Archive

Guarding Against Machine Injuries
 June 11, 2010

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about machine injuries. Most manufacturers are well aware of the scope and severity of these injury types, but a reminder from time to time is probably a good idea.

Machinery is fundamental to ... More »

Protect Your Eyes
 June 11, 2010

It’s not just an old saying, it is a truism. In just the blink of an eye, an accident can injure or even blind a worker who is not wearing the proper eye protection or protective eyewear. The type of eye protection-safety glasses, goggles, ... More »

Heat Illness and Injury
 June 11, 2010

Summer is fast approaching and with it will be the exposure for heat related injury and illness. In reality, these are typically overexertion illnesses that result because the body heats up faster than it can cool itself. Although the result ... More »

California Workers' Compensation - Rates Down, But Losses Up
 May. 4, 2010

California employers have experienced reduced workers’ compensation rates in recent years due to the positive impact of the 2004 workers’ compensation
reforms. The California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) ... More »

Can You Afford An Accident?
 May. 4, 2010

Accidents are much more expensive that most employers realize.  Visualizing the total cost of an accident is much like viewing an iceberg from above and below its surface.  Like an iceberg, the cumulative cost of an accident is more than ... More »

First Aid Reduces Losses
 May. 4, 2010

When you think of a loss control program, generally safety procedures and loss prevention come to mind. But, attention to loss reduction is also a critical component of any effective loss control program.

Most loss reduction techniques are ... More »

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service - 7 Steps to a Safer Workplace
 May. 4, 2010

The more you know about your workplace hazards and how to correct them, the more effective your safety program will be. The Cal/OSHA Consultation Service can help by:

 
• Identifying and analyzing hazards
  
• ... More »
  
  

  Safety From the Top Down
   May. 4, 2010

  
  

  Risk and Safety Managers spend most of their time and resources on the technical aspects and compliance requirements associated with work place safety.  But even more important to the success of a safety program is how the ... More »
  
  

  Top 5 Safety Tips for 2010
   May. 4, 2010

  There are top 5 lists for everything, so safety tips should not be an exception. I’m not saying these alone create a comprehensive safety program, but if you make them part of your safety culture I believe they will enhance your ... More »
  
  

  Protecting Your Eyes and Ears
   May. 4, 2010

  Injuries to the eyes are often permanent. That is why employers need to remain vigilant in protecting their employees from eye injuries. Researchers believe that each day over 2,000 people suffer eye injuries at work. Your employees have only one ... More »
  
  

  Cal/OSHA Consultation
   May. 4, 2010

  
  In previous newsletters we’ve reminded our members of the benefits of the OSHA Consultative Program. We realize that Cal/OSHA is frequently associated with accident investigations and citations.  But in reality OSHA provides a variety ... More »
  
  

  Cal/OSHA Recordkeeping and Reporting
   Feb. 1, 2010

  The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) requires that employers keep records and report about safety in the workplace. Among the required records include the OSHA 300 Log and your documents pertaining to safety hazard ... More »
  
  

  A New Year - A New Plan
   Feb. 1, 2010

  
  2010 is going to be a challenging year for California’s manufacturers. Planning in these circumstances takes on added importance. Where do you apply resources? What investment of time and money will yield the greatest return?  Both ... More »
  
  

  Cal/OSHA Consultation
   Dec. 22, 2009

  Cal/OSHA is frequently associated with accident investigations and citations.  The fact is, OSHA provides a variety of services that will help California employers maintain safe workplaces, free of charge. These services are aimed at helping ... More »
  
  

  First Aid Reduces Losses
   Dec. 22, 2009

  
  Safety practices are usually associated with loss prevention, but attention to loss reduction is also a critical component of an effective loss control program. Most loss
  reduction techniques are part of the claims handling process, such ... More »
  
  

  Insurers File for Modest Rate Increases in 2010
   Dec. 22, 2009

  California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner believes that California workers’ compensation rates in 2010 will be relatively stable, increasing by an average of only about 4 percent. This is considerably less than the double digit increases ... More »
  
  

  Cal/OSHA Consultation
   Oct. 27, 2009

  In previous newsletters we’ve reminded our members of the benefits of the OSHA
  Consultative Program. We realize that Cal/OSHA is frequently associated with
  accident investigations and citations.  But in reality OSHA provides a ... More »
  
