- OSHA cites contractor after three employees die in toxic manhole
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 10 serious violations with total proposed penalties of $119,507 after three employees of a Michigan general contractor died from exposure to toxic gases in a manhole at a Florida worksite in January.
- Judge vacates OSHA traffic injury citations against employer
An administrative law judge of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission vacated safety citations, but upheld a $2,000 penalty against an employer for failing to provide notification of an accident after one of its employees was seriously injured.
- Missouri implements drug monitoring program to combat opioid crisis
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order on Monday directing the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to create a prescription drug monitoring program.
- California regulators seek comments on revised drug formulary rules
Those wishing to opine on California’s upcoming drug formulary for injured workers have until 5 p.m. Aug. 2 to submit written comments, the Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Workers’ Compensation announced on Tuesday.
- Conservative care required before surgical option for back injuries
A rule that discourages surgery and opioid use in favor of conservative therapy for workers with lower back injuries was approved by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Wednesday.
- Funding challenges hamper OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program efforts
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is considering ways to revamp and boost participation in its Voluntary Protection Program as it pursues a more collaborative relationship with employers, but funding remains a challenge.
- Physician dispensing challenges workers comp prescription costs
States enacting reforms to rein in the high cost of drugs dispensed by physicians to injured workers face an uphill battle as doctors find ways around the regulations.
- Generic drugs common for managed prescriptions in comp: Study
- California workers comp system receives half of required lien supplement forms
About half of the supplemental lien declaration forms related to lien claims filed in California’s workers compensation system between 2013 and 2016 have been filed with the Division of Workers Compensation, according to a statement Monday by the California Department of Industrial Relations.