August 2016 was an important month, with penalties increasing for violations of the False Claims Act and OSHA. Review our infographic to familiarize yourself with the changes. As of August 1st, 2016, there are new penalties for the False Claims Act. The Department of Justice will nearly double the statutory penalties under the False Claims
End-users of hazardous chemicals in the United States are required to have the new 16-section Safety Data Sheets (SDS) readily available to their employees. The United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) includes multiple requirements for manufacturers, distributors and end-users to be compliant with the new system as of June
Do you ever have trouble figuring out which trash can to use when throwing something away? Even a simple cardboard coffee cup with a plastic lid may give you pause while trying to choose the best option. Now, you may be confronted with a myriad of sorting choices: paper, aluminum, plastic, paper, glass, all recyclables
As part of the revised Hazardous Communication Standard, OSHA adopted the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in 2012. Compliance with GHS has been in multiple stages over the last several years, but the final deadline for all end-users is June 1st, 2016. This system includes the new standard
Having a compliance program in place is a start but having an effective compliance program is the goal. Proactively assessing the effectiveness of one’s own compliance program is better than the Department of Justice making a determination of the adequacy as a result of an investigation for alleged misconduct. To set benchmarks for an effective
Employers are required to advise employees of their federal rights in the form of displaying federally required posters in the workplace. Compliance with these federal requirements is necessary to avoid strict fines and penalties. Unfortunately, many employers pay unscrupulous companies for these posters when they are offered for free on the respective government websites. In
Audits and investigations are stressful events either with or without prior notice. Medical staff should be prepared for an unannounced visit. First Healthcare Compliance provides a sample policy that assists clients in preparing the front office. Here are some recommendations to ensure that proper steps are taken: Immediately contact your supervisor, manager and/or Compliance Officer
All employers under Federal OSHA jurisdiction are required to report any work-related fatality within 8 hours. As of January 1, 2015, all employers are also required to report any work -related inpatient hospitalization, amputations or loss of any eye within 24 hours. Reporting is currently available on the OSHA’s toll free number 1-800-321-OSHA or through
Compliance with hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent spread of infection. In the United States about 1 in 25 hospital patients a year acquire an infection during their hospital admission. Transmission of pathogens can potentially occur at many points of contact with the healthcare provider. Best practices for hand hygiene
The goal of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is to “ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling
