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Our recent webinar on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (aka GHS) gave employers a useful overview of what the new hazard communication rules are all about, as well as explaining the why of OSHA's decision to switch to this international program.
Employers are paying attention to medical marijuana insurance issues, especially after a recent ruling by the New Mexico Court of Appeals regarding coverage of medical marijuana to treat a work-related injuries.
In the past few months, I've been asked more than once to explain whether an employee who experiences an injury, while coming to or leaving work, can file a workers compensation claim. Caring employers obviously never want their employees to have an injury at any time. However these same caring employers need to know the answer to this "commuting" question to protect themselves from unnecessary work comp expenses. How do you know when work comp covers parking lot falls?
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently put together some FAQs related to the Affordable Care Act, along with offering new model COBRA notices. The Feds changed the COBRA general notice, which is provided when someone is initially covered, and the COBRA election notice, which is given to participants who experience a COBRA-qualifying event.
Even with the best safety programs in place, accidents still can happen. When an injury occurs, several parties can be involved: the injured worker, their supervisor, medical personnel, human resources, and more. While all these people may be working to help the injured employee, they may not be very clear on how to work together unless they have a coach. Having one person take the lead to coordinate the organization's response is critical to controlling work comp costs.
I have been involved in safety awareness, injury prevention, and employee return-to-work programs for over 15 years. Having successfully lowered injury frequency, severity, and lost-time injuries, I was confident in my approach to the care of injured workers.
Employers will face runaway work comp costs if Wisconsin lawmakers adopt proposed legislation. Tentative changes to the Wisconsin work comp law would require that employers of injured employees continue to offer group health coverage for the duration of the employee's healing period. According to the proposed law, this group health coverage expense would not be paid for by the employer’s work comp insurance, but instead it would come directly out of the employer’s pocket.
Physical abilities testing is a type of fitness for duty exam. Fitness for duty exams help employers identify the "wrong" worker — that is, the worker who is physically unready or unable to perform the essential functions of a job. This "wrong" worker could be your next work comp claim!
Highway safety is improving — or is it?
HNI works with high-performing companies to help them address the hidden risks in their business and avoid The Insurance Dependency Trap. This is done by proactively DE-RISKING their business so they can be less dependent on insurance.
HNI also offers the basic services of insurance and employee benefits. HNI has offices in Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis.