David G. Sarvadi joined Keller and Heckman in 1990. Mr. Sarvadi practices in the areas of occupational health and safety, toxic substance management, pesticide regulation, employment law, and product safety.
Mr. Sarvadi represents clients before a variety of federal and state enforcement agencies in legal proceedings involving OSHA citations, EPA Notice of Violations, TSCA consent orders, CPSC Notices, FIFRA Stop Sale Use and Removal Orders, and EEOC Charges of Discrimination. He works with clients in developing, reviewing, and auditing compliance programs in all of these areas, and in obtaining agency rulings on proposed or novel activities and questions, seeking interpretations of regulations as they apply to specific sets of facts. He has been counsel to the National Coalition on Ergonomics from its inception in 1994. He has a background in occupational safety and health, having worked as an industrial hygienist for more than 15 years and became a Certified Industrial Hygienist in 1978, a designation he held until he voluntarily relinquished it in 2010. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a principal in a small consulting firm, and managed a corporate industrial hygiene and product safety program for a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Sarvadi was selected by the National Academy of Sciences to participate in a panel of the Institute of Medicine that was asked to review a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the use of respirators in the U.S. He was asked to participate because of his expertise in law and industrial hygiene.
News, Events & Articles
News
Mar 01, 2012, Webinar Discussing Membership in the Peroxy Compounds Task Force
Feb 24, 2012, Partner David Sarvadi to Speak at the NHCA 2012 Annual Conference
Oct 05, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi Testifies Before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
May 10, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi to Speak at SPI 2011 Fluoropolymers Conference
May 06, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi to Participate on OSHA Panel at Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference
May 02, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi to Speak at Recycled Paperboard Technical Association Seminar
Apr 26, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi to Present on OSHA Topics at NAW Operations Roundtable
Feb 22, 2011, Partner David Sarvadi Discusses the Importance of OSHA Compliance for Telecommunications Construction Projects in this Week's Telecom Video Minute
Dec 02, 2010, Partner David Sarvadi to Present Webinar on OSHA Issues in New Administration
Apr 30, 2010, TSCA Reform Update: Keller and Heckman LLP Hosts Webinar on TSCA REFORM
Jun 10, 2009, Partner David Sarvadi Quoted in Daily Labor Report on OSHA Program
May 01, 2009, Combustible Dust: An Old Hazard Re-emerges
Apr 15, 2009, New Administration and Economic Woes Add New Threats to Employers; Veteran workplace attorney foresees rise in OSHA investigations and workers compensation claims
Aug 04, 2008, Post Hearing Comments Due on OSHA Proposed Rule for Confined Spaces in Construction
Jul 09, 2008, Are You Ready For REACH?
Events
Apr 18, 2012, Register Today! Practical Primer on Pesticides Seminar April 18-19, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Feb 23, 2012, A Webinar: OSHA Implements Dodd-Frank's Changes to Sarbanes Oxley's Whistleblower Provisions - What You Need to Know
