24-A §2385-C. Workplace health and safety consultations - Maine Statutes

Title 24-A: MAINE INSURANCE CODE

Chapter 25: RATES AND RATING ORGANIZATIONS

Subchapter 2-B: WORKERS' COMPENSATION RATING ACT HEADING: PL 1991, C. 885, PT. B, §12 (NEW)

§2385-C. Workplace health and safety consultations

Workplace health and safety consultation services provided by workers' compensation insurance carriers to employers with an experience rating factor of one or more are subject to the following. [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Workplace health and safety consultations" means a service provided to an employer to advise and assist the employer in the identification, evaluation and control of existing and potential accident and occupational health problems. [1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF).]

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

2. Standards for workplace health and safety consultations. The superintendent, in consultation with the Department of Labor, may adopt rules establishing the standards for approval of workplace health and safety consultations provided to employers by insurance carriers, including provision of adequate facilities, qualifications of persons providing the consultations, specialized techniques and professional services to be used and educational services to be offered to employers.

[ 1997, c. 592, §67 (AMD) .]

3. Required coverage and premium. All insurance carriers writing workers' compensation coverage in the State shall offer workplace health and safety consultations to each employer as part of the workers' compensation insurance policy.

[ 1997, c. 592, §67 (AMD) .]

4. Optional purchase from another provider. An employer may elect to purchase workplace health and safety consultation services from a provider other than the insurer.

[ 1997, c. 592, §67 (AMD) .]

5. Notification to employer; request for consultation services. An insurance carrier writing workers' compensation insurance coverage shall notify each employer of the type of workplace health and safety consultation services available and the address or location where these services may be requested. The insurer shall respond within 30 days of receipt of a request for workplace health and safety consultation services.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

6. Reports to employers. In any workplace health and safety consultation that includes an on-site visit, the insurer shall submit a report to the employer describing the purpose of the visit, a summary of the findings of the on-site visit and evaluation and the recommendations developed as a result of the evaluation. The insurer shall maintain for a period of 3 years a record of all requests for workplace health and safety consultations and a copy of the insurer's report to the employer.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

7. Safe workplace responsibility. Workplace health and safety consultations provided by an insurer do not diminish or replace an employer's responsibility to provide a safe workplace. An insurance carrier or its agents or employees do not incur any liability for illness or injuries that result from any consultation or recommendation.

[ 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §12 (NEW); 1991, c. 885, Pt. B, §13 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1991, c. 885, §B12 (NEW). 1991, c. 885, §B13 (AFF). 1997, c. 592, §67 (AMD).