12 ways to reform OSHA
The current regulatory approach toward safety and health in the workplace needs improvement, according to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
Drug Testing
7 startling facts about prescription painkillers
You’ve probably heard about the increase in painkiller abuse in the U.S. But some statistics gathered by the National Safety Council (NSC) on this epidemic are real eye-openers.
Are employee screens for prescription drugs illegal?
It’s back to a trial court in a lawsuit against a manufacturing company’s employee screens for prescription medications. The company said it was only screening for meds with warnings about operating machinery. Employees say the tests violated federal law.
Bizarre accidents: Injured by cow; Gunslinger shot with a blank
Two recent incidents from our Bizarre Accidents File carry some real-life lessons for those involved. One concerns a charging 1,200-pound cow, the other an actor playing a gunslinger who was injured when he was “shot” with a blank.
Can pot-using worker be fired in medical marijuana state?
Fact: 16 states and Washington, DC, have laws that allow the medical use of marijuana for patients with fatal diseases or chronic pain. What’s not as clear: How these laws impact workplace drug policies. Now, another state court has weighed in.
Can workers’ comp be denied for NOT taking painkillers?
Drug tests showed an injured worker wasn’t taking his prescribed pain-management medication. His former employer argued that should disqualify him from receiving workers’ comp benefits. Did the company win?
Company tested all workers for legal drugs: $750K settlement
With all the reports about increasing use of painkillers, such as opioids, it’s no wonder some companies are testing employees for the legal substances for safety reasons. But, as this case shows, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do that.
Company to pay $30K to settle suit involving inability to provide urine sample
A trucking company has agreed to pay $30,000 following its withdrawal of a conditional job offer. The applicant wasn’t able to provide a urine sample for a drug test due to a medical condition.
Court upholds firing of employee who tested positive for cocaine
In a random drug test, an employee in a safety-sensitive position tested positive for cocaine. When he was fired, he filed a lawsuit against his employer arguing his job wasn’t safety-sensitive. How did a court rule?
Court: Employer must reimburse injured worker for medical weed
A New Jersey employer must reimburse an injured worker for medical marijuana, according to an appeals court decision.
Court: OSHA can enforce its drug testing & incentive prohibitions
A federal court has denied a request to temporarily stop part of OSHA’s updated recordkeeping rule that would prohibit companies from using certain types of drug testing and safety incentives.
Courts order companies to pay death benefits for injured workers’ opioid overdoses
Courts are forcing companies to pay workers’ comp death benefits to families of injured employees whose addiction and death resulted from opioids prescribed for work injuries.
Dealing with workers with history of injuries
What do you do with employees who have a history of injuries? Fire them and they may sue, but leave them on the job and they might harm themselves or others.
Did company order drug test before calling 911 for injured worker?
A widow is suing a Texas company, alleging it took the employer two hours to get an ambulance for her husband who had fallen several feet and hit his head. She also claims a drug test was ordered before anyone called 911.
Did she refuse post-accident drug test? City says yes, worker says no
A claims examiner was suspended for 10 days after refusing to complete a post-accident drug test. A trial court overturned her suspension, and her employer appealed. What did the appeals court say?
Did taking prescription meds prevent injured employee from getting workers’ comp?
A worker had to have his finger amputated after his hand was crushed in a machine. A post-injury drug test showed he had meds in his system that he didn’t have prescriptions for.
SAFETY TRAINING KITS
Get up to date with our Safety Training Kits.
