Mileage Reimbursement/OSHA Illness and injury prevention

2015 Updates
The mileage reimbursement rate for business miles is going up to 57.5 cents per mile.  2014 rate 56 cents.
23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes.

AB 326
This amends the Labor Code to allow email reporting of fatalities or serious work related injuries.  You are required to report within 8 hours of becoming aware of an incident.

I am always surprised that employers still don’t know that they are required to have a written illness and injury prevention program in place.  Not only this, but it must be available to employees, and you must update it and refer to it in your safety meetings.  This is the number one fine that OSHA gives out and can cost you thousands of dollars if you do not have it available when you are inspected by OSHA.
Please see the Cal OSHA website for help in developing one. http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/etools/09-031/

It is the end of the year and we all make New Year's resolutions.  My request to you is to make a resolution to contact your Assembly person and State Senator during the year on small business issues in 2015.  We can make a difference if we get involved.  You will continue to get emails from me outlining small business issues.  Just follow up on some of these issues or pick an issue of your choice.
I  would also like to know what issues you think Small Business California should be looking into.  We will be sending out our annual survey in February and I hope you will take a few minutes to complete this.  All the best to you in the New Year.

Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA  94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188