OC ASSP August 2023 Chapter Meeting

Topic Workplace Violence Prevention (SB 553): Will You Be Ready?

Workplace violence is a growing concern in California and across the country, as evidenced by numerous recent tragic incidents in the news. These recent incidents may leave employers wondering about their roles and obligations under workplace safety laws. In this session, we will review Cal/OSHA’s current stance on workplace violence prevention. We will also cover the proposed workplace violence prevention law (SB 553), which if passed will be applicable to virtually every employer in California. This session will provide valuable insights, practical tools, and actionable strategies to enhance your understanding of workplace violence prevention.

Speaker Kevin D. Bland, Shareholder | Orange County Ogletree Deakins

Kevin D. Bland joined Ogletree Deakins law firm in their Orange County office in 2011. Kevin provides a wealth of experience in Health and Safety.  Before he began his legal career, Mr. Bland had nearly 20 years of construction, safety, and business experience.  In 2000, he launched his legal career after graduating cum laude from Whittier School of Law. Kevin holds a Contractor’s “A” License and his practice focuses primarily on safety, risk management, Cal-OSHA regulatory rulemaking, and Cal/OSHA citation appeals. He counsels and represents various industries including construction, manufacturing, motion picture and television, and various other general industry clients along with various trade associations, construction contractors, and material suppliers.

With over two decades of safety and risk management experience to serve your needs, Kevin provides his clients with legal counseling combined with practical business advice.  He began his career as an Iron Worker in Los Angeles, California where he worked as an erection foreman on high-rise buildings. Kevin has also served as Vice-President of a corporation that was accredited by United States and California Departments of Occupational Safety and Health Administration to perform testing of construction crane equipment and other material handling devices. As an expert consultant, he has advised general contractors, offshore oil platform operators, and crane and rigging contractors regarding construction planning, safety, and safe crane operation practices.

Kevin has participated in rule-making advisory committees for various Cal-OSHA divisions and served as a consultant to the Crane Unit in the development of load testing procedures for mobile cranes.  He was instrumental in the development of the “Snyder Langston Mobile Crane Safety Manual Policies and Procedures” that won the International Risk Management Best Practice Awards for loss control, risk financing, risk transfer, and risk analysis in 1999.

Lunch will be provided.