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A Rhode Island OSHA Alert was issued recently about a recall done in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, also known as the CPSC. Along with the two manufacturers, Troy-Bilt and Craftsman, this recall affects two brands of chainsaws that pose a safety threat to workers. In both cases, the chainsaws become difficult to control when the front plastic handle breaks while the saw is being used. Both Troy-Bilt and Craftsman voluntarily recalled these chainsaws.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects consumers from what are unreasonable risks of injury or death resulting from any of the more than 15,000 types of consumer products. The nation pays a high price for incidents resulting from consumer products. Incidents involving consumer products result in deaths, injuries and damage to property. The cost exceeds $700 billion each year. CPSC works to protect workers, consumers, families, and children from fire, chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards posed by products.

To protect workers, employers should make certain these chainsaws are not used until they are properly fixed. A free replacement kit is available for the recalled chainsaws. To receive a kit, which includes a replacement handle and installation instructions, contact the manufacturer or OSHA.

Do not continue using the chainsaw without replacing the handle with the one included in the safety kit. Employers should make certain employees stop using the chainsaw until the new handle is in place. Workers have made reports to OSHA of incidents where they have lost control of the chainsaws after the plastic handles broke. In these incidents, one worker received severe cuts and another worker burned his fingers on the hot muffler.

Along with the two manufacturers, OSHA worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This agency is committed to protecting the public from possible property damage, injuries, and deaths because of incidents involving these products. Incidents with products include electrical, chemical, and mechanical hazards as well as products that can injure children. The CPSC attempts to reduce the nation’s cost due to consumer product incidents. Currently these incidents cost the nation over $700 billion each year due to deaths, injuries, and damage to property.

According to a recent Rhode Island OSHA alert, you should prepare yourself just in case there’s a worldwide influenza outbreak. This recent alert addresses the possibility of a flu epidemic or a global disease outbreak.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns that a pandemic could disrupt the global economy and possibly have a similar affect on the American population as the Spanish Flu of 1918.

A global pandemic would affect travel, trade, tourism, the food supply and consumer buying. Normal delivers of products won’t happen due to an interruption in supply chains. Grocery stores will be overwhelmed serving the many consumers who will be buying needed supplies. There might even be a shortage of certain supplies like hand sanitizer and tissues.

It would affect consumer buying in that grocery stores will be busy as consumers empty the shelves of necessary supplies. Some of the necessary supplies such as hand sanitizer and tissues could be in short supply.

It could affect food supply because normal deliveries won’t occur due to supply chain interruption. Healthcare facilities could get overcrowded. Tourism and travel would experience a steep decline because people will be avoiding contact with other people in attempt to stay healthy. (Influenza is spread through person-to-person contact.) The same holds true for businesses such as malls, restaurants and movie theaters.

An influenza outbreak would increase employee absenteeism and create ripples in the investment and financial markets.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that there is currently no new strain of influenza and no pandemic. Still the administration urges employers to be prepared. Employers play an important role in protecting the health and safety of workers. A well though out influenza plan will prevent or minimize widespread economic disruptions.

The last influenza outbreak our nation experienced occurred near the end of World War I and killed 50 to 100 million people in just 18 months. Not even this many people died in the war itself. In WWI 9 million soldiers died, as did several million civilians. The influenza pandemic was called the Spanish Flu and happened in 1918.

Drug and alcohol pose real threats to safety in the workplace. However, the danger is avoidable. Programs like the Rhode Island Drug Free Workplace Alliance is one way you as an employer can help fight the battle drug and alcohol abuse at work.

The Rhode Island Drug Free Workplace Alliance recognizes that Rhode Island employers have the power to curb the alcohol and illegal problem by teaching employees about the risks involved and persuading them to get help. The Alliance demonstrates the federal government’s willingness to work with both contractor associations and the unions in putting in place efforts like pre-hiring drug screening and random drug tests.

