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GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG 
Fatality Data
There were 5,073 fatal
work-related injuries reported in the U.S. in 2006, a rate of 3.9
fatalities per 100,000 workers, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The rate is lower than any year since 1992, when work
fatality data were first collected. Highway accidents remain the
leading cause of work fatalities. Visit
www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb.
Immigration Rules
Under a final federal
rule announced in August, employers are liable for hiring undocumented
workers if they receive a no-match letter from the Social Security
Administration (SSA) and fail to respond within 90 days. A no-match
letter is sent when the SSA discovers that a Social Security record
does not match the information provided by the employer. The final
regulation specifies “safe harbor” procedures for employers who
receive such letters. By taking specific steps in a timely fashion, an
employer may avoid a Department of Homeland Security finding of
knowingly employing an illegal alien, attorneys said.
Military Family Leave
Six states have passed
legislation that allows the family members of active duty soldiers to
take unpaid time off work during periods of military leave, prior to
and just after deployment. Other states are expected to follow suit.
Employers are advised to adjust their leave procedures accordingly,
reports Jackson Lewis, a national employment law firm.
Trucker Hours of Service
In appellate court has rescinded an
hours-of-service rule issued in 2005 that allowed truckers to drive 11
hours straight without a break. The previous limit was 10 hours. The
court said the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration did not
adequately explain its reasoning for adding the extra hour. The court
also threw out a rule that would have increased weekly time limits on
drivers’ hours by at least 25 percent. Federal labor statistics show
that truckers suffer the most fatalities of all occupations as a
result of accidents and serious medical conditions, many of which are
linked to lifestyle choices.
Worker Protection
The proposed Protecting
America’s Workers Act (SB-1244) would extend protections under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to federal, state and local
government employees. It also would enhance protections for
whistleblowers and increase penalties for employers who commit
violations. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House.
Workers’ Comp Costs
Decline
California leads the
nation in reducing workers’ compensation payments for medical care and
cash benefits for workers disabled by workplace injuries and diseases
nationwide, according to Workers' Compensation: Benefits, Coverage
and Costs, 2005, a report by the National Academy of Social
Insurance.
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