OSHA reached out to stakehokders

• OSHA is asking for feedback as it considers developing a leading indicators resource.
• Leading indicators are proactive and preventive measures that can provide insight into the effectiveness of safety and health activities and reveal potential problems.
• These metrics can be vital in reducing worker fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and financial impacts, according to OSHA.
• The agency is reaching out to stakeholders for input on their current use of indicators and their impact on managing safety and health management systems.
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Former Bureau Of Prisons employee guilty of fraud

• Elizabeth Torres, a former Bureau of Prisons employee, pled guilty to a workers’ comp fraud scheme.
• Torres duped the DOL into paying her hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal disability benefits by falsely claiming that she had a debilitating knee injury and, therefore, that she was employed full-time for several years during her scheme.
• She sought and received compensation under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, which provides benefits to civilian federal employees who sustain injuries as a result of their employment.
• In order to receive FECA benefits, a claimant must prove that she is disabled by furnishing medical documentation and other evidence with her claim.
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Labor Dept. offers leave-time guidance

• The U.S. Department of Labor issued an opinion letter providing guidance regarding calculating the amount of leave used when an employee takes federal Family and Medical Leave Act leave during a week with a holiday.
• The DOL explained that, if an employee takes a full week of FMLA leave during a week with a holiday, the holiday has no effect on FMLA leave and the employee will use a full week of FMLA leave.
• For example, if an employee takes FMLA leave from July 3, 2023 – July 7, 2023, which includes the Fourth of July holiday, the full week will count as FMLA leave and reduce the amount of FMLA leave the employee has available accordingly.
• If an employee takes intermittent FMLA leave during a week with a holiday and the employee was not expected or scheduled to work on the holiday, the holiday does not count toward the employee’s FMLA leave.
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OSHA investigating death at Baker Hughes

• An employee died Wednesday morning at Baker Hughes in Broussard, Louisiana.
• Officials with the OSHA confirmed a fatal incident at the plant and that it is conducting an investigation.
• The victim’s identity has not been released.
• In a statement to KATC, the company confirmed a “tragic employee death” and that safety is a top priority.
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