Newsletter Sign-up

The Industrial Commission is considering changes to the physicians' and pharmaceutical fee schedule.

More than 350 workers nationally were electrocuted in 2008-09, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The federal government is making it easier and quicker to find the latest information on ways to reduce workers' risks for seasonal flu. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health announced an expanded and reorganized web page.

State legislators involved in insurance activities have developed a solution to the issue of misclassification of employees in the trucking and courier industries. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators adopted the model law at its spring meeting in Washington, D.C. last month.

A measure in the Washington Legislature would provide legal recourse for employees who are bullied and legal incentives for employers to prevent and respond to mistreatment of employees.

The Division of Workers' Compensation identified three issues associated with the implementation of revision E to the medical electronic data interchange implementation guide.

Employing mechanical lifting devices at long-term care facilities is only part of the solution to the increasing number of workplace injuries. The attitudes of key personnel are also a determining factor in whether the devices would help reduce workers' comp costs, according to a new study.

Saying a proposed decrease in OSHA funding "pushes the agency back to Fiscal Year 2004 funding levels," the American Society of Safety Engineers has strongly criticized proposed spending cuts.

The workers' comp community is pleased overall with legislation that aims to streamline the Medicare secondary payer reporting process. However, one legal expert says it probably won't make that much of a difference for the system and may actually hurt taxpayers.

The workers' comp system is a focal point for Washington state lawmakers this year. Efforts to reform the system follow a state auditor's report in December showing parts of the system either are or could become insolvent in the next five years.

The Division of Workers' Compensation updated and posted answers to frequently asked questions about utilization review on its website.

The definition of "disability" has been expanded under the ADA Amendments Act, according to regulations just released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Employers should review the new regulations and update their policies to comply.

Despite efforts by regulators, AequiCap Insurance Co. lacked the financial resources for a successful rehabilitation. With those words, the Florida Department of Financial Services ordered the company into liquidation.

Promoting the health and safety of people at work through prevention and early intervention is the goal of the occupational safety and related Healthy People 2020. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced the plan for the workplace aspect of the larger national effort.

The National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health is viewing research on lung cancer detection. The agency has developed a blog about the study and possible implications for the workforce.