Worker Compensation/SBDCs/IIPP

For those of you who have your workers compensation coming up Jan1 or later expect a rate increase that could be substantial especially if you are in a higher hazard industry. State Fund has filed for a 7% decrease but I believe they will be the exception.

I wish I could tell you how much the increase will be but I just don’t know. Companies are in the process of determining what their filings will be. The reason for the increase is that the industry loss ratio is around 138%. While the workers compensation reforms should reduce the rate increase it still will be substantial for many.

You should also be aware that you will probably receive your renewal quote late because of the companies figuring out what there filings will be. This really creates problems for many of you that are bidding on work next year. You get locked into a bid and then find out your cost are considerably more than you expected.



I will be meeting today with a major financial institution asking them to provide money for the Small Business Development Centers around the state. I have 25 associations cosigning. This is really important to small businesses around the state as the money they raise gets matched by the SBA.



Yesterday I met with some people at Cal OSHA around the issue of Injury and Illness Prevention programs which every employer around the state is required to have. As I have said before this is the number one citation OSHA hands out. It was interesting that most of their citations were not for not having an IIPP but for not making it effective. Make sure you let your employees know about the plan and that they all have access to it. You should bring the IIPP up at safety meeting and get your employees involved in making your workplace safe. To set up an IIPP and to make sure it complies with OSHA go to



http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/etools/09-031/index.htm



For those of you in the Oakland area there will be two four hour seminars in how to set up an IIPP and how to comply with OSHA.Small Business California is cosponsoring this. It will be Thursday Dec 13 and Dec 18 from 8:30 to 12:30 at 1515 Clay Street Room 11 second floor., If you are interested in attending let me know and I will send you a registration form





Scott Hauge

President

Small Business California

2311 Taraval Street

San Francisco, CA 94116

shauge@cal-insure.com

415-680-2188