Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report showing a decline in worker fatalities.

The rate of worker fatalities has declined by 6% from 2006 to 2007, based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released on August 20, 2008. The report released by BLS is using preliminary numbers due to final data for 2007 not being released until April 2009.  Based on the preliminary report, fatal injuries reduced nation wide from 5,840 fatalities to 5,488.

US Labor Secretary Elaine Chao responded to the report stating:

"This is continued evidence that the initiatives and programs to protect workers’ safety and health, designed by and implemented in this administration, are indeed working. In addition to a decline in the overall number of fatalities, the rate for 2007 declined to 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 workers. This is the lowest fatality rate in recorded OSHA history."

A newly displaced worker turns to a PEO before starting her business.

A family friend recently lost her job at a large technology company and has decided to become her own boss and start a new business venture. She came into the office to discuss concerns she has with opening a new business. She has been looking at buying an existing business, a franchise business and or starting a new business from the ground up. During our conversation we talked about funding, marketing, employees and what rolls should she outsource such as accounting, payroll, staffing, marketing and other key areas that she may want to focus on after her business is up and running.

I gave Jenny and example of a new day care center we recently signed on in Westminster. The owner took over a building that used to house a day care for many years and is a well established business in that part of town. The owner is busy with parents doing tours of the recently remodeled building, preparing meals for the children and working with her small staff. She  was to busy to even get the basic things done when it came to payroll and workers compensation. She looked at quotes for workers compensation but did not get any in place to cover her soon to be hired employees.  In the mean time she hired employees and did not have coverage in place to protect her new employees. With the help of our PEO she was able to quickly have payroll and workers compensation in place. being a day care center she also need background screening and drug testing in place before hiring other employees. We where able to provide that service as well. A small business owner does not have the time source out multiple vendors during the first days of a new business.

We also talked about other hidden perils of buying a business. For further detail and areas to look out for when buying a business see the link below to another blog written by StaffScapes a few years ago. All the information mentioned is even more important today as our economy slows and business owners begin to make changes.

See Also

• Hidden Perils of buying a business
  Buying a business requires a thorough do-diligent list and the last thing you probably want to do is add yet another deal breaker.

StaffScapes review of the devastating labor initiatives on the November Ballot.

Initiative #93 would “allow an injured employee to bring an action in District Court for compensatory and punitive damages, if the employer fails to provide a safe and healthy workplace.” The term “safe and healthy workplace” is not defined in the initiative. This new action is available in addition to the rights that the employee has under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act. This initiative would apply to every employer in the state with 10 of more employees.

Listed below is the potential impact of initiative #93:

Ø      Current state and federal laws exist to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees.

Ø      Colorado employers already have motivation to provide a safe workplace based on their workers compensation insurance costs being directly related to work injury severity and number of claims.

Ø      Initiative 93 will allow injured employees to “double-dip”, collecting benefits from the Workers’ Compensation Act and then filing a lawsuit against the employer for unlimited damages in district court.

Ø      Businesses will be hindered by additional financial burdens due to higher insurance costs, resulting in lost jobs and increases in the price for goods and services.

Ø      Puts the responsibility of defining what a “safe and healthy workplace” is in the hands of the district courts.

Ø      With the current backlog of court cases, Initiative 93 will result in trial lawyers looking for the “quick buck” through settlements.

Should trial lawyers be rewarded with an additional state law to allow them to threaten businesses who already have to meet state and federal safe workplace standards? Should Colorado business growth and employment be restricted in order to enact an unnecessary and superfluous law? Should employees be able to double-dip and receive full benefits from the Workers Compensation Act then sue the employer for unlimited damages? Do you want employers to pay more for insurance and defense against frivolous lawsuits or increase wages and employee benefits? Do you want individual district court judges deciding what is “safe” and “healthy” and what the “workplace” is?

If the organized labor initiatives are successfully passed this November, our state’s economic growth will be dramatically stunted for years to come. Please check past editions of our blog to view the other initiatives that can have a devastating impact to Colorado.

Sources: Tomlinson & Associates; Economic Development Council of Colorado

Colorado’s choice for Workers CompensationIf you have listened to a morning radio show over the past few weeks you probably have heard the Pinnacol Assurance radio add. During the add they mention that Pinnacol is the choice of Colorado when it comes to workers compensation insurance. In fact Pinnacol has over 50% of the states employers and employees covered. StaffScapes uses Pinnacol for all it’s Colorado workers compensation needs and has developed a great working relationship. If you are looking to start a business in Colorado or thinking of changing coverage to Pinnacol contact StaffScapes and we can help you acquire the coverage that your business needs.

See Also

• Advantage of StaffScapes Workers Compensation Program
  Workers Compensation

Employers need to be more involved in injured workers’ rehabilitation.

