CalChamber Reminds Employers to Post Job-Related Injuries Log

The California Chamber of Commerce is reminding employers that they must post a summary of job-related injuries and illnesses from 2007 at their place of business by February 1.

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires the Cal/OSHA Log 300 summary be displayed from February 1 to April 30 for employee review.

Employers with 11 or more employees, except those covered in the California low-hazard establishments in the retail, service, finance and real estate sectors, must display the totals from the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (CAL/OSHA Form 300A) wherever employee notices are usually posted. If there is more than one business establishment, a separate log and summary must be posted in each physical location that is expected to be in operation for one year or longer.

More information on Log 300 filing and posting requirements is available on HRCalifornia.

The Form 300A is used to show the total injuries and illnesses for the year in each of the categories. This illustrates the extent and severity of work-related incidents. Also, it helps prevent further illnesses and injuries by bringing awareness to employers and employees.

Temporary Workplaces

For establishments in existence for less than one year, one OSHA log/summary may incorporate all recordable injuries and illnesses that may occur at any and all of the “temporary” establishments. That log/summary for the “temporary” establishments may be included with the central location’s Log 300 and summary.

If a company has developed or has available a system to receive all the required accident/illness information to develop and update a site-specific log, a centralized record keeping system can be maintained. However, the company must have the ability to return the specific information to the affected location within seven days.

Information Availability

The regulation states that there shall be a specific Log 300 and that records may be maintained in a central location if they can be made available within four business hours to requesting regulatory personnel, or within seven days to affected employees.

Discount for Members

CalChamber preferred and executive members receive a 20 percent discount on products. Companies that are not CalChamber members can sign up for a 30-day free trial membership that gives them access to hundreds of HR topics and allows them to get answers to their most frequently asked questions. Use the popular forms, policies, community forum, HR Wizards and track timely issues through the HR Watchdog blog. The site includes both California and federal laws and regulations.

For more information, or call (800) 331-8877.

Healthcare Reform Still A Top Priority of State Leaders and Ontario Chamber

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce reviewed the Governor’s new healthcare proposal and will continue to review the proposal as it unfolds in the legislature. The State Assembly has voted and approved the proposal with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez co-authoring the piece of legislation. If the proposal passes the State Senate, funding part of the proposal will go to the voters for their approval during the November 2008 election.

Click here for arguments in support

Click here for arguments in opposition

“Healthcare reform is one of our top priorities,” stated Bob Cruz, Chair of the Ontario Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. “Although we are concerned about the financial impacts to our businesses, especially small businesses, we know that paying for reform must not solely rest on the backs of businesses,” continued Cruz.

The Governor’s healthcare proposal, in the legislative form of AB X1 1: Health Care Security and Cost Reduction Act, has to await approval from the State Senate. If approved, the proposal would provide medical coverage to about 70 percent of Californians who are permanently uninsured. The caveat to the legislation is that the Governor is asking voters to go to the polls in November to approve the funding mechanism which includes hospital fees, an increased tobacco tax and an employer fee among others.

Some highlights of the Governor’s healthcare proposal, AB X1 1 which Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez has helped co-authored:

AB X1 1 would create a vast and expensive new health care program funded partially by a costly payroll tax on California employers and increased tobacco taxes.

AB X1 1 would also require voters to go to the polls in November to approve the funding portion of the proposed healthcare plan.

Requires that all Californians take responsibility for their health coverage (individual mandate).

Guarantees that no Californian will be turned away from buying insurance based on their age or medical history.

Spreads responsibility across individuals, government, hospitals and employers (shared responsibility).

Makes coverage more affordable for individuals and families through tax credits and subsidies.

Helps keep hospitals and emergency rooms open by increasing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.

Allows individuals to choose their health coverage and keep their current insurance.

Ontario Chamber’s Positions on the February 2008 Statewide Propositions

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has reviewed and taken positions on ballot propositions slated for the February 2008 statewide ballot. These positions are only the beginning of what could be over twenty propositions to be placed before voters between February and November 2008.

“Statewide propositions have a direct impact on the economic vitality of the Ontario business community,” stated Mark Smiley, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber. “Our business community can depend on the Chamber to represent their interests in supporting and opposing issues that impact them most,” Smiley continued.

The following propositions, the Chamber’s positions, and how they align with our board of directors-approved policy platform of issues serve as a way of educating our business community on their potential impact to the economic vitality of California and the Ontario region.

Proposition 91 - Transportation Funding
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT

This ballot measure would prohibit the use of funds that are earmarked for transportation to be used for anything else other than transportation related issues after July 2008. This measure eliminates General Fund borrowing of specified transportation funds, except for cash-flow purposes.

Those require repayment within 30 days of adoption of budget which the current law allows borrowing for three years when the Governor declares the transfer would cause significant negative fiscal impact on governmental functions.

The legislature would then enact authorizing statute.

The Chamber supports Proposition 91 because transportation infrastructure is one of the Ontario business community’s top priorities. Further limiting the state legislature’s ability to raid transportation funding to balance their budgets is the wrong approach to securing much needed transportation infrastructure investments.
It is a public policy priority of the Chamber to review and consider transportation improvement plans that relieve congestion on freeways, streets and roads, and ensure mobility within the Ontario region.

Proposition 92 - Community Colleges Funding and Governance
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT

This measure establishes in the California State Constitution a system of independent community college districts and a statewide Board of Governors. The system, along with the college districts and statewide Board of Governors would oversee the community college system. The proposition would also set community college fees at $15 per unit per semester and would limit fee increases.

The Chamber supports Proposition 92 because of how the California Community Colleges play a role in the workforce development in the Ontario area. The Chamber makes it a public policy priority to ensure access to its workforce.

The California Community Colleges make an economical impact throughout California on the areas they serve. Proposition 92 will make sure that California Community Colleges are affordable to those who wish to attend for years to come.

Proposition 93 - Limits on Legislator's Terms in Office
Ontario Chamber Position: OPPOSE

Proposition 93 would reduce the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years. This would allow an individual to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both. The proposition provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of any prior service in another house.

The Chamber opposes Proposition 93 because political reform in California must include reforming the redistricting process. Currently, the areas that state elected officials represent (districts) are determined every ten years after the census. The state legislature itself determines the districts, not a non-partisan independent commission.

It is a public policy priority of the Chamber to maintain a working relationship with local, state and federal representatives including measures that reform California’s redistricting process.

Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97 – REFERENDUMS - Indian Gaming Compact
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT

Governor Schwarzenegger negotiated new Indian gaming agreements (The Compacts) with four tribes; Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have casino facilities on remote reservation lands in Riverside and San Diego counties. The four propositions represent each of the negotiated new Indian gaming compacts.

The four propositions seek to overturn law passed by the legislature in 2007 that expands gaming machines at the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Casinos.

The compacts will also call for the four tribes to pay a much higher percentage of their gaming revenues to the state in return for having additional slot machines. The revenue paid by the tribes – an estimated $9 billion over the next two decades – may be used to pay down the deficit and can be used as new funding for schools, public safety and other services.

The Chamber believes by supporting Propositions 94 through 97, it is a start to the State’s budget crisis without raising taxes. It is a public policy of the Chamber to support legislation and issues that do not raise taxes and can be a benefit to the Ontario area.