Safety/Health

Fired whistleblower triggers wide-ranging investigation

09/19/2024

An employee of a day care center who raised health concerns about the center’s kitchen will receive $43,295 in back pay. But it may cost the employer far more.

Final rule to improve access to mental health care

09/19/2024

Despite the enactment of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act in 2008, many Americans struggle to find and afford the mental health care they need. A final rule announced by the Biden administration could change that.

OSHA heat-safety rule published, comments due Dec. 30

09/12/2024

The nation’s first-ever heat health-and-safety rule was published Aug. 30 in the Federal Register, which sets the clock ticking on implementation sometime in 2025.

Can you make access to drugs contingent on meeting health goals?

08/22/2024

According to a recent survey, one of the biggest headaches for HR professionals in charge of planning employee compensation and benefits is dealing with the increasing cost of new drugs designed to treat common medical problems like diabetes and obesity. According to the report, 44% of those surveyed ranked specialty drugs as their top health-care management challenges.

By the numbers: Workers’ comp claim causes and effects

08/19/2024

The most common workplace accidents account for the most expensive workers’ compensation claims, according to a new report by Travelers, the nation’s largest workers’ comp insurer.

OSHA proposes first national heat-protection rule

07/03/2024

OSHA has released a proposed rule intended to protect workers from the significant health risks of extreme heat. A DOL statement said the proposed rule would help protect approximately 36 million workers in outdoor and indoor work settings and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace.

Warehouse Worker Protection Act picks up steam

06/17/2024

Currently gaining traction on Capitol Hill is federal legislation aimed at improving safety for people who work for employers that operate massive warehouse and shipping operations—employers like Amazon.

First shots fired in DOL’s summer child-labor blitz

06/10/2024

Earlier this month, we predicted the U.S. Department of Labor would step up prosecutions of alleged child-labor violations this summer. The litigation has already begun. The DOL announced May 30 that it is suing automaker Hyundai and two of its suppliers for employing children on an assembly line in Alabama.

June is National Safety Month: Take these steps to make your workplace safer

06/07/2024

You don’t need to work in an industry traditionally considered “dangerous,” such as construction or manufacturing, to take steps to make your workplace safer.

Prepare for more DOL enforcement of child-labor laws this summer

05/28/2024

The DOL launched a National Strategic Enforcement Initiative on Child Labor in February 2023. It quickly yielded results.