Reading Eagle, Pa., Business Briefs Column. - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Reading Eagle, Pa. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Nov. 2--GARY W. AUMAN was awarded a distinguished service to safety award from The National Safety Council at its 90th annual congress and expo in San Diego.

Auman, a Lincoln Park native and a 1964 Wilson High School graduate, is a partner and director with the law firm of Dunlevey, Mahan & Furry in Dayton, Ohio.

The law firm specializes in workers' compensation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration matters.

Auman's activities as a safety volunteer began in 1986 when he was first elected to the board of directors of the Dayton/Miami Valley Safety Council.

He has served as the council board chairman since 1998.

He was co-chairman of the National Safety Council's volunteer leader's briefing since 1995 and has been involved in program planning, as well as being a presenter.

Auman has worked with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Insulation Association to develop a contractor health and safety partnership program to obtain an agreement between the two organizations with regard to worker exposure to fiberglass.

As a member of the safety committee of the National Frame Builders Association, he developed an OSHA compliance guide and is working on fall protection guidelines for the post-frame construction industry.

HIGHMARK WILL INCREASE PAYMENTS to primary-care and specialty physicians across the state by an estimated $68 million effective Jan. 1.

The increases will apply to physicians performing services for Highmark's commercial products, such as preferred provider organization, point-of-service, traditional and HMO products.

'We are increasing payments in part to help ease the economic pressures of higher office practice expenses,' said Dr. Brent O'Connell, vice president and medical director. 'We are trying to balance fair payments to physicians with our members' expectations of broad access to physicians and a wide choice of products.'

CABOT PERFORMANCE MATERIALS, Colebrookdale Township, was awarded the governor's award for safety excellence. Cabot was one of 15 recipients of the award.

THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT of Community and Economic Development approved a reduction in interest rates from 5 percent to 3.75 percent on Small Business First loans, effective Friday.

In October, Gov. Schweiker signed into law Act 120 of 2002, which allows the department to set an interest rate for the SBF program not to exceed 5 percent.

This only will affect loans approved by the department on or after today, and not loans approved prior to that date.

SBF is designed to stimulate the expansion and assist in the retention of small businesses for the purpose of creating jobs and retaining existing jobs. SBF provides low-interest loans for small businesses for land and building purchases and construction, machinery and equipment, and working capital.

SCHLOUCH INC., Blandon, has been awarded a contract by Forino Co., Spring Township, to handle site work for Phases 3 and 4 at Rosecliff, a 69-lot residential project on Old Airport Road, Amity Township.

Schlouch site coordinator is Keith Moyer and Steve Billman is project coordinator/estimator.

KUTZTOWN and Lehigh University Small Business Development Centers will sponsor Pennsafe, training to help reduce workman's compensation premiums.

Morris Helton of the state department of Labor and Industry will present what is needed to apply and get the required training for work place safety certification.

Training will cover the required modules for state certification: safety committee dynamics, hazard identification, accident investigation and safety committee requirements.

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(c) 2002, Reading Eagle, Pa. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.