The commercial property insurance segment has been characterized by ongoing premium increases for much of the past decade. According to industry data, such rate jumps reached record-setting levels in 2023, surging by an average of 20.4% in the first quarter alone and only slightly falling to 18.3% in the latter half of the year. These...
With more than 650 mass shootings in 2023 and more than 110 this year (at the time of publication), it’s clear that active assailant incidents pose a severe and unpredictable threat to businesses of all types. And while most insureds have not been exposed to an active assailant event, the demand for this coverage is on the rise....
During the hot summer months, outdoor employees are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Normally, the body has ways of keeping itself cool by allowing heat to escape through the skin and evaporating sweat. However, if the body does not cool down properly or enough, a person may suffer a heat-related illness. Here are the three...
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless and odorless poisonous gas that is a byproduct of the incomplete burning of carbon-containing material. It can quickly accumulate in areas where employees work, even if the space appears well-ventilated. Exposure to CO can cause serious health problems and even fatalities, so business owners must take steps to...
Recognizing that the unique structure of construction jobs can leave workers in the industry especially vulnerable to workplace harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a new guidance document outlining specific steps industry leaders can take to combat harassment in construction workplaces. The new document, “Promising Practices for Preventing Harassment in the...
Following last year’s historically challenging property insurance market, 2024 is proving to be “a more stable and capitalized market,” USI Insurance Services reported in its latest Commercial Property & Casualty Market Outlook Mid-Year Addendum. “Large rate increases from 2023 have mostly subsided for the broader market,” the New York-based insurance brokerage firm said in the report....
Companies may think they have workplace safety resources covered, but they may not have taken into consideration one very important detail: Whether their workforce can understand them. One-hundred percent of industrial workers say that safety training is essential for fostering a safe workplace, according to the Vector Solutions State of Industrial Worker Safety and Well-Being Report....
With today’s growing emphasis on corporate transparency and accountability, an organization’s directors and officers may face a range of liability exposures. For instance, stakeholders and third parties may hold a company’s board members responsible for damages resulting from their alleged mistakes or poor decisions, prompting legal action. Regardless of an organization’s size or mission, the...
Commercial general contractors and construction managers face a number of risks that keep them up at night. In the 2024 Commercial Construction Risk Report, we surveyed 500 U.S. general contractors and construction managers to identify the key risks threatening their project timelines, operating budgets and safety. Several themes emerged: Least prepared for the top risks. The...
The commercial construction industry is facing key risks and emerging challenges that impact project timelines, budgets and safety, according to QBE North America’s 2024 Commercial Construction Risk Report. The report, based on a survey of 500 commercial general contractors and construction managers, highlights cybersecurity threats, financial challenges, and labor shortages as significant concerns for the...