Oct 25, 2009, 2009 Risk Insurance and Safety Management Conference
Apr 20, 2009, OSHA Training Camp
Sep 15, 2008, OSHA Training Camp: Improve Your Safety Program and Minimize Your Risks with OSHA: The Fundamentals of Workplace Safety
Jun 25, 2008, Stop Explosions: OSHA is Focusing on Combustible Dust
Jan 28, 2008, OSHA Training Camp
Dec 10, 2007, Improve Your Safety Program and Minimize Your Risks with OSHA: The Fundamentals of Workplace Safety
Oct 25, 2007, Leadership Master Series: Process Safety and Management Audio Conference
Oct 23, 2007, A Practical Primer on Pesticides
Oct 15, 2007, Risk, Insurance and Safety Management Conference - Workplace Safety & Health Update
Sep 23, 2007, SPI Fluoropolymers Division Fall 2007 Conference
Sep 18, 2007, Advanced Chemical Control Law Seminar: Hot Topics Here and Abroad
Sep 17, 2007, OSHA Training Camp: Improve Your Safety Program and Minimize Your Risks with OSHA: The Fundamentals of Workplace Safety
Aug 16, 2007, Workplace HR & Safety - General Contractors and the Multi-Employer Dilemma
Feb 14, 2007, Conducting Accident Investigations: Keys to Preventing Legal Liability
Articles
Mar 30, 2012, Whistleblower Alert: OSHA's New Enforcement Memorandum Targets Disciplinary Policies, Incentive Programs
Feb 14, 2012, KH Workplace Update
Jan 19, 2012, EPA Reveals Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations Project for Microbial Resistant Building Products
Jan 05, 2012, SEC Unveils New Dodd-Frank Mine Safety Disclosure Requirements
Dec 14, 2011, KH Workplace Update
Dec 07, 2011, KH Workplace Update
Nov 22, 2011, OSHA Issues Interim Rules Implementing the Whistleblower Provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and Sarbanes-Oxley Act In Favor of Employees
Jul 25, 2011, Top Science, Trade, and Regulatory Advisors Set the Tone for Securing US Lead in Nanotechnology Regulation and Take Aim at EPA Pesticide Office Proposal
Apr 25, 2011, Should Unions Be Allowed To Discipline Employees For Reporting Safety Violations?
Sep 20, 2010, Environmental Business Alert: End-of-Year Deadline to Nominate Existing Chemicals for Taiwan Inventory Nears
May 03, 2010, OSHA's Proposed Severe Violator Enforcement Program
Apr 15, 2010, "TSCA Reform" Legislation Introduced in Senate, Companion "Discussion Draft" Released in House
Jan 06, 2010, EPA Issues Eleventh Hour "Action Plans" for Classes of Chemicals
Nov 12, 2009, Combustible Dust Update: OSHA's Preliminary Rulemaking on Dust is Underway
Oct 08, 2009, EEOC ADAAA NPRM Guarantees Spike In Disability Discrimination Claims and Creates a Backdoor Ergonomics Rule
Jan 16, 2009, TSCA Inventory Needs to be Sustained, Not Depleted
Dec 18, 2008, EPA to "Reset" TSCA Inventory
Aug 08, 2008, Congress Enacts Broad New Whistleblower Protections For Employees Engaged in the Manufacture, Labeling, Distribution, and Sale of Consumer Products
Aug 01, 2008, Department of Labor Submits Draft Proposed Rule on Occupational Risk Assessment to OMB for Review
Mar 28, 2008, David Sarvadi Testifies Before the Committee on Education and Labor on H.R. 5522, The Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire Prevention Act of 2008
Dec 13, 2007, Regulatory and Legislative Developments
Sep 06, 2007, Process Safety Management: Current Case Law and Enforcement Initiatives
Jun 06, 2007, REACH Is Here: Are You Ready?