  

  Proposed Experience Rating Plan Changes for 2010 and 2011
   Oct. 27, 2009

  This past August the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) submitted its recommendation for an increase in Pure Premium Rates to the Insurance Commissioner. That recommendation also proposed changes to the California Workers' ... More »
  
  

  Governor Signs 2009 Legislation
   Oct. 27, 2009

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently approved bills that give certain public safety officers a year of full salary and benefits when they are off work with a work-related injury, as well as, preventing employers from refusing to pay for medical ... More »
  
  

  Power Tool Safety
   Sept. 28, 2009

  Power tools are the sources of a significant number of work related injuries in the manufacturing sector. They are a leading cause of lacerations, and even when powered off they produce cuts and abrasions.
  
  In the 1960s and 1970s safety ... More »
  
  

  It's Not Just The Bottom Line
   Sept. 28, 2009

  
  Why do we care about accident prevention? Are accident prevention plans just about avoiding injuries because of their impact on the bottom line? Do your employees work safely because they want to? Do your employees view accident prevention as a ... More »
  
  

  California Workers' Compensation Costs Continue to Climb
   Sept. 28, 2009

  
  According to recently released data compiled by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), workers’ compensation results continueto deteriorate for insured entities in California.  This comes on the heels of the ... More »
  
  

  What Happened To My Ex Mod ?
   Sept. 4, 2009

  One of the unfortunate byproducts of the rate reduction California employers enjoyed from 2005 through 2007 is the loss of their experience modification, a component that may have contributed to their dramatic reduction in premium.  The ... More »
  
  

  Discrimination for Disability Claims on the Rise
   Sept. 4, 2009

  This past May the California Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) issued their report on complaints filed in the 2008 fiscal year. The DFEH is the state agency responsible for enforcing California law prohibiting employment ... More »
  
  

  Maximize the "Returns" on Your Investment
   Sept. 4, 2009

  
  When employees suffer job-related injuries or illnesses, the employer should want to do all they can to help them recover--and return-to-work; that’s why having an established return-to-work program is so important.  It’s ... More »
  
  

  WCIRB Recommends a 22.8% Increase in Pure Premium Rates
   Sept. 4, 2009

  
  The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has recommended a 22.8% increase in pure premium workers’ compensation rates effective January 1, 2010.  Their recommendation was based on two principal components, ... More »
  
  

  Overexertion Losses
   Sept. 4, 2009

  During the summer months one of the chief concerns for safety managers is heat exposure.  Manufacturers often make this potential loss cause a key
  consideration when designing their work areas to insure their employees will be working in a ... More »
  
  

  Are You Prepared for an Emergency
   Sept. 4, 2009

  Being prepared for the unexpected is essential to avoiding disabling injuries. Our workers’ compensation partner, State Fund, can help you prepare to respond in the event of an emergency and offered the following on this ... More »
  
  

  Commissioner Rejects WCIRB Recommended Rate Increase
   Sept. 4, 2009

  Earlier this month California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizer rejected the Workers' Compensation  Insurance Rating Bureau's (WCIRB) request for a pure premium rate increase of 23.7%. In arriving at his determination the commissioner ... More »
  
  

  Two New Tools to Build a Safer Workplace
   June 25, 2009

  CMTA has released two new tools in the CMTA Safety Sense series to help workers' compensation group participants manage their safety programs and prevent injuries. "Avoiding Slips, Trips and Falls" helps members indentify and control exposures that ... More »
  
  

  Back Connection By State Fund
   June 25, 2009

  
  A couple of years ago, State Fund developed a "state-of-the-art",
  interactive tool to help employers of all sizes control exposures to back injuries. This back injury prevention process, "State Fund’s Back Connection" is a DVD that ... More »
  
  

  CMTA Workers' Compensation Group Safety Commitee
   June 25, 2009

  
  The CMTA Workers' Compensation Group is inviting group members to participate in the Workers' Compensation Group Safety Committee.  The purpose of the committee is to identify manufacturer safety needs and recommend loss control measures to ... More »
  
  

  Safety Advice From State Fund: Workplace Distractions
   June 25, 2009

  Some workplace distractions and interruptions are unavoidable but others – if not properly controlled or regulated -- could lead to injuries, lost productivity, and a decrease in worker morale. 
  
  Work interruptions are a ... More »
  
  

  Medical Inflation Spawns Rate Increases
   June 25, 2009

  Several insurance companies writing workers’ compensation in California have blamed medical inflation as the driver behind their filing rate increases effective 7/1/09. For some, it is the second increase they’ve filed in 2009. ... More »
  
  

  Affordable Health Insurance
   June 1, 2009

  Californians all struggle with the cost of health care. It’s no longer affordable for most people and there's little to suggest that the underlying cost drivers of health care are going to do anything but trend upward. If we are fortunate, our ... More »
  
  

  Workplace Safety Inspections
   June 1, 2009

  
  What role do workplace safety inspections play in your operation? In some cases they may be just another "thing to do." But, if safety inspections are fundamental to your overall safety program, they will serve to identify hazards and, at the ... More »
  
  

  CAL-OSHA Consultation
   June 1, 2009

  Cal/OSHA is frequently associated with accident investigations and citations.  The fact is, OSHA provides a variety of services that will help California employers maintain safe workplaces, free of charge. These services are aimed at developing ... More »
  
  

  Keep Your IIPP Up to Date
   April 9, 2009

  
  According to the California Code of Regulations, every California employer must establish, implement, and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention
  Program (IIPP). An IIPP is a written plan that details the required steps ... More »
  
  

  Legislative Update
   April 9, 2009

  Legislators hustled on the heels of the budget crisis to submit 26 bills that could affect the California workers’ compensation system. Modifications, changes and amendments are likely to follow on these bills introduced for the 2009 – ... More »
  
  

  How Solid are the Workers' Compensation Reforms?
   March 31, 2009

  
  In 2004 when SB 899 passed in California, it was hailed as "workers’compensation reform". Prior to that, many employers had come to the conclusion that without changes to the burdensome workers’ compensation system they could not ... More »
  
  

  How to Avoid the Effects of a Hardening Insurance Market
   Feb. 5, 2009

  The combination of industry workers’ compensation results and the current economic conditions previously described have started a cycle of price firming that has historically led to a hard market. Insurance companies are raising rates and will ... More »
  
  

  Steps To An Effective Safety Meeting
   Feb. 5, 2009

  Maintaining a safe workplace is a priority for all manufacturers. Beyond the obvious objective of avoiding work-related injuries, there are collateral advantages such as avoiding the indirect costs of an industrial injury and increased productivity ... More »
  
  

  Rate Filings 2008 and 2009
   Feb. 5, 2009

  The most significant component in an insurance company’s rate making model is their allocation for anticipated losses, known in the past as their pure premium rate. The CDI, recognizing that rates contemplate both benefit costs and loss ... More »
  
  

  Insurance Industry Perspective
   Feb. 5, 2009

  Insurance companies are filing rate increases for 2009. Workers’ compensation is a historically volatile line of insurance and the economic conditions in California only serve to make conditions worse. Insurers attribute those increases to a ... More »
  
  

  Where is California Workers’ Compensation Going?
   Feb. 5, 2009

  The workers’ compensation reform legislation of 2004 produced results that paved the way for considerable reductions in workers’ compensation insurance rates for California employers. But, those premium reductions coupled with adverse ... More »
  
  

  Inspect to Be Safe
   Jan. 13, 2009

  The airline industry routinely inspects aircraft to make certain there are no defects or flaws that could lead to an accident.  Lives are at stake and the consequences of an accident are usually disastrous. For that reason alone it’s ... More »
  
  

  TTD Rate Increase
   Nov. 14, 2008

  The California Division of Workers' Compensation announced that the maximum temporary total disability (TTD) rate will increase to $958.01 on Jan. 1, 2009. This is the third consecutive year that the maximum TTD rate will be increased based on the ... More »
  
  

  Average Workers' Compensation Rates Decline in 2008
   Nov. 14, 2008

  
  The average workers' compensation rate and claim frequency for employers in California dropped during the first half of 2008, according to a report by California’s Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB). Data from ... More »
  
  

  Can You Afford an Accident
   Nov. 14, 2008

  
  Accidents are much more expensive that most employers realize.  Visualizing the total cost of an accident is much like viewing an iceberg from above and below its surface.  Like an iceberg, the cumulative cost of an accident is more ... More »
  
  

