Seyfarth Synopsis: Here we go again. The impending federal government shutdown may suspend many enforcement and consultation functions of the United States Department of Labor, including OSHA.
The federal government is currently funded through November 17, 2023. If Congress does not approve a funding deal by the time the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, November 18, the federal government will be left without its glass slippers and will shut down. Under federal law, a failure to fund the government will suspend nonessential government activities, including certain functions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA). The United States Department of Labor (“USDOL”) has developed a contingency plan, as have other government agencies, describing in detail which operations will be maintained and which will be suspended. USDOL’s plan covers OSHA.
The plan, if triggered, will furlough about 43% of OSHA staff. All signs point to furloughs covering support operations and not compliance officers.
According to the USDOL contingency plan, the agency will continue to inspect:
We understand OSHA has held internal meetings determining that OSHA will continue to issue Serious OSHA citations and conduct informal conferences to resolve those citations. While OSHA will investigate fatalities, other...
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