ARLINGTON, Va. November 11, 2010–WorkCompWire— The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it will hold six public hearings on the proposed rule “Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors.” The notice will be available in the Federal Register on Nov. 15. The proposed… [Read more]
Legislative & Regulatory News
Cal/OSHA Implements Updated Heat Safety Regulations
OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As a national leader in workplace safety, Cal/OSHA today implements updated safety standards for employees working in outdoor heat. The revisions to the Heat Illness Prevention Standard, approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on Aug. 19, became effective today. The revised standards provide clarification of… [Read more]
Texas DOI Issues Informal Proposal Regarding the Amendment of 28 TAC §134.503
Austin, TX., October 25, 2010–WorkCompWire–The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) is accepting comment on two drafts of an informally proposed rule to amend 28 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §134.503 regarding the Pharmacy Fee Guideline. The informal proposal rule drafts were posted on October 25, 2010 and may be viewed at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/rules/drafts.html.… [Read more]
DIR Moves to Strengthen Regulations Governing Self Insurance Plans and Increase Oversight of Self Insured Groups
Sacramento, CA., October 12, 2010–WorkCompWire–The Department of Industrial Relations’ Office of Self Insurance Plans (DIR/SIP) today posted a notice of rulemaking for a regulations package that includes changes to increase oversight of Self Insured Groups (SIGs). The proposed amendments would also require self-insured employers, or their claims administrators, to adopt the same reporting of medical… [Read more]
Cal/OSHA Enforcement Strengthened With Signing of New Law
Sacramento, CA., October 4, 2010–WorkCompWire–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger late last week signed into law AB 2774 (Swanson) which clarifies the definition of a serious citation. The new law is designed to improve Cal/OSHA’s citation process by redefining how serious violations are cited. The legislation also clarifies procedures for issuance of a serious citation and procedures for… [Read more]
CA Labor Commissioner Issues $450,000 in Citations During Enforcement of Restaurant Industry
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Investigators from the California Labor Commissioner’s Office issued fines to restaurants during an enforcement sweep for violations of state labor laws addressing workers’ compensation and proper payment of wages. The statewide enforcement resulted in 88 citations being issued to 79 restaurants with total penalties of $448,950. The California Department… [Read more]
Teamsters Support New Bill to Stop Worker Misclassification
Legislation Introduced By Kerry, McDermott Would Close IRS Loophole WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said the union supports a bill to close a tax loophole that allows employers to deprive workers of benefits and protections. The bill would close an IRS provision that makes it too easy for… [Read more]