What are Safety Groups?

Electronic Reporting Link:
https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/index.html

EMPLOYERS WITH 20 OR MORE EMPLOYEES in certain industries employers must also annually file the OSHA 300a through www.OSHA.gov Injury Tracking Application.

Employers with 20 or more employees per establishment (see definitions below for establishment) and are in OSHA’s list of high risk industries are required to electronically file their OSHA 300a forms annually.  The high risk industry list includes construction, manufacturing, utilities, department stores, general merchandise stores, general freight trucking, warehouse and storage, waste management services, and other high risk industries.  A complete list of OHSA’s high risk industries can be found at this link: HIGH RISK INDUSTRIES

Deadline: 2019 data must be submitted by March 2, 2020. Collection will begin January 2, 2020.   

1- When determining number of employees what type of employees do I include?

All employees in at your establishment need to be included, for example all part time, seasonal, clerical, principles, etc.

2- I have over 20 employees and I am in construction, do I need to electronically file with OSHA?

Yes, all construction NAICS codes are included in the high-risk industry list. View high risk industry list (NAICS code 23 Construction includes all codes that start with 23). 

3- I have 20 or more employees but I am NOT in construction, do I need to electronically file with OSHA?

Manufacturing, utilities, department stores, general merchandise stores, general freight trucking, warehouse and storage and waste management services are considered high risk industries and are required to file electronically.  A complete list of OSHA’s high risk industries can be found on this link: high risk industry list 

4- How do I find my NAICS code?

Use NAICS Keyword Search and enter keywords that describe your operation. 

5- If I have less than 20 employees do any of the OSHA recordkeeping rules apply?

 Yes, all employers are required to report serious injuries by contacting OSHA within 8 hours of a work related fatality and within 24 hours of a work related in-patient hospitalization, amputation or loss of eye (see Severe Injury Reporting ).  You may also be required to keep OSHA logs if you have over 10 employees and you are not on the partially exempt list  Watch this OSHA 15 minute video  to learn more about howto maintain your OSHA logs. 

6- If I file electronically do I need to keep OSHA logs?

Yes.  Watch this OSHA 15 minute videoto learn more. 

7- What year data is being electronically filed by 3/2/2020?

You will be filing your 2019 data

8- When will the 2019 data be due?

2019 data will be due no later than 3/2/2020.  OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application will start accepting data on January 2, 2020. Be sure to file early!

9- If an employee in my establishment is a contractor’s employee, must I record an injury or illness occurring to that employee?

If the contractor’s employee is under the day-to-day supervision of the contractor, the contractor is responsible for recording the injury or illness. If you supervise the contractor employee’s work on a day-to-day basis, you must record the injury or illness.

10- Must the personnel supply service, temporary help service, employee leasing service, or contractor also record the injuries or illnesses occurring to temporary, leased or contract employees that I supervise on a day-to-day basis?

 No, you and the temporary help service, employee leasing service, personnel supply service, or contractor should coordinate your efforts to make sure that each injury and illness is recorded only once: either on your OSHA 300 Log (if you provide day-to-day supervision) or on the other employer’s OSHA 300 Log (if that company provides day-to-day supervision).

11- If I had no losses do I still need to electronically file?

Yes if you fall into the requirement you must still file “0” losses

Additional OSHA electronically filing questions. 

Dust created when working with crystalline silica contains harmful particles. And, while respirable crystalline silica looks like dust, it’s much more harmful to workers’ lungs. In fact, silica dust is a carcinogen, and breathing it in causes the formation of scar tissue, reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen.

Together, these facts outline the importance of adhering to safe work procedures related to respirable crystalline silica. Among these procedures, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a number of requirements employers must follow to reduce illnesses and injuries related to respirable crystalline silica.

While it’s important to reduce the occurrence of silica dust at job sites, there are specific cleaning precautions that must be taken when it is created, including:

• Avoid dry brushing or dry sweeping whenever possible. The use of dry sweeping and dry brushing can cause respirable crystalline silica dust to go airborne, increasing inhalation risks for workers. In general, dry brushing and dry sweeping should only be used when wet sweeping and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered vacuuming are not feasible.
• Avoid cleaning surfaces or clothing with compressed air. Similar to dry sweeping and brushing, the use of compressed air can cause respirable crystalline silica to plume and create inhalation risks. However, workers may use compressed air alongside a ventilation system that captures the dust cloud or if no other cleaning method is feasible.

