Industry News
Breaking Down the First Few Components of the IIPP
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Building upon Sam Brown’s article “Guidance for Developing an Effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program” (IIPP), I would like to delve further into some of the key components of an IIPP. In this first installment, I will explore assigning the right person to create the IIPP, compliance with safety regulations, and effective communication.
Heat Illness Awareness Vital for California's Construction Companies
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California faces a critical need to prioritize heat illness awareness among its workforce. The combination of Southern California's recent above average rainfall and the anticipated heatwave resulting from El Niño has created the possibility of an extremely warm summer. Construction companies must remain vigilant and adaptable, implementing appropriate measures to address these changing weather dynamics and ensuring the safety of their workers. By staying informed about weather forecasts and implementing flexible work schedules and site preparations, companies can effectively navigate these challenging conditions and prioritize the well-being of their employees. By understanding the significance of heat illness awareness, companies can ensure the safety and well-being of their workers while fostering productivity, minimizing downtime, and improving overall project efficiency.
Contractor Strategic Planning with Kevin Brown of RBTK, LLP
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In my recent StudioOne™ podcast episode with Kevin Brown, Of Counsel with the CPA Firm RBTK, LLP, we discuss the anatomy and considerations that go into strategic planning for your business.
Implementing Best Practices when Hiring in the Construction Industry
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