Workplace Accidents on the Decline

Tougher regulatory enforcement is curbing on-the-job fatalities and injuries, the government says.

Despite a rise in violations, tougher enforcement of workplace regulations has reduced the number of on-the-job accidents in recent years, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Last year, the agency conducted 39,324 workplace inspections, citing 88,846 violations of standards and regulations, a six percent increase from 2006, the agency reported. These included 67,176 serious violations, up nine percent from the previous year, and 2,551 repeat violations.

"The significant increase in citations for serious and repeat violations documents OSHA's focus on identifying and eliminating severe hazards in the workplace," Edwin Foulke, the assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, said in a statement.

Despite the increase in citations, fatality and injury rates continued to decline, the agency said. For 2006, the agency reported a record-low workplace fatality rate of 3.9 per 100,000 employees. Injury and illness rates also dropped to an all-time low of 4.4 per 100,000 employees.

Among other factors, the agency credits a "strong, fair and effective enforcement program" on reducing workplace risks.

By Angus Loten

From Inc.com

What is workmen's comp insurance?

Workmen's Comp Insurance is a type of insurance required by each state (some exceptions are made) to cover the employer when a worker is injured on the job. Some of the earliest workmen's comp insurance requirements became a reality in the early 1800's. Before this employees received no help when injured while working and often sued the company winning damages that could put the employer out of business. This type of insurance is paid for wholly by the company.... an employee is never required to contribute.

Every state has different requirements for Workmen's Comp insurance. The easiest way to get this insurance while staying on top of state requirements is to partner with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). To find the perfect PEO visit http://www.PEO-Quote.com

FL Workers Comp Rates to Drop 15.7%

South Florida Business Journal

Florida's insurance commissioner got what he wanted: Workers' compensation insurance rates are to fall by a statewide average of 15.7 percent, effective Jan. 1. Commissioner Kevin McCarty approved an amended rate filing submitted by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).

His office estimated the overall average rate decrease of 15.7 percent will produce a savings worth more than $400 million for Florida employers. Earlier this month, McCarty asked NCCI to amend its original filing, citing disagreements with the methodology NCCI used to project losses and with the trend factors used in the filing.

Per industry group, the rate drop is to be 15.4 percent for manufacturing, 16 percent for contracting, 16.2 percent for office and clerical, 15.3 percent for goods and services and 15.7 percent for miscellaneous other industries.

The decrease is the fourth consecutive rate drop since the government reformed the state's workers' compensation system in 2003. Rates dropped 13.5 percent for 2006, 5.1 percent for 2005 and 14 percent for 2004. The cumulative overall average rate decrease for the period totals more than 40 percent, McCarty's office said.

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/10/30/daily16.html?f=et81&hbx=e_du