The head of the most powerful union in South Africa recently called for authorities to crack down in 2011 on mining companies over safety despite the fact 2010 appears likely to be one of the safest years for the mines on record.
According to Business Exchange, South Africa has been struggling for years to decrease the death toll in the mines where scores of miners die every year. But by Sept. 30, 2010 96 fatalities had been recorded in the mines compared with 130 over the same period in 2009. (WCxKit)
General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers Frans Baleni noted, "We need to get tough this year and have zero tolerance towards fatalities in the mines. There is a new chief inspector of mines starting this year and we as a union will be impressing on him how vital it is to be tough on safety; he must follow the letter of the law right up to the boardroom when it comes to accidents.
"There are too many silly accidents still in the mines, especially with machinery. We feel that mine bosses get complacent after they reach a million fatality free shifts and that is when accidents happen."
Baleni was speaking as 1,000 workers downed tools at Arnot coal mine, owned by Exarro, in Mpumalanga to mourn a fellow worker who died in a roof collapse last month.
(WCxKit)
Baleni added, "Each and every time there is a death in the mines of South Africa we will be calling the workforce of that mine out on strike."
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Wyoming employers would not have the ability to prohibit workers from keeping guns in their vehicles at their workplace under a bill that gained approval Feb. 9 from the state House of Representatives.
According to theAssociated Press, the House voted 36-23 in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Sam Krone, R-Cody. The bill now moves onto the Senate. (WCxKit)
Krone reports that he's heard from workers who must commute long distances to work and are concerned about their safety due to employer gun bans.
Rep. Keith Gingery, R-Jackson, spoke in favor of the bill. He claims the private property rights of the vehicle owners should be protected.
Meantime, opponents of the bill state theyre concerned it would violate employers private property rights.
Rep. Mike Madden, R-Buffalo, noted his concerns regarding how Krones bill would affect employers rights. He claims the bill would make it impossible to enforce rules in the workplace.
According to remarks from Gov. Matt Mead at a news conference Feb. 9, Krones bill offers a challenge because it pits a pair of different constitutional rights against each other: the employers right to control their property and the employees right to firearms.
Following the House vote, Krone indicated the bill wouldn't affect employers right to restrict firearms within the workplace itself. He said guns would be required to be locked in the employees vehicle and kept out of sight. (WCxKit)
Krone said if the bill is enacted his hope is that it would prevent employers from firing employees who carry guns in their cars in violation of company policy. An employee who was terminated in violation of the law could bring a court action against the employer for wrongful termination, he added.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
CWC Systems Corp., a St. George, Ontario construction company, was fined $50,000 recently for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after two workers were endangered during an excavation.
On Oct. 23, 2008, the company was installing weeping tile and a waterproofing membrane system on a house on King's Hill Lane in Brantford. They had excavated around the perimeter of the house, down to the bottom of its foundation. Two workers were at the bottom of the excavation cleaning the house foundation when the trench collapsed. (WCxKit)
A Ministry of Labor investigation found that the company failed to take every reasonable precaution to prevent the collapse of the excavation wall while the workers were at the bottom of the trench.
After a trial, CWC Systems Corp. was found guilty of failing to ensure that the walls of the excavation were reinforced by a support system that complied with the OHSA. (WCxKit)
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Frank Squires. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25 percent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
UNISON, the UK’s largest union, has issued a challenge to public sector employers to “do the right thing” and give sick pay to all their workers.
The union is angry and frustrated that across the country, many contracted-out catering and cleaning workers in schools and hospitals are denied this basic right – at the same time as being paid at, or just above, the minimum wage. (WCxKit)
Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, noted, “It cannot be right that these massive multinational companies can make huge profits but still cheat workers out of basic terms like sick pay – it is enough to make anyone sick. Cleaners and dinner women in schools and hospitals are paid on or just above the minimum wage, and struggle to make ends meet. Many also struggle into work when they are sick, risking their own health and the health of people around them. This is particularly true in hospitals where vulnerable patients may be put at risk by catching infections.
“UNISON is outraged at government plans to scrap the two-tier workforce code, which could see even more workers’ rights sacrificed for company profits this year, sparking a race to the bottom. We want local authorities, hospitals and contractors to do the right thing and make a New Year resolution to pay all their staff sick pay. They must ward against this 19th century-style treatment, and make 2011 the year for fair treatment.”
