Massachusetts Safety Consultation Program Sees Big Savings
- The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards said this week that its On-Site Safety Consultation Program has helped employers across the state avoid over $18.5 million in workplace injury costs.
- The savings from the federal OSHA-funded program come from reducing expenses like medical bills, workers’ compensation premiums, and the hidden costs of workplace injuries—such as hiring and training replacements, managing administrative tasks, and dealing with lost productivity, DLS said.
- After an employer requests a consultation, a consultant visits the worksite to evaluate potential hazards, work practices, and the employer’s safety program. At the end of the visit, the consultant provides recommendations to address hazards and improve overall safety measures.
- Its no-cost services are targeted at small and medium-sized employers in both the public and private sectors.
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Illinois Gov. Pritzker Gets Bill on Warehouse Safety Protections
- Legislation pending Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signature would provide protections for workers at large warehouses such as those run by Amazon by requiring employers to be more transparent.
- The bill covers warehouses that employ 250 or more workers at a single warehouse distribution center, or 1,000 or more employees at such facilities statewide.
- If signed, it would require that workloads don’t prevent employees from taking breaks for meals, rest or visits to the bathroom.
- In December, Amazon reached a $145,000 settlement with the US OSHA over accusations that conditions at an Illinois warehouse left workers exposed to elevated risks of injury.
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