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Author Archives: James W. Heslep

WORKPLACE SAFETY IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER SHOOTING

By James W. Heslep | Published: April 3, 2012
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that more than two million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year.  In fact, homicide currently ranks as the fourth-leading cause of workplace fatalities in the United States.  Recently, a psychiatric clinic associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) unexpectedly, and unfortunately, became involved [...]
Posted in General Employer Interest, Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) | Leave a comment

MANAGED CARE DEVELOPMENTS IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

By James W. Heslep | Published: November 11, 2011
In 2006, managed care of workers’ compensation claims went active in West Virginia.  The move to managed care had begun in the early 1990s as increases in medical costs had become the primary drivers of workers’ compensation costs.  Initial attempts to implement managed care systems involved the implementation of preferred care guidelines in states like [...]
Posted in Workers’ Compensation | Leave a comment

OSHA’S NEW FALL PROTECTION GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

By James W. Heslep | Published: July 6, 2011
In December 2010, OSHA issued Compliance Guidance for Residential Construction, rescinding the Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction.  The new standards took effect last week, but citations for fall protection violations will commence September 15, 2011, with a three-month grace period for employers complying with the old guidelines.
Posted in Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) | Leave a comment

WATCH YOUR HEADS – AND FEET! A PRIMER ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

By James W. Heslep | Published: March 11, 2011
A recent directive from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) to its inspectors has provided employers with a bit more clarity on its responsibilities in providing Personal Protective Equipment – also known as PPE – to employees.  That directive has also provided employers with a clue that hard hats, face shields and foot protection [...]
Posted in Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) | Leave a comment

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