Under current two-tier workforce code, new starters employed by contract companies are meant to get broadly comparable wages, terms and conditions as staff transferred across from the public sector. The code was developed to prevent private contractors making savings by driving down staff terms and conditions. (WCxKit)
However, earlier in December of 2010, the government announced it was to scrap the two-tier code. Together with the increasing push to sell services off to the lowest bidder, UNISON fears the moves will see increasing numbers of workers suffering cuts to terms and conditions, with sick pay at the top of the hit list.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
As with other outlays, employers can trim workers compensation costs with thought and effort.
Costs need not be so high. Insurers, unions, workers, lawyers and doctors are all contributing to the current waste and the employers who finance workers compensation must bear much of the fault, too.(WCxKit)
Why is this?
Employers are unwittingly encouraging employees to remain on workers compensation much longer than necessary.
Lucrative Lawsuits
While workers compensation statutes prevent workers injured on the job from suing their employers, they can still sue others. Someone hurt while using a lathe, for example, can sue the lathe maker.
Better that the employer files a subrogation action against the equipment manufacturer to offset their payment of workers compensation benefits.
If such a worker receives a court award or settlement, he gets paid twice for the same injury.
In such cases, most states allow employers to seek reimbursement for sums already spent on workers compensation.
But, companies must pursue this payment during the court case; afterward is usually too late.
Pension Pay
Older workers who receive workers compensation benefits may retire during their convalescence.
The crafty among them will collect their pensions and continue to receive workers compensation
A Sweetened Pot
Some employers offer “occupational injury supplements,” which can raise workers compensation benefits from two-thirds to full salary.
Given that workers compensation is tax fee and employees at home save on commuting and other work-related costs, a full salary is more lucrative for workers on leave than for workers at work.
Thus, companies must carefully design any programs for supplemental pay to avoid any disincentives to working.
Accidental Profits
In New York, Hawaii and other states, employees who are injured when driving a car on company business may receive both workers compensation and medical benefits from their no-fault auto insurance policies.
To prevent this redundancy, no-fault benefits should be deducted from workers compensation benefits, if permitted by state law.
Employers follow many other policies that dampen the enthusiasm of those on workers compensation to return to work. Many companies keep jobs open indefinitely, for example. And others allow employees on workers compensation to accrue sick time. How can workers who are sick accumulate sick days?
Keep these benefits in mind when reducing your WC costs – when they overlap, they encourage our of work employees (OOW) employees not to come back.(WCxKit)
And coming back to work is good for the company and the employee.
Check where your pension, lawsuit and injury benefits overlap – you could be bleeding money. Find out more #WorkersComp.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
With more than 140 workshops and sessions, registration is now open for the Oregon Governors Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference. The largest event of its kind in the Northwest, the conference will be held March 7-10, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
On Wednesday, March 9, the event features a moderated panel discussion with four Northwest business leaders. Management from L & M Industrial Fabrication, River Point Farms, Dallas Retirement Village, and Christie Care will share their perspectives on the importance of safety and health within their organizations.(WCxKit)
“This is a unique opportunity to hear from small business leaders on how to achieve management commitment and employee participation in safety and health,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator. “I believe their tools for success could apply to any organization.”
Other general topics covered at conference include:
1. Safety committee training
2. What to expect from an OSHA inspection
3. Hazard communication
4. Advanced accident investigation
The conference also will feature session tracks on specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, alternative energy, safety for school districts, workplace culture and wellness.
For more information on the conference schedule, events or to register, go to
www.oregongosh.com
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Connecticut lawmakers are again mulling over legislation that would prohibit an employer from forcing workers to attend or take part in workplace meetings about the employers religious or political views.
According to the Associated Press, business groups and their allies claimed they would stand in opposition to the so-called "Captive Audience Bill" at a public hearing. The measure has been debated and gone down several times in the past. (WCxKit)
Republican Sen. Len Fasano states he is in opposition to the legislation due to the fact he feels workers have a responsibility to know about legislation at the Capitol. He also claims the proposal is too broad and could forbid charities from organizing blood drives or soliciting donations.
Businesses report they need to be able to communicate with their employees, while authorities state a law is necessary to prevent companies from interfering in union organizing drives.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Coordinated medical care refers injured employees to specific physicians, integrating the protocols and goals of the overall workers compensation management program and coordinates with health insurance, i.e., managed care.
It means planning before an injury happens and educating your employees about proper procedures.(WCxKit)
Managed care, if set up properly, reduces medical and indemnity costs, fine tunes medical treatment, creates a care-plan, sets a return-to-work date and requires periodic re-evaluation between the physician and case manager.