  2008 Workers' Compensation Legislation
   Nov. 14, 2008

  
  Preserving the workers’ compensation reforms of 2003 and 2005 was a key concern as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger considered bills that moved to his desk. In a difficult economy, maintaining the savings produced by the reforms serves the ... More »
  
  

  Exclusive Remedy Applies to Emotional Distress Claim
   Sept. 24, 2008

  California’s workers’ compensation system grew out of a need in the early 1900s to ensure workers injured on the job would  receive compensation benefits in a timely fashion without having to sue their employer. Just as the work ... More »
  
  

  State Fund Provides
   Sept. 24, 2008

  State Fund is rewarding manufacturers achieving superior workers’ compensation loss experience with a "Claims-Free Credit" on qualifying policies.  This credit can be a substantial cost savings for many manufacturers and is ... More »
  
  

  Protect Against Falls
   Sept. 24, 2008

  What is the leading cause of death in the workplace? Surprisingly, it’s homicides. The second leading cause is falls.   Within falls there are several distinctions, but falls from a higher level produce the most serious ... More »
  
  

  Is California Workers' Compensation Changing?
   Sept. 24, 2008

  California’s workers’ compensation environment has been described as
  volatile and turbulent.  At the very least it is cyclical.  In recent years California employers have enjoyed low workers’ compensation premiums ... More »
  
  

  OSHA "Quick Tips"
   Aug. 18, 2008

  Each year in American workplaces, powered portable and
  stationary mechanical saws are responsible for thousands of injuries serious enough to require medical attention. Most of these injuries occur because the saw operator is not adequately ... More »
  
  

  CRITICAL ISSUE APPORTIONMENT: 5th DCA Agrees with WCAB decision not to
   Aug. 18, 2008

  An appellate court affirmed a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board decision not to apportion a worker's 15% permanent partial disability award after concluding that his employer did not meet its burden of proof. The 5th District Court of Appeal ... More »
  
  

  California Workers’ Compensation Rating Bureau Recommends 16 Percent Pure Premium Rate Increases
   Aug. 18, 2008

  
  The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) of California on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 recommended a 16% pure premium rate increase that would be effective January 1, 2009 if approved by the California ... More »
  
  

  Preparing for Your Final Audit
   July 14, 2008

  Most workers’ compensation policies require a physical audit of your payroll records to determine the final payroll and premium for the policy year. This audit is usually completed within 90 days of the policy expiring.  It can be a ... More »
  
  

  State Fund Files a 3.5 Percent
   July 14, 2008

  Filing marks a 57 percent cumulative rate decrease since 2004

  
  

  SAN FRANCISCO – State Compensation Insurance Fund today announced it filed a July 1, 2008 revision to its rating plan, which it anticipates will result in a 3.5% ... More »
  
  

  Overexertion Losses
   July 14, 2008

  During the summer months one of the chief concerns for safety managers is heat exposure.  Manufacturers make this potential loss cause a key consideration when designing their workplace to insure their employees work in a comfortable ... More »
  
  

  Governor Proposes New Employer Assessment for Cal-OSHA
   June 19, 2008

  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed an $18.9 million increase in the assessment employers pay to fund the administration of California's occupational safety programs. Employers complain that the governor’s proposal asks them to fund ... More »
  
  

  DWC Proposes Changes To Permanent Disability Rating Schedule
   June 15, 2008

  On Friday, May 9th, the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) released their much anticipated proposal for changes to the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS). The new regulations will increase benefits for injured workers by an ... More »
  
  

  Take Steps To Eliminate Falls
   June 15, 2008

  Judy Kerry
  State Compensation Insurance Fund
  

  Every time a worker takes a step that worker is at risk for a fall.  In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury and death in the workplace.  Falls ... More »
  
  

  Workers’ Compensation Legislation Round Up
   June 14, 2008

  
  

  Workers’ Compensation legislation is moving through the Assembly and Senate, these are a few bills of interest and concern. Bills not included in this overview were industry specific and would not materially affect manufacturers.