May 01, 2007, Expert Testimony in the Silica Cases: The Fallacy of Scientific Objectivity - Some Observations
Apr 12, 2007, Association News Alert
Mar 19, 2007, Workplace Alert: OSHA Announces Site-Specific Targeting Plan for FY 2007
Feb 22, 2007, Workplace Alert: Keller and Heckman LLP Partner, David G. Sarvadi, Completes Service on National Academies Committee
Nov 27, 2006, Pesticide Alert November 2006 EPA Issues Final Rule on Pesticide Applications to Water
Nov 15, 2006, Environmental Business Alert
May 01, 2006, Mine Operators Challenge Union Representation
Mar 13, 2006, EPA Proposes to Add 183 Substances to TSCA PFAS SNUR
Feb 28, 2006, Workplace Alert February 2006 Gearing Up for OSHA's New Hexavalent Chromium Standards
Feb 09, 2006, The NC-DOL Tower Safety Standard
Jan 17, 2006, Workplace Alert January 2006 Recent Proposed Rule by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Requires Companies to Preserve Evidence Related to Chemical Accidents
Aug 17, 2005, OSHA Alert August 2005 OSHA Announces Site-Specific Targeting Plan for FY 2006
Aug 10, 2005, Pesticide Alert August 2005
Jul 25, 2005, Workplace Alert July 2005 OSHA's Proposed Electrical Safety Standards
Jul 14, 2005, OSHA Alert- House Passes Four OSHA Reform Bills
May 25, 2005, Biotechnology/Nanotechnology Alert
May 05, 2005, OSHA Alert - OSHA Soliciting Ionizing Radiation Information and Comments
Apr 11, 2005, Tower Safety and Other Regulatory Requirements Under the OSH Act
Mar 29, 2005, Workplace Alert March 2005 Comments on Revised ADA Standards Due May 31, 2005
Mar 21, 2005, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
Jan 19, 2005, OSHA/Employment Law Alert - OSHA Standards Improvement Project - Phase II Final Rule
Dec 01, 2004, Workplace Alert December 2004 2005 Spending Bill Passed Without Overturning Department of Labor Overtime Rules
Dec 01, 2004, 2005 Spending Bill Passed Without Overturning Department of Labor Overtime Rules
Nov 01, 2004, Workplace Alert November 2004 NIOSH Releases 2004 Edition of "Respirator Selection Logic"
Aug 12, 2004, Employment Law Alert August 12, 2004 California's Private Attorney General Law Amended
Jul 28, 2004, Developments in Ergonomics
Jun 22, 2004, Precedent-Setting Cases in Workplace Safety
May 10, 2004, Wage, Hour, and Overtime Issues - An Overview of the Department of Labor's New Overtime Regulations
May 06, 2004, Employment Law Alert May 5, 2004 Court Held that Waiver of Discrimination Claims as a Condition of Continued Employment is Unenforceable
May 04, 2004, Compliance Magazine Email Report Legal Update
Apr 20, 2004, Employment Law Update: New Overtime Rules
Feb 25, 2004, Supreme Court Holds That The ADEA Does Not Allow "Reverse" Age Discrimination Claims
Jan 25, 2004, 2004 Vision Consumer Products Conference
Dec 03, 2003, Employment Law Alert December 3, 2003 Supreme Court Rules That Neutral Policy That Bars Rehiring Recovered Drug Addicts Does Not Violate ADA
Oct 24, 2003, Employer's Attempt To Stop Ex-Employee's Spam Fails
Oct 06, 2003, Advanced TSCA Concepts and Training: The Law and the Science; Seminar Manual
Sep 01, 2003, Tide Turns in Disclosure During OSHA Investigations; State of Iowa, Appellant, vs. Trigon Inc. and Karl Thompson Appellees. Supreme Court of Iowa. 2003 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 49, Feb. 26, 2003, Filed
May 30, 2003, Employment Law Alert May 30, 2003 Employer's Failure to Accommodate Gave Rise to Constructive Discharge Claim
May 13, 2003, Workplace Advisory May 2003, Issue No. 15
May 12, 2003, Workplace Alert May 12, 2003 OSHA Announces Draft Ergonomics Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores
Feb 12, 2003, Employment Law Alert February 12, 2003 Michigan Executive Order May Bar Contractors for Employment and OSHA Violations
Feb 01, 2003, When Close is Enough: Horseshoes, Hand Grenades and OSHA Repeat Violations; Secretary of Labor v. Midwest Masonry Inc., 19 OSHC (BNA) 1540, Sept. 7, 2001
Jan 24, 2003, Employers May No Longer Rely On Compliance With Their Local Building Code As Establishing Compliance With OSHA Fire Safety Requirements
Jan 16, 2003, Employment Law Alert January 16, 2003 Prerequisite Safety Training Not Always Compensable Under FLSA
Jan 10, 2003, Pole Attachment Development (January 10, 2003) Communications Workers Seek Elimination of Wood Preservatives for Utility Poles
Jan 01, 2003, Achieving Safety and Health Regulatory Compliance
Dec 17, 2002, OSHA Inspectors Busier Than Ever in Fiscal Year 2002
Oct 12, 2002, Amendment to the Final Injury and Illness Recording Rule Signed and Filed
Sep 26, 2002, Employment Law Alert September 26, 2002 Temporary Employees May Be Able To Sue Host Company Under Title VII
Sep 01, 2002, Pre-Existing Medical Conditions; Mario Echazabal vs. Chevron USA Inc., Docket No. 98-55551, June 10, 2002, U.S. Supreme Court
Aug 16, 2002, Facts are Necessary in PPE Decisions: Secretary of Labor vs. Fluor Daniel, OSHRC Docket Nos, 96-1729 and 96-1730
Jul 03, 2002, Michigan Considering Tower Safety Rule; North Carolina Proposal Under Legal Review
Jul 01, 2002, North Carolina Rulemaking Could Signal National Trend Toward More Stringent Tower Safety Standards
Jun 11, 2002, Employment Law Alert June 11, 2002 ADA Allows Employer To Refuse To Hire Person Whose Disability Poses Direct Threat To Self When Performing Job
May 31, 2002, How to Handle an OSHA Inspection - General Do's and Don'ts
May 21, 2002, When Is OSHA Out of Bounds?: Chao v. Mallard Bay Drilling Inc.
Apr 26, 2002, EPA Issues Draft PR Notice on False and Misleading Pesticide Brand Names
Apr 16, 2002, Employment Law Alert April 16, 2002 Supreme Court Upheld Employer's Leave Policy Despite Failure to Designate as FMLA Leave
Apr 12, 2002, OSHA's Comprehensive Plan for Addressing Workplace Ergonomics Hazards
Mar 01, 2002, Toyota, Carpal Tunnel and the ADA: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc. vs. Williams, 122 S. Ct. 681 (2002)
Feb 01, 2002, Why Employers Must Train Their Record Keepers: Emerson Electric Co. vs. Secretary of Labor, 19 OSHC (BNA) 1424 (February 2001)
Jan 25, 2002, Posting Date for OSHA Form 200 is February 1
Jan 25, 2002, OSHA Inspection Targeting Program Revised, Expiration Date Extended
Jan 09, 2002, Employment Law Alert January 9, 2002 Supreme Court Limits ADA in Carpal Tunnel Case
Jan 09, 2002, BNA, Inc. Food Safety Report - A Proposed Framework to Regulate Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations
Jan 07, 2002, BNA, Inc. Daily Environment Report - A Proposed Framework to Regulate Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Formulations
Sep 01, 2001, Beyond Ergonomics: Back Injuries as Disabilities: Duncan vs. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 240 F.3d 1110 (D.C. Cir., 2001)
Aug 15, 2001, OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program for Lead Exposure
Aug 08, 2001, Department of Transportation Updates Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements
Jul 12, 2001, OSHA Announces that Final Rule for Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Will Go Into Effect on January 1, 2002, and Proposes to Stay The Provisions on MSDs and Hearing Loss
Jul 01, 2001, Contractor Safety: A Case of Liability: Secretary of Labor vs. David Weekley Homes, OSHRC Docket No. 96-0898, Sept. 28, 2000
