Mobility & Stretch Program Reaches the Masses

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Upon a routine visit to Landcare Logic, President Craig Gerber proudly displayed his Mobility & Stretch poster to his insurance broker, Drew Garcia.  

The poster had been published in The Landscape Professional magazine, a publication by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) whose circulation reaches over 9,500.  The poster provides instruction on how to properly stretch before performing physical work.

Drew smiled and acknowledged he was very familiar with the poster.  His face is on it!  

The Mobility & Stretch Program was developed by Drew Garcia and personal trainer, Collin Dawson from Bodies By Collin.  It was designed specifically for the landscape and construction industries. The idea was to create a stretch program that would allow workers to stretch their bodies before starting their day. 

To learn more about the Mobility & Stretch Program, contact Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. at (619) 937-0164.

Drew and Dave Garcia Participate in NALP’s LEADERS FORUM, Punta Cana Dominican Republic

Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

This was our first experience attending the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LEADERS Forum, and it will now be an annual “can’t miss” event.  The breakout discussions were presented by Sean Martin of Boston College University and Erica Dawson of Cornell University.  The speakers addressed common industry topics such as working with employees from different backgrounds and leadership decision making.

I’m so impressed with the vision and execution of the event, NALP did an incredible job finding a beautiful location and putting together an incredible agenda.  The association creates these focused networking and training events that attracts some of the strongest voices and leaders that the green industry has to offer.

While I work on the risk management side of business, my industry is without a doubt landscaping.  Working with landscape professionals and helping the industry grow is a true passion of mine.  At Rancho Mesa, we look forward to contributing our time, expertise, and overall enthusiasm to help OUR industry, the landscape industry, continue to evolve.

Drew with CEO of NALP, Sabeena Hickman.

Drew with President of NALP, Jon Cundiff, Weed-Man, Kansas City.

NALP, in Partnership with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Launch "Share Your Safety Stories" Campaign

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) in partnership with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services announced its "Share Your Safety Stories" campaign, in early January 2018.

The campaign was designed to share creative ways companies incorporate safety within their cultural.  Submissions can include fitness challenges, stretching routines, or other creative ways companies reinforce a safety cultural.

How to Participate

• Write a story, film a short video around 1:30 minutes or take a photo of the creative way you incorporate safety into the workplace.
  
  Example: Rancho Mesa's Drew Garcia made a video that highlights Rancho Mesa's 7th Inning Stretch, walking program.

• Submit your entry by email to marketing@landscapeprofessionals.org or post to social media on your own outlets using #NALPSafe or post to the NALP Facebook page. Don’t forget to tag your post – #NALPSafe.

• Submissions will be accepted until February 28, 2018.

The best and most innovative #NALPSafe safety stories will be shared with the NALP membership throughout the year.  The winner of the campaign will receive an Apple Watch.

Employee Spotlight: Drew Garcia Addresses Reducing Workers' Compensation Costs in NALP Magazine

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

"NALP’s Safe Company Program is relevant and critical to improving your risk profile and helping you control your insurance costs."

Rancho Mesa's Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, was recently published in The Landscape Professional May/June 2017 issue. The magazine is a bi-monthly publication produced by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

In the article, "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low," Drew discusses specific ways employers can actively work to reduce their costs. Some of the ideas he provides include:

• Winning safety awards
• Offering health benefits
• Offering employees the ability to grow within the company
• Timely claim reporting
• Thorough accident investigation techniques
• Establishing a return-to-work program
• Having Landscape Industry Certified employees on staff
• Instituting good hiring practices, including: pre-employment physicals and drug testing, reference checks and review referrals.

He also describes how an underwriter may award credits to companies who have implemented safety programs like the Safe Company Program offered by the NALP.

To read "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low," download the digital copy, today.

^{Reproduced with permission from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.}

Contact Drew Garcia if you have questions about lowering your Workers' Compensation cost or the NALP Program.

If you liked the "Ways to Keep Workers' Compensation Costs Low" article and would like to receive the full bi-monthly news magazine, The Landscape Professional, consider signing up for NALP membership.

