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Showing posts for: Safety and Health

Nov 10 2016
Drug and AlcoholEmployee BenefitsLabor Relations

Alert: 2016 ballot measures and election results will impact the workplace

CALIFORNIA: Voters approve recreational marijuana Californians voted to approve Proposition 64, the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” which legalizes the use of recreational marijuana in the state by individuals who are at least 21 years old. The new law protects individuals from criminal prosecution, but specifically preserves an employer’s right to enforce a drug-free workplace…

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Jul 21 2016
Safety and Health

OSHA will scrutinize employee safety incentive programs

Safety incentive programs are under fire from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In our last newsletter, we reported on OSHA’s general disapproval of automatic post-accident drug testing in its new injury and illness reporting rule. In commentary to the rule, OSHA also expresses discontent about safety incentive programs. Although OSHA’s dislike of incentive…

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Jul 07 2016
Drug and AlcoholSafety and Health

OSHA wants employers to change mandatory post-accident drug testing

Although the rule doesn’t ban post-accident testing—and OSHA even deems it reasonable “in some situations”—OSHA’s commentary says that automatic post-accident testing regardless of the nature of the accident is improper. OSHA recommends post-accident testing only if (1) there is a “reasonable possibility that drug use by the reporting employee was a contributing factor to the…

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Jun 07 2016
Safety and Health

OSHA Safety Violations Result in Work-Related Amputations, Injuries, and $172K in Fines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued three citations to an employer for multiple safety violations, leading to penalties totaling $172,000, following two separate work-related amputations and one severe employee injury. Schwan’s Global Supply Chain Inc., a subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, was cited for failing to guard conveyers. In the first…

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Apr 07 2016
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

On-demand webcast on safety recordkeeping and reporting for Washington employers

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has posted an on-demand webcast explaining the requirements for recording and reporting work-related injuries and illnesses. The agency describes it as a “24-minute fun and entertaining ‘talk show format’ presentation.” The recording is available on the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)’s visual learning website, www.EyeOnSafety.info,…

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Nov 16 2015
Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Light duty work is a win for injured millworker and employer

Millworker with a hand injury gets back to work in one day instead of five by seeing an occupational medical clinic specialist and getting approved for light duty work right away. THE SITUATION: A millworker working for a Washington based remanufacturing company recently sustained a hand injury when his hand was caught in a conveyer…

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Oct 21 2015
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington Employers: Safety & health poster has been updated

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is mailing an updated version of its mandatory safety and health poster to employers. The date shown in the bottom right-hand corner is “09/15.” You may also download an online copy. It must be displayed where employees can see it. For information about federal and state poster…

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Oct 15 2015
CaliforniaHarassment & DiscriminationLabor Relations

California Employers: More 2015 bills signed

Governor Jerry Brown has signed more bills from the 2015 California legislative session that affect employers, some of which are extremely significant. Unless otherwise indicated, these bills take effect on January 1, 2016. SB 358: The California Fair Pay Act dramatically expands the ability of workers to sue for sex discrimination in payment of wages….

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Sep 28 2015
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

5 Reasons to Offer Early Return-to-Work to Injured Employees

After a workers’ comp claim is filed, light and/or modified jobs for every employee injured is beneficial for 5 primary reasons. 1. Plain and simple: People, who return to work faster, get better faster. Study after study shows that work promotes the healing process. 2. Time loss benefits are the largest avoidable cost of a…

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Sep 24 2015
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

WASHINGTON: L&I proposes 2016 workers’ comp rate increase

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has just announced a proposed 2% average base rate increase for 2016 workers’ compensation coverage. Proposed rates are based on several factors, including expected claim costs, the size of the contingency fund, and the inflation of wages. Of note, companies involved in miscellaneous wood products manufacturing…

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Jul 23 2015
Safety and HealthWorkers’ Comp

Seattle employer fined $215,250 after employee injured by rotating shaft

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently fined Industrial Container Services $215,250 after one of its Seattle employees was injured by a rotating shaft while working in a confined space. L&I had cited the company’s Seattle location for similar violations in 2013, but determined that the hazards weren’t corrected. The company refurbished industrial…

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Jul 01 2015
Safety and HealthWashington

WASHINGTON: Injury reporting rules revised July 1, 2015

Employers in Washington must comply with new requirements for reporting serious injuries beginning July 1, 2015. Work-related injuries resulting in amputations or loss of an eye must be reported to Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) within 24 hours of learning of the injury. Fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations must still be reported within…

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