Reform Bill Signed into Law, Big Savings Predicted
GOVERNOR JERRY Brown has signed into law new workers' comp reform legislation that promises to
reduce system costs while increasing benefits for permanently disabled workers.
Estimates for the amount of savings vary greatly depending on the source. One independent actuarial
firm, Bickmore & Associates, analyzed the projected savings at about $1.4 billion. Find out in this story
how the new law will affect claims costs, and ultimately, the price you pay for coverage.
Rating Bureau Recommends No 2013 Rate Hike
IN THE wake of Governor Jerry Brown signing reform legislation, the agency that helps set workers'
comp rates in California has recommend a decrease of 1.2% from benchmark rates set in July.
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau had originally sought an increase of more than 7%,
but based on its assessment of the likely effects of implementing the sweeping changes in SB 863, the
Rating Bureau's governing committee voted to file for a decrease. Find out in this story on page 2 of our
newsletter what it could mean for your premiums going into 2013.
OSHA Scrutinizing Safety Incentive Programs
Cal/OSHA is increasingly scrutinizing safety programs that provide incentives to not report injuries and
illnesses in the workplace. The moves come after Fed-OSHA earlier this year issued a memo highlighting
safety incentive practices that it said may violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Officials at Cal/OSHA have made similar proclamations in recent years, saying that implementing
incentive programs that reward staff for reduced or no injury rates can instead result in under-reporting
of injuries, which could have serious consequences for workers who suffer industrial injuries.
A recent move by Cal/OSHA reflects its intent to go after safety incentive programs deemed to be
dissuading workers from filing claims if injured on the job. Find out on page 3 of our newsletter what the
agency did and why such programs may be out of favor with safety inspectors.
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In this issue:
Rating Bureau Recommends No 2013 Rate Hike
OSHA Scrutinizing Safety Incentive Programs
How to Stay Aloft While Cloud Computing
How to Stay Aloft While Cloud Computing
THE LATEST tech buzzword is cloud computing, and many business owners may ask themselves if those
pushing the technology are making pie-in-the-sky claims about cost savings and data sanctity.
The idea behind cloud computing is that you can access important company data and programs from
anywhere at any time, even if you find yourself in Kathmandu buying yak-hair sweaters for your winter
catalog or in a Starbucks on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Some of the most common cloud computing
offerings include Google's Gmail e-mail service, customer tracking programs such as Salesforce.com for
sales people, and backup data storage offerings from a number of vendors, including Amazon.
If you are pondering storing your data on the cloud so that you or your staff can access it while on the
road, how can you make sure it is accessible and that the service provider can keep hackers at bay? Read
this article on page 4 of our newsletter to find out.
If you have any questions regarding your
coverage or our products, please call me.
William B. Yetter
Vice President
Heffernan Insurance Brokers
North Bay Branch
Direct 707-789-3062
williamy@heffins.com
License Number: 0564249
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