Michael Rubin is chair of Goldberg Segalla's OSHA and Worksite Safety Practice Group. A Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Michael focuses his practice on issues involving occupational safety and health law. He advises and represents employers across multiple industries nationwide in connection with OSHA inspections, investigations, and enforcement actions. He has on-the-ground experience managing accident investigations (including multiple fatality investigations), negotiating for the withdrawal and settlement of citations, contesting citations, and litigating matters before the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission — including trials and appeals. Michael has completed the OSHA-30 Construction and General Industry training, and regularly counsels employers on safety compliance and best practice strategies for minimizing risk. Michael also devotes a significant portion of his practice to the crane and rigging industry.

Michael is frequently asked to speak about OSHA at various local and national industry events including safety conferences hosted by EHS Today, BLR, American Society of Safety Engineers, and Associated Builders and Contractors. He provides practical insights as the author of a monthly OSHA column for Modern Contractor Solutions and is co-editor of Goldberg Segalla’s OSHA: Legal Developments and Defense Strategies blog. He also serves on the Safety Committee for the Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY.

Michael’s recent OSHA experience includes:

• Representing a recycling company during a months-long, programmed OSHA inspection – negotiated for the withdrawal of multiple violations and a reduction of over 50% in penalties
• Representing a school in connection with an OSHA investigation related to alleged employee exposure to asbestos – no citations were issued
• Representing a railroad contractor in connection with an OSHA inspection stemming from an employee being struck by a motor vehicle – no citations were issued
• Representing a general contractor after an employee suffered a leg amputation – OSHA withdrew the entire citation
• Successfully filing a Petition for Discretionary Review with the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission in a fatality case involving a painter and electrical transmission tower

In addition to his OSHA practice, Michael defends owners and contractors through trial in high-exposure construction actions alleging violations of the New York Labor Law — including the “Scaffold Law.” He possesses an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in New York State.