Having a WC coordinator to post checklists and host employee meetings can go a long way to steering your injured employees and on-duty managers to the right physician.
Finding the right managed care vendor is another matter. In addition to PPO providers, consider onsite occupational clinics. Yes, set your own clinic, really. I've worked airlines, state parks and other large organizations, including
hospitals that have onsite clinics. It offers convenience and quality control.
Questions for the Managed Care Vendor
1. Does the managed care vendor have enough providers in its network to deliver prompt service and provide adequate geographic coverage?
2. What mechanisms are in place for provider evaluation and other issues related to quality of care?
3. How does the managed care program integrate with the claims administrator?
4. Are providers willing to visit the facilities and learn about the employers’ corporate culture and needs?
5. Do network doctors appear to be caring and concerned, or rushed and rude?
6. Are providers return- to-work oriented? Do they provide transitional duty job restricitons so the employee on the FIRST VISIT so employers can quickly place the injured employee is an open position, e.g. in a job pool for instance.
7. Does the provider have less litigation than others?
8. Do medical costs from this provider compare to other providers — remember you don't always want lower costs per visit, you want employees to return to health and productivity sooner, and sometimes that may cost MORE per visit, but cost less overall.
9. What are OVERALL costs of employees treated by this provider — in outcome based provider subsets, cost of the overall claims are lower because employees return to work more quickly and need medical care less often.
When your company forms a partnership with the right insurance company or claims administrator, they will appoint a dedicated adjuster who understands investigation.
Look to allow a 24-hour turn around time in response to injury reports. Also, be sure your managed care vendor gives the employer the retaining right to choose legal counsel, settlement authority, second injury and subrogation.
Your company must maintain control at all levels of workers compensation to be sure your costs do not escalate. There are many steps in the process that could serve as money sieves.
Fraud, other money sponge, can also be prevented and detected when all parties involved in workers compensation — supervisors, managers, claim adjusters and medical providers, work as a team.
Surveillance by qualified investigators is used to verify the extent of the disability, establish the ability of the employee to do transitional duty work and determine if the worker is working elsewhere may be necessary in some cases.(WCxKit)
Knowing when to implement this type of fraud investigation means planning for it ahead of time and being aware of all legal ramifications of investigative work.
Five questions to ask when coordinating your medical care and other tips to save your workers compensation department money #WorkersComp.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
Minister for Industrial Relations Paul Holloway noted recently that applications are now open for grants to fund more workplace safety initiatives in South Australia.
Holloway says funding up to $50,000 is available for each initiative that contributes to safer workplaces in South Australia. The grants are offered under the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Small Grants Program for 2011. (WCxKit)
“Two types of grants are available; either for projects which foster innovative safety practices, or for small and specific research projects,” Holloway said. “The aim is for both types of project grants to help develop and disseminate innovative safety practices that help reduce work injuries, diseases and fatalities in South Australia. These smaller projects involve solving some very specific but pressing workplace safety issues and as such, we’re keen to ensure they’re sufficiently funded.
These grants are one of the ways the Government through SafeWork SA is seeking to meet the objectives of the South Australian Strategic Plan, most notably providing greater safety at work.
Funding under the 2010 round of small grants went to:
1. Flinders University – to characterize the health hazard associated with exposure to synthetic nano-particles in the workplace.
2. SARDI – to conduct a risk assessment of the efficiency of the Shark Shield, and help provide a safe working environment for marine activities.
3. University of Adelaide – to develop and trial a toolkit for the evaluation and integration of OHSW in university curricula.
To be eligible for these grants, applicants must be based in South Australia and conduct the proposed work in this state. The applications must meet specific criteria and successful applicants must submit regular progress reports and financial statements.
The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Feb. 18, 2011, with the successful applicants to be decided by the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee in June. (WCxKit)
Further information about the grants can be found online from the drop down menu at: www.safework.sa.gov.au
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com . Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com
Missouri lawmakers have given their backing to a bill to place occupational diseases under the state's workers compensation law.
House members voted 102-55 on Feb. 10 to include diseases contracted on the job in the workers comp system. (WCxKit)
According to supporters, the bill will make the Show Me State more business-friendly by protecting employers from large lawsuits.
Critics, meantime, claim the bill will shortchange workers who contract terminal illnesses, like mesothelioma and black lung. They add that those victims in all likelihood would receive minimal money from the workers comp system prior to dying.
The bill now moves on to the Senate.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
©2011 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.
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