Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate all 263 National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) members who achieved recognition for their safety efforts in 2017.
OSHA Announces Top 10 Cited Violations for FY 2017
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its preliminary top 10 citation list for fiscal year 2017 at the annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo, held in late September 2017.
3 Steps to Protect Your Employees from San Diego’s Recent Hepatitis A Outbreak
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Whether you work in the human services sector like healthcare, community outreach, or schools, or you are in the construction industry working in areas like downtown San Diego, your employees may come in contact with the Hepatitis A virus.
Is your Company Prepared for OSHA’s new Silica Rule?
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 23rd 2017 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new silica standard for construction will go into effect. This means contractors who engage in activities that create silica dust or are known in the industry as respirable crystalline silica, must meet a stricter standard for how much dust there workers inhale.
Workers' Compensation Dual Wage Thresholds Increases for Construction Classes in 2018
Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In an effort to keep you informed, so that you can begin to plan your 2018 budget, we wanted to let you know of a potential change in the dual wage classes, for many but not all, the dual wage construction class codes.
3 Topics to Discuss with Vendors, Independent Contractors, and Partner Agencies Prior to Working Together
Author, Chase Hixson, Account Executive, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, a non-profit client of mine asked the question: What are the steps I should take with vendors, contracted professionals and partner agencies to make sure my organization is protected should a claim arise as a result of their work? This is a common exposure to many of our clients, and there are several steps that can be taken to protect your business.
5 Steps to Avoiding Workers’ Compensation Claim Litigation
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, CRIS, Janitorial Group Leader, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Workers’ Compensation claims can cost a company time, money, employee productivity, and morale. Litigation is one of the most costly results of a workers’ compensation claim. Once an employee hires an attorney, the time and money it takes for the claim to close drastically increases.
Assembly Bill 72 Passes to Limit Unexpected Medical Costs to Californians
Effective July 1, 2017, Assembly Bill 72 (Bonta) went into effect by protecting Californians from unexpected medical bills when visiting in-network facilities (i.e., hospitals, labs, and imaging centers). No longer can providers who aren’t contracted with a patient’s health plan step into the operating room, for instance, and charge the patient more than the patient would have expected to pay an in-network provider. Furthermore, the patient can only be billed for his or her in-network cost-share, meaning in-network benefits apply to all providers seen, and services rendered, in an in-network facility.
DHS Alerts OSHA of Possible Electronic Reporting Security Breach
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On August 1, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its online electronic data filing application. It was designed to collect and publish injury data on companies throughout the United States in order to comply with a new requirement.
Surviving an Active Shooter Event: Recognize, React and Prevent Workplace Violence
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President of Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In the ongoing effort to keep employees safe from workplace violence, it is very important to train workers how to recognize, react to and prevent active shooter events. In most cases, simply having a plan can mean the difference between life and death.
Congratulations, You’ve Won the Construction Contract – Now, you Need USL&H
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Construction Group
If the title of this article gave you a good chuckle, you most likely have bid a job somewhere near a body of water; then, found out you need U.S. Longshore and Harbor (USL&H) Workers’ Compensation coverage. You were surely not the first one to overlook this requirement and you definitely will not be the last.
OSHA Launches Electronic Reporting System
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
It is official – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its website for the electronic submission of employers’ injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs).
5 Tips to Improve Your Fleet and Driver Safety Program
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In order to create a best practices fleet safety program that will help you reduce claims and control premiums, we recommend you consider adding the following controls to your written fleet safety program.
Hired and Non-Owned Liability Coverage: The Sleeping Giant
Author, Daniel Frazee, Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Could your company have underlying Auto related exposures that you are not aware of? Let’s assume you have taken several precautions to properly manage the safety of your fleet. But has your management team contemplated potential losses arising from employees operating their own personal vehicles as they relate to your business?
7 Tips to Protect Your Business from a Fire
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services
As San Diego’s East County battles a series of wild fires, it is a perfect time for business owners to review their insurance policies and proactively manage their fire risk, especially those who are located in semi-rural and rural areas.
Increase Bonding Capacity Through Jobsite Pictures
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety Bonding, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it can also be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars when it comes to bonding a new construction project. Let me explain the bonding process and how a few pictures can free up a contractor's bonding capacity.
Control your Experience MOD through the MOD Doctor Process.
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Successfully maintaining low and predictable workers' compensation costs is a product of establishing a routine that constantly “checks and balances” your all-encompassing insurance program. Our "MOD Doctor" technique lays out a road map so we can guide you throughout the year to gain more control, become more efficient, and ultimately drive down your insurance cost; at no extra expense. What can you expect from this process?
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage - Are Your Limits Adequate? - Be Careful!
Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Earlier in the year, we published the article "Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?," which addresses how insurance companies are all experiencing adverse loss experience within their commercial automobile books of business. The result of these mounting losses is causing a dramatic rise in commercial Auto premiums for most policyholders.
OSHA Launches Inaugural Safe + Sound Week
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched its inaugural Safe + Sound Week, which runs from June 12 - 18, 2017. According to OSHA, Safe + Sound week is "a nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces."
Timely Claim Reporting Lowers Work Comp Claims Costs and Improves Your Bottom Line
Author, David J. Garcia, A.A.I., CRIS, President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Studies have shown, by reporting your workers compensation claims in a timely basis, not only will your injured employee receive better medical treatment, it will boost company morale. Both the injured worker, as well as other employees, will see your sincere concern for their wellbeing. In addition, timely reporting practices will also improve your risk profile through reducing the overall cost of the claim, which leads to lower loss ratios and lower experience modifiers, thus, resulting in lower premiums and improvement in your bottom line.