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Adams and Reese Construction Team Co-Leader Trent Cotney had his article, “Four Major Updates to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard,” published on Constructionext.com. ConstructioNext works with World of Concrete® and the International Roofing Expo® to publish industry insights for the concrete, masonry, roofing, and exterior industries.
Cotney discusses that the Department of Labor announced OSHA Hazard Communication Standard revisions, which will take effect July 19. These updates are intended to more effectively protect workers by improving labels and safety data sheets, enabling both workers and first responders to react promptly in an emergency.
The Hazard Communication Standard requires information about chemicals to be readily available to workers, and this information must be easy to understand and must address the hazards and identities of chemicals present on worksites.
“To accomplish that, chemical manufacturers and importers must acknowledge the dangers of these products and communicate those through labels and safety data sheets,” writes Cotney. “Employers must ensure that those labels and data sheets are available to their workers, and they must train those workers to safely handle the materials.
Cotney says the revisions to the Hazard Communication Standard fall into four categories: classification, labels, safety data sheets, and training.
“The standard’s revisions will enable workers to better understand the chemical hazards on the jobsite, and fines can be issued to firms who are not in compliance with OSHA standards,” writes Cotney. “Employees will be better informed about how to use aerosols, explosives and other pressurized chemicals common on construction sites, and they will receive updated information on ways to handle, store and dispose of these materials.”
Cotney is a leading member of one of the largest construction practices in the country with Adams and Reese’s roster of more than 80 attorneys serving the construction industry.
A Partner in the Adams and Reese Tampa office, Cotney general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers, architects, engineers, roofers, developers, and other construction industry professionals. He is an EU arbitrator for construction-related disputes. Cotney 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. Cotney is a board-certified construction lawyer licensed in eight states and Washington, DC.