The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has

formed an alliance with the National Center for Transgender Equality in an effort to provide

NCTE affiliates, employers, and others with information and resources to help foster safer and

more healthful jobsites.

“Through this alliance, we will jointly work with the NCTE to develop products and guidance

materials to improve workplace safety and health for all workers,” said Assistant Secretary of

Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.”

The alliance will allow OSHA representatives to speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences, local

meetings, or other events sponsored by NCTE or their allied organizations. In addition, there will

be a focus on sharing information between the two organizations, both to spread new OSHA

guidelines with NCTE allied organizations and to spread guidelines relating to the fair treatment

of transgender workers in the workforce.

As an employer, it is important to understand the protected class of transgender employees. Even

if unintentional, there are many boundaries which must not be crossed and there are many civil

liberties which must be protected. Without a purposefully created plan which keeps all

regulations and guidelines in mind, employers can quickly find themselves in trouble,

unbeknownst to them. If you have not recently reviewed your occupational safety and health

guidelines, specifically in relation to LGBT individuals and their protected rights, it is imperative

you do so now; preferably with a qualified third party occupational safety and health auditing

firm.

If you have any questions about how this alliance might impact your company or about updating

your occupational safety and health policies and procedures, please contact us. If you have

anything to add about the importance of maintaining appropriate guidelines in relation to this

alliance, please leave a comment.