  ... More »
  
  

  Don’t Make Learning About Caught or Crushed Injuries a Painful Lesson
   March 13, 2007

  Each year, workers suffer approximately 125,000 caught or crushed by injuries. Caught or crushed by injuries occur when body parts get caught between two objects or entangled with machinery.  These hazards are also referred to as "pinch ... More »
  
  

  Speaking of Safety...
   March 13, 2007

  California has long been a magnet of opportunity for immigrant workers.  However, the ethnic diversity in today’s workplace has a changed set of dynamics and corresponding challenges for employers, especially in regards tocommunicating ... More »
  
  

  State Fund's Back Connection is Here!
   March 13, 2007

  It’s no surprise that back injuries are the leading contributor to workers’ compensation losses. Loss control professionals are constantly searching for effective ways to help employers avoid these costly claims. In response to this ... More »
  
  

  Small Employers Receive Reimbursement for Workplace Modifications
   Jan. 15, 2007

  Did you know employers who have modified a workplace for the purpose of bringing an injured employee back to the job can be compensated for this expense by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)? Employers with 50 or fewer
  workers who ... More »
  
  

  Safety Training Is Good Insurance
   Jan. 15, 2007

   

  Employers have a responsibility to provide training that will enable workers to do their jobs in a safe, efficient, and productive manner and that will comply with safety standards and regulations that apply to their type of ... More »
  
  

  Benefit Trust for CMTA is a New Health Care Option
   Jan. 15, 2007

  Governor Schwarzenegger has developed a proposal for a sweeping state health plan that provides coverage for all Californians. This is clearly a top priority for the governor this year and he is dedicating considerable resources to ensure his ... More »
  
  

  Ergonomics is Fundemental to Safety
   Dec. 14, 2006

  A sound safety program is fundamental to a productive operation. Employees are a businesses’ most valuable resource. Protecting them from injury is essential to a company thriving and not just surviving. Hiring practices, training, hazard ... More »
  
  

  Legislative Report
   Oct. 15, 2006

  No less than 16 bills passed through the legislature during this past session and moved to the Governors desk for signature or veto. As of this printing of Comp Check Governor Schwarzenegger had already vetoed SB 815 and AB 2942. He has until ... More »
  
  

  The Interactive Process and Workers’ Compensation
   Oct. 15, 2006

  Workplace safety is an essential element of any successfully run business. Good Employees are a company’s greatest asset and having to replace a key person as the result of a workplace injury can be a crippling burden for the ... More »
  
  

  Set the Standard for Safety Commitment
   Aug. 14, 2006

  By Judy Kerry State Compensation Insurance Fund
  
  

  The effectiveness of any safety program is directly related to the active support given to it by management.  Expressions of management’s interest include: enforcement of policy ... More »
  
  

  CMTA Forms Health Trust
   Aug. 14, 2006

  The California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) formed the Benefit Trust for CMTA in early 2006 for the purpose of helping members
  control the rising cost of providing employee benefits to their employees. This is a ... More »
  
  

  Efforts to Undermine Workers’ Comp Reforms Continue
   June 15, 2006

  By Jason Schmelzer
  CMTA Policy Director—Workers’ Compensation
  
  It has been just over two years since the California legislature passed, and Governor Schwarzenegger signed historic workers’ compensation ... More »
  
  

  Can I Pre-Designate a Physician?
   May. 15, 2005

  During your review of the "new hire" material with your most recently hired employee you dutifully provided a copy of  the New Employee’s Guide to Workers’ Compensation. Afterward, he asked if he could pre-designate his ... More »
  
  

  Need Loss Control Help ?
   March 15, 2005

  Visit scif.com and take advantage of the resources available to you as a State Fund policyholder. From the Home Page go to Products & Services and then
  click on Loss Control Services. ... More »
  
  

  OSHA Changes Address Storing and Handling Oxygen Cylinders
   March 15, 2005

  Cal/OSHA has proposed to amend §4650. The intent of this standard is to prevent or minimize the risk of accelerating a fire (given oxygen’s ability to enhance combustion) at a place of employment, which could increase the potential for ... More »
  
  

  Legislative Corner
   March 15, 2005

  The passing of SB 899 (Poochigian) was the workers’ compensation highlight of the 2004 California legislative session. These historic workers’ compensation reform measures should provide changes that will bring California’s ... More »
  
  

  Do You Have A Handle On SB 899?
   March 15, 2005

  Almost all of the changes and requirements  of SB 899, the 2004 workers’ compensation  reform bill, have moved into place. There are challenges to these new laws and they’ll continue for some time to come, but in large part ... More »