Manesh Rath and Ben Idzik Quoted in Inside OSHA Article on One of OSHA’s Largest-Ever Penalties

Keller and Heckman Partner Manesh Rath and Associate Ben Idzik were quoted in the Inside OSHA article, “Lawyers Say Big OSHA Fine In Lumber Case Shows Need For Top-Down Safety.” The article refers to Keller and Heckman’s June 17, 2026 OSHA 30/30 webinar, where Manesh and Ben discussed an administrative law judge’s (ALJ) recent upholding of OSHA penalties against a lumber company (Secretary of Labor v. MDLG Inc., dba Phenix Lumber Company).

Manesh and Ben said the Phenix Lumber case shows that written safety procedures must be backed by training, oversight, and leadership accountability. Manesh noted reports from the Washington Post of “almost a revolving door of new employees coming and going, not having a long-term relationship with Phenix Lumber” and emphasized that “the management commitment to safety is a really critical recommendation that we’d have in light of this case,” requiring a top-down commitment from company leadership.

Ben stressed the need for active supervision, consistent enforcement of safety rules, and documentation of corrective actions, saying, “We don't want a situation where we don't have record to prove all the positive things that we, as employers, do.” He also encouraged employee involvement in safety, ensuring workers are “looking after their own colleagues, and in dangerous situations, pointing out hazards when they arise.”

To read the full article, please click here (subscription required).