Jun 01, 2001, Burden of Proof Remains with OSHA: Secretary of Labor vs. New York State Electric & Gas Corp., OSHRC Docket No. 91-2897, March 24, 1995
May 01, 2001, Ergonomic Injuries and the Impact of Defining Hazards: Secretary of Labor v. Beverly Enterprises, OSHRC Docket No. 91-3344, et. seq., Oct. 27, 2000
Mar 08, 2001, Both Houses Pass Historic Rejection of OSHA's Ergonomic Program Standard
Jan 19, 2001, OSHA Publishes Final Rule for Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, and Makes Major Changes in Employer Obligations
Jan 01, 2001, Knowledge of Hazards and the Ergonomic Standard: Secretary of Labor v. Beverly Enterprises, OSHRC Docket No. 91-3344, et. seq., Oct. 27, 2000
Oct 01, 2000, Prompt Medical Attention: CMC Electrics v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 19 OSHC (BNA) 1001 July 19, 2000
Sep 01, 2000, OSHA Requirements for Respirators in Situations That May Be Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: Secretary of Labor v. Freeze Technology International, Inc., Enerpipe Corporation, OSHRC No. 99-308-310, 5/15/00
Apr 01, 2000, Adequate Training for Employees Under the General Training Requirement in the Construction Industry: Secretary of Labor v. O'Brien Concrete Pumping, Inc., OSHRC Docket No. 98-0471
Apr 01, 2000, Is OSHA Watching From Afar? Secretary of Labor vs. Hi-Tech Builders Inc., OSHRC Docket No. 97-1976 Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Dec. 8, 1999
Mar 01, 2000, The Continuing Safety Debate: Cost vs. Benefit: American Textile Manufacturers Institute, Inc. v. Donovan, et al., 452 U.S. 490
Feb 18, 2000, EPA Issues Final PR Notice Providing Guidance on the Treated Articles Exemption
Feb 01, 2000, The Importance of Safety Training: Secretary v. Albermarle Corp., OSHRC Docket Nos. 93-0848 & 93-1715, April 26, 1999
Jan 10, 2000, OSHA Standards Interpretation and Compliance Letters
Jan 01, 2000, OSHA's Ability to Obtain A Search: Ray Marshall, Secretary of Labor v. Horn Seed Company, Inc., No. 79-1501, 10th Circuit Court
Nov 24, 1999, EPA's New "Threshold of Regulation" (TOR) Policy For Pesticides
Jun 01, 1999, The CCP and Due Process: U.S. Chamber of Commerce v. U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Docket No. 98-1036, April 9, 1998
May 01, 1999, Proving Significant Employee Hazards: Secretary of Labor v. Con Agra Flour Milling Co., Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Docket No. 88-2150, April 22, 1993
Apr 01, 1999, The Multiemployer Worksite Doctrine: United States of America v. Pitt-Des Moines Inc., Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 98-1767, Feb. 18, 1999
Mar 01, 1999, Employee Training on Workplace Hazards: Secretary of Labor v. American Sterilizer Company, OSHRC Docket no. 91-2494, Nov. 5, 1997
Feb 01, 1999, Examining OSHA's Risk Assessment Responsibilities: American Dental Association et al. vs. Secretary of Labor, Docket No. 91-3865, 15 OSHC 2097 (7th Circuit 1993), January 28, 1993
Jan 01, 1999, Employee Rights Under the OSH Act: Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor, etc. v. Cambridgeport Air Systems Inc., Docket Number 93-2287, 26 F.3d 1187 (1st Circuit Court 1994), June 20, 1994
Nov 16, 1998, NIOSH Recommends Changes to Occupational Noise Standard
Nov 01, 1998, Defining Repeat Violations: Caterpillar v. Secretary of Labor, Docket Number 97, 3488, 18 OSHA 1481, August 25, 1998
Oct 01, 1998, Government Immunity in the Courts: Stone vs. North Carolina Department of Labor, North Carolina State Supreme Court, 18 OSHC 1161, Feb. 6, 1998
Sep 01, 1998, Multiemployer Worksite Case Resolved: Secretary of Labor v. IBP Inc. U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, 18 OSHC 1353
Aug 17, 1998, New FIFRA Adverse Effects Reporting Requirements: Effective Date Delayed
Jul 01, 1998, The Multi-Employer Worksite Policy: Hoecsht-Celanese Corp. v. Jesse Melendez, Jr., No. 97-0860, 41 Tex. Sup. Ct. J.458, Supreme Court of Texas, Feb. 13, 1998 and Secretary of Labor v. IBP Inc., OSHRC Docket 93-3059, April 18, 1998
Jun 01, 1998, Workplace Advisory June 1998, Issue No. 14
May 01, 1998, Criminal Prosecution Under the OSH Act: United States v. Ladish Malting Co., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Docket No. 97-2417
Mar 01, 1998, Occupational Exposure to Chemical Agents: The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., et al v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 509 F2.d 1301 (January 31, 1975)
Jan 01, 1998, Zone of Danger- Operational Necessity or Inadvertance?: Secretary of Labor v. Fabricated Metal Products, Inc., OSHRC Docket No. 93-1853, Nov. 7. 1997
Jan 01, 1998, Workplace Advisory January 1998, Issue No. 13
Apr 01, 1997, The General Duty Clause: United Automobile Workers v. General Dynamics Land Systems Div., 815 F.2d 1570
Mar 01, 1997, Welding and Electrical Standards in Construction; Secretary of Labor v. Baker Tank Company/Altech, A Division of Justiss Oil Company, Inc., OSHRC Docket No. 90-1786-S, April 10, 1995
Feb 01, 1997, Access to Employees Exposure and Medical Records: Wyman-Gordon Co., OSHRC Docket No. 84-785, December 20, 1991
Feb 01, 1997, Workplace Advisory Winter/Spring 1997
Jan 01, 1997, Egregious Violations Policy: S. A. Healy Co. v. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, 17 OSHC (BNA) 1737, Sept. 18, 1996
Oct 01, 1996, Employee Conduct and the OSH Act: New York State Electric & Gas Corp. vs. Secretary of Labor, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, July 3, 1996
Sep 01, 1996, Fire Safety: Secretary of Labor vs. Atlantic Batter Co., OSHRC Docket No. 90-1747, Dec., 5, 1995
Jul 01, 1996, Trico Technologies Corporation: Secretary of Labor vs. Trico Technolgies Corp., Docket No. 91-0110, Jan. 19, 1996
Jun 01, 1996, Lockout/Tagout Standard: Secretary of Labor vs. Caterpillar Inc., Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, March 21, 1996
May 01, 1996, Fall Protection and Steel Erections: Interstate Erectors Inc. vs. OSHRC
Feb 01, 1996, The Egregious Penalty Policy and Violations of Specific Standards: Secretary of Labor vs. The Hartford Roofing Co., OSHRC Docket No. 92-3855, September 15, 1995
Jan 01, 1996, General Motors Corporation, Delco Chassis Division, OSHRC Docket Nos. 91-2973, 91-3116 & 91-3117 (Consolidated) OSHRC, April 26, 1995
Nov 01, 1995, 'Throwing the Book' at Employers?: Secretary of Labor v. Arcadian Corp., OSHRC Docket No. 93-3270
Sep 01, 1995, Fire Resistant Clothing: Anne McLaughlin, Secretary of Labor v. Union Oil Company of California, Chicago Refinery, 869 F2.d 1039
Jun 01, 1995, Eye and Face Protection: Department of Labor v. OSHRC and Goltra Castings, Inc., 15 OSHC 1162 (1991)
May 01, 1995, Bloodborne Pathogens: Secretary of Labor v. Patterson Drilling Co.
Apr 26, 1995, Interpretation of Lockout/Tagout: General Motors Corporation, Delco Chassis Division, OSHRC Docket Nos. 91-2973, 91-3116 & 91-3117 (Consolidated), Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, April 26, 1995
Apr 01, 1995, Bricks as Chemical Substances: Secretary of Labor v. Holly Springs Brick & Tile, 16 OSHC (BNA) 1861
Mar 01, 1995, Fall Protection: Peterson Brothers Steel Erection Company v. Robert B. Reich, Secretary of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, 26 F.3d. 573 (CA5, July 21, 1994)
Jan 01, 1995, Forklift Safety: Georgia Pacific Corporation v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
EPA to "Reset" TSCA Inventory