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Showing posts for: Safety and Health

Dec 14 2017
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Congratulations to Vigilant’s 2017 Safety Award Winners!

At Vigilant, we work with our Retro Group members to detect and correct workplace conditions that could result in injuries. But safety in the workplace goes beyond complying with regulations, writing safety manuals, and holding monthly meetings. The Vigilant Safety Awards recognize manufacturers who have gone above and beyond with their efforts and commitment to…

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Dec 12 2017
Safety and Health

No real winners in battle over intoxicated employee’s death after party

A New York appellate court recently ruled that a cancer treatment center wasn’t liable for the death of its 48-year-old employee who became extremely intoxicated at an annual department holiday party. The case serves as a sobering reminder, however, of the human consequences of a holiday event gone wrong. The party was organized by department…

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Dec 05 2017
Drug and AlcoholSafety and Health

Think twice when conducting post-accident drug testing on employees

Our Answer: It could be risky if you don’t first assess whether the employee’s actions could have been a contributing factor in the accident. Regulations from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) say that a blanket or automatic rule which requires testing after every accident or injury will improperly discourage employees from reporting…

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Nov 30 2017
IdahoOregonSafety and Health

ALERT: OSHA extends electronic filing deadline to December 15, 2017

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that it is postponing its December 1, 2017, deadline for electronic filing of summary injury and illness data, to December 15, 2017. OSHA’s electronic reporting requirement currently applies to employers in Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. Employers in California and Washington don’t have to worry yet…

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Nov 21 2017
DisabilityQ&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Accommodate for Questionable Religious Belief?

Answer: The answer depends on whether you can accommodate the employee’s religious belief, not on whether his belief is “correct” according to any particular interpretation. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act requires employers to reasonably accommodate an applicant’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, unless it would cause an undue hardship to the business….

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Nov 08 2017
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Why Vigilant Retro? Cutter & Buck’s HR Manager, Andrea, tells us why

Claims Support, Safety & Employment Law Part 1 of a conversation with Andrea McAuliff, HR manager at Cutter & Buck, about her experience with Vigilant’s workers’ compensation Retro program   Why does Cutter & Buck participate in Vigilant’s Workers’ Compensation Retro Group? First of all, we get great support from Vigilant and second, the complexity…

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Oct 11 2017
Q&ASafety and HealthTermination & Resignation

Q&A: Termination after workplace injury may trigger workers’ comp retaliation claim

Answer: If you do, you’d better be absolutely certain of the safety violation and able to point to instances of other employees who were fired for similar violations even though they escaped injury. Otherwise, you risk a claim that you retaliated against the employee because of his on-the-job injury. You should also evaluate how an…

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Aug 15 2017
Safety and Health

Q&A: Make practical preparations for August 21 solar eclipse

Answer: A liability waiver is unlikely to do any good. If this is a company-sponsored activity, on company property, during regular working hours, then employees who burn their retinas looking at the sun without proper protection will almost certainly be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. A more worthwhile approach is to educate employees on how…

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Jul 19 2017
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Christmas in Summer – Retro Refund Checks Delivered!

It never gets old. The thrill of delivering refund checks to Vigilant’s Retro Group members is topped only by the delight our members get from receiving them. Last month our safety managers distributed checks to our Washington manufacturers—our 33rd year of returning some of their hard-earned money and well-spent investment. Reduce Your Experience Mod Rating…

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Apr 27 2017
Q&ASafety and HealthWashington

Q&A: Can we discipline for failure to promptly report an injury?

Answer: Ask the employee why she didn’t report the injury when it happened. Your ability to discipline will depend on when she became aware of the injury, and whether any barriers prevented her from reporting. For example, if she admits that she felt a sharp pain when picking up a heavy load, then she knew…

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Feb 20 2017
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington L&I expands reporting of motor vehicle accidents

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued new rules stating that all work-related motor vehicle accidents that result in amputation, loss of an eye, in-patient hospitalization, or fatality must be promptly reported to the agency. Previously, L&I allowed an exception for accidents that occurred on a public street or highway, as long as…

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Nov 14 2016
Labor RelationsQ&ASafety and Health

Q&A: Are employees’ social media posts on wages and safety protected?

Answer: No, you shouldn’t discipline the employee who made the minimum wage comment, but you should definitely take steps to address all of the comments. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects non-management employees’ right to discuss or complain about their wages, hours, and working conditions. This protection has been consistently interpreted to also protect…

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Is My Company Eligible?

If you are a manufacturing or agriculture employer in Washington and committed to keeping your employees safe and working, you may be eligible for Vigilant's workers' compensation Retro or claims management programs. To see if you qualify fill out our release form now, or contact us.

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