NYC DOB LL196 - 40-Hour Site Safety Training Deadline

The 40-Hour Site Safety Training Deadline is fast approaching! The deadline for workers on Site Safety Training (SST) construction sites to meet the 40 hours of safety training mandated by Local Law 196 of 2017 is March 1, 2021.

Electronic Filing of your 2020 OSHA 300A Summary Log

Dear Group Member,

We hope that you are all doing well and staying safe. Attached please find information and important links to aid you in completing and filing your OSHA 300A Summary log.  
 
Thank you,
 
The Lovell Safety Department
212-709-8899        
lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com

Lovell Safety Management Safety eTalks

Ongoing safety training is critical to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. With this goal in mind the Lovell Safety Department has developed effective safety training materials in different formats to meet your specific needs.

We have created individualized YouTube videos (eTalks) that group members can use to enhance their safety program. The eTalks can be shown on a phone, tablet or computer. The links can even be emailed to employees for them to view on their own. This is an optimal way of maintaining social distancing while training during these unusual times. 
 
Remember, we also have available to you written safety talks and onsite training.
 
If you have any questions, or need any additional information please contact your local safety representative or the LSM Safety Department.
 
212-709-8899   
lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com

 

OSHA 10 HR Construction Course - Mohawk Valley Builders Exchange

 October 15^th & October 16^th , 2020  7:30AM-1:30PM

To aid in your compliance with the various Federal, State and City regulations requiring this training, the LSM safety department is once again offering the OSHA 10 Hour Course.  The course is provided by our OSHA certified instructors. Each employee who successfully completes the program will receive a certification card from OSHA.

Please contact Ms. Tracy Page at (315) 731-2441 for registration. Masks are required and social distancing will be obtained.

Section 32 Waiver Agreements

Sometimes it is in the interests of both claimants and employers to compromise to settle a claim. For example, an employee with a diabetic foot alleged that he injured the foot at work. The employer disputed the claim, stating that no work accident occurred and that the employee’s problems were entirely preexisting. The carrier controverted the claim. There was a substantial chance that the claim could be established by the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) as a work injury with an aggravation of his underlying condition. In that event, the cost of the claim would exceed $100,000 for wage replacement (known as indemnity benefits) and medical costs. 

The claimant, on the other hand, faced the prospect of having his claim completely denied. Rather than take the risk of litigation, both parties elected to settle the claim for $15,000, under Section 32 of the Workers’ Compensation Law. Section 32 states as follows: “No agreement or release except as otherwise provided in this chapter by an employee to waive his right to compensation under this chapter shall be valid.” It then goes on to provide a framework within which a waiver agreement can be entered into and be approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board. A carrier, including self-insured employers, and a claimant can agree to resolve a controverted claim, settle a dispute, or bring finality to ongoing claims involving permanent disabilities. 

Settlements can be limited to wage replacement benefits and are referred to as “indemnity only.” The carrier will be responsible for the payment of continued medical treatment. A “global settlement” covers both wage replacement (indemnity) and medical treatment. A “medical only” settlement is possible but rarely utilized. Indemnity settlements are typically paid as a lump sum, but structured settlements, where claimants receive weekly or monthly annuity benefits, are an acceptable alternative.

Since the passage of legislation in 1980, the Federal Government has implemented a complex series of rules to make sure that workers’ compensation settlements were not shifting the medical costs of work-related injuries to Medicare. When medical costs are included in a settlement, the interest of Medicare must be considered in regard to future medical costs and past payments that Medicare may have made. A Medicare Set Aside Arrangement (MSA) is an allocation of a portion of the settlement for future medical care. When the following conditions are met the MSA can and should be submitted to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval: claimant is a Medicare beneficiary and the total settlement amount is greater than $25,000.00; or claimant has an expectation of Medicare enrollment within 30 months and the anticipated total settlement amount is expected to be greater than $250,000.

The MSA is comprised of prior payments made by Medicare and a projection of future costs based on current ongoing treatment including prescription drugs. The MSA’s often have very high values. When handled properly, Medicare will assume responsibility for payment if an MSA is exhausted. Under certain circumstances, an unwise carrier may unexpectedly find itself liable for past and/or future payments. 

Evidence and experience suggest that some claimants overutilize medical services in order to bolster their claims, especially if there is a concurrent third-party lawsuit. After the claimants have settled their workers’ compensation case, it is not unusual for there to be a significant drop in the utilization of medical services, and very often there is a complete cessation. Therefore, it is often preferable to settle the claims as “indemnity only,” which often reduces the propensity of claimants to seek treatment. These types of settlements avoid the added expense and complexity of the MSA.

