Risk Briefs

CDC updates COVID-19 guidance; eliminates 5-day isolation period

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">CDC updates COVID-19 guidance; eliminates 5-day isolation period</span></strong></big>
The latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that we have entered a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 1, 2024, the CDC officially eliminated the five-day isolation period for people with COVID-19.

2023 shatters record for most data compromise events in a single year

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">2023 shatters record for most data compromise events in a single year</span></strong></big>

The number of data compromise events in 2023 is 78 percent higher than 2022. While this and other data compiled by the ITRC in 2023 may not be encouraging, its analysis may prevent 2024 from becoming another record-breaking year.

DOL issues final rule for determining independent contractor status

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">DOL issues final rule for determining independent contractor status</span></strong></big>
On January 10, 2024, the Department of Labor published a final rule for determining independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The final rule rescinds the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule and restores the totality-of-the-circumstances economic reality test, under which no single factor or group of factors is assigned any predetermined weight. It becomes effective March 11, 2024.

Safety tips for Thanksgiving and Black Friday

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">Safety tips for Thanksgiving and Black Friday</span></strong></big>

This week, many will be celebrating Thanksgiving in traditional fashion. By traditional, we mean eating and shopping. With so much time spent planning and preparing, it is easy to forget about the risks associated with these activities. The good news is that both can be made significantly safer by taking appropriate preventative measures. So, before the binging begins, take a few minutes to read the following Thanksgiving and Black Friday safety tips.

Can you guess the top 10 OSHA violations for 2023?

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">Can you guess the top 10 OSHA violations for 2023?</span></strong></big>

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently revealed a preliminary list of the most frequently cited safety violations for fiscal year 2023, which ended September 30th. The announcement, which was made at the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo., is significant because knowing how and why workplace injuries occur puts employers in a better position to develop and implement their own safety and training programs.

Contracting tips for condominium associations

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">Contracting tips for condominium associations</span></strong></big>

It’s only a matter of time before a condominium association will need to hire a contractor for a construction project on the property. In fact, hiring professionals to rebuild, renovate or repair association property is one of the most important duties of association board members. These hiring decisions cannot be taken lightly, as they can significantly affect the value of unit owners' homes.

ACA’s affordability threshold will be lower than ever before in 2024

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"> ACA’s affordability threshold will be lower than ever before in 2024</span></strong></big>
The Affordable Care Act’s affordability threshold will be lower in 2024 than ever before. The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that the affordability threshold for employer-sponsored group health plans that begin in 2024 will be 8.39 percent.

NCCI proposes 15% rate decrease for Florida workers’ compensation insurance in 2024

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">NCCI proposes 15% rate decrease for Florida workers’ compensation insurance in 2024</span></strong></big>
Florida employers may be paying less for workers’ compensation insurance next year. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is recommending an average 15.1 percent rate level decrease in Florida’s voluntary workers’ compensation market for 2024.

Florida’s new workers’ compensation rules modify employer penalties and exemption procedures

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">Florida’s new workers’ compensation rules modify employer penalties and exemption procedures</span></strong></big>
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation recently finalized amendments to various administrative rules, including those governing employer penalties and exemption procedures.

OSHA Update: More employers will be required to electronically report injury & illness data under new final rule

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">OSHA Update: More employers will be required to electronically report injury & illness data under new final rule</span></strong></big>
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published a final rule that creates a new injury and illness reporting requirement for employers operating in certain industries. As of January 1, 2024, establishments with 100 or more employees operating in designated high-hazard industries must electronically submit injury and illness information to OSHA once a year.

Florida changes milestone inspection requirements for condominium associations

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">Florida changes milestone inspection requirements for condominium associations</span></strong></big>
Numerous changes were recently made to Florida’s mandatory milestone inspection requirement for condominium associations.

When do employers need a Summary Plan Description?

<big><strong><span style="color: #ff9900;">When do employers need a Summary Plan Description?</span></strong></big>
If you are an employer sponsoring an employee group health plan, you must have an ERISA-compliant Summary Plan Description.