Download Available: Spill Prevention LH

Yes, things really hit the fan at BP early that morning when compressed natural gas escaping from a leaking well, far below the sea surface, entered the ventilation system of the rig and led to an explosion.  What resulted was a spill of epic proportions.  About 4.9 million barrels of oil was released into the Gulf waters.  After all the finger pointing is over and legal issues have taken their course and fines and restitutions delivered, one question will remain.  Was there a culture at BP that placed safety and compliance on the back burner?  Here lies a management lesson for all.

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Download Available: WC Requirements LH

From October 8, 2010, California employers must provide certain updated documents to employees related to Workers’ Compensation.  California has approved amended regulations governing the basic workers’ compensation notice materials that employers must use to inform employees of their rights and obligations under California workers’ compensation law. The revisions are as follows: Continue reading →

Download Available: South Coast Air Quality Management District Regulations effecting Bodyshops Effective January 1, 2010

South Coast Air Quality Management District is the regulating agency for air quality in the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and the non-desert portions of the San Bernardino County in Southern California.  The agency has enacted new rules that apply to body shops regarding system maintenance and documentation.  The Rule also covers NOx emissions limits for older (pre-1986) dryers, ovens and afterburners that are located at a collision center paint booth and related equipment.

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Download Available: Used Oil Center and Wheel Weights

USED OIL RECYCLING CENTER:  The state has enacted changes to the Use oil Recycling Program effective January 1, 2010 The changes that the bill creates for Certified Collection Centers (CCC) comprises of two different elements.  First the bill changes the fee collection and the recycling incentive payment schedule.  Secondly, the bill places certain changes to the Health & Safety Code requiring testing of used oil that is shipped out of state.  Key elements of the bill are as follows Continue reading →

Following an inspection by an OSHA inspector, citations may be issued that carry penalties and fines.  At times, OSHA may forward the case to the local prosecutor if the case involves labor code violations that are tantamount to a crime.  In this Newsletter, we discuss some of the procedural issues that you need to undertake when you receive the citation.  Legal advice must be sought in high stakes cases especially where the local prosecutor is involved!

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Download Available: Incentive Safety – Feb 2010

Dealerships’ incur extra liability when they hire an outside contractor.  The purpose of this Alert is to discuss some avenues of liability the dealership may encounter and certain remedies that may address those liabilities.

OSHA Issue I:  Continue reading →

Download Available: FLU

What are the symptoms of Swine Flu?

Cough, Fever/Chills, Sore Throat, Fatigue/Body Aches, and Decreased Appetite

Less common:  Runny Nose, Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea.

Is there treatment for swine flu? Continue reading →

Download Available: Recordable Injuries – LH

The Workers Compensation (W/C) premium paid by your dealership depends upon payroll, work function of the employee and the X-Mod.  The X-Mod is computed upon the severity and frequency of injuries reported.  Some dealerships have entered into programs with their insurance company where the first $250 expense for the treatment is paid by the dealership aka a deductible.  While this financial agreement may be acceptable, it does not relieve the dealership to record the injury that later will reflect in their premiums!  California Department of Insurance wrote a memo (a copy is attached) on this matter sometime ago notifying employers of their obligations.  We seriously recommend that you discuss the matter of WHAT INJURIES NEED TO BE REPORTED AND WHICH ARE EXEMPT with your W/C insurance company.  Some general guidance between recordable injuries and first aid as follows:  Continue reading →

Download Available: Exemption to Phase II EVR Upgrades LH

California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted regulations that require Phase II Enhance Vapor Recovery (EVR) upgrades to the gasoline dispensers on underground tanks by April 1, 2009.  Approximate cost of the upgrades is running from $20-30K.  We last wrote to you on this issue on April 10, 2008 and this Dealer Alert discusses how to get exemption from the upgrade.  The Air Pollution Control Districts who are spearheading the compliance phase of the state law are willing to issue exemptions to dealers provided certain conditions are met.  We discuss those conditions in this Dealer Alert. Continue reading →