Work Comp

October 1, 2024
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UNICO Group Celebrates CWCA Certification

UNICO Group is pleased to announce that both Grant Huck and Justin Lewandowski have received their CWCA certification. By becoming certified, Grant and Justin will have the essential training for reviewing Workers' Compensation insurance reports.
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November 4, 2022
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OSHA Announces Preliminary Top 10 Violations for Fiscal Year 2022

This preliminary list indicates the most violated safety standards for fiscal year 2022. Preliminary data shows that fall protection (general requirements) is at the top of the list of violations for the 12th year in a row, followed by hazard communication and respiratory protection.
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May 7, 2021
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Benefits of a Stretch and Flex Program

Sprains, strains and musculoskeletal disorders can result from lifting injuries, being hit by fallen objects or even a simple misstep. Protect yourself and others from these painful injuries by always practicing safety on the job.
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March 15, 2019
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The Daunting Challenge of Maintaining A Drug-Free Workplace

With a national opioid crisis that defies holistic solutions, the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than 30 states and recreational marijuana in 10 states, increases in deadly overdoses in the workplace, changing state laws, confusion over OSHA’s anti-retaliatory drug testing rule, and concerns about medical privacy, no employer should think they are immune to the problem. In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), 15.6% of American workers live with a substance disorder and The Hartford reports that 64% of HR professionals are ill-prepared to help a worker with an opioid addiction. These factors, coupled with a tight labor market and low unemployment, have led some employers to soften zero-tolerance policies for jobs where safety is not critical and there is a low risk of injury or error. The decision to relax zero-tolerance policies requires buy-in from company leadership and supervisors as well as serious evaluation of the consequences. Although the legalization of marijuana exponentially increases the complexity […]
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November 13, 2018
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Preliminary list of top ten OSHA violations includes eye and face protection for first time

Preliminary list of top ten OSHA violations includes eye and face protection for first time While the preliminary list of the Top 10 violations for Fiscal Year 2018 (Oct. 1, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2018) remains largely unchanged from 2017, there is a newcomer in tenth place. Eye and face protection surpassed electrical – wiring methods, which dropped off the top ten. Also, fall protection – training requirements, which was a newcomer last FY moved up from #9 to #8. Topping the list for the fifth year in a row is fall protection, a general requirements standard, which saw a 19.7% increase in citations from the previous FY. There was a significant increase – 25.4% – in citations related to ladders and a 30.1% increase in citations for violations of fall protection – training requirements. Overall, there was a 10.5% increase in the total number of violations. Here is the list compared with the FY 2017 figures: 1.Fall Protection – […]
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December 15, 2017
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Christmas Light Safety

Christmas is just around the corner and some of us still haven’t put up Christmas lights. For some of the single-story houses, a step ladder can do the job, but for others, an extension ladder is needed. Ladders use can be an everyday occurrence on a job site and we wanted to take this time to go over some things to remember when using extension ladders, along with care and maintenance.   Using the Ladder When selecting an extension ladder, know that the top of it must extend at least 3 feet above the roof eave. Ensure that you are not setting up an extension ladder upside down with the fly section at the bottom and the base section at the top, rung locks engaged. When the extension ladder has been used as a single ladder, ensure that all guides or brackets are properly assembled and engaged before you use it. Never make an extension adjustment when someone is standing […]
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June 1, 2017
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FMLA and Workers’ Compensation – Common Questions Answered

FMLA and Workers’ Compensation – Common Questions Answered The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state workers’ compensation laws may both cover an employee who suffers a serious health condition while on the job. The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued revised regulations that implement the FMLA. Though the interplay between the FMLA and workers’ compensation leaves was addressed within those regulations, a number of DOL letter rulings have also clarified the interaction of these laws. Does FMLA leave run concurrently with a workers’ compensation absence? The employee’s FMLA leave entitlement may run concurrently with a workers’ compensation absence when the injury is one that meets the criteria for a “serious health condition.” Thus, an employee could receive workers’ compensation benefits to replace lost wages, while at the same time having health benefits maintained under the FMLA. However, if appropriate, the employer must be sure to designate this leave as FMLA-qualifying leave and must give notice of the […]
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May 25, 2016
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Why Do Injured Employees Seek An Attorney?

A recent study found that if an injured employee seeks out legal representation for a workers’ compensation case, the costs will be much higher. Permanent disability claims involving attorneys, or 80% of permanent disability claims, averaged $66,208 in benefits and expenses, compared to $25,300 for claims that did not involve attorneys. Time away from work because of disability also was substantially higher and claims were slower to close. The severity of the injury, the claims process and the perception of the injured employee. While the correlation between severity of injury and attorney involvement is difficult to mitigate, employers can do a lot to minimize the other two factors. A Workers’ Compensation injury is not just a medical problem, there are complex psychological and social issues involved. While there will always be some employees driven by greed and aiming to “game the system,” most people come to work wanting to do a good job, not to create problems. When an unexpected […]
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March 30, 2016
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How To Build An Effective Employee Handbook

Employee handbooks are an essential part of effective human resources (HR) management and positive employee relations. Handbooks can also play a critical role in demonstrating employment law compliance. Properly used, employee handbooks: Communicate policies and procedures. Play a key role in the orientation process for new employees. Serve as a valuable employee relations vehicle for educating current and prospective employees. Contribute to uniform and consistent application, interpretation, and enforcement of company policies. Protect against claims of improper employer conduct and employee lawsuits. While carefully drafted employee handbooks can be an important part of employee relations media, handbooks that are unskillfully or improperly drafted can create organizational and legal headaches. Employers must carefully review every policy and procedure in a handbook to minimize potential contract claims and be prepared to update them periodically. Since employee handbooks are not required by law, organizations may determine the best method and most effective means to communicate important HR-related information to their employees. Factors that affect an organization’s need for a written […]
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