OSHA Expert Witness and Consulting Expert Services for the New Orleans Area

Attorneys and organizations seeking an OSHA expert witness in New Orleans often require assistance evaluating workplace accidents, OSHA compliance issues, safety management practices, employee training programs, accident causation, and accepted industry safety standards. Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP provides independent analysis and expert opinions based upon more than four decades of occupational safety and health experience.

Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP provides OSHA expert witness, consulting expert, and litigation support services for attorneys, insurance companies, employers, governmental entities, and self-insured organizations throughout New Orleans, the surrounding metro area, and the broader Gulf Coast region.

With more than 40 years of occupational safety and health experience, Mr. Chambers assists clients involved in workplace injury litigation, OSHA-related disputes, accident investigations, wrongful death claims, and workplace safety matters involving maritime operations, construction, petrochemical facilities, transportation, warehousing, utilities, manufacturing, and industrial facilities.

As a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and holder of a Master of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Mr. Chambers has been retained in hundreds of cases involving OSHA compliance, accident causation, hazard recognition, safety management systems, employee training, and accepted industry safety practices.  

Request a CV & Fee Schedule, or Case Evaluation

If you would like to discuss the general facts of a case, request a curriculum vitae (CV), obtain a fee schedule, or determine whether your matter may be appropriate for OSHA expert witness or consulting expert services, CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW:

Workplace Safety Issues Commonly Encountered During Litigation in the New Orleans Area

New Orleans is a major Gulf Coast port city with a diverse economy that includes maritime commerce, petrochemical operations, construction, logistics, tourism infrastructure, and heavy industrial activity throughout the Mississippi River corridor.

Workplace injury litigation and OSHA-related disputes in the New Orleans area frequently involve:

• Shipyard and vessel maintenance activities
• Commercial and industrial construction projects
• Multi-employer construction sites
• Oil and gas operations
• Petrochemical and chemical processing facilities
• Transportation and trucking operations
• Warehousing and distribution centers
• Utility construction and maintenance
• Hurricane recovery and disaster restoration work
• Municipal and public works operations
• Fall protection and prevention
• Excavation and trenching / Cave-in prevention
• Forklift and powered industrial truck accidents
• Crane and rigging operations
• Electrical safety
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/tagout procedures
• Permit-required confined space entry operations
• Contractor safety management
• Industrial maintenance activities

The region’s mix of maritime commerce, heavy industry, and hurricane-related rebuilding often creates highly complex workplace safety environments involving multiple employers, contractors, and simultaneous high-risk operations.

Shipyard Safety Issues

The New Orleans region is heavily influenced by river and Gulf maritime operations, including port terminals, shipyards, and vessel repair activities.

Workplace safety matters frequently involve:

• Shipyard repair and maintenance
• Vessel maintenance and repair
• Marine terminal operations
• Heavy lifting and rigging operations
• Crane operations and lifting plans
• Confined and enclosed spaces on vessels
• Hazard communication in maritime environments
• Contractor coordination across multiple employers
• Fall protection over water or elevated structures

Many maritime-related cases require careful evaluation of overlapping jurisdictional standards, contractor responsibilities, and recognized industry safety practices.

Construction and Hurricane Recovery Safety Issues

The New Orleans area continues to experience extensive construction activity, infrastructure improvement, and storm recovery work.

Construction-related litigation frequently involves:

• Fall protection and prevention
• Aerial lifts
• Scaffolding
• Structural steel erection
• Roofing operations
• Excavation and trenching
• Crane operations
• Electrical work
• Demolition activities
• Contractor coordination
• OSHA Multi-Employer Citation Policy
• Competent person requirements
• Disaster restoration and cleanup operations

Hurricane recovery and rebuilding work often introduces rapidly changing jobsite conditions, compressed schedules, and multiple contractors working simultaneously in hazardous environments.

Petrochemical, Oil, Gas, and Industrial Safety Issues

The greater New Orleans and Mississippi River corridor includes significant petrochemical, refining, and industrial operations.

Workplace safety matters frequently involve:

• Refinery operations
• Petrochemical processing facilities
• Chemical plant operations
• Pipeline construction and maintenance
• Tank farm operations
• Heavy equipment operation
• Hazard communication
• Electrical safety
• Confined space entry
• Lockout/tagout procedures
• Process safety management (PSM) issues
• Safety training and supervision
• OSHA’s multi-employer worksite citation policy

Many catastrophic injury cases involve evaluation of process hazards, contractor oversight, and compliance with recognized industry standards.

