Long Beach ASSP Educational / Networking Event

Topic Legal Tips from a Cal OSHA Attorney

Join the ASSP Long Beach Chapter for an insightful session with a seasoned Cal/OSHA attorney, who will provide key legal perspectives on workplace safety compliance, inspections, and citations. Whether you’re a safety professional, manager, or business owner, understanding the legal side of workplace safety is crucial for protecting your organization and employees.

Learning Objectives

• Understand Cal/OSHA’s Role & Enforcement Actions
  • Explain Cal/OSHA’s jurisdiction, authority, and enforcement priorities.
  • Identify common triggers for Cal/OSHA inspections.
• Navigate the Inspection & Citation Process
  • Describe the steps of a Cal/OSHA inspection, from opening conference to citation issuance.
  • Recognize employer rights and responsibilities during an inspection.
• Mitigate Legal & Financial Risks
  • Learn best practices to prepare for and respond to Cal/OSHA inspections.
  • Discuss strategies to minimize penalties and negotiate citations.
• Respond Effectively to Citations & Appeals
  • Outline the process for contesting citations and requesting informal conferences.
  • Understand how settlement agreements and abatement strategies impact compliance.
• Proactively Manage Workplace Safety Compliance
  • Identify key legal requirements to maintain a compliant safety program.
  • Discuss recent Cal/OSHA regulatory updates and their implications for employers.

Speaker Andrew J. Sommer

Andrew J. Sommer is a partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP’s Los Angeles office, with more than two decades of employment litigation experience, Andrew Sommer defends businesses in workplace safety inspections, investigations and enforcement actions brought by Cal/OSHA and other OSHA state programs. He is also highly experienced in defending individual and collective actions involving a wide array of wage and hour, whistleblower, disability, and wrongful termination claims.

Andrew also advises employers on workplace safety compliance, disciplinary actions, and the interactive process, among other work-related topics. Andrew takes a strategic and creative approach in providing advice and counsel to employers as well as resolving disputes in court and administrative proceedings.

Before joining Fisher Phillips, Andrew was Managing Partner of the California practice for a boutique law firm focusing on labor and employment issues, workplace safety, and related litigation. He previously represented management in employment litigation matters for a national law firm.

Andrew is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events and writes extensively on Cal/OSHA compliance, wage and hour compliance, and disability law topics. He has led coalitions of employers and trade organizations in advocating to the Cal/OSHA Standards Board over workplace safety rulemaking and was a member of Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Rulemaking Advisory Committee.

Andrew was personally recognized among a short list of OSHA attorneys by Chambers USA in its 2023 national OSHA rankings.

Agenda

12:00pm In Person Lunch
12:30pm Presentation

Additional Information

1. Lunch will be provided at no charge for each person who registers for this event.
2. Parking is $10
3. CEUs will be awarded for attendance at all Education and Networking Sessions during the 24-25 term (July 1 – June 30)
4. The event is intended for in-person learning and networking. An option to attend virtually is also offered for those who cannot attend in person. If you’d be interested in attending virtually (but not in person), please use the “Virtual Registration” button to let us know.