Safety Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Supports Landscape Industry Certified Field Testing with a Mobility and Stretch Program

Author Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In the early hours of April 1, 2017, hundreds of landscapers from near and far gathered at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon for the annual Landscape Industry Certified (LIC) Field Test branded by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and administered by the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA).

Before the long day of hands-on testing began, Drew Garcia from Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., like a seasoned baseball coach, inspired the crowd with stories from his former baseball career and emphasized the importance of stretching before performing strenuous activities.  It was a perfect segway into Rancho Mesa's Mobility and Stretch program.  

Drew Garcia enlisted personal trainer, Collin Dawson from BRZN Fitness to develop a stretch program specifically designed for the landscape industry.  The idea was to create a stretch program that would allow landscapers to stretch their bodies before starting their work day. The program uses the company truck to help employees achieve total body activation in minimal time, while both stretching and strengthening the key muscles that surround common industry injuries.

"Even light stretching activities can help you protect yourself from strain related injuries and back pain as the result of reaching, bending, or stooping during daily tasks," writes Mark Stice, CSP, CHST from Bear Valley Loss Control Services, LLC.  "A well-stretched muscle more easily achieves its full range of motion, improving performance. Those who practice stretching also find it to be a great way to get you moving in the morning, to limber up after sitting for a long period of time, or a way to relax after a long day. Don't just stretch at work.  Make it part of your daily routine."

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At the event, Collin Dawnson led the group in a 15-minute stretch designed to loosen their arms, legs and back.  The crowd was energized and ready to start testing after completing the program.

Rancho Mesa is pleased to offer the Mobility and Stretch Program to its clients.  

Mobility & Stretch Program

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_{Article updated 7/12/17.}

Rancho Mesa “Rocks” the Landscape Industry

Author Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On March 1st 2017 Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc., The National Association of Landscape Professionals, and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies will introduce a unique National Workers Compensation solution designed to cater the needs of Landscape Contractors and Lawn Care Professionals. 

The Agency

Rancho Mesa is a 10 Time National Best Practices Agency out of Santee, California with over 30 years’ experience in The Landscape Industry.  As the program manager, Rancho Mesa will look to challenge and develop the growth of the program to better protect its members.

The Carrier

Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies has the Highest AM Best rating of A++(XV) “Superior” rating of financial strength, and is the one of the largest specialty Work Comp Carriers in the Country.

The Association

The NALP is the only National Organization built by the collaboration of landscape and lawn care industry professionals and has pushed the boundaries for Professionalism in the Landscape Industry to new heights through; Education, Certification and Legislation.  As the voice for 100,000 landscape professionals the NALP passionately advocates for the economic, social and environmental benefits of the landscape industry.

The Program Highlights include:

• 6% discounted rates for NALP members where allowable. Lowest available base rate in states that do not allow rate deviation.
• Multiple workers compensation options guaranteed cost and small to large deductible.
• Flexible payment plans including stipulated, pay as you go (zero deposit) and monthly payroll reports.
• Quarterly safety webinars specific to the injuries arising out of the landscape industry.
• Dedicated service team with experience in the landscape industry.
• Underwriting team only evaluating NALP members.
• Claims handling dedicated to NALP members with lower caseloads.
• Loss control with regional representation and managed nationally by a dedicated coordinator.

For more information contact Drew Garcia, the Program Director at NALP@ranchomesa.com.

Employee Spotlight: Drew Garcia, NALP Safety Committee Member

Author Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. is dedicated to making a difference on the risk management front; thus, Drew Garcia joined the National Association of Landscape Professionals Safety Committee, in March of 2016.  

Committee members come from some of the most successful landscape companies throughout the country; and, they participate in conferences throughout the year in an attempt to continually find solutions to industry specific hazards and injuries.  

Once a year, the committee meets in Louisville Kentucky at “LANDSCAPES” to review and prepare for the upcoming campaign.  

"The most rewarding aspect, to me, is seeing the commitment from the other committee volunteers who speak with the same passion as we collectively collaborate to make an impact on the industry." Drew Garcia, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Proud Member: