On March 14, 2016, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed changes to the Risk Management Plan Program (“RMP”) Rule. On January 13, 2017, the EPA published a new final rule. This is fourth in a planned series that will address five major changes: root cause analysis for near misses, third-party audits, inherently safer technology,
Kean Miller
OCR Settlement Highlights the Importance of Timely Breach Notification
By the Kean Miller Health Law Team
On January 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced its first HIPAA settlement arising from a failure to provide timely breach notification. Presence Health Network (Presence), one of the largest health care systems in Illinois, agreed to pay $475,000…
EPA RMP Requirements: Third Party Audits Criteria and Implementation of Findings
On March 14, 2016, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed changes to the Risk Management Plan Program (“RMP”) Rule. On January 13, 2017, the EPA published a new final rule. This is third in a planned series that will address five major changes: root cause analysis for near misses, third-party audits, inherently safer technology,…
EPA RMP Requirements: Third Party Audits and Privilege
On March 14, 2016, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed changes to the Risk Management Plan Program (“RMP”) Rule. On January 13, 2017, the EPA published a new final rule. This a second in a planned series that will address five major changes: root cause analysis for near misses, third-party audits, inherently safer technology,…
WDLA Rules That Offshore Contractors Are Not Subject To BSEE Regulation
By the Admiralty and Maritime Team
In an earlier blog post here we highlighted the facts in Island Operating Co., v. Jewell, et al., Civil Action No. 16-145, currently pending in the Lafayette Division of the Western District of Louisiana. The central issue in Island Operating is whether a contractor that provides personnel to…
EPA RMP Requirements: Root Cause Analysis for Near Misses
On March 14, 2016, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed changes to the Risk Management Plan Program (“RMP”) Rule. On December 21, 2016, the EPA disclosed its changes via a Pre-Publication Copy. A series of blogs are planned to address five major changes: root cause analysis for near misses, third-party audits, inherently safer technology,…
EPA Amends the Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule
On March 14, 2016, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed changes to the RMP Rule . On December 21, 2016, the EPA disclosed its changes via a Pre-Publication Copy.
In the proposed rule, the EPA essentially agreed that the scope and trigger for post incident investigation was not universally understood or applied. The final rule…
IME Opinion That Seaman is at MMI Will Not Shield Jones Act Employer from Punitive Damage Exposure if Used to Terminate Maintenance and Cure Benefits
The doctrine of maintenance and cure mandates that an employer pay an injured seaman a per diem living allowance for food and lodging comparable to what the seaman was entitled to while at sea. The injured seaman is also entitled to payment of medical expenses incurred in treating an injury or illness. The duty to…
Western District of Louisiana to Test BSEE’s Authority to Issue INC’s to Offshore Contractors
Historically, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued Incidents of Non-Compliance (INC’s) to oil and gas lease holders on the Outer Continental Shelf for a variety of accidents, spills, and other incidents offshore. However, as a result of the events that led to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the subsequent investigation,…
OSHA Updates Safety Rules for Walking-Working Surfaces
On November 18, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a final rule “revising and updating its general industry standards on walking-working surfaces to prevent and reduce workplace slips, trips, and falls, as well as other injuries and fatalities associated with walking-working surface hazards.” 81 Fed. Reg. 82494 (Nov. 18, 2016) . Regulations…