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Bowers Insurance Blog
Smith & Downey will be sponsoring a free breakfast seminar on June 16th to discuss Workplace Privacy. See the attached for further details on topics and how to register. We have seen a substantial increase in the number of inquiries regarding privacy-related issues. These questions pertain to both the acquisition of “private” information about employees and job applicants and the protection of an employer’s “private” information such as its trade secrets. In response, we are sponsoring a breakfast seminar that will discuss the following issues: ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT EMPLOYEES/APPLICANTS1. Background checks, including an overview of applicable federal (e.g., Fair Credit Reporting Act) and state (e.g., Maryland Job Applicant Fairness Act) laws; 2. The non-health plan-related laws governing an employer's acquisition of employee medical and genetic information; 3. Drug and alcohol testing; 4. Criminal history considerations; 5. Social media considerations; 6. Social Security numbers (and related issues); and 7. Miscellaneous privacy issues, including employee use of employer telephones and computers. PROTECTION OF EMPLOYER’S PRIVATE INFORMATION
1. Overview of Uniform Trade Secrets Act; and 2. Use of non-disclosure, non-compete and trade secret agreements. The seminar will be held at Abilities Network, 8503 Lasalle Road, Towson, Maryland 21286, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Continental breakfast will be provided and there is no charge for the seminar. Space is limited, so please contact Jamie Pasko at jpasko@smithdowney.com or 410-321-9000 if you would like to reserve a spot.
Construction sites can present many hazards to workers performing construction-related activities. Keeping a construction site clean of debris can help reduce these hazards. The benefits of good housekeeping far exceed the small additional effort required to establish good housekeeping practices at a construction site.
This checklist provides questions on job-site housekeeping that can help management prevent injuries and minimize losses.
Working Areas
Are safe accesses to the job site provided for all workers?
Are walking/working surfaces kept clear and any liquid spills cleaned up immediately?
Are stairways, passageways, and gangways kept free of material, supplies, or obstructions?
Is all debris and trash picked up and placed in their proper containers?
Are protruding nails, forms, scrap lumber, and other debris kept clear from work areas, passageways, and stairs, and in and around buildings or other structures?
Materials and Storage
Are items not being used (e.g., tools, cords, or chains) stored in their proper locations?
Are materials storage areas kept clean and free of unnecessary materials and debris?
Is loose scrap or light materials that may be blown off by high winds, properly secured?
Are empty cement bags and other dust-producing materials removed from the work areas?
Waste
Are trash and recyclable containers with self-closing covers placed throughout the job site,
marked for proper use, and emptied at regular intervals?
Are chutes provided to remove waste from above-grade floors?
Are drip pans used to collect oils and fluids?
Are all scrap, waste, recyclable, and surplus materials disposed of in accordance with
federal regulations and local codes?
Are all oil-soaked and paint-saturated rags, clothing, waste, or combustible refuse placed
in non-combustible receptacles with self-closing covers?
Is combustible waste scheduled for frequent collection and removal?
Are used oil containers and dumpsters locked to secure them from unwanted waste?
Home Office • 100 Erie Insurance Place • Erie, PA 16530 • 814.870.2000
Visit our Website at www.erieinsurance.com
COPYRIGHT ©2007, ISO Services Properties, Inc.
Read More "Construction Site Housekeeping Checklist"
Back injuries represent the largest single contributor to injury cost and insurance claims for most occupational environments. Back-injury prevention programs generally include administrative controls and/or engineering controls. Relying solely on administrative controls, such as training, to reduce costs has not proven successful. And, while engineering controls can be successful, they are most effective when coupled with administrative concepts. Listed below are some examples of management actions, administrative controls, and industrial engineering concepts that, when properly applied, will help to reduce the risk of back injuries. Management Actions • Identify the jobs and tasks that result in back injuries. • Modify or eliminate the task(s) causing back injuries. • Rotate personnel in and out of the jobs that cause back injuries. • Decrease the weight of objects being carried. • Provide nonskid footwear to workers. • Provide adequate lighting, work temperature, noise control, and good housekeeping. • Provide carts, hand trucks, utility vehicles, and wheelbarrows with large wheels. • Provide scissor lifts and spring lift tables. • Mark containers with the weight of the contents. • Provide handles on bags, boxes, and containers. Industrial Work Concepts to Reduce Back Injuries • Minimize body movements by reducing bending, twisting, and reaching motions. • Decrease the forces on the body by reducing the weight of the object and the forces due to moments (load x distance) or the distance between the load and the body. • Decrease carrying forces by eliminating the need to carry or by converting to push or pull actions. • Minimize the push or pull force needed to move an object or reduce the distance that has to be covered. • Reduce the weight of the object and/or reduce the traveling distance the object is carried. Workstation Design Actions • Fit the workstation to the worker (ergonomics). • Design workstations to accommodate the worker in both the sitting and standing positions. • Locate tools, materials, and controls close to the point of use. • Provide gravity feed bins and containers to deliver materials close to the point of use. • Equip workstations with mats to cushion floors and provide a nonskid surface. COPYRIGHT ©2006, ISO Services Properties, Inc. CH-50-24 10/9/06 The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.
Read More "Actions to Prevent Back Injuries"
From: Smith & Downey Recently, we have seen a dramatic increase in inquiries relating to compliance with wage and hour laws, especially the Fair Labor Standards Act. Several factors are contributing to this surge, including a significant increase in Department of Labor investigations and an ever-increasing number of overtime lawsuits filed under the FLSA. In order to assist our clients and friends in complying with wage and hour laws, we are sponsoring a breakfast seminar that will discuss these issues from three perspectives: 1. Employer Compliance: Doug Desmarais will share observations from his perspective of representing employers in this area. 2. Employee Rights: Steve Lebau, from the plaintiff's law firm of Lebau & Neuworth, has agreed to share his point of view during the seminar. Naturally, this portion of the seminar should be invaluable to our employer clients. 3. Government Enforcement: Richard Castleton from our Firm will share insights from his previous work as an investigator for the DOL Wage and Hour Division. The seminar will be held at Abilities Network, located at 8503 Lasalle Road, Towson, Maryland 21286, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011. Continental breakfast will be provided and there is no charge for the seminar. Space is limited, so please contact Jamie Pasko at mailto:jpasko@smithdowney.com or410-321-9000 if you would like to reserve a spot. As always, thank you for your interest and support.
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