Author, Drew Garcia, NALP National Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Drew Garcia answers common insurance questions for the landscape industry.
Reminder: 2017 OSHA Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illness Must Be Posted
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
According to a recent memo, the State of California Department of Industrial Relations would like to remind employers that they are required to physically post their 2017 annual summaries of work-related injuries from February 1, 2018 through April 30, 2018.
Why Would a Contractor Purchase Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
Author, Kevin Howard, CRIS, Account Executive, Construction Gorup, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Insurance is often considered a necessary evil by business owners. It can represent a significant line item on a profit & loss statement rivaling the cost in some cases of payroll, material costs and rent. With deductibles that can range from $15,000-$25,000 per claim, why then would a business spend dollars on an insurance policy that is not required by either state law or part of any General Contractor’s insurance specifications?
The Number 1 Reason a CPA Reviewed Financial Statement Can Benefit a Contractor
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety Bonding, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
One of the key documents required when we are assembling the Bonding Programs for our construction clients is a fiscal year-end financial statement prepared by an outside Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Although we monitor internal financial information from our contractors throughout the year, at the fiscal year-end (usually 12/31), the bond company will require that the statement come from a third party CPA. That way, they have some certainty that the information has been prepared by an independent financial source that has a background in working on contractor financial statements.
Experience Modification Factors and the Pre-Qualification Process
Author Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As we enter 2018, government agencies, project owners and general contractors often require subcontractors to enter their pre-qualification process. Many of these entities will look closely at your Experience Modification Rate (EMR).
Building an Effective Fall Protection Program
Author, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a Census summarizing fatal occupational injuries from 2016, those originating from falls continued a steady upward trend that began in 2011 and increased another 6% in 2016. More specifically, falls increased more than 25% for roofers, painters, carpenters, tree trimmers & pruners. Since 2013, fall protection citations have been #1 or #2 on OSHA’s most cited violations. Now, more than ever, it is essential for employers with personnel who work at heights to provide comprehensive fall protection.
4 Simple Steps for Passenger Van Safety
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Many of our agency's social service and nonprofit clients serve an important function for individuals and families...transportation! Whether helping a physically challenged child get to school or embarking on a day trip to the mall with a group of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it's vital to manage all risks associated with transporting clients.
Highlights of the New Tax Reform Law
Article provided by, Kevin Brown, Managing Partner, RBTK, LLP.
The new tax reform law, commonly called the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (TCJA), is the biggest federal tax law overhaul in 31 years, and it includes both good and bad news for taxpayers.
Below are highlights of some of the most significant changes affecting individual and business taxpayers. (Except where noted, these changes are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.)
OSHA Accepting Electronic Form 300A Data Submissions Through End of Year
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent news release from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be accepting electronically submitted 2016 OSHA Form 300A data through midnight on December 31, 2017. The previous deadline had been December 15, 2017.
California Workers Compensation 2018 Annual Officer Payrolls Minimums and Maximums, Assessment Rates, and Dual Wage Thresholds Announced by WCIRB
3 Steps to Developing Your 2018 Safety Training Calendar
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The end of the year is the perfect time to evaluate your company’s overall safety program. One important element in a successful safety program is the weekly safety meetings (aka training shorts, tailgate talks, or toolbox talks).
OSHA Pushes Back Electronic Reporting Deadline
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent news release from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it has extended its electronic reporting deadline from December 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017.
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies and Rancho Mesa Participate in Nationally Renowned LANDSCAPES 2017
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) and Rancho Mesa Insurance Services (RMI) teamed up at the annual LANDSCAPES 2017 convention, the Green Industry & Equipment (GIE) Expo, and the Hardscape North America (HNA) Tradeshow, in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 17-20, 2017.
OSHA Begins Enforcement of New Silica Rule
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
After an initial delay and a 30-day grace period, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration‘s (OSHA) revised Crystalline Silica Rule is now in full effect. The rule became effective September 23, 2017 and OSHA allowed for a 30-day grace period for issuing fines and citations for companies who were making a good-faith effort towards meeting the new requirements.
7 Tips for Managing Risk at Nonprofit Special Events
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Nonprofit organizations often conduct special events throughout the year. These events can successfully increase awareness of the nonprofit’s mission, generate important unrestricted revenue, and offer all stakeholders a nice opportunity to have fun. Unfortunately, important risk management steps are often overlooked before the day of the event. Let’s look at a few that can limit exposure to risk.
Small Performance Bonds No Longer Require CPA Financial Statements
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In the past, many Surety Bond carriers required financial statements from a Certified Public Account (CPA), bank lines of credit, tax returns, etc. for contractor bond programs, whether the client required one bond a year or a large bond program. This is no longer the case.
NALP Announces 2017 Safety Award Recipients
Author, Drew Garcia, NALP Program Director, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa would like to congratulate all 263 National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) members who achieved recognition for their safety efforts in 2017.
OSHA Announces Top 10 Cited Violations for FY 2017
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its preliminary top 10 citation list for fiscal year 2017 at the annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo, held in late September 2017.
3 Steps to Protect Your Employees from San Diego’s Recent Hepatitis A Outbreak
Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Whether you work in the human services sector like healthcare, community outreach, or schools, or you are in the construction industry working in areas like downtown San Diego, your employees may come in contact with the Hepatitis A virus.
Is your Company Prepared for OSHA’s new Silica Rule?
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 23rd 2017 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new silica standard for construction will go into effect. This means contractors who engage in activities that create silica dust or are known in the industry as respirable crystalline silica, must meet a stricter standard for how much dust there workers inhale.