Settlements are also often used on established permanent partial disability claims. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid weekly, over a fixed period of time. Some claimants prefer to receive their benefits all at once in a lump sum. Carriers will settle claims in a single payment, but only if such settlements offer a significant discount against the future value of the claim. 

Settlements are final ten days after being approved by the WCB and will not be disturbed absent a showing of fraud or misrepresentation. When wisely negotiated, settlements offer the benefits of lowering claim costs, removing uncertainty, and reducing the cost of administering claims. 

 

New York City Council has passed a bill postponing LL 196 full compliance deadline until March 1, 2021

We have just been informed that the New York City Council has passed a bill postponing LL 196 full compliance deadline until March 1, 2021.

For most contractors this refers to the additional 10 hours of training.

It is expected that the Mayor will sign this bill prior to September 1, 2020.

The NYC DOB Local Law 196 currently requires a total of 40 hours of training for employees to receive their SST cards. 

This includes the 30 Hours OSHA class PLUS 10 hours of additional training. 

Please note, if the employee has taken the 30 Hour OSHA class, an additional OSHA 10 Hour class will not satisfy the additional 10 hours of training requirement. 

As always, the Lovell Safety Management Safety Department will provide you with up to the minute details.

You can access NYC DOB approved Online training at:

OSHA 30 Hour:

www.clicksafety.com/lovell (discount automatically applied)

NYC SST-302 2-Hour Drugs and Alcohol Awareness for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-drugs-and-alcohol-awareness-for-construction

NYC SST-305 4-Hour Fall Prevention for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-sst-305-4-hour-fall-prevention-for-construction

NYC SST-307 8-Hour Fall Prevention for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-sst-307-8-hour-fall-prevention-for-construction

Use Discount Code PK15 for 15% off NYC-SST courses

For questions or further information, please contact the LSM Safety Department at 212-709-8899 lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com

NYC DOB Local Law 196 currently requires a total of 40 hours of training for employees to receive their SST cards.

Dear Group Member,

NYC DOB Local Law 196 currently requires a total of 40 hours of training for employees to receive their SST cards. 

This includes the 30 Hours OSHA class PLUS 10 hours of additional training.

Please note, if the employee has taken the 30 Hour OSHA class, an additional OSHA 10 Hour class will not satisfy the additional 10 hours of training requirement.

The current deadline for full compliance with LL 196 is September 1, 2020.  We have been informed that the NYC Council is considering extending this deadline to March 1, 2021. Though this has NOT become law, as of yet, it appears that this a real possibility.

As always, the Lovell Safety Management Safety Department will provide you with up to the minute details.

You can access NYC DOB approved Online training at:

OSHA 30 Hour:

www.clicksafety.com/lovell (discount automatically applied)

NYC SST-302 2-Hour Drugs and Alcohol Awareness for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-drugs-and-alcohol-awareness-for-construction

NYC SST-305 4-Hour Fall Prevention for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-sst-305-4-hour-fall-prevention-for-construction

NYC SST-307 8-Hour Fall Prevention for Construction

https://clicksafety.com/courses/detail/nyc-sst-307-8-hour-fall-prevention-for-construction

Use Discount Code PK15 for 15% off NYC-SST courses

For questions or further information, please contact the LSM Safety Department at 212-709-8899

lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYC Department of Buildings "Best Practices for Social Distancing on Construction Sites"

Dear Group Member,

The New York City Department of Buildings has just issued their “Best Practices for Social Distancing on Construction Sites.”   They are based on the latest COVID-19 guidance from the CDC, OSHA and other publications. Employers are responsible for enforcing social distancing and safety measures on their job sites. These guidelines may help you develop and manage appropriate measures customized for your job sites. If you need any additional information or assistance, please contact the Lovell Safety Department.


Safety Department
lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com
212-709-8899

Working at Home - Keeping Yourself Safe

Dear Group Member,

The global spread of COVID-19, is forcing many of us to work from home.  Whether you are new to the work-from-home lifestyle, or have been doing it for years, please see the attached information  to help you, and your staff, keep safe and healthy. 

As always, The Lovell Safety Department, and the entire Lovell Safety Management staff, are available to respond to your safety and worker compensation needs. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. 

 Safety Department

lsmsafetydepartment@lovellsafety.com

212-709-8899

Lovell is Always Here