Contributed by Bobby Pirtle of Safety Management Group, modified by the CSD Pool Back in March, the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to respirable silica dust. “More than 80 years ago, Labor Secretary Frances Perkins identified silica dust as […]
READMost people associate the concept of ergonomics with office workers. But the basic concept is every bit as applicable to production lines, construction sites, vehicles, and anywhere else. After all, the science of ergonomics doesn’t only focus on office environments. By reducing that strain and the injuries that can result from it, ergonomics can lower the likelihood of lost time and long-term disability.
READMany HR departments run motor vehicle records (MVR) checks on new hires, or ask applicants to provide their current MVR. It is a good idea to do this when hiring drivers. A quick review of Colorado’s licensing laws could also prevent a future headaches because there are many lesser-known ways that drivers can lose their license.
READIn a case with vast implications for employers in states that have legalized the medical and recreational use of marijuana, the Colorado Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of a business that fired an employee for failing a drug test. The company admits that Coats wasn’t high on the job but cited its zero-tolerance drug policy as the reason for the dismissal.
READVolunteering is an important activity for millions of Americans. Generally, volunteers are not protected “employees.” But what happens when an unpaid volunteer claims that he or she has been discriminated against in the course of his or her service? Courts have addressed this issue and provided clarity for volunteers and employers alike.
READWhile it may seem like classifying employees as contractors could potentially save your district money, doing so may violate the DOL’s Fair Labor Standards Act. Applying the factors laid out in this article can help assure that your district stays in compliance with federal law.
READEvery district uses equipment which employees need to do their job, and this equipment is generally provided by the district. While a reasonable amount of personal use of district-owned equipment like computers or photocopiers is realistic, there are many types of equipment that pose serious problems if used outside the scope of an employee’s job responsibilities because they significantly increase the likelihood of a loss.
READDuring a normal construction or renovation project, there may be any number of tradespeople on the jobsite on any particular day. Those workers have received the safety training the owner expects, and it’s reasonable to assume that they’ll adhere to the rules and standards that have been established. But what about the other people who may have a reason to be on the site?
READOver the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. The economic consequences are severe. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 (the most recent year that data is available from the CDC). On an individual level, medical costs for obese people were $1,429 higher on average than those of normal weight.
READcontributed by Safety Management Group For most of today’s workplaces, training is an ongoing activity that is increasingly important. Whether training focuses on sharing safe work practices, learning about new processes, or simply getting a refresher for familiar skills or tasks, employers place a high value on these activities.
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