Industry News
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As businesses re-open across the country, it is important that we all do our part in preventing and slowing the spread of COVID-19. For many companies in construction and those in the service industry, employees often work in close proximity with others. Keeping your workforce and the public safe should be priority number one.
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Aerial lifts have become extremely popular over the past few years in the arboriculture industry. An aerial lift is an ideal way to reach higher trees safely and securely. They can also make potentially hazardous tree removal safer and more efficient. This equipment requires extensive training to operate responsibly, and the lack of this training has led to an increase in accidents and injuries with aerial lift devices.
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When dealing with minor injuries, one of the last places you want your employees having to go right now is to a clinic or hospital emergency room. What are ways that you can keep your employees well cared for, without subjecting them to the added exposure of a waiting room? Telephonic Nurse Triage allows your employee to have a conversation with a registered nurse and possibly avoid the trip to a clinic or emergency room.
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is requiring all employers with fewer than 500 employees, to post the Employee Rights - Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act notice in a conspicuous place on their premises. An employer may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to employees and new hires or posting it on the employer’s website (“an employee information internal or external website”).
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While most of the country is under shelter-in-place orders, many of our clients work in essential industries that must continue to provide vital services to the community. Therefore, it is imperative that they have the tools they need to keep their employees safe.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created numerous challenges for both individuals and businesses all over the world. Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom required all residents to “shelter-in place” and all “non-essential businesses” to cease “in-person” operations. In doing so and in order to keep their business operating, many employers transition employees to work remotely, otherwise known at Telecommuting.
Author, Jim Malone, Workers’ Compensation Claims Advocate, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Timely reporting of an employee’s work-related serious injury, illness or death can pose a challenge to the employer. As of January 1, 2020, these incidents (including any hospitalizations, unless the injured worker is admitted for medical observation or diagnostic testing) must be reported immediately to Cal/OSHA. Immediately means as soon as practically possible but not longer than 8 hours after the employer knows or, with diligent inquiry, would have known of the serious injury, illness or death.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence of widespread transmissions of COVID-19 (commonly known as Coronavirus) in the United States, at this time. But, business owners should ask themselves, would my company be prepared in the event of an outbreak? Employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring some semblance of business operations. The CDC has recommended the following strategies that employers can use, today.
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Trees require regular maintenance to ensure their health and safety. Dead or diseased trees must be cut down in order to prevent injuries to people or damage to nearby structures. Maintaining trees through trimming is a dangerous task, even for experienced professionals. Unfortunately, accidents do occur. The three most common types of serious accidents experienced by tree trimmers are…
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While costs associated with auto liability continue rising across the country, there are risks within existing fleet safety programs that often get overlooked. If your business allows employees to use personal vehicles to conduct business even just occasionally, you could be exposing your firm to considerably more risk.
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A new California law, Assembly Bill 1805 (AB 1805), changes when employers are required to report serious workplace injuries to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The law now broadens the scope of what will be classified as a serious illness, injury or exposure. Many believe this change will increase the number of workplace accidents that will have to be reported in 2020.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Telemedicine is becoming prevalent in the workplace as a more efficient way to treat non-emergency type injuries. Employers, employees, and insurance companies alike are seeing the benefits of telemedicine from a convenience and efficiency standpoint.
Author, Alyssa Burely, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Many industries like construction utilize a semi-transient workforce that can shift from company to company as labor needs change throughout the project’s life cycle. Employees may work a few months for one employer, then move on to another employer when the project is completed. This scenario poses a dilemma for California employers looking to comply with Senate Bill 1343 (SB 1343). Providing training to an ever-changing workforce can be a challenge.
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa Insurance Services’ RM365 Advantage Safety Star Program™ checks several boxes for contractors who are looking to improve their safety culture and lower risk. The program provides safety training designed to reduce an organization’s probability of work-related injuries; thus, minimizing the likelihood of an OSHA citation when used in conjunction with the Risk Management Center tools.
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Mobile devices have become an invaluable tool for many people, on the job. They provide access to contacts, email and applications (i.e., apps) that can make work a lot simpler and safer for landscapers. We researched the top apps that boost worker safety. In no particular order, here are the top 5 free safety applications for the landscape industry.
Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Americans are all too familiar with the #MeToo movement that has shed light on sexual harassment in the workplace. Outspoken celebrities and prominent public figures have brought this topic to the forefront in the media. With all the publicity surrounding sexual harassment allegations, people are empowered to speak out and report unwanted behaviors in the workplace. This leaves many employers asking what they can do to prevent harassment and prepare for possible harassment allegations.
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When you give the car keys to your teenager for the first time, you wish you were sitting in the back seat controlling how they drive. Unfortunately, you have very limited control and the consequences of poor driving can be disastrous. It’s time to think of your employee drivers in a similar manner; these principles apply to your company’s fleet management program.
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Safety awareness is one of the most important factors in reducing workplace injuries. There are approximately three million workplace injuries, every year. This amounts to roughly 8,000 injuries per day, 350 per hour, or 6 injuries per minute. Many of these injuries are preventable. Unsafe behaviors or decisions are usually the most common contributing factors. If employees are unaware of hazards or not motivated to follow safety protocol, their behavior will expose them even more.
Author, Chase Hixson, Account Executive, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The recent changes to California’s Anti-Harassment Training Requirements have prompted employers to take a closer look at their internal operations and how they can eliminate harassment from the workplace. A question that is frequently asked is “What happens if the harassment comes from someone other than one of my employees?” This is known as Third Party Harassment.
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Year after year OSHA publishes the “Top 10 Most Cited Violations” and it always seems to include violations dealing with falls. Fall protection, scaffolding, ladders, and fall protection (training requirements) all made this list and all of them have been on this list perennially for over a decade. How can a company that is using ladders keep from becoming just another name on the list of violators? How can you ensure that your employees are using provided equipment properly?
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