safety policy, drugs, alcohol and other penalties in ... · • lab test said it was not for legal...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
SafetyPolicy,Drugs,AlcoholandOtherPenaltiesinMissouriWorkers’Compensation
By: SteveMcManusMcAnany,VanCleave&Phillips,P.C.
![Page 2: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
![Page 3: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Penalties
1. HardshipHearing/Unreasonable
2. EmployerPenalties
3. Drug/Alcohol(Employeepenalty)
4. SafetyViolations(Employeepenalty)
![Page 4: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
PenaltiesforBothEmployerandEmployee
HardshipTrials(RSMo287.203)and(RSMo287.560)ALJhasdiscretiontoawardcostsandfeesUnreasonableprosecution/defenseofcase(RSMo287.560)Rarelyusedinpracticeunlessprosecution/defenseegregiousUseforrepetitivetraumacasesagainstemployer/carrierthatdeniescoverageUseforcontractorvs.subcontractorcaseswhendefendingthecaseandpursuinganothercontractor.
![Page 5: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
![Page 6: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
![Page 7: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
![Page 8: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
![Page 9: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
EmployerPenalties• FailureofEmployertofollowlawfulorderoftheDivision/Commission(287.120.4)
• FailureofEmployertocomplywithANYstatestatute
• 15%increaseincompensation/deathbene]its
![Page 10: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
EmployeePenaltiesDrugs/Alcohol
• 1.PartialDefense(287.120.6(1))
• 2.CompleteDefense:(287.120.6(2))
SafetyViolations• 1.SafetyPolicy(287.120.5)
• 2.SafetyDevices(287.120.5)
![Page 11: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
ControlledSubstancesandAlcohol• 50%reductionofallcompensation(medical,TTD,PPD)• Accidentinconjunctionwithpositivedrugtest(Kelso/Nolan)
DrugsandAlcohol
![Page 12: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
DrugandAlcoholDefensesForfeitureofallbene]itsoccurswhen:1. Usealcohol/drugsinviolationofemployer’sruleorpolicy.
(Nopostingrequired.)2. Proximatecauseoftheinjury.• Rebuttablepresumptionthatbeingunderthein]luencewasthe
proximatecauseoftheinjurywhenunderMissourilawthedrugtestconstituteslegalintoxication.(0.08%).
• Employee’srefusaltotakedrugtestatemployer’srequestresultsinforfeitureofbene]itsif(1)employerhadsuf]icientcausetosuspectuseofdrugsbyclaimantor(2)ifemployer’spolicyauthorizedpostinjurytesting.
![Page 13: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
ProposedStatutoryChangesSenateBillNo.66
• §287.120.6(4):Anyposi5vetestresultforanonprescribedcontrolleddrugormetabolites of such drug from an employee shall give rise to a rebuDablepresump5on,whichmayberebuDedbyapreponderanceofevidence,thatthetestednonprescribedcontrollerdrugwasintheemployee’ssystematthe5meoftheaccidentorinjuryandthattheinjurywassustainedinconjunc5onwiththeuseofthetestednonprescribedcontrolleddrugif:• (a)Theini5altes5ngwasadministeredwithintwenty-fourhoursoftheaccidentorinjury;
• (b)No5cewasgiventotheemployeeofthetestresultswithinfourteencalendardaysoftheinsurerorgroupself-insurerreceivingactualno5ceoftheconfirmatorytestresults;
• (c)Theemployeewasgivenanopportunitytoperformasecondtestupontheoriginalsample;and
• (d)Theini5aloranysubsequenttes5ngthatformsthebasisofthepresump5onwasconfirmedbymassspectrometryusinggenerallyacceptedmedicalorforensictes5ngprocedures.
![Page 14: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Hertzingv.BeckMotors1.CourtofAppealscase(Pro-employeecasefordrugs/alcoholpenalties.)(PerCuriamdecisionsonoprecedentialaffect)
2.Addsadditionalrequirementsnotinstatutetoapplypenaltyfordrug/alcoholviolations.3.Casedecidedonpartialdefensebutmanyofthenewrequirementswouldapplytoforfeiturecasesalso.
![Page 15: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
FactsofCase• Admittedaccident.Claimantslippedandfelloff
bucket.
• WenttoERimmediatelyfortreatment.
• Followingdaygaveurinesample.
• Testedpositiveforcocainemetabolites.
• Afterwaitingabouttwoyearstheemployerelectedtotakea50%reductionofbene]its.
![Page 16: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
CommissionDecision
• Af]irmALJ(Ruth)thattheClaimantwasPTDandEmployerNOTentitledtoa50%reductionincompensation.
• Theemployerdidnotfollowtheirownpolicyfordrugtesting.
• Cocainemetabolitesfoundinurinewhicharenotanactiveingredient.Statutedoesnotprohibitmetabolites.
• Labtestsaiditwasnotforlegalpurposes.• Nochainofcustodyestablished.• CTofAPPaf]irmLIRC.
