Blog
August 8, 2023
2024 Open Enrollment: The Power of Early Preparation
The labor landscape was undoubtedly a roller coaster in the first half of 2023, and employers are still along for the ride. During the past year, the market experienced a record number of employee quits, a jump in talent shortages and increased workplace demands from workers—many of whom had the upper hand in employment negotiations....
August 3, 2023
Preventing Falls Due to Extreme Heat
Extreme heat creates many risks in construction. As an employee in this industry, not only should you be aware of illnesses caused by the heat, but you also need to be mindful of how high temperatures can cause physical and mental impairments that can lead to falls and know how to prevent this hazard. How...
Back to Basics: Remote Work Ergonomics
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became increasingly more common and has been incorporated into many organizations. Employees can now either work entirely from home, or in a hybrid setting where they only visit the office sometimes. Safety professionals must be aware of the hazards that can occur in home offices and workspaces, specifically regarding...
August 2, 2023
Workers’ Compensation State of Risk
Workers’ compensation provides essential coverage, and in many instances, laws require employers to carry it. Additionally, workers’ compensation has been the most profitable property and casualty (P&C) line of business in recent years. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) reports six straight years of combined ratios under 90 and nine consecutive years of underwriting...
July 27, 2023
Water Damage Is a Leading Cause of Commercial Real Estate Claims. How Sensor Technologies Help Mitigate These Claims
Commercial real estate insureds know how painful water damage claims can be. These losses can happen suddenly from a pipe burst after freezing temperatures or they can happen gradually over time from improper installation or deterioration from aging infrastructure. Water damage is one of the most common causes of property loss and is it one of the...
July 26, 2023
5 Risks in the Construction Industry
Construction owners and contractors face a myriad of risks that are inherent to the industry. In order to help ensure safe and productive operations, it’s vital for these parties to understand common exposures so they can take proactive steps to address them. Common Construction Industry Risks While each operation’s specific exposures may vary, the construction...
July 25, 2023
Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace
Work environments can significantly impact the mental health of employees. In fact, research by the American Psychological Association found that 2 in 5 employees report that work negatively affects their mental health. Workers’ poor mental health can, in turn, negatively impact employee communication, performance, morale and productivity. According to a recent report by Mental Health...
July 20, 2023
OSHA Proposes Rule Clarifying PPE Standard for Construction Workers
On July 19, 2023, OSHA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to revise its construction personal protective equipment (PPE) standard to explicitly require that the equipment must properly fit the person wearing it. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2023. Current Standard OSHA’s standard at 29 CFR 1926.95 sets out...
July 19, 2023
OSHA Expands Injury and Illness Submission Requirements for Employers in High-hazard Industries
On July 17, 2023, OSHA announced a final rule that will require certain employers in designated high-hazard industries to electronically submit additional injury and illness information than what is currently required but employers are already required to keep. The final rule will become effective on Jan. 1, 2024. Injury and Illness Submission Expansion Overview OSHA’s...
July 17, 2023
OSHA Launches New National Emphasis Program for Warehouse and Distribution Center Hazards
On July 13, 2023, OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to prevent workplace hazards in warehousing and distribution center operations, mail/postal processing and distribution centers, parcel delivery/courier services and certain high-injury-rate retail establishments. The NEP is expected to expire in July 2026. NEP Overview Under this three-year NEP, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections...