence of an automatic extinguishing system.

A court ruled that a security contractor was not liable for a carjacking incident, citing the absence of a special relationship and the unforeseeable nature of the crime.

A female defendant, convicted for using aluminum foil to bypass retail anti-theft sensors, challenged the conviction by arguing the foil’s common household use.

A court ruled that an employer’s reasonable and good faith belief in compliance with wage statement laws precludes penalties for failing to report unpaid meal break premiums as wages.

Amherst, MA — The long-standing approach that “the customer is always right” can take a toll on workers’ mental health and limit their capacity to serve customers, according to a recent study.

Saratoga, CA — It’s still an issue: A recent survey of women in the construction industry found that gender-appropriate personal protective equipment and maternity-friendly safety equipment is lacking on jobsites.

Quincy, MA — Fire departments nationwide are being asked to pause all nonemergency activities during the 2024 Firefighter Safety Stand Down to focus on safety and health education.

Washington — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has published a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, including guidance to provide workers with more clarity on the law – and employers with a better understanding of their responsibilities.

Salem, OR — Students from Silverton and Hermiston high schools took first-place prizes in this year’s Oregon OSHA media contest to promote young worker safety and health awareness.

Rosemont, IL — Over a span of months before their May 15 keynote presentation – “The Battle Between Safety I and Safety II: Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong?” – at the 2024 NSC Spring Safety Conference and Expo, SafeStart senior safety consultant Tim Page-Bottorff and Corrie Pitzer, founder and CEO of Safemap International, used debate to find common ground.

“In incorporating many different points of view, you might be able to apply a certain tool toward risks or hazards in the workplace,” a veteran safety pro says. “You can’t just keep doing the same things in the same way and expect better outcomes or improvements.”

Orlando, FL — Safety I and Safety II have divergent viewpoints, but they can be united and aligned into “Safety Seriously.”

Orlando, FL — Ensuring psychological safety and diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace demands safety professionals’ expertise, skills and practice, according to one expert.

Many workplaces may have up to four generations of workers – each with generally preferred communication methods and learning styles.

Aurora, CO — A new, free online tool is intended to help safety professionals make a stronger business case for employer investment in safety, health and wellness programs.

ASSA ABLOY announced the company’s latest GreenCircle Certifications and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for architectural door accessories, which include the following Rockwood Products: locking pull LP3301; MegaTek pulls; MezzoTek pulls; GeoMetek pulls; BandWidth pulls; vandal resistant pull; offset pull and push bar; pull plates including 105x70C, 107x70C, and 111x70C; as well as ASSA ABLOY glass solutions products 4-in. square and tapered door rails, and the PDU8000-3 panic device.

SALTO Systems, a manufacturer of electronic access control solutions, has received carbon-neutral certification across all of its operations. 

Washington – The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comment on a proposal that would require vessels operating in the outer continental shelf to develop new or modified safety and environmental management systems.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board on April 8 issued a series of recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and other ferry industry stakeholders following the investigation of a January 2013 ferry crash in New York City.

Washington – A recently released fact sheet from OSHA is intended to protect longshore workers who handle baggage at cruise ship terminals.

Washington — Prompted by a recent spate of deaths during diving operations, particularly at power generation facilities, OSHA has issued a safety alert on diving work performed near drains, tunnels, pipes and valves.

Washington – Current laws fail to protect workers from retaliation for reporting their employer for health and safety hazards, concludes a new report from the Center for Effective Government.

Washington – OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet March 11 in Washington.

Washington – Funding for OSHA’s whistleblower protection programs would receive a $4 million increase under President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget proposal for the Department of Labor.

Washington – OSHA is looking to fill 12 positions on its Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.

Washington – OSHA and the Department of Transportation should increase collaboration to protect whistleblowers in the transportation industry, concludes a report released March 19 by the Government Accountability Office.

Washington – Nominations for OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee are being accepted until May 18 to fill six membership positions that will become vacant later this year.

Washington – OSHA has released information bulletins on personal protective equipment and whistleblower protection rights as part of the agency’s Temporary Worker Initiative.

Washington – OSHA has published three new fact sheets outlining workers’ rights and the procedures for filing whistleblower complaints.

Washington – A new OSHA directive outlines procedures for the agency’s new process in assisting early resolution of whistleblower disputes.

Washington – Although OSHA has improved its Whistleblower Protection Programs in recent years, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General had concluded that the agency could do more to strengthen protection.

Washington – Five years after issuing an interim rule, OSHA has published a final rule regarding how to handle retaliation complaints from railroad workers and public transit workers who engage in whistleblower activities.

Washington – OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee is set for the next two years following Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez’s renewal of the group’s charter.