Worker Safety & Health

Perkins Coie attorneys have substantial experience both defending clients in OSHA and MSHA claims brought by state and federal governments and counseling clients on worker safety and health related matters around the country. Our attorneys have hands-on knowledge of workplace OSHA/MSHA issues in a variety of industries and represent employers in compliance, enforcement, standard-setting and litigation matters.

Perkins Coie regularly advises a broad range of clients on compliance issues, self-audits and OSHA/MSHA inspections. We also represent clients involved in civil and criminal OSHA/MSHA investigations, contested cases, appellate litigation and negotiations. Usually, we are specially involved in matters involving catastrophic and fatality accident investigations. In addition, we have a successful record of litigating before the Review Commissions and the state OSHA/MSHA agencies and courts, as well as providing advice regarding legislative representation and modifications of worker safety and health standards.

Perkins Coie's broad spectrum of services provided to employers, mine operators, and individual officers, directors and agents of industry and business clients, includes:

• Representation concerning catastrophic and fatality accident investigations, including OSHA/MSHA, emergency response, law enforcement, insurance and public relations concerns.
• Criminal defense representation, or assistance of criminal defense counsel, in state and federal safety and health criminal prosecutions.
• Defense of civil citations before the federal Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, and numerous state plan occupational safety and health boards.
• Assistance with and supervision of OSHA and MSHA inspections.
• Development and implementation of required safety and health programs, including OSHA and MSHA policies.
• Development and implementation of employer inspection programs and assistance with supervisor training and education.