Blog
February 1, 2021
OSHA Issues New Prevention Guidance on COVID-19 in the Workplace
On Jan. 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The guidance is intended to inform employers and workers in settings outside of health care of the risks of being exposed to or contracting COVID-19 at work. This guidance is meant...
January 29, 2021
Hard Property Market To Continue in 2021, With Higher Rates, New Exclusions: RPS
The property insurance market will continue to harden through 2021, with rising exposures and reinsurance costs driving primary rates higher, according to a report from wholesale broker Risk Placement Services (RPS). RPS expects rate increases in the high-single digits to 15% range on clean accounts. Increases are expected to be higher on accounts with losses....
January 28, 2021
Most Costly OSHA Violations for the Construction Industry
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) keeps records not only of the most frequently cited standards overall, but also within particular industries. An analysis of the most recent statistics from OSHA reveals the top standards cited in the fiscal year 2020 for the construction industry (NAICS 23). Many of these recurring violations are associated...
January 26, 2021
CDC Provides Guidance on Ventilation in Buildings
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a webpage providing guidance on ventilation in buildings to reduce COVID-19 exposure indoors. The CDC provides recommendations on what heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) strategies employers should use to lower the risk of exposure to COVID-19 throughout the workplace. One of the recommendations is...
January 18, 2021
5 Mental Health Employee Benefits Trends for 2021
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have reported increases in anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. The toll that the pandemic takes on mental health increases daily. Before the pandemic, 5% of employed workers reported poor or very poor mental health. Now, 18% of employed workers struggle with mental health issues. The COVID-19...
January 14, 2021
Renewals May Mark a Turning Point for Workers Comp
COVID-19, low interest rates and higher claim severity due in part to an aging workforce are among the factors that have reversed a years’ long trend of flat or lower renewals for workers compensation coverage, experts say. “In the rate environment we are starting to see it tick up from a flat renewal to the...
January 7, 2021
Embracing the Changes in Captive Insurance
As the world heads into another uncertain few months, risk managers are expecting a challenging time at their upcoming insurance and reinsurance renewals. Many are considering expanding the use of existing captives or setting up new ones to mitigate the effects of a changing insurance market, as well as their own shifting risk profiles. Even before the...
January 4, 2021
5 Strategies Employers Can Implement to Help Support COVID Vaccine Uptake
While there has been a lot of positive news recently about the COVID vaccines, there are varying reports on the public’s concern and willingness to take it. That hesitation, along with vaccine access, will determine how quickly life returns to normal. We will need more than 70% of the population vaccinated to get back to a pre-pandemic society, and...
December 30, 2020
5 Commercial Real Estate Trends to Watch Going Into 2021
2020 is almost over. As many of us emit a sigh of relief, it’s time to reflect on what the year has brought us. COVID-19 and a worldwide pandemic have been at the top of the list for sure, but what has happened with commercial real estate trends? Let’s take a look. Commercial real estate trends...
December 29, 2020
Winter Weather Safety Precautions
Winter weather—such as frigid temperatures, icy conditions and snowfall—can create a wide range of challenges at the construction site. Specifically, it can become more difficult to ensure employees’ safety in such weather. After all, working on icy surfaces can increase the likelihood of slips and trips taking place, while exposure to cold temperatures can lead...