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Michael Taylor is Chair of the Greenberg Traurig OSHA Practice group. Michael focuses his nationwide practice on representing employers regarding workplace safety and health matters. Over the last two decades, Michael has represented hundreds of employers during federal and state workplace safety and health litigation, many of which involved a significant injury, fatality, fire, explosion, or catastrophic release of a highly hazardous substance in the workplace. Michael also provides federal and state workplace safety and health compliance counseling, inspection counseling, whistleblower representation, and due diligence reviews for clients.

Michael previously served as General Counsel to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the agency in charge of adjudicating workplace safety and health disputes between federal OSHA and the regulated community.

Michael also represents employers regarding Chemical Safety Board investigations in response to a significant fire, explosion, or catastrophic release of a highly hazardous substance in the workplace.

Michael also represents employers regarding the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the federal agency in charge of regulating workplace safety and environmental matters on the U.S Outer Continental Shelf.

Michael also represents Thoroughbred horse racing tracks, owners, trainers, and veterinarians regarding the rulemaking and enforcement of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Act of 2020 concerning anti-doping, medication control, and racetrack safety.

Michael is the Founder and Host of the Greenberg Traurig Workplace Safety Review Podcast, where he interviews influential environmental, health, and safety professionals across the country regarding timely and important topics in the environmental, health and safety world.

Concentrations
  • OSHA
  • Chemical Safety Board
  • Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
  • Environmental, Social and Governance
  • Equine

 

Podcast | Workplace Safety Review

Season 4

Season 3

Season 2

Season 1

Capabilities

Experience

  • Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
    • General Counsel, 2003
    • Chief Legal Counsel and Special Advisor to Chairman W. Scott Railton, 2002
  • Legal Intern, Hon. David W. McKeague, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 1999
  • Legal Intern, Hon. Richard F. Suhrheinrich, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1998
  • Represented employers during federal and state administrative law litigation involving:
    • Flammable Liquids
    • Hazard Communication
    • Employee Exposure Records
    • Electrical Classifications
    • Process Safety Management
    • Emergency Response
    • Arc Flash
    • Emergency Action Plan
    • Electrocution
    • Combustible dust
    • Respiratory Protection
    • Recordkeeping
    • Asbestos
    • Hexavalent Chromium
    • Lead
    • Benzene
    • Confined Space
    • Lockout/Tagout
    • Bloodborne Pathogens
    • Methylene Chloride
    • Hearing Protection
    • Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
    • Electrical Classifications
    • Emergency Eyewashes and Showers
    • Emergency Evacuation
    • Fall Protection
    • Hearing Protection
    • Compressed Gases
    • Fire Protection
    • Guarding
    • Grain Handling
    • Electric Utility
    • Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
    • Workplace Violence

Recognition & Leadership

  • Listed, Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star," 2020-2022
  • Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment - Workplace and Employment Counseling, 2018-2019
  • Recognized, EHS Today, “50 People Who Most Influenced Environmental, Health and Safety.” 2013
  • Recipient, American Society of Business Publication Editors: Occupational Hazards magazine, Azbee Award, 2008
  • Member, Association of Energy Services Companies
  • Member, American Society of Safety Professionals
  • Member, American Bar Association
    • Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee

Credentials

Education
  • LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center
  • J.D., Western Michigan Law School
  • B.S., Eastern Kentucky University
Clerkships
  • Law Clerk, Michigan Court of Appeals, 1999-2000
Admissions
  • District of Columbia
Admitted in the District of Columbia. Not admitted in Virginia. Practice in Virginia limited to federal OSHA and proceedings before federal agencies.