Industry News
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.
OSHA Not Prepared to Accept Electronic Submissions
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For over a year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have championed the upcoming electronic submission of injury and illness records (i.e., OSHA 300 logs) through its website. The new requirement was designed to make OSHA records publicly available on the internet in hopes that it would encourage employers to maintain safer working environments. The electronic submissions of the 2016 reports were supposed to be due by July 1, 2017.
Cyberattacks Threaten Small Businesses: Help Protect Your Company's Data by Following These Steps
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With the recent cyberattacks spreading across the globe, Rancho Mesa would like to remind its clients to take the necessary precautions to protect their business’s data.
Taking Your Safety Program to the Next Level: Form a Safety Committee
Author, Daniel Frazee, ARM, CRIS, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Establishing a safety committee within your company will enhance the effectiveness of your safety program by identifying hazards and appropriate controls, implementing specific measures, developing clear safe work practices and communicating clearly through all levels within your organization.
NALP Launches New Discounted Workers' Compensation Insurance Program
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is partnering with Rancho Mesa Insurance Services and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies to offer NALP members a competitive workers’ compensation option backed by specialized landscape industry expertise and a dedicated service team.
Is Your Business Protected from Data Breach Costs and HIPAA Violations?
Author Chase Hixson, AAI, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As technology and the common usage of the internet in business grow, Cyber Crime is an ever increasing exposure for businesses. Most businesses carry large quantities of sensitive data that if breached, can create a financial and administrative headache. Many business owners are unaware of the real exposures they have should their information be compromised, whether directly or indirectly.
What is SB 562 all about?
It may be of interest, if not importance, for all Californians to know about current proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens and Senator Toni Atkins of San Diego. The proposed bill would significantly expand the role of the state government within the healthcare system, by essentially establishing a single-payer system.
Commercial Auto Premiums Are Rising - What’s Driving the Increases?
Author David J. Garcia, C.R.I.S., A.A.I., President Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The insurance industry is experiencing record losses on their commercial auto books of business, which is dramatically driving up insurance premiums for business owners. There are many factors that are contributing to this increase in losses; let’s take a look at six of the most prevalent.
Should Union Janitorial Employers have a lower Workers’ Compensation rate than Non-Union Employers?
Author Jeremy Hoolihan, CRIS, Janitorial Group Leader Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
A recent study by the Commission on Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation made an argument that the janitorial industry should be split into two workers’ compensation class codes. This change would be similar to how many construction operations field class codes are separated between an over and under dollar amount per hourly wage. As an example, an electrical contractor’s field wages are split at over and under $30/hour.