Wet sweeping and the use of HEPA-filtered vacuums are preferred, as they typically don’t increase silica risks for workers. HEPA vacuums are particularly useful, as they can be 99.97% efficient in removing mono-dispersed particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter—significantly reducing inhalation risks. There may be instances where wet sweeping and HEPA-filtered vacuums could be ineffective, cause damage or create a hazard in the workplace. In such rare situations, those cleaning methods are not required.

Most homes and businesses are outfitted with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems—systems that require the care of specialized technicians for service. As an HVAC contractor, you are tasked with managing a variety of risks every time you perform maintenance or an installation on behalf of your clients.
Just one incident involving the use of electrical equipment, worker injury or property damage can lead to costs for your business. What’s more, exposures related to equipment breakdown, crime and environmental liability are prevalent for HVAC contractors, compounding risks for your business. The list below provides an overview of these risks and more—helping you identify potential blind spots in your risk management and insurance programs.

Automobile exposures

Because HVAC contractors usually own a fleet of vehicles and employees travel to and from job sites on a frequent basis, automobile exposures can be significant. Specifically, any time a contractor transports tools or visits a client, the risk for accidents increases. And, just one accident can be extremely costly for your business, as expenses related to vehicle repairs and bodily injuries can add up quickly. What’s more, if employees use their own vehicle for work, standard commercial auto policies are often not enough.

Property

Property—including your tools, equipment, supplies, signage and similar items—plays a key role for your organization. And, in the event of a loss caused by fires, theft or vandalism, your business can suffer major financial consequences. Exposures can come from malfunctioning electrical equipment, flammable materials, weather and natural disasters. What’s more, a single incident can affect multiple aspects of your property, compounding costs and downtime for your business.

Equipment breakdown

HVAC contractors depend on a variety of different equipment to complete work on commercial or residential property, potentially creating significant equipment breakdown exposures as a result.
Contractors have very specific tools when it comes to installing and repairing HVAC systems, and any losses or breakdowns can lead to business interruptions, costly repairs or even lost contracts.

Completed operations coverage

Once a job has been completed, HVAC contractors can be held liable if their work product causes bodily injury or property damage. While claims of smaller problems can often be resolved with a repair, larger
issues may result in legal action. For instance, should heating and cooling systems be installed improperly, they could leak or catch fire, causing significant damage to a client’s home. Completed operations coverage can help protect a contractor should these kinds of claims arise.

Inland marine exposures

HVAC contractors regularly transport equipment, tools and supplies to and from worksites. As such, any property that’s unique or valuable, in transit, in your temporary care, stored at fixed (but movable) locations or used to transfer information represents inland marine exposures. Materials and tools can be damaged in transit from shifting loads or traffic collisions; at the worksite from collision, being dropped or poor weather conditions; or lost from theft, potentially creating costly losses.

Crime exposures

HVAC contractors face several crime exposures, particularly if valuable equipment or tools are used at the worksite, which may attract thieves or vandals. Thieves (including your employees) can rob an office or worksite at any time, targeting cash or valuable supplies. What’s more, with worksite locations changing on a regular basis, the level of risk a contractor faces is in constant flux.

Environmental liabilities

Because HVAC contractors store and handle refrigerants and other volatile chemicals as part of their business, environmental liabilities can be substantial. If disposed of improperly or following an accidental spill, these materials can create pollution, which can lead to insurance claims or even regulatory fines. Environmental incidents are particularly concerning because they can cause harm to the surrounding community, involve costly cleanup and often cause damage to a business’s reputation.

Workers’ compensation

Any time one of your employees is injured on the job, your organization could be subjected to a workers’ compensation claim. Common sources of on-the-job accidents for HVAC contractors include cuts, scrapes, burns from hot equipment, respiratory Illnesses from inhaling insulation and
musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive tasks, twisting, lifting, sprains and strains. Normal, everyday tasks related to working under sinks or carrying equipment can lead to accidents and, in turn, increased costs for your business.