A doctor that treats workers’ compensation injuries recently gave a seminar that I attended. In the beginning of this seminar he gave some interesting statistics regarding injured workers, included here:

- 50% of injured workers who have been off of work for between 6 months to 1 year never return to work

- 90% of injured workers who have been off of work more than 1 year never return to work

- 85% of costs of all workers’ compensation claims come from only 5% of claims

- 40% of the costs from all claims come from delayed recovery

- 10% of injured workers actually perform their prescribed physical therapy exercises at home

Not only do these claims have an impact on the employers who the worker was working for, but they also have social impacts to all of us when the worker can not or will not continue to work after the injury. These social impacts include a drain on disability insurance, medicaid / medicare, and other welfare programs offered by state and federal laws. Employers need to design and implement Return-to-Work programs and show concern for the injured worker. As employers do this work related injury costs should be reduced and the burden to the employer and society as a whole can be softened.

See Also

• Staffscapes
  workers compensation information

Subway seized in Broomfield for less than $3000 in taxes

I just posted a comment on Dave Taylor’s blog site intuitive.com about a local Subway shop being seized by the City of Broomfield for less than $3k.

With the tough times some business are having it is very important to remember to set aside the tax money that is due each week or month. With an employer needing to match the FICA deduction, collect sales taxes and maintain funds for workers compensation it can be a tough decision on what to do with that income, do I buy meats and cheese for my Subway or do I pay my taxes?

For Dave’s complete blog and to view the other comments click on the link below.

See Also

• Business Blog at intuitive.com
  subway siezed
• Dave Taylor
  Intuituve,com home page

PEO’s providing certainty in rough economic times.

With the recent uncertainty in the stock market, banks selling one after another and business struggling with increasing cost. It is tougher than ever for small and medium sized business to control cost. By partnering with a PEO you are joining many other business to take advantage of one workers compensation policy, unemployment account and many other employee benefit programs.  Contact StaffScapes to learn more about this value added service, your employees will Thank You!

Don’t miss your exit. Join one of Colorado’s oldest PEO’s providing service in Colorado and across the nation.

By signing up with StaffScapes before December 12, 2008 you will receive one free month of service. Our way of providing a economic stimulus package.

See Also

• StaffScapes.com
  Free Quote

November 10-14 Winter Hazard Awareness Week

The winter months are coming! Keep your accident numbers low, and reduce your workers’ compensation claims these winter months, with a few safety suggestions.

Suggestions for helping your workers stay on their feet this snowy season.

*Wear footwear suitable for weather conditions

*Take extra time and care while walking on wet, snowy, or icy walkways and streets

*Always use the railing

*While carrying packages make sure you are exceptionally careful

*Wipe your feet when entering a building so you do not slip on the flooring

*In case you do start to fall always remember to bend elbows and knees and use your arms and legs to absorb the fall

Suggestions for staying save on the road way this winter.

*Carry ice and snow removal, traction materials which include: container of sand, ice scrapper, snow brush, shovel, and blanket to keep warm if you break down

*Always clear snow of your entire car before you start to drive

*Follow four seconds behind the car in front of you

*Be aware of icy patches.

*If you start to skid, take foot off of the gas and steer into the skid. Remember to also keep your foot off of the break.

*Winter season can cause many people to drive unsafe. Be on the watch out for these drivers

Suggestions for snow removal, either at the office or at home. If you have a bad heart or are out of shape snow removal can me hazardous to your health. Snow is wet and heavy and can hurt you more than you imagine.

*Bend knees and lift with your legs not back while shoveling

*Do not twist when throwing the snow

*Take breaks to catch your breath

*Do not try and life as much snow as you can take your time

*If you can not do the job yourself as for help

*Clear off walkways first you do not want workers slipping on their way into the office

If you have any other questions or suggestions please fill free to contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864.

Thank you

Source:

Winter Wonderland? Or Hazard Trap?
Safety Daily Advisor Nov. 7, 2008
http://www.safety.blr.com/

See Also

• Workers
  Saftey for workers

OSHA Logs

2008 OSHA 300A Logs have been mailed today to all StaffScapes clients.  OSHA logs must be posted from February 1 thru April 30. 

Please contact us if you need other posters or additional informaiton on your OSHA logs.  Please let us know if you have any questions on your Workers’ Compensation administration, Safety information, or claims management.  Contact Lora Manternach, Safety Coordinator, 303-466-7864.

Ever wonder what a PEO does? Or what does a PEO have to offer? Hopefully this insight will clear up some questions you may have.

PEO stands for Professional Employer Organization. PEO’s can often reduce the cost of a business’s workers’ compensation rates, offer superior benefit plans that smaller company’s can not offer, and manage risk. They also offer assistance with human resources and employee questions as well as tribulations. When a company decides to sign on with a PEO the PEO then takes on the many responsibilities and liabilities that come with business ownership. They keep clients up to date with all compliances and safety issues making it easy for a business owner to concentrate more time to grow their business.

By outsourcing certain functions to StaffScapes it allows more time for businesses to simplify and allows more time for core activities of the business. StaffScapes, Inc takes time and dedication to administer each of our clients. We manage the risk, take care of compliance and costs associated with Human Resources. Compliance falls under all state and local government regulations. StaffScapes offers employees reliable paydays, quality health- vision – and dental insurance, a safe working setting, opportunities for retirement savings as well as quality human resource services for example employee manuals, grievance procedures and prompt communication which is said to increase job satisfaction and productivity in the work place.