![Page 17: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
BestPracticesonDrugandAlcoholDefenses
• Employershouldalwayshavearandom/postaccidentdrugtest.
• ERandOccupationaldocshouldknowaboutdrugtestingaftereveryaccident.
• Employermustaskforthedrugtesttobecompleted.
• Requesthighestleveloftesting
(DNA,blood,urine).• Testinglabshouldkeepsamplesof
specimenthroughdiscoveryofcase.
• Employer/labshouldalways
followchainofcustodyforspecimen.
• Makesurelabtestisdonebothforqualityandquantity.
• Adviseclaimantinwritingassoonaspossibleofthepositivedrugtestandtheplantotakeareductioninbene]its.
• Getclaimant’sstoryASAPonifhetookthedrugs,whenhetookthem,howmuchhetook,witnesses.
• Consulttoxicologistifneededinthecase.
![Page 18: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
OSHARegulations • 29C.F.R.1904.36Prohibi3onagainstDiscrimina3on:Anemployercannotdiscriminateagainstanemployeeforrepor5ngaworkrelatedinjury.
• CommentsfromtheFederalRegister:• Theruleprohibitsemployersfromusingdrugtes5ngasaformofadverseac5onagainstemployeeswhoreportinjuries• Donotdrugtestif:
• Injuryveryunlikelytohavebeencausedbydruguse;or• Themethodofdrugtestdoesnotiden5fyimpairmentbutonlyuseatsome5meintherecentpast.
![Page 19: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
OSHARules• Drugtes5ngpoliciesshouldlimitpost-incidenttes5ngtositua5onsinwhich:• Employeedruguselikelytohavecontributedtoaccident;• Drugtestcanaccuratelyiden5fyimpairment• Notreasonabletodrugtestanemployeewhoreports:
• Bees5ng• Repe55vetrauma• Injurycausedbylackofmachineguarding/machinemalfunc5on
• Howdoweu3lizedrugtes3ngforpar3aldefensecaseswhereitisobviousthattheuseofdrugsdidnotcauseanimpairmentandwasnottheproximatecauseoftheaccident?
• Wouldn’tdrugtes3nginthissitua3onviolatethenon-discrimina3onpolicyunderOSHAregula3ons?
![Page 20: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
OSHAv.MOWorkComp• Ifanemployerconductsdrugtes5ngtocomplywiththerequirementsofastateorfederallaworregula5on,theemployer’smo5vewouldnotberetaliatoryandtherulewouldnotprohibitsuchtes5ng.
• Sec5on4(b)(4)oftheActprohibitsOSHAfromsupersedingoraffec/ngworkers’compensa/onlaws.29U.S.C.653(b)(4)
![Page 21: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
SafetyViolationPenalties• PartialDefenses– SafetyViolation• Failtofollowsafetypolicy(ex.threepointcontact,lockout-tagout,etc.)
• Failtousesafetydevice(harness,glasses,guards)• 25%-50%reductionofcompensation(medical,TTD,PPD)(Thompson)
• Safetyviolationmustbecauseoftheinjury(Carver)
![Page 22: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
OSHAv.SafetyPolicies• OSHApolicyagainstdiscrimina5onofemployeesrepor5ngworkinjuriesisnotlimitedtodrugtes5ng,butalso,safetypolicies.
• Isitdiscriminatoryto:• Reduce/threatentoreduceWCbenefitsforviola5onofasafetypolicy/failuretousesafetydevicesprovidedbytheemployer?
• Employertohaveincen5veprogramsrewardingsafetyresults?(bonusforspecificnumberofaccidentfreedays,excludingemployeeswithOSHArecordableaccidentfromdrawingsforprizes)
• Programsmustbestructuredtoencouragesafetywithoutdiscouragingrepor3ngofinjuries.
![Page 23: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
SafetyViolations • ALJwilllookatseverityofviolationandfrequencyofviolationtodeterminepercentageofcompensationreduction
• ALJwillalsolookattitleincompany.Safetymanagermayhavehigherpenaltyifhe/sheviolatessafetyrule
• Isitpossibletohavetwosafetyviolationsandthustwosafetypenaltiesinoneaccident?
• Isitpossibletohaveadrugandalcoholviolationandasafetyviolationinthesameaccident?
![Page 24: Safety Policy, Drugs, Alcohol and Other Penalties in ... · • Lab test said it was not for legal purposes. • No chain of custody established. • CT of APP af]irm LIRC. Best Practices](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022062507/5fdaf9ae1362af59be1a4a23/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Con]lictsCanyoutakereductionsofmedicalbene]itsifyouhaveavalidsafety/drugdefense?
287.140requirestheemployertopayallmedicaltocureandrelievetheCfromtheaffectsofhisinjury.Con]lict?Cantheemployertakethereductionsonmedical,TTDandPPDbeforetheALJwritesanaward?
287.160allowsforinterestat10%perannumifthebene]itsarepaidmorethan30dayslate.Whatifyoutakeareductionand3yearsaftertheaccidenttheALJrulesagainstyou.Doyouowebene]itsandinterest?