Things you should know
ABC offers resources to engage construction workers during Suicide Prevention Month
The Associated Builders and Contractors' (ABC) Total Human Health Toolkit includes resources to engage workers during Suicide Prevention Month (observed each September), a human health assessment tool, and 12 different worker-focused webpages and printable documents that cover active listening tips, how to upgrade a work-from-home routine, and understanding depression.
Feds are asking banks to help identify comp fraud in construction
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a notice to financial institutions to help identify construction firms engaged in payroll tax evasion and workers compensation insurance fraud, crimes the Department of Treasury says are on the rise in residential and commercial real estate construction industries.
WCRI study: Long COVID present in six percent of comp claims
According to a study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), six percent of workers with compensation claims for COVID-19 developed long-COVID. Workers who were in an intensive care unit for their initial COVID infection were most likely to have long-COVID, followed by those who were hospitalized. At an average of 18 months post-infection, these workers received more than 20 weeks of temporary disability benefits and received an average of $29,000 in medical care.
FDA approves another over-the-counter spray for treating opioid overdose
On July 28, the Food and Drug Administration approved RiVive, a 3-milligram naloxonehydrochloride nasal spray, for OTC, nonprescription use. Overdose deaths of all types accounted for nearly 9 percent of all workplace injury deaths in 2021, according to the National Safety Council.
New tool shows EMS responses to heat-related illnesses nationwide
The Heat-Related Illness EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard, or EMS HeatTracker, is a map showing emergency medical services (EMS) responses to heat-related illnesses nationwide developed by the Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It displays heat-related EMS activations at national, state, and county levels and breaks down patient data by age, race, gender, and location.
Survey: Frontline workers don't feel safe on job
Nearly two out of three frontline workers don't feel safe on the job. Researchers commissioned by security management company Verkada conducted an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. employees who work on-location across critical sectors, including banking, health care, retail, and hospitality. Violent, aggressive, and erratic behavior from customers and visitors is the main cause of distress for workers about their physical safety.
The survey also found a significant divide between employers' perception of job safety and the experiences and concerns of their workers.
Agricultural industry sees major increase in confined space incidents
At least 83 incidents, including 24 deaths, involving confined spaces in the agriculture industry were documented in 2022 - up 41 percent, according to an annual report recently released by Purdue University. The largest increase involved grain-related entrapments.
Free training for supervisors and workers to improve sleep quality
An "evidence-based program designed to help supervisors support their employees' work-life balance and sleep health" is available from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences. It includes a one-hour online educational program and a two-week behavior-tracking exercise for supervisors, as well as sleep-tracking and goal-setting exercises for all workers.
Resource for safe truck driving on mountainous terrain
The Mountain Rules Campaign aims to educate in-state and inter-state trucking companies and drivers on the challenges of driving in Colorado's mountain. A recent addition is a video on tips on navigating construction zones and preventing overheated brakes are recent additions.
DOL creates website for migrant workers
A new Department of Labor (DOL) website, available in English and Spanish, features information on immigrant worker rights and other job-related resources.
State News
California
- After hitting an all-time low in 2022, medical treatment reviews increased 4.1 percent in the first half of 2023 compared with the same period last year, according to a report by the Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI).
- The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has issued a Notice of Public Hearing on September 15 for proposed evidence-based updates to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS).
Florida
- NCCI is recommending that the Office of Insurance Regulation reduce workers compensation rates by an average of 15.1 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
- Several new workers' compensation rules are now in effect. These include new requirements for the conditional release of a stop-work order, penalty changes, corporate officer exemptions, contractor requirements, and more.
Illinois
- Effective Aug. 11, 2023, Illinois amended its Wrongful Death Act to permit punitive damages in actions for wrongful death. Punitive damages are not available in medical malpractice actions, legal malpractice cases, and lawsuits against state or local government entities and employees.
Minnesota
- The Department of Labor and Industry announced it will resume assessing penalties against claims administration, insurers, and third-party administration businesses that fail to respond to initial requests for information. Violations result in a written warning. The department will assess a $3,000 penalty starting with the sixth violation, and 11 or more violations will result in a $6,000 penalty.
North Carolina
- The Industrial Commission has announced that its 2023 Educational Conference will be held Oct. 4-6 at the Raleigh Convention Center. For the agenda.