Safety
Worker Fraud
Federal Way roofer caught working while drawing disability payments. Read more.
Cold Stress
Tis the season for winter weather! Cold temperatures and increased wind speeds put workers at risk for cold stress and other weather-related hazards. Anyone working in the cold may be at risk. Access more resources and information about cold stress. Learn more.
OSHA 300 Electronic Reporting Rules
The DOSH proposed changes to chapter 296-27 WAC: Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses adopt the same or similar language under federal revisions to OSHA Title 29 CFR Part 1904. The proposed changes to DOSH’s rule are required in order to be at least as effective as OSHA. Learn more.
WHCA Safety Resources
Access WHCA and general safety resources. Learn more.
WHCA Winter Conference
January 14-16, 2020
Hotel RL Olympia, WA
Safe Resident Handling Programs: How can they assist to improve resident care and experience?
Manual handling of residents is the leading cause of caregiver injuries across the healthcare continuum in the U.S. In 2017, CNAs were the top three professions with the most musculoskeletal injuries (MSD) in the U.S. These injuries were primarily associated with manual resident handling in long term care facilities and are similar in Washington State. Ms. Lynda Enos, noted occupational health nurse and certified professional ergonomist, will discuss Safe Patient/Resident handling programs.
Download Ms. Enos’ Bio PDF
Workers’ Comp News
SAW Pays!
Did you know that a portion of your workers’ compensation premium is used to pay for the Stay at Work (SAW) Program? When you provide modified duty to your injured employees, Labor & Industries offers SAW which provides employers with 50% reimbursement of light-duty wages for up to 66 days or $10,000 per claim. You may also be eligible for reimbursement of tuition, training and tool costs while the employee is working light-duty. You can request wage reimbursement on claims going back as far as one year. A paid leave/vacation is not reimbursable.
In order to be eligible for reimbursement, the following must be in place:
- Provider approved/signed Light Duty Job Description or Return to Work Form
- Acquired payroll information for the light-duty period (pay stubs and time cards)
- Completed application for wage/equipment reimbursement
Information needed to complete and submit the application:
- Base wage amount paid during light-duty period
- Address where L&I should send the check
- Employee work shift (swing or graveyard)
- Total number of days actually worked during the light-duty period
- Do you still employ this worker?
- If no, when was the last day of work?
Can’t find the time to complete the application process? We offer services to help employers capture their reimbursements by providing a list of possible reimbursable claims, submitting the correct forms and documentation to Labor & Industries and tracking the returned reimbursements. If you would like to take advantage of these services, please email us at SAW2@ernwest.com
Get more information about the SAW Program and download the reimbursement application.
Upcoming Training
January 9, What is Retro*
January 28, Using Kept on Salary and Modified Duty Effectively
February 6, Supervising for Safety (Spokane Courtyard)
OSHA 300 Recordkeeping
and e-Reporting Webinars
Employer Resources Northwest is holding multiple webinar sessions covering OSHA 300 Recordkeeping. If you have questions about OSHA 300 record keeping or are new to record keeping requirements, this would be a great opportunity to learn. Go online to choose the session that best fits your needs.
L&I News
Washington’s Overtime Rules are Changing
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has updated the employment rules that determine which workers in Washington are required by law to be paid at least minimum wage, earn overtime pay and receive paid sick leave and other protections under the state Minimum Wage Act. These changes will affect executive, administrative and professional (EAP) workers as well as outside salespeople and computer professionals across all industries in Washington. Learn more.
Remember to report all incidents on the ERNwest website so that your claims manager is aware and can help guide you through the process. | ERNwest.com/report-an-incident
WHCA Retro Questions?
Please contact Stephanie Scheurich, WHCA Group Manager
(253) 237-0837 | SScheurich@ernwest.com
WHCA Safety Questions?
Please contact Oscar Granger
(253) 237-0819 | OGranger@ernwest.com
