We’ll keep you informed about issues pertaining to the workers’ compensation industry and provide useful information that can help you in your business.
Protecting Workers from Wildfire Smoke: Cal-OSHA's Regulation
This webpage provides an overview of Cal-OSHA's regulation to protect workers from wildfire smoke.
Cal-OSHA Redefines Serious Injury/Illness and Updates Reporting Procedures
Cal-OSHA has redefined “Serious injury or illness” to mean any injury or illness occurring in a place of employment or in connection with any employment that requires inpatient hospitalization for other than medical observation or diagnostic testing, or in which an employee suffers an amputation, the loss of an eye, or any serious degree of permanent disfigurement, but does not include any injury or illness or death caused by an accident on a public street or highway, unless the accident occurred in a construction zone.
The redefinition removes the 24-hour minimum hospitalization and explicitly includes amputations and loss of an eye. Employers are required to immediately report to DOSH any fatality, serious injury or illness by telephone or by an online mechanism developed by the Division.
The online mechanism hasn’t yet been developed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, therefore in the meantime, reports should be made by telephone and email. There’s no timetable for creation of the online tool.
Cal-OSHA Injury Tracking and Recordkeeping Requirements
Cal-OSHA amended California’s recordkeeping requirements to conform to the federal OSHA program. Employers must submit injury and illness data in the federal OSHA Injury Tracking Application online portal. This only applies to establishments with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees that are classified in certain industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses. For more details, view the Cal-OSHA regulation. March 2 of each year is the deadline for electronically reporting your OSHA Form 300A data for the calendar year. Access reporting requirements here.
If employers in State Plan states (e.g., Cal-OSHA) have questions about their obligation to submit injury and illness information, please contact your State Plan office.
Online Workplace Safety Training
Policyholders can access over 700 streaming workplace safety videos, applicable to all industries. It’s a great time-saving alternative to in-person instruction. Access is included with your policy. Policyholders can send an email to RICALC@ri-net.com. Include the name of insured, policy number, first and last name of manager or contact person, and email address.
Loss Prevention Workstation Ergonomics
Help your employees work better and smarter by making their workstations comfortable and ergonomically correct. Download the Workstation Ergonomics brochure.
Wellness Tools for Employees
Create a culture of wellness at your workplace. A healthy workforce means you can experience lower medical costs, fewer claims, and higher worker productivity. Access information about interactive tools and programs.
Shoes for Crews - Safety Footwear Available at a Discount
Workplace slip and fall injuries cost employers and employees $70 billion each year in workers' comp and medical expenses. Help your employees reduce workplace accidents and lower costly claims with a Shoes For Crews© managed safety footwear program. Shoes for Crews is an industry leader in safety. Their shoes have kept more than 150,000 workplaces safe worldwide. Great American policyholders receive 15 - 20% off. Additional discounts for ergonomic products, CPR training, flooring solutions for slips, and more are available on the Great American website.
Useful Websites - California
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Information for Injured Workers
Workers' compensation benefits are designed to provide injured workers with the medical treatment needed to recover from work-related injury or illness, partially replace the wages lost while recovering, and help injured workers return to work.
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Information for Employers
California workers' compensation insurance provides basic benefits including medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits and a return-to-work supplement, and death benefits.
California Department of Industrial Relations Small Business Portal
California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is committed to fostering small business growth, to preserving free competitive enterprise, to maintaining and promoting fair employment opportunities for diverse communities, and strengthening California's economy. With this commitment, the California DIR has compiled material from various state agencies to help small businesses.
California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
The mission of the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) is to ensure a just day's pay in every workplace in the state and to promote economic justice through robust enforcement of labor laws.
Cal-OSHA High Hazard Unit
The High Hazard Unit inspects employers with the highest incidence of preventable occupational injuries, illnesses, and workers’ compensation losses. Cal-OSHA has published the 2020-21 high hazard list.