California State Fund Hosts Ergonomics, Heat Illness Prevention Seminars

California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund will be hosting seminars on ergonomics and heat illness prevention through the state for policyholders.

The day-long seminar, “The Fast Track Back to Work…Get on Board,” will be held in Glendale, Calif., on July 11, and will focus on how to get injured workers back to work in a timely manner. The seminar also will explain why embracing ergonomics makes smart business sense for employers, both as a means of prevention and rehabilitation. Featured speakers include State Fund’s Senior Ergonomist R.J. Banks and State Fund Senior Return-to-Work Consultant Susan Duprey.

The seminar is divided into two sections. The morning session will focus on the importance of ergonomics in the workplace and how injury prevention can save employers both time and money. It will also review strategies for dealing with ergonomic issues affecting different age groups. The afternoon session will focus on the benefits of a successful “return-to-work” program for injured workers.

Seminar participants will also receive a free CD – “A Guide to Assist You with the Development of Your Ergonomics Program” – and other State Fund loss control products.

The seminar is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at State Fund’s Los Angeles District Office, 655 North Central Avenue in Glendale. Complementary continental breakfast and lunch is included. Free parking is available. To register for the event, please call Gina Villagrana at 323-266-5144, or fax her at 323-266-5543. To register via e-mail, send a message to: mosc@scif.com.

To make employers fully aware of the dangers of heat illness, SCIF will be hosting a free seminar to policyholders on July 12 in Bakersfield. Featured speakers at the seminar include Dr. George Hightower, medical consultant with State Fund’s Bakersfield District Office, and Efren Gomez, senior loss control consultant with State Fund’s Bakersfield Office.

Topics to be covered at the seminar include:
•Learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness;
•Understanding environmental and personal risk factors;
•Review of current regulations pertaining to heat illness;
•Determining how to respond to heat stress emergencies;

The seminar is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive in Bakersfield. To register, e-mail Fern J. Mesa at fjmesa@scif.com or fax 661-664-4100. A full complimentary breakfast is included.

For more information, visit www.scif.com.