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Trent Cotney, Adams and Reese Construction Team Co-Leader and Partner, discusses the latest efforts by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in addressing workplace heat injury and illness prevention. Cotney’s article is published on the website of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, Inc., where he serves as General Counsel.
“Employers know that working in the heat can be a health hazard, especially with summer temperatures already here. Workers in several industries can be affected, so OSHA continues to review and adapt its standards,” writes Cotney.
In 2011, OSHA launched the Heat Illness Prevention Campaign to educate employers and workers about the hazards of heat. In addition, to raise awareness, OSHA sponsors a Beat the Heat National Contest and The Heat Source newsletter.
Earlier this summer, the Small Business Association (SBA)’s Office of Advocacy held a Small Business Labor Safety OSHA/MSHA Roundtable. Among the topics discussed was an update on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). This committee was created to provide recommendations for heat injury and illness prevention.
In the article, Cotney discusses recommendations that have resulted out of the committee. Cotney recommends company executives meet with HR staff and consult OSHA legal counsel to ensure that policies follow OSHA guidelines and protect workers.
At Adams and Reese, Cotney is a leading member of one of the largest construction practices in the country with a roster of more than 90 attorneys serving the construction industry.
A Partner in the Adams and Reese Tampa office, Cotney represents construction and infrastructure clients, including GCs, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers, and other professionals. Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer licensed in eight states and Washington, DC. Cotney is an EU arbitrator for construction-related disputes. He is also experienced in construction litigation and arbitration, including OSHA defense, lien law, bond law, bid protests, and construction document review and drafting.
Cotney is ranked among the top construction attorneys in Florida by Chambers USA and ranked by Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers in Florida, Texas, Mid-South, and Illinois.