A survey of 450 large employers identified “employees’ poor health habits” as the number one challenge named by employers as they try to maintain affordable health benefit coverage (National Business Group on Health and Watson Wyatt, 2009). A majority of large employers responding to this survey offer health risk appraisals (83%) and weight management programs to reduce obesity among employees (74%). Based on survey data, observed growth in vendors and suppliers of corporate wellness programs, and employers’ testimony, a tipping point may have been reached that leading large employers now have, or believe they should have, wellness programs in place, according to the National Business Group on Health.
The U.S. voluntary standards system is designed to help businesses and other stakeholders develop and promote product measurement, standards and technology in order to enhance productivity, facilitate trade and compete successfully in a global marketplace, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Specifically, the voluntary standards system is spurring the development of Smart Grid, healthcare IT, cyber security and emerging technologies and contributes to America’s leadership in the global economy.
As companies contend with the business changes brought on by the recession, many have increased their employee communication efforts. But as they prepare for an eventual rebound, few companies are planning to increase their communication with workers about pay, benefits and business performance in general, according to a forthcoming report by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm.
Employees who feel that issues with home and family life are interfering with their work take more sick leave, more often, according to a study in the August Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
A revision to OSHA’s Acetylene Standard replaces references to outdated consensus standards with updated references reflecting current industry practices in the acetylene industry.
OSHA announced in a press released that it has cited A-1 Excavating Inc. in Bloomer, Wis., with one willful and four serious violations of federal workplace safety standards following the death of a worker.
On August 6th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a revised hurricane outlook for the 2009 hurricane season. While this outlook provides important trends and cycles, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in a recent press release, is taking this opportunity to remind the public that no one can predict where the next storm will strike or what the impacts of that storm will be. As we move into the more active phase of the hurricanes season, FEMA says it is critical that everyone take steps now to prepare themselves and their families.
Dennis Beetham and his company, D.B. Western Inc., have been indicted on both federal and state charges alleging that he illegally dumped hazardous and other industrial waste in Crook County, Ore., the Justice Department announced.
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