Cal/OSHA’s indoor heat illness prevention regulations took effect July 24, requiring employers to implement safety measures when indoor workplace temperatures reach or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The new rules apply to most indoor workplaces, such as restaurants, warehouses and manufacturing facilities, and require employers to provide water, rest, cool-down areas and training when temperatures exceed […]
October 30, 2024
Research has found that workers who are provided with paid sick leave are less likely to suffer workplace injuries. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that private-sector workers with access to paid sick leave were 28% less likely to suffer non-fatal industrial injuries than those without access to leave. They […]
October 30, 2024
One of the keys to managing risks when you first start a business is getting the right insurance to cover your operations, property and potential liabilities. Unfortunately, many business owners fail to update their policies and just renew them year after year even if the company has grown, expanded operations and facilities, and added new […]
October 30, 2024
California Governor Gavin Newsom, legislators and business groups struck an agreement this summer to reform a law that has become a costly thorn in the side of employers operating in the state: the Private Attorneys General Act. The deal averted a showdown over a business-backed initiative slated to be on the November ballot that would […]
October 30, 2024
How long you wait to notify your workers’ compensation insurer of a workplace injury can make a significant difference in the cost of that claim. When your premium is calculated, one of the key elements that your carrier takes into account is the cost and frequency of prior claims during the past few years. In […]
July 18, 2024
As more and more people are returning to work in offices after working remotely for a few years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, bullying and other workplace misconduct is increasing, according to a new study. The study by Fama Technologies, a maker of applicant screening software, found increases in misconduct growing across industry sectors, putting […]
July 18, 2024
Sales of voluntary group benefits grew at a record pace in 2023 as more employers expand their offerings and demand continues booming as employees seek out benefits that can defray costs, according to new research. Premiums collected for employer-sponsored voluntary benefits jumped 6.7% during the year to an aggregate $9.3 billion, with all lines of […]
July 18, 2024
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on May 31 approved all of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s recommended changes to class codes for some electronics manufacturing sectors, as well as increases to the wage thresholds for construction industry dual classifications. The following changes will take effect for policies incepting on or after Sept. 1, 2024: […]
July 18, 2024
As our summers get hotter and more regions battle sweltering heat waves, it’s imperative that employers take steps to protect their outdoor workers. People who are not acclimated to high heat conditions can easily suffer heat illness, which can be deadly. Between 2011 and 2021, there were 436 work-related deaths caused by environmental heat exposure, […]
July 17, 2024
A new state law that allows for digital license plates to be installed on vehicles in California, may have created a privacy nightmare for employers. The Motor Vehicle Digital Number Plates Act, which took effect Jan. 1, enables fleet and commercial vehicle owners to purchase and install digital license plates and soon-to-be-approved alternative devices for […]
April 26, 2023