ADA Does Not Exempt Workers From Safety Requirements, 4th Circuit Rules

Safety first — even if a worker has a disability and safety equipment could potentially contribute to health problems, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has decided. In a case that lies at the nexus of workers' compensation, safety measures and disability accommodations, the court found that a woman who has diabetes and a genetic toe condition is not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sheila Holmes' employer, General Dynamics Mission Systems in Virginia, terminated her in 2016 after she refused to wear steel-toed boots in her fabrication job. The company said...