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March 3, 2024 An investigation is underway after a worker at a golf cart manufacturer in Georgia was caught in a conveyor belt and fatally injured. Multiple news reports said a contract worker, Alyssa Drinkard, age 21, had dropped one or more of her Apple AirPod earbuds. When she attempted to retrieve them, she was caught by a chain and was trapped beneath the conveyor belt at the facility in Evans, Georgia. Maintenance personnel attempted to stop the machine, but it was too late to save the woman, who died at a local hospital, the Augusta Press and other news outlets reported. Rescue workers had to cut a metal frame on the machine to extricate Drinkard, a sheriff’s report indicated. An employee of the facility said that workers had previously been cautioned to avoid wearing jewelry and headphones, the newspaper reported. Apple, the maker of AirPod earbuds, warns in its user guide that “Using AirPods in some circumstances may distract you or impact your awareness of your surroundings…Always remain aware of your environment during use. Obey applicable laws and regulations on the use of headphones and earphones while operating a moving vehicle or bicycle, heavy machinery, or in other situations requiring attention to safety.” Read More

Join Honeywell’s safety experts during this webinar to gain a better understanding of the adverse effects caused by cumulative exposure to hazardous noise and how hearing protection can help. You’ll learn about the differences and similarities in noisy environments across different industries and what makes certain hearing protective devices more popular. You’ll better understand the four Ps of noise-induced hearing loss: typically painless, most often progressive, undoubtedly permanent and 100% preventable. You’ll also gain insights on industries and where they rank regarding hazards, as well as take away some tips on how you can address them. Additionally, you’ll learn tips on how to start the critical conversations with employees before it’s too late, as well as understand the importance of fit and comfort when addressing this common hazard. Event type:     Live Webinar          Cost:            Free Date:                May 2, 2024             Time:           2:00 PM ET Event Host:    Safety+Health        Duration:    1 hour Click here to Register

OSHA continues its National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce/eliminate worker exposures to heat related hazards. Exposure to heat can cause illness, including heat stroke, and death. Other heat illnesses, including heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoided. Join us as we talk about the different heat illnesses and review the precautions that can be taken any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work. Event type:     Live Webinar          Cost:            Free Date:                May 2, 2024             Time:           1:00 PM ET Event Host:    SafeX                         Duration:    1 hour Click here to Register

It’s important for employers to know what hazards OSHA compliance officers are looking for during an inspection. It’s also just as important to know how to mitigate those hazards. This webcast will cover what you need to know about the top 10 General Industry most frequently cited serious violations, including: ·        Hazard communication ·        Respiratory protection ·        Lockout/Tagout ·        Powered industrial trucks ·        Personal Protective Equipment ·        And more! Register today to learn How to avoid being “one of those companies” OSHA cites. Finally, we’ll save plenty of time at the end to answer questions submitted during the event. Event type:     Live Webinar          Cost:            Free Date:                May 1, 2024             Time:           2:00 PM ET Event Host:    EHS Today                Duration:    1 hour Click here to Register

Explore the benefits of shifting to digital onboarding and orientation methods to boost your organization's productivity and decrease expenses. This webinar is designed for those in safety, training, and human resources roles looking to transform their orientation and onboarding strategies. Gain knowledge from experts who will share key best practices and technologies that help save resources. Topics include the key benefits such as improved employee involvement and safety outcomes through an effective integration into the company's best practices, safety protocols, worksite navigation, and beyond. Attend this session to tap into the advantages of digital onboarding and propel your organization forward. Event type:     Live Webinar          Cost:            Free Date:                May 1, 2024             Time:           2:00 PM ET Event Host:    OH&S                        Duration:    1 hour Click here to Register

March 1, 2024 In the quest for safer workplaces, one change is steadily gaining momentum: the transition from ladders to stairs. From warehouses to construction sites, businesses are beginning to recognize the long-term benefits of installing stairs over ladders for routine and emergency access. This shift is not only about reducing accidents but also about enhancing efficiency and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The Risk with Ladders Ladders have been a common fixture in workplaces for providing access to elevated platforms, storage areas, and maintenance spots. However, they pose significant risks. According to safety data, falls from ladders account for a substantial number of workplace injuries and fatalities every year. The primary concerns with ladder use include: ·       Instability: Ladders can be unstable, especially when not properly secured or used on uneven ground. ·       Falls: Missteps or loss of balance can lead to falls, with potentially severe consequences. ·       Overreaching: Workers often overreach while on a ladder, leading to falls or causing the ladder to tip over. ·       Carrying Tools: Transporting tools or materials while climbing can lead to loss of balance and subsequent falls. These risks contribute to a growing consensus among safety professionals that alternatives to ladders should be sought wherever possible. Read more

