Secretary of Labor Unveils
Texas Construction Safety Initiative

SAN ANTONIO—Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis recently addressed the annual gathering of the American Society of Safety Engineers. She applauded the efforts of the nation’s safety and health professionals, and announced that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will launch a major construction safety initiative in Texas to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities.

Keeping a Closer Watch “Beginning in July, OSHA will increase the number of inspectors in Texas for a concentrated effort to prevent injuries and fatalities at construction sites. When these inspectors observe unsafe scaffolds, fall risks, trenches, or other

hazards, they are empowered to launch an immediate investigation,” announced Secretary Solis. “As I have said since my first day on the job — the U.S. Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business.”

Because

More workers die in Texas than in any other state. In 2008, there were 67 construction industry fatalities, and in 2009 there already have been 33.

The rate of Hispanic fatalities in construction is especially alarming, having increased by 125 percent between 1992 and 2005. In 2007 and 2008, more than 3,000 inspections continued on page 5

The Devil (& TDI) Are in the
Details of TWIA Make-Over

In This Issue

Gov. Perry Proclaims: Texas Is Largely Kindling

AUSTIN—The brave new world of TWIA will implement legislatively mandated changes in such things as inspection and non-compliant property surcharges, revision of TWIA funding, minimum earned premium requirements, declination requirements, flood coverage requirements for properties in Flood Zone V, and changes in the TWIA board makeup.

SELLING STRATEGIES: Prior Preparation Produces Powerful Performance

Special Focus:

Workers Compensation

October Big “I” Small Agency Conference in Fort Worth

All these changes will be put into play as soon as the Texas Department of Insurance hammers out implementation details.

IDRR Runs the Numbers

Regulator watchers opine that about a month of hammer and tongs work is needed to finalize the details.

Symposium to Address Challenges Facing Industry

Bill henry Named 2009 IIAT Paige eiland Award Winner

Get The Insurance Record digital edition — online — every other
Thursday. Send your customer number (found on your mailing label)
and your email address to: digital@spcpub.com to start receiving your
online edition every issue. You’ll still receive your printed edition in the mail.