HB-1661-Mirski leads the charge against workers' safety programs and workers comp

killing Worker's Comp Ins. completely for small co.s (0.00 / 0)

This is what's next, after first shoe falls...I know there are probably very few unionized workers or non union laborers who read this site, or upon whom these changes will have impact.

However, Chm.Mirski wants co.s with 5 employees or fewer not to be required to carry Worekr's Comp Insurance at all.

Imagine the scenario of a work site with a General Contractor, then small subs...an employee of a subcontractor say for carpentry, gets injured on the job, but his boss doesn't carry insurance beacuse he would not be required to if five or fewer employed, so then the employee has to sue the General Contractor to get covered...it would become a real mess for the injured. That's why we require all to have the insurance...

The basic freebaglican idea is that Insurance Co.s would have an incentive to keep you safe...Ummm No...they would have an incentive not to insure small co.s, because by law passed last year they can cheery pick larger co.s, and those who choose to negotiate will get lower rates by having a plan in place.

Both the Monitor and The Telegraph will be covering this 'under the radar' attack on workers in New Hampshire. If you care, be there.

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 18:03:47 PM UTC

Mirski seems to be overlooking... (4.00 / 1)

Mirski seems to be overlooking the fact that workers have a natural right--- A NATURAL RIGHT!--- to a safe workplace.


sitting state rep: running for re-election in 2012.

---

by: TimothyHorrigan @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 13:19:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

more than that Tim...under OSHA (4.00 / 1)

http://www.osha.gov/workers.ht...

Employer Responsibilities
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all relevant OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires employers to try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment PPE. Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to get rid of or minimize risks.
Employers MUST also:

Inform employees about hazards through training, labels, alarms, color-coded systems, chemical information sheets and other methods.

Keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Perform tests in the workplace, such as air sampling required by some OSHA standards.

Provide hearing exams or other medical tests required by OSHA standards.

Post OSHA citations, injury and illness data, and the OSHA poster in the workplace where workers will see them.

Notify OSHA within 8 hours of a workplace incident in which there is a death or when three or more workers go to a hospital.

Not discriminate or retaliate against a worker for using their rights under the law.

With regard to the first item about informing employees of hazards, most employers do this through a written safety plan

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 15:14:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

does anyone care about workers protections? n/t (0.00 / 0)

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 15:06:58 PM UTC

worker safety program being killed (0.00 / 0)

At the end of a long recession with a jobless recovery you would assume that workplace injuries would rise as workers are asked to work longer hours, because hiring is still weak. In most of the country it is true, per the head statistician at NH DOL the workers comp 'experience rating' in most of the country has stopped declining, meaning lost days due to work accidents are on the rise. Not in NH due to our requirement that all Co.s have a written safety plan Worker's Comp require etc.

Not any more. Paul Mirski wants it all done away with.

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 12:34:50 PM UTC

Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation (40 CFR 112) (0.00 / 0)

The Oil Pollution Prevention Regulation (40 CFR 112), was created to address oil spill prevention provisions documented in the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90). It's enforced by NHDES and EPA New England This regulation requires oil storage facilities to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. These facilities include those with an aggregate aboveground storage capacity of 1,320 gallons. If you're 1,320+ gallons, you may never self-certify unless you are a certified, state civil engineer. So unless a small business has <1,320 gallons, this bill makes no sense. Many small businesses have just as much of a need for a SPCC Plan as big businesses it depends entirely on the operations.  

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 13:13:34 PM UTC

from The Lobby 1 26 2012 (0.00 / 0)

From the TheLobby

 www.thelobbynh.com/landriganreport/947831-382/deregulation-for-businesses-in-the-works.html

Big and small business leaders will make a major play this week for some
deregulation that is bound to touch off controversy.

Well below the radar, the Commission to Study Business Regulations has been
meeting and today is expected to vote on its final report.

The group's chairman, Enfield Republican Rep. Paul Mirski, has made no
secret about his desire is to convert New Hampshire into a haven where
regulation of business is done away with or so reduced that it will become
a magnet for new entrepreneurs.

The Lobby has obtained a copy of the interim draft report that the Business
& Industry Association of New Hampshire played a major role in producing.

Greater Nashua Chamber President Chris Williams is on the panel along with
counterparts from Manchester, Lebanon and Portsmouth.

Among its many recommendations would be to do away with the requirement
that small businesses have workers' compensation insurance, eliminate
safety plan requirements and make the Department of Labor give 12 hours
notice before undertaking a surprise inspection of a company's premises.

Doesn't that make 12-hour notice and surprise inspection an oxymoron?

The report would also require that any company found not to be in
compliance with a labor regulation or law would have to first receive a
written warning before a fine could be issued.

There are minority members Gov. John Lynch named to this commission who
objected to these changes as going too far in the name of deregulation.

But they look to be outnumbered on the panel, 21-5, by pro-business members.

 

note to close readers: this might be sarcastic so think twice before reading to candidates for use in their attacks on each other

---

by: JonnyBBad @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 15:50:14 PM UTC