For More Information

While the proper risk management practices can reduce certain exposures, no system is 100% effective in ensuring an incident-free workplace. As a result, it’s all the more crucial to work with a qualified insurance broker to not only assess you exposures, but secure the appropriate coverage as well. To learn more, contact Keevily Spero Whitelaw Inc. today.

OSHA’s new silica rule for the general industry recently went into effect, which lowered the permissible exposure limit for the substance to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) and requires employers to take other steps to protect employees. Now, the agency has released new tools to help employers comply with the new standard.

Many of the new materials focus on silica risks that are specific to the construction industry, which has had to adhere to the new standard since last year. Here’s an overview of the new OSHA resources:

• An informational video on the hazards associated with respirable silica

• A series of shorter videos on control methods for specific tasks in the construction industry

• A customizable presentation to help train construction employees on the dangers of silica exposure and how to protect themselves

• An FAQ webpage on the new standard

Have you tried our Premium Audit Secure Document Upload yet? The system allows you to upload audit-related documents to NYSIF in lieu of an on-site audit visit. Our short video shows how easy it is to upload your documents. When it’s time for an audit, don’t forget about our Premium Audit Scheduling System, which allows you to schedule an initial audit or reschedule an existing appointment to a date, time and place of your choice.

Your experience modification factor, or mod, is an important component used in calculating your workers’ compensation premium. If you can control your mod, you can lower your price — so we’ve gathered top tips to help you impact your bottom line.

1. Investigate accidents immediately and thoroughly; take corrective action to eliminate hazards, and be aware of fraud.
2. Report all claims immediately. Alert your Keevily claims team to any serious, potentially serious or suspect claims. Frequently monitor the status of the claim, and communicate with your Keevily claims team to resolve them as quickly as possible.
3. Take an aggressive approach to providing modified duty to all injured employees upon their release from treatment. Supervise modified duty employees to ensure their conformance with restrictions.
4. In serious cases that involve lost time, communicate with the claims adjuster to demonstrate your interest in returning the injured employee back to gainful employment.
5. Set safety performance goals for those with supervisory responsibility. Success in achieving safety goals should be used as one measure during performance appraisals.
6. Develop a written safety program, and train employees in their responsibilities for safety. Incorporate a disciplinary policy into the program that holds employees accountable for breaking rules or rewards them for correctly following safety procedures.
7. Frequently communicate with employees, both formally and informally, regarding the importance of safety.
8. Make safety a priority – senior management must be visible in the safety effort and must support improvement.
9. Evaluate accident history and near-misses at least monthly. Look for trends in experience, and take corrective action on the worst problems first.
10. Take advantage of safety classes and training offered by Keevily. Utilize your access to the Keevily portal for training materials and resources.

During winter, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is more prevalent than at any other time of the year. CO is found in many businesses, and workers can be exposed to it by industrial and chemical processes that lack proper ventilation.

Symptoms of exposure include headache, fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. High concentrations cause unconsciousness, coma and death. Concentration, length of exposure and rate of breathing determine amount of poisoning. Fifty parts per million (ppm) is the permissible OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average; the NIOSH recommended exposure level is 35 ppm.

The chief cause of exposure is exhaust from combustion engines. Propane-powered forklifts, and cars and trucks idling in unvented areas are likely causes. Proper ventilation and exhaust systems must be provided in such locations.

Unvented heating appliances and even outdoor exposure from improperly exhausted equipment have caused CO poisoning. All portable heaters should be operated according to manufacturer’s specifications, with appropriate ventilation provided.

Gasoline-fueled electrical generators, diesel-powered equipment and similar machines have sickened workers. Generators should be placed outside away from windows or air intakes.

When workers perform strenuous tasks in cold weather, such as shoveling snow, overexertion can lead to sore muscles, back strain and possible heart attacks.

Consider the physical condition of anyone doing stressful outdoor work before assigning them. Diabetics, heart patients and persons with vascular and thyroid problems are more susceptible to cold-weather stress.

● Use mechanical or motorized equipment to minimize demanding tasks such as shoveling snow; use hand shovels with ergonomic handles.

● Workers must follow all safety guidelines and procedures when clearing or un-jamming powered snow removal equipment.

● Make sure workers know how to perform assigned tasks safely, and use the proper tools.

● Employees should know the symptoms of cold-related stress, and monitor themselves – and coworkers. A “buddy system” helps workers keep track of each other.