Atlanta Senior Principal Larry Stine, nationally recognized expert on occupational safety and health law, was extensively quoted in an article published by Bloomberg Law News on June 3, 2020. Contrary to some reports the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ramped up its inspections of many employers, especially meat and poultry processors, in response to COVID-19.
OSHA inspections are up 70% since April 28. Asked to comment on why OSHA continue to inspect meat processing plants despite President Trump’s executive order requiring meat processing plants to remain open because they are critical to maintaining the nation’s food supply, Stine said he “never expected OSHA to do anything else.”
Meat processing facilities are complex and employ large numbers of workers. Community-based transmission of COVID-19 affects those workers as much or more than workplace exposure. OSHA lacks the resources to follow up on every complaint but Stine was not surprised to see the rise in inspections and enforcement connected to the pandemic but this increase shows that the agency is fulfilling its mission.
We are delighted that Bloomberg Law News recognized Larry’s expertise. He was Regional Counsel for the U.S. Department of Labor and prosecuted many employers for OSHA violations prior to joining Wimberly & Lawson. He now exclusively advises and represents employers in matters concerning OSHA and other employment issues such as employment discrimination, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and employment-related government contracting and immigration.
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