State cites company in roofer’s death
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has issued seven citations totaling $84,700 to Titanium Services Inc. for failing to protect workers from falls.
The citations resulted from an investigation after a 20-year-old roofer, Harlan Lopes of Waimanalo, fell roughly 30 feet through a skylight Jan. 16, suffering fatal injuries. The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division (HIOSH) conducted the investigation.
The company will have an opportunity to contest the citations, the state said in a press release.
Titanium Services was cited for deficiencies in the warning line system and failing to provide adequate fall protection to employees working in elevated locations.
"Titanium Services, Inc. did not provide guardrails or covers for skylights," the Labor Department said in a news release. "The warning line erected was not always six feet away from the edge of the roof, did not meet the strength requirements for a warning line, was not flagged, and was missing in some areas. HIOSH standards require the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems for work six feet or more above the surface."
"This tragic death of a young man could and should have been prevented," said Department of Labor Director Dwight Takamine. "Titanium Services, Inc. sacrificed worker safety when it chose not to provide fall protection for its employees."
Text-message scam targets bank accounts
Bank of Hawaii is warning consumers of fraudulent text messages being sent to customers and noncustomers.
The fraudulent text messages state that lines of credit have been decreased or that accounts have been blocked or suspended.
The messages instruct the recipient to call a phone number and then enter an account number and PIN.
Scams via text messaging are known as "smishing." Smishing comes from combining SMS, short message service or text messages, and phishing, a common email scam in which a criminal attempts to steal from victims by sending thousands of fraudulent email messages to "fish" for victims.
Bank of Hawaii said it does not ask for confidential account information by telephone or text message, and customers who receive this message are advised not to respond or call the number.
Consumers who mistakenly provided personal information should immediately contact the bank at 888-643-3888 or email icare@boh.com for assistance to help protect their finances.
Health Connector measure to become law
A measure granting the Hawaii Health Connector $1.5 million to run the troubled health insurance exchange through the first half of next year will become law without Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s signature, the state said in a press release.
Senate Bill 2470 gives the Connector just one-third of its $4.7 million request and establishes a legislative oversight committee to annually review the company’s sustainability plan.
The Connector, which is responsible for implementing President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act in Hawaii, is projecting a $4.7 million deficit for the first six months of 2015 once the remainder of $204.3 million in federal funds expires at the end of 2014.
The Connector earlier said it must reduce spending to survive. The federal government didn’t grant the Connector an extension to spend the remaining federal dollars beyond this year, and its only source of revenue is a 2 percent fee on health insurance plans sold on the exchange.
In addition, the measure permits Connector-certified insurance agents and brokers to enroll individuals and employers in medical plans on the exchange and removes insurance company executives from board positions. It also repeals a requirement for the state Department of Human Services to determine Medicaid eligibility for individuals seeking tax credits on the Connector.
Growth in consumer loans smaller in May
WASHINGTON » Consumers increased their borrowing at a slower pace in May compared with the prior month.
Overall credit rose by $19.6 billion in May, down from a gain of $26.1 billion in April, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday. The relatively modest increase should help to feed slow but steady economic growth, because consumers rely on debt to pay tuition, buy cars and shop.
Total outstanding consumer debt is now approaching $3.2 trillion.
Auto and student loans drove much of the gains in May. They increased by a combined $17.8 billion. That marks a year-over-year rise of 9.3 percent.
ON THE MOVE
Atlas Insurance Agency has appointed Daniel Gick account executive in its construction services division. Prior to joining Atlas, Gick was vice president of corporate strategy and operational excellence for Aon Risk Solutions.
Graham Builders announced Christy Ammerman has joined the firm as architectural designer. She has six years of architectural design experience and has served as advertising and marketing director at Holy City Hospitality in Charleston, S.C.
Hastings & Pleadwell announced Kawena Carvalho-Mattos has joined the company as an account coordinator in charge with digital communication and social media tactics. She began as an intern in January.