March 1, 2024 Post-traumatic stress disorder is a commonly misunderstood mental illness that is increasingly a component of workers compensation claims, raising concerns over how to navigate and close the often complex claims. Mental health experts say that adherence to guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD is essential when treating affected workers. “The prognosis for well-treated PTSD is actually quite good,” said Les Kertay, Chattanooga, Tennessee-based behavioral health medical director for Genex Services, an Enlyte LLC company. “People tend to recover.” State lawmakers have repeatedly sought to expand or introduce presumption laws that would make PTSD a compensable illness for some occupations allowing for more so-called mental-mental claims, or mental claims that result from a psychological event. The push to expand workers comp into the mental health arena has mostly related to first responders, but there’s a growing interest in broadening eligibility for all workers. Read More

March 1, 2024 A U.S. Department of Labor rule that takes effect this month may result in more contract workers being classified as employees, potentially requiring employers to provide benefits and insurance coverage such as workers compensation and possibly exposing them to employment-related lawsuits. The Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act rule, which was finalized Jan. 10 and rescinds a Trump administration rule, covers employment classification under the FLSA, but employers worry it might have broader influence. Government officials say the rule provides a clearer analysis for employers to use to determine a worker’s employment status. It re-adopts an enhanced economic realities test for worker classification that was in effect under an Obama administration rule. The new rule contains a six-factor test to guide employers in determining a worker’s employment status under the FLSA (see box), whereas the Trump administration rule had a two-factor test. Read More

February 28, 2024 MIAMI, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Gustavo Antonio Munguia for Workers’ Compensation Premium Fraud and Grand Theft. Munguia, the owner of American Iron Group Corp was actively concealing his payroll to avoid paying a higher workers' compensation premium. According to Travelers Property and Casualty Company of America, had the additional payroll been reported, American Iron Group Corp would have been assessed approximately $253,000 in additional premium charges. CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The State of Florida takes insurance fraud very seriously and I will not tolerate any fraudulent activity when it comes to worker’s compensation. It puts employees in danger and drives up insurance rates for all Florida businesses. My department is committed to upholding the law and ensuring that these bad actors are caught and held accountable. Thank you to our fraud detectives for your hard work in this case and demonstrating our dedication to protecting Florida’s workers and businesses who play by the rules.” The investigation revealed that Munguia on behalf of American Iron Group Corp, failed to notify his workers' compensation carrier of significant payroll changes. Detectives were able to determine during the policy period, Munguia collected more than $3.1 million in labor costs paid from contractors to his company. According to Travelers Property and Casualty Company of America, had the additional payroll been reported, American Iron Group Corp would have been assessed an additional $253,000 in premium charges. On February 28, 2024, Munguia was arrested and booked in the Miami-Dade County Jail where he was charged with Workers' Compensation Premium Fraud and Grand Theft. Both are first degree felonies and if convicted on all charges, Munguia faces up to 60 years in prison.

February 28, 2024 A new workplace survey reveals a disconnect between employers prioritizing health and dental insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs) and charitable contributions, while employees prioritize increased pay and 401(k) matches. The annual “Voice of the American Workplace” survey which covers three areas — financial, mental and physical — found that American workers expressed a 15 percent year-over-year increase in concerns over financial health. The survey also revealed that 91 percent of employers experienced turnover rates exceeding 10 percent in 2023. Employee expectations, particularly regarding compensation, are on the rise, with 80 percent of employers struggling to meet demands for increased compensation. This year’s survey examined both employer and employee perspectives, emphasizing the crucial need for aligning expectations with available resources. Read More

February 26, 2024 Younger workers have become injured on the job at higher rates than their older counterparts in states that have legalized recreational marijuana, according to a study published Friday in the JAMA Health Forum. Researchers from San Diego State University, Bentley University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside found that recreational marijuana law adoption correlated with a statistically significant increase in workplace injuries among workers between the ages of 20 and 34 between 2006 and 2020. Recreational marijuana laws were associated with a 12.9% increase in workplace injuries per 100 full-time employees, the study shows. Read More