Things you should know

ISEA updates American National Standard for Dropped Object Prevention Solutions

About every 10 minutes, a worker in the U.S. is struck by an object that fell from above. The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has released a revised American National Standard for Dropped Object Prevention Solutions (ANSI/ISEA 121-2023).

New heat protection resources

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has released The Building Blocks for a Heat Stress Prevention Training Program, which is organized into five sections (with checklists) and an appendix. It is also available in Spanish.

CPWR data bulletin examines construction fatalities

Nearly 1,100 construction workers died in 2022, according to a recent data bulletin published by CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training. The 1,092 deaths mark a 7.6 percent increase from the 1,015 in 2021 and the seventh consecutive year that the construction industry experienced more than 1,000 fatalities. Hispanic workers and workers 55 and older accounted for the most fatalities. Falls to a lower level and vehicular incidents on roadways were the leading causes.

Comp medical inflation outpaced economy over two years: report

Physician charges per procedure performed increased by 11 percent in workers compensation claims from 2020 through 2022, outpacing the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Consumer Price Index of 7 percent during that time, according to a pricing report by Enlyte LLC.

Annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz set for Aug. 25-31

Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America will conduct announced and unannounced brake system inspections Aug. 25-31 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week.The inspectors are expected to put special emphasis on brake linings and pads.

Chemical Safety Board report and video

Establishing and implementing engineering controls as "preventive safeguards" during a process hazard analysis can help prevent liquid overflow and a possible chemical disaster is the conclusion drawn in a report by the CSB on a fatal chemical release and fire in September 2022 at the BP-Husky Energy Refinery in Oregon, OH.

In a nine-minute video on a fatal July 2021 release of acetic acid at the LyondellBasell facility in La Porte, TX, the CSB says chemical facilities should clearly mark pressure-retaining components of plug valves and require new valves to be designed to prevent the inadvertent removal of these components.

EPA publishes compliance guide on methylene chloride ban

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a guide intended to increase understanding of and compliance with its ban on most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride.

Resources for bus drivers

To help school bus drivers make safe choices at railroad crossings, a rail safety education group has released a series of free training videos. Operation Lifesaver's Decide Smart, Arrive Safe series features information and actionable safety procedures.

New video for tower workers on life safety ropes

A new video is available from the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association (NATE).

State News

California

• Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara lowered the pure premium rate for workers' compensation insurance 2.1 percent from $1.41 to $1.38 per $100 of payroll, effective Sept. 1.
• Recently signed into law, A.B. 1870 requires employers to notify workers that they can consult an attorney for advice about their rights under the state's workers compensation law. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, employers are required to display a poster that meets the requirements of the law. The Labor Commissioner will develop a model posting.
• The Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI) has issued new reports:
  
  
  • Fewer Claims but Higher Losses for California Workers Comp Private Self-Insureds
  • California Workers' Comp Med-Legal Costs Up Sharply Under New Fee Schedule
• The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) issued the 2024 State of the System report, which showed economic expansion and wage growth contributed to rising premiums and average indemnity claim severity. It also posted the 2024 Interactive Industry Statistics Report identifying premium, exposure, and loss information based on unit statistical report data.

Florida

• The Division of Workers' Compensation posted a notice of development of rulemaking to implement the most recent edition of its healthcare provider fee schedule and related documents.

Minnesota

• The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has released the 2024 Minnesota Workers' Compensation System Report. It presents trend data from 2002 to the present regarding several aspects of workers compensation system. Notably, due to the influx of COVID-19 indemnity claims, there was a 44 percent increase in the indemnity claim rate from 2019 to 2022.
• Changes to the state excavation safety statutes became effective August 1.
• DLI's Labor Standards Division is providing a series of webinars to help workers and employers better understand the state's wage and hour laws.
• A new edition of the CCLD Review, a quarterly publication that informs construction and code professionals about Construction Codes and Licensing, is available.
• DLI's Workers' Compensation Division will host its eighth Workers' Compensation Summit on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

New York

• The New York City Department of Buildings has issued an advisory reminding construction contractors of their obligation to prevent "foam snow" from littering sidewalks and streets.

Virginia

• Registration is open for the Workers' Compensation Commission's Conference, Oct 8 - 9.