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Showing posts for: Safety and Health

Apr 21 2026
CaliforniaOregonSafety and Health

Now Is The Time To Train Employees On Heat Illness

Spring is the time for annual heat illness prevention training, before the weather really heats up. California, Oregon, and Washington require training before employees will reasonably be expected to perform work that could expose them to heat illness. Annual retraining is only required in Oregon and Washington, but we recommend it in all locations where…

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Feb 13 2026
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I rates are up—but your future costs don’t have to be

L&I’s 4.9% rate increase for 2026 highlights what employers already know: some workers’ comp costs are out of your hands. But the idea that “workers’ comp is just a tax you can’t avoid” is a myth. You actually have several high-impact tools within your control—tools that can directly reduce your premiums. Here are five controllable…

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Jan 05 2026
Q&ASafety and Health

Q&A: OSHA Injury Recordkeeping-What To Record and When

Question: We’re going back through our records to compile our recordable injuries for our year-end OSHA 300 Log. It’s hard to find everything and we’re never quite sure what to include. Help! Answer: An OSHA recordable incident is a work-related injury or illness that results in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer…

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Dec 08 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

L&I transitions reimbursement applications to online submission

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is phasing out acceptance of Stay at Work and Preferred Worker wage and expense requests submitted by fax or mail for injured workers. Instead, these wage and expense applications should be submitted online through your “My L&I” account page. L&I has stated that…

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Nov 24 2025
Q&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Do we need to allow violations during a safety inspection

Question: We had a regulatory inspector come to our facility for a safety inspection. During the walkthrough, he reached into a piece of machinery to take a photo but didn’t follow our lockout/tagout procedures. I wanted to tell him not to access the equipment until he followed the proper steps, but I wasn’t sure if…

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Oct 03 2025
Safety and Health

Q&A: Do we need to provide prescription safety glasses?

Answer: The short answer is no. Safety regulations require employers to provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost to employees. However, this typically refers to standard safety gear such as safety goggles that fit over prescription eyeglasses, not custom prescription safety eyewear. Providing safety goggles generally complies with regulatory standards and protects employee…

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Sep 05 2025
DisabilityHarassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health

Lack of individual ADA assessment costs employer nearly $27M

A federal district court in Oregon recently awarded $26,952,863, including $25 million in punitive damages, to a train conductor whose employer automatically excluded him from returning to work after dislocating his shoulder. The employee, who had spent 20 years in the military and was physically active, injured his shoulder at home on his farm. He…

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Aug 07 2025
Privacy & ConfidentialityQ&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Consider whether your company will allow smart glasses

Question: We have an employee who started wearing a pair of “smart” eyeglasses to work. We only found out because he showed his peers some pictures he took while working. We have a policy that prohibits cell phones on the production floor for this very reason. His glasses are prescription. Can we still ban them?…

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Jul 25 2025
DisabilityHarassment & DiscriminationSafety and Health

Q&A: Avoid 5 common mistakes in disability accommodation

Question: I have an employee who brought in a doctor’s note that says she should work from home any time her anxiety flares up. Most of her job can’t be done remotely, and I don’t think she’ll focus at home. Can I tell her “no”? Answer: Even if the accommodation isn’t feasible, you can’t say…

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Jul 25 2025
Safety and Health

OSHA renews focus on preventing amputations in manufacturing

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an update to the National Emphasis Program on Amputations in Manufacturing Industries, effective June 27, 2025. OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-027 renews the program and makes several significant changes. The directive is set to remain in effect for five years with the purpose of reducing and eliminating…

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Jun 30 2025
Safety and Health

Be prepared to address wildfire smoke exposure

With wildfire season upon us yet again, employers must take steps to protect workers from harmful smoke exposure. Under federal OSHA’s General Duty Clause, employers must provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Although there’s no federal rule…

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Jun 10 2025
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Retro Group Assessments: Are You at Risk and How to Stay in the Refund Zone

Retro group assessments can turn expected refunds into unexpected costs. We’re breaking down why they happen, how to spot warning signs, and what you can do to stay in the refund zone. Why do Assessments Happen? Assessments don’t just happen out of the blue. They’re triggered when a Retro group’s claims and losses exceed what…

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