The Rhode Island Drug Free Workplace Alliance demonstrates how the U.S. is dedicated to a joint effort with contractor associations and unions to both protect the health and safety of workers and add value to businesses. Rhode Island employers, says OSHA, can educate employees about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and urge workers with drug and alcohol addiction to get rehabilitation assistance.

When employers help employees this way, it helps business. That’s because these avoidable dangers result in accidents, mistakes, and absenteeism. But there are other, less noticeable, costs the programs help mitigate as well. They include higher rates of sickness and downward-spiraling employee morale. Most deadly work-related car wrecks involve drug or alcohol abuse as well, according to OSHA.

Drug and alcohol abuse are avoidable dangers in the workplace, according to OSHA, which stresses that programs like the Alliance can enhance the safety of workers while protecting businesses from loss. It strongly backs drug free workplace plans like the Alliance, and notes it is particularly valuable in work places which are considered safety-sensitive – like those where machinery is being operated.

Programs like the alliance are a five-pronged attack on drug and alcohol abuse. The five are drug testing, education, training of supervisors, helping the employees with their issues, and a clear policy. OSHA stresses that programs like these must consider employee privacy rights and be reasonable in their approach.

Recently, an official at the Rhode Island Department of Labor was quoted as saying “Unemployment Insurance benefits not only help workers get by during times of unemployment, it helps stimulate our Rhode Island economy.”

He expanded further on his statement by adding, “With more than $101 million in benefits going out during the year, our state has given significant assistance to both workers and employers in 2006.”

The Rhode Island unemployment benefits fall under the taxable unearned income category, under federal and state laws both. Every year in January, the Rhode Island Department of Labor mails out statements of unemployment earnings called the 1099 form. It contains details about the unemployment benefits earned during the previous year and the amount of state and federal taxes withheld, as well as other deductions.

Unemployment beneficiaries are supposed to attach a copy of form 1099 with their tax returns, both state and federal. If someone has been receiving unemployment benefits, he or she should get the form 1099 by the mid of February at the latest.

If one does not receive a 1099 for by February 1, he or she should contact the nearest office of the Department of Labor. They would look into the reason why the form may not have reached the addressee. Then they would issue a duplicate 1099. They also have data regarding for previous years, and someone who has been collecting unemployment benefits can access the data for prior years as well, upon request.

Mostly, people opt for having their taxes withheld from their earnings. More than half of the people, who benefited from this amount chose to have their taxes withheld. The total amount of taxes withheld during 2006 neared $6 million. These numbers reflect regular unemployment insurance payments, Trade/Readjustment Assistance and any extensions to unemployment benefits for special circumstances.

The state of Rhode Island recently announced that both employees and employers would save more than $24 million in Rhode Island unemployment taxes in 2007, under a new state rate cut.

“This is good news for both employers and employees, and reflects the continued strength of the RI economy,” said Director Adelita S. Orefice. “Employers will see a reduction in the cost of doing business and workers will see a smaller deduction from their paychecks.”

The Director of the Department of Labor and Training announced today that a reduction in the Rhode Island unemployment insurance (UI) taxable wage base would allow employers to save an estimated $24 million in UI taxes next year. In addition, employees will see savings of over $12 million in their Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) taxes for 2007 due to a reduction in the TDI contribution rate.

During 2006, the Employment Security fund balance grew by $20.1 million, as fewer Rhode Island workers were unemployed. Therefore, fewer workers filed for unemployment benefits. As of September 30, 2006, the Employment Security Fund held $189.1 million in reserves.

According to the law, if the Employment Security Fund balance is more than $175 million but less than $225 million on September 30th the taxable wage base will be $14,000 for the next calendar year. The wage base limits the amount of wages that are taxable.  Tax rates for individual employers also vary according to their experience with the Unemployment Insurance system. These rates will range from a low of 1.69% to a high of 9.79 % in 2007. Employers will be notified of their individual 2007 tax rates in December. The rate for first-time employers will be 2.41% in 2007.

The Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance program is administered by The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT). The DLT offers a wide array of employment and training services to both the public and to individuals with unusual barriers to employment.