Outsource your human resource and risk management efficiently and affordably today with StaffScapes.

State plans on raiding assets of Pinnacol Assurance and taking away their ability to operate as an independent company.

Senate bills SB09-281 and SB09-273 are being heard today with a third reading on Monday April 13. These bills are trying to remand Pinnacol Assurance back to a state agency so the reserve assets that Colorado businesses have been paying into can be raided to pay for 500 million dollars of deficit in the state budget.  Since Pinnacol has been operating as a private insurance company, workers’ compensation insurance premiums have been reduced and additional dividends paid out to those companies with good claim history. Pinnacol and all Colorado businesses need help fighting these bills. 

Marcia Benshoof, Chief Business Officer for Pinnacol Assurance, explains the effect of the legislation even further: 

• Pinnacol is not a state agency, and it receives no state funding. In fact, it is required to be self-sustaining and, therefore, does not expose the state to financial losses.

• Current law expressly prohibits any transfer of Pinnacol’s assets to the State General Fund.

• Pinnacol has a 5 year history of distributing dividends back to policyholders ($300 million), which will cease if these bills are passed.

• Pinnacol has reduced rates by 42%  ($212 million) over the last 4 years, which will cease if these bills are passed

• Pinnacol’s assets are not public funds! They are private funds set aside from premiums paid by Colorado businesses to ensure the safety and soundness of the company’s obligations to injured Colorado workers.

• This legislation is a shortsighted, ill-advised effort to fill a budget deficit. The ramifications are multi-faceted, including higher workers’ compensation costs, instability in the marketplace and uncertainty for injured workers and their families.

• Pinnacol Assurance provides workers’ compensation insurance to 58,000 Colorado businesses.

Help Colorado’s businesses and economy, please take action now, and contact your state representative.

Safety Matters, Safety meetings

StaffScapes, Inc. encourages safety for our clients and our employees.  Each month StaffScapes sends out “Safety Matters,” a newsletter to provide awareness of safety issues to you and your employees.  By sharing this information with employees you are creating a safer work environment and reducing the risk of non-productive employees. 

“Safety Matters” encompasses a number of safety related issues.  Although some of the topics may not seem relevant to your business, it gives the employees exposure to issues they may face off the job as well.  Safety meeting compliance can help reduce overall worker compensation costs from an injured employee. 

As you conduct your monthly safety meetings, please have all employees read “Safety Matter” newsletters and sign the safety meeting sign in sheet.  Please return the sign in sheet by fax 303-466-7947 or mail to StaffScapes, Inc.  If there are any questions or concerns please call me at 303-466-7864. 

Contact StaffScapes today if you did not receive your monthly Safety Matters Newsletter.

With over 14 years in Business StaffScapes is your source for PEO services in Denver & Colorado.

StaffScapes was created with a single goal - give you the freedom to focus on what you do best; grow your business.  StaffScapes was fonded with a singular goal to provide cost effective payroll, workers compensation and Human Resources Solutions.

Focus on your business. Not your staffing.

How does reviewing past claims help my business save money with Workers Compensation Insurance?

Today StaffScapes is meeting with representatives from Pinnacol Assurance to review past claim history. This is a very valuable tool for all for all business that have had workers compensation claims. By reviewing claims a business is able to see trends that a supervisor of a department may not notice because of all the other jobs a person is doing. Many times a review will allow a company to look at history and just not at today’s work and what is going on.

When you review claims you can also target claims to learn who was using safety equipment and who was not and compare similar claims and the cost associated with it. We have a small manufacture with 50 or so employees that kept having small eye injuries. Most of the employee did not bother to where the safety glasses when cutting parts and this was the leading cause of injury. After further review we noticed many employee had been using the proper safety equipment and still employees where getting hurt. Material was flying in behind the glasses or around the edge of the traditional safety glasses. By changing the type of glasses used we where able to cut injuries down the fowling year. By not reviewing the claims with the client this type of injury could lead to a very expensive claim or much worse someone losing site because of a work related injury. 

If you have any type of ongoing injury you should be siting down with your workers compensation provider or your Professional employer Organization (PEO) and do a claims review. During this claim review you should also question open claims to be sure that all cost saving measures are being looked at.

To learn more about safety programs, loss prevention and ways to reduce your Workers Compensation Liability contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864 .

Attention StaffScapes Clients, OSHA Form 300A have been sent to all clients that had employees with StaffScapes during 2011.  This summary page needs to be posted from February 1st to April 30th, 2012 at each worksite.

The OSHA 300A is a log that provides a summary work-related injuries and illnesses that includes the number of injuries, days away from work, and types of injuries or illnesses.

If you have not received your log please contact the Safety Coordinator today to get a copy of your log.  If you would like more information on the OSHA log or Workers Compensation administration please contact StaffScapes at 303-466-7864.