| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: |
| May 2, 2000 | Christine Baker |
| (415) 703-4220 |
Commission Issues Recommendation on Information for Injured Workers
SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) has issued a report containing legislative recommendations for information to be distributed to workers when they are hired and after a workplace injury.
The Commission noted that various laws and regulations had been identified as problematic with respect to workers’ compensation benefit notices and directed that proposed statutory changes to the Labor Code be developed to address those problems. These recommendations are detailed in the report entitled "Recommendations: Information for Injured Workers".
The primary purpose of the proposed legislative changes is to make uniform the Labor Code provisions regarding notices to injured workers. The intent of the recommendations are to improve the information given to employees by employers prior to and soon after injury, information available at state Information and Assistance offices, information from claims administrators, the content and clarity of benefit notices, and the timing of some of the most problematic benefit notices.
The Commission is charged with overseeing the health and safety and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and of the state's activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational diseases and to examine those programs in other states.
A copy of "Recommendations: Information for Injured Workers" is available at no charge by writing to Christine Baker, Executive Officer, Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th Floor, San Francisco, California 94102, by calling (415) 703-4220, or by faxing a request to (415) 703-4234.
Commission publications are also available through the Internet at the California Department of Industrial Relations' home page at www.dir.ca.gov. Information about the Commission may be accessed by choosing either ‘Occupational Safety & Health’ or ‘Workers’ Compensation’.
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