US Lawmakers Urged EPA to Investigate Talc Products

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today pressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for answers following an alarming new Reuters report revealing that some everyday consumer products, including baby powders, may contain asbestos—a highly toxic chemical.

Knee Replacements: An Over Sold Procedure

The following post is shared from Kaiser Health News authored by Liz Szabo:

"Research suggests that up to one-third of those who have knees replaced continue to experience chronic pain, while 1 in 5 are dissatisfied with the results. A study published last year in the BMJ found that knee replacement had “minimal effects on quality of life,” especially for patients with less severe arthritis.

Fall Death Rates Increase in US Increased 30%

Today's post is shared from the cdc.gov

Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, 1 but less than half tell their doctor.  Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.

NJ Labor Department, OSHA Form Alliance to Better Protect Workers

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), the New Jersey State Industrial Safety Committee (NJSISC), and the U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed an agreement establishing an alliance to foster safer and more healthful workplaces in the Garden State. Through this partnership, the participating organizations will share information, resources, guidance, and access to training.

The alliance is based on the recognition of the value of collaboration in enhancing employee safety, which all three agencies have a hand in enforcing.

“At the forefront of our mission is ensuring the health and safety of New Jersey’s public workers,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “This agreement with OSHA, and our long-standing partners at NJSISC, will help provide our employees with access to all the resources they need, so workers can get the common sense protections they deserve.”

The participating agencies intend to work together to raise awareness of workplace safety and health practice through a new campaign called “Safe + Sound.” New information will be disseminated through the campaign on management leadership, employee engagement, and systematic approaches to find and fix workplace hazards before they cause illness or injury to a worker.

For example, the participants will share relevant injury, illness and hazard exposure data to help identify areas of emphasis for awareness, outreach and communication, and will evaluate the effectiveness of its efforts in improving workplace safety.

“It is clear that an excellent safety record can positively impact workers and their families, as well as business productivity and sustainability,” Robert Kulick, OSHA regional administrator in New York, said. “This Alliance, based on OSHA’s national Safe + Sound Campaign, provides a roadmap for New Jersey employers as they focus on safety performance. It is rooted in the belief that every workplace should have a safety and health program that includes three core elements of management–leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to find and fix hazards.”

James Braswell, chair of the State Industrial Safety Committee, said: “Through the alliance with the OSHA New York Regional Office and the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the NJSISC has affirmed its commitment to promote effective safety and health programs across New Jersey and increase access to workplace safety training. We are excited to be part of this joint collaboration and for the ability to influence the future of safety and health within our state.”

Employers with exemplary safety records will be recognized and invited to share their best practices with others. NJDOL’s free, on-site safety consultation program will be promoted.

Fatal occupational injuries decrease slightly

There were a total of 5,147 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2017, down slightly from the 5,190 fatal injuries reported in 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.  The fatal injury rate decreased to 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers from 3.6 in 2016.

BLS Press Release: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm

NJ Senate passes bill to increase benefits for hand and foot claims

Yesterday the NJ Senate passed a bill (S782) to increase benefits for work-related hand and foot claims. The legislation also requires a study of the effectiveness of the state's workers' compensation system. The Assembly version of the bill has been referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

Identical Bill Number: A1110     Last Session Bill Number: S777   A4376  Sarlo, Paul A.   as Primary Sponsor Scutari, Nicholas P.   as Primary Sponsor
1/9/2018 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee 5/10/2018 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading 5/10/2018 Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee 9/24/2018 Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading 12/17/2018 Passed by the Senate (27-8) Introduced - - 10 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill - - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - SLA 5/10/18 - 1 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Reprint - - 9 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Statement - SBA 9/24/18 - 3 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Fiscal Estimate - 10/3/18;1R - 4 pages PDF Format    HTML Format  Committee Voting: SLA  5/10/2018  -  r/favorably  -  Yes {4}  No {1}  Not Voting {0}  Abstains {0}  -  Roll Call SBA  9/24/2018  -  r/Sca  -  Yes {10}  No {0}  Not Voting {1}  Abstains {2}  -  Roll Call Session Voting: Sen.    12/17/2018  -  3RDG FINAL PASSAGE   -  Yes {27}  No {8}  Not Voting {5}    -  Roll Call

Fee Schedules: A defense of bureaucracy in workers compensation

Today's guest post was authored by Jon Rehm**, Esquire of the Nebraska Bar.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

Lawyers on “both sides of the v.” in Nebraska like to grumble about rules and regulations imposed by the workers’ compensation court.