Manufacturing, Logistics, and Transportation Operations

The New Orleans metro area serves as a major logistics and distribution hub for Gulf Coast commerce.

Common workplace safety issues include:

• Forklift operations
• Loading dock safety
• Warehouse traffic management
• Material handling injuries
• Storage rack systems
• Conveyor systems
• Trucking and freight operations
• Confined spaces / permits
• Walking-working surfaces
• Employee safety training
• Contractor coordination

These environments often involve high-volume cargo movement, shift work, and coordination between port, rail, trucking, and warehouse operations.

Why Attorneys Retain Curtis Chambers as an OSHA Expert Witness or Consulting Expert

Many workplace injury, maritime injury, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases involve technical safety issues requiring specialized occupational safety and health expertise.

An OSHA expert witness may assist by:

• Evaluating OSHA compliance issues
• Reviewing accident investigation materials
• Assessing workplace safety programs
• Evaluating employee training records
• Reviewing OSHA inspection files
• Determining whether recognized hazards existed
• Analyzing accident causation
• Evaluating employer safety responsibilities
• Reviewing opposing expert reports
• Preparing expert reports
• Providing deposition testimony
• Providing trial testimony

Early involvement of an experienced OSHA expert witness can often help clarify technical issues, focus discovery, and support informed litigation strategy.

Qualifications and Experience

Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP has more than 40 years of occupational safety and health experience.

Professional experience includes:

• Owner of OSHA training and consulting companies (1999 to present)
• Corporate Safety Director for a Fortune 500 company
• Employee Safety Coordinator for a major municipality
• Safety Officer for a State OSHA Consultation Program
• Vice President of Operations for a structural steel fabrication and construction company

Education and Professional Credentials

• Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health (MS-OSH)
• Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) since 1993
• OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer
• Professional member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Why the CSP Credential Matters for Your Case

The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation is the most widely recognized credential in the occupational safety and health profession. It reflects advanced knowledge, field experience, and ongoing professional development.

Why a Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety and Health Also Matters

A graduate degree in occupational safety and health demonstrates formal academic training in hazard recognition, risk management, accident investigation, and safety management systems—complementing decades of field experience.

OSHA Topics Frequently Addressed

Mr. Chambers has provided expert witness and consulting services involving:

• OSHA Multi-Employer Citation Policy
• OSHA General Duty Clause
• Fall protection
• Forklifts and powered industrial trucks
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/tagout
• Confined spaces
• Excavation and trenching
• Cranes and rigging
• Electrical safety
• Hazard communication
• Personal protective equipment
• Warehouse operations
• Construction safety
• Industrial maintenance
• Aerial lifts
• Safety training
• Contractor safety management
• Accident investigation
• OSHA compliance programs
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)
• OSHA recordkeeping
• Heat stress prevention

Familiarity with Industry Standards

In addition to OSHA regulations, Mr. Chambers is familiar with industry consensus standards commonly encountered in litigation, including:

• American Petroleum Institute (API) standards
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards
• ANSI standards
• Maritime and shipyard safety standards
• Construction industry consensus standards
• Petrochemical and refining industry standards

Plaintiff and Defense Representation

Mr. Chambers has provided OSHA expert witness and consulting expert services for both plaintiffs and defendants.

Approximate representation history:

• Plaintiff matters – approximately 30%
• Defense matters – approximately 70%

Serving Clients in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region

OSHA expert witness & consulting expert services are available throughout Louisiana including New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Marrero, Gretna, Chalmette, Slidell, Houma, Thibodaux, Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, and surrounding Gulf Coast communities.

Contact us to request a curriculum vitae (CV) & fee schedule, or set up a time to chat and determine whether your matter may be appropriate for OSHA expert witness or consulting expert services. CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW:

Need OSHA Guidance Without Retaining an Expert Witness?

Not every OSHA issue requires formal expert witness services.

For attorneys, employers, safety professionals, and organizations seeking practical OSHA compliance guidance, Curtis Chambers, MS-OSH, CSP offers professional OSHA consulting and advice by Zoom (or telephone).

Whether you have questions regarding OSHA citations, workplace safety programs, accident investigations, employee training requirements, or other compliance concerns, expert assistance is available in convenient scheduled sessions.

Click Here to Learn More About Our OSHA Compliance Consulting & Advice by Zoom Services.