Melissa K. Peters

My focus

My practice is focused exclusively on matters involving occupational safety and health for employers of all sizes. I support clients in all aspects of litigation against OSHA and provide strategic advice to employers looking to understand the impact of OSHA regulations on their workplaces and operations.

I have extensive experience handling fatality, accident and complaint investigations in a broad range of industries including energy, healthcare, telecommunications, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and processing.

I represent employers and industry stakeholders throughout OSHA rulemaking proceedings, including drafting comments and participating in OSHA’s informal public hearings on proposed rules.

I previously served as an attorney for the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), which gives me a unique insight into the OSHA citation process.

Insights

Presentations

• How to Safely Re-open Your Office, German American Chamber of Commerce – (May 4, 2021)
• COVID-19 in the U.S.: Employment Law Changes and Challenges During the Pandemic, China General Chamber of Commerce—U.S.A. Webinar (March 16, 2021)
• Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, Northstate SHRM (February 18, 2021)
• COVID-19’s Impact on Employment Law in New York, New York State Judicial Institute (New York State Unified Court System) (July 14-15, 2020)

Publications

• “Decline in number of inspectors hampers OSHA operations,” Business Insurance, December 21, 2022
• “Employers left without guidance as COVID protocols wane,” Business Insurance, October 4, 2022
• “California Issues Monkeypox Guidance for Employers,” SHRM Online, September 21, 2022
• “California Alters Close Contact and Infectious Period Definitions Under COVID rules,” SHRM Online, June 30, 2022
• “Biden Shot-or-Test Mandate Collides with Faith-Based Objections,” Bloomberg Law, November 16, 2021