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Showing posts for: Washington

May 09 2018
Harassment & DiscriminationHiringWashington

Washington Governor signs statewide “ban the box” law

Washington’s new “ban the box” law, which takes effect June 7, 2018, prohibits private employers from asking about criminal history before deciding whether an applicant meets the basic criteria for the position. It also prohibits job ads that automatically exclude people with criminal histories from applying (e.g., by saying “no felons” or “no criminal background”)….

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Apr 11 2018
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

OSHA citations upheld against fab shop that improperly rigged load from crane

A federal court of appeals has confirmed two serious citations from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against a fabrication shop when a 5,000 lb. pipe assembly was improperly rigged to an overhead crane. A pipefitter in the shop was a journey worker with 12 years of experience. While the supervisor was in…

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Mar 28 2018
Wage and HourWashington

Washington Governor signs pay equity reform bill

On March 21, 2018, Washington officially joined the multitude of states tackling pay disparity as Governor Jay Inslee signed the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (Second Substitute House Bill 1506). The Act significantly expands Washington’s existing pay equity law for the first time since its adoption in 1943. Applying to all employers with at least one…

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Mar 20 2018
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Raise hazard awareness and reduce workplace accidents

What’s a good way to ensure that employees are aware of the hazards associated with an unfamiliar task or upset condition they are about to address? Card ‘em!   More specifically, have them complete a checklist of potential hazards and controls before they begin, along with assessing their own mental state. It’s a key tool…

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Mar 06 2018
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Vigilant uncovers tattoo business fraud, saves Retro Group member over $150K in red ink

Vigilant Exposes Workers’ Comp Fraud, Injured Welder Faces Charges for Covering Up Tattoo Business When it comes to sniffing out fraud in a workers’ comp case, Vigilant’s claims managers are as tenacious as bulldogs. When they see a red flag, they sink their teeth in and don’t let go. Take the recent case of a…

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Feb 23 2018
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Finger amputation leads to safety investigation; Washington manufacturer fined $92K

Hazardous moving machinery poses some of the most serious safety challenges to both workers and manufacturers. If a company overlooks or fails to monitor safety procedures, how can it expect its workers to safely operate dangerous equipment that could potentially cause severe injury? A company could face steep fines but workers risk much more—the amputation…

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Jan 25 2018
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ Comp Scam Sends Former Postal Worker Up the River

A three-day kayaking trip helped sink the claims of a former U.S. Postal Service employee who had filed for total disability after an injury at work. The Montana woman was arrested and sentenced after fraudulently receiving more than $683,000 in wages and benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor over a span of 10 years….

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Jan 12 2018
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Reducing workers’ comp premiums takes a team effort

Your company is probably paying thousands of dollars every year for workers’ compensation insurance through the Department of Labor & Industries. If you’re serious about reducing those expenses, then stop considering that annual premium to be just another cost of doing business. Focus on the things impacting those costs and you can reduce premiums and…

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Jan 02 2018
Leave LawsWashington

Final rules released for Washington paid sick leave

Washington Paid Sick Leave: What To Know Effective January 1st, 2018, Washington state employers are now required to provide mandatory paid sick leave to all employees. The Department of Labor and Industries released the final rules addressing Initiative 1433, which mandates 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, with no cap…

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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 11 2017
Leave LawsWashington

Q&A: Front-loaded PTO policies create problems with Washington paid sick leave

The Answer: No, you will need to make changes to your carryover policy to comply with the law, and you may want to reconsider your front-loading approach. The Washington paid sick leave (WPSL) law allows the use of an existing paid time off (PTO) plan, provided it meets the minimum requirements including allowing carryover into…

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Nov 08 2017
Leave LawsWage and HourWashington

How does Washington’s paid sick leave law apply to truck drivers?

A: No, there isn’t an exemption from Washington’s paid leave law for truck drivers. The definition of employee in Washington’s minimum wage act is what controls when it comes to which employees are covered by the new paid sick leave requirements and there’s no exemption for truck drivers. This means you’ll need to comply with…

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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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