Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Cal/OSHA Standards board approved stricter standards for occupational lead exposure in both the construction industry and general industry.
OSHA Form Submission Time: A Refresh
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It's that time of the year again, when employers review their work-related injuries and illnesses from the past year and fill out their OSHA 300A Form. Companies in designated industries must electronically submit the 300A Form to OSHA by March 2nd, 2024. As this deadline swiftly approaches, let’s review further details of these requirements.
The Final Chapter: Addressing Training, Access and Recordkeeping in the IIPP
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this third installment of exploring an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), we will be taking a closer look at: Providing employee training and instruction, procedures to allow employee access to the program, and recordkeeping and documentation.
Safety Evolution: General Contractors Begin Requiring Safety Helmets Over Hard Hats
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The hard hat has long been a staple for construction-site safety. However, a new contender has entered the industry in 2023 as more and more general contractors are requiring safety helmets.
SB 553: Governor Signs New Law for Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 30, 2023 Governor Newsom signed into law new standards for California companies regarding workplace violence. Effective July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) will expand requirements for recordkeeping, injury and illness prevention programs, and employee training.
OSHA Officially Rules for Expanded Recordkeeping Requirements for High-Hazard Industries
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made its final ruling to expand recordkeeping requirements for high-hazard industries, such as construction. The new requirements will take effect January 1, 2024 and will expand on what injury and illness information is needed to be electronically submitted to OSHA.
Random Acts of Violence: Are They OSHA Recordable?
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Are random acts of violence OSHA recordable? This is a question many companies, particularly those that are required to report to OSHA annually, may ask. Whether the incident involves construction workers building in a high-crime area, or employees encountering hostile customers, determining if violent injuries are work-related is not always a black and white decision.
OSHA Issues Heat Hazard Alert: Preparing for the Heat Wave
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California can experience high heat in the late Summer and early Fall months, which increases the risk of heat illness for employees working outside.
Identifying Proper Procedures for the Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this second installment of exploring an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) we will be taking a closer look at the procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, investigating occupational injury or illnesses, and correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions, work practices and procedures.
Cal/OSHA to Enact ETS for Silica Exposure in Artificial Stone Industry
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On July 20, 2023, the Cal/OSHA board approved a petition that requested an emergency temporary standard for respirable crystalline silica, a byproduct of manufacturing and cutting artificial stone material.
Properly Utilizing Tailgate Meetings
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For many foremen and superintendents, weekly tailgate meetings can feel like a task that just needs to be checked off the list. However, while the purpose of these meetings is critical for the health and well-being of fellow field employees, the time required and repetitive nature of them can create challenges. To maximize the benefits of these meetings, construction firms must be proactive and thoughtful as they develop an inventory of topics.
Employers Prepare to Submit OSHA Form 300A
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The time is here for you submit your company’s OSHA 300A Form. The OSHA 300A Form is a company’s summary of work-related injuries and illnesses within a given year. Employers must electronically submit their 2022 OSHA Form 300A data to Federal OSHA by March 2, 2023.
Cal/OSHA Adopts New Non-Emergency COVID-19 Regulations
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Thursday, December 15, 2022 the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) voted on newly proposed COVID-19 regulations during a public forum meeting. With a 6 to 1 vote, the Non-Emergency COVID-19 Prevention Regulations were passed and adopted.
Construction Death Rate Not Decreasing as Expected
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With the heightened safety regulations and OSHA guidelines over the past decade, many would think we are working in a much safer environment with fewer fatalities. Despite the rising number of employees and using a standard based off deaths per 100,000 employees, the data is showing that the number of fatalities are the same as they were a decade ago.
Cal/OSHA Proposes Permanent COVID-19 Standards
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) scheduled to expire at the end of the year, Cal/OSHA has proposed new permanent standards.
OSHA Proposes to Expand Electronic Form Submission Requirements
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a proposed rule that would increase electronic reporting requirements for businesses summiting OSHA logs.
Cal/OSHA Releases Final COVID-19 ETS
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA released its third and final version of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that was approved by the Standards Board at its April 21, 2022 meeting. The revised standard is expected to remain in effect from May 6, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Preventing Stress Claims
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Specializing in non-profit insurance has opened my eyes to how difficult it is for some non-profit employees to deal with the stress related to their jobs. It’s the nature of the work. Helping people through difficult situations can be rewarding for an employee, but it can also be emotionally draining when they become invested in their clients to the point where it can lead to burnout.
Understanding the DART and TCIR Calculations
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications and Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When a project owner asks you to provide the company’s DART or TCIR rate, it may seem a little overwhelming at first. But, the two numbers are really a score that can be used to compare contractors’ safety history. These numbers can be important during the bidding process when comparing multiple bids and could be a determining factor for who is awarded the contract.
Top 5 OSHA Violations for 2021
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Every year, Federal OSHA conducts thousands of inspections and issues costly citations to companies. So, it is imperative for business owners and safety managers to be aware of the most common citations and how to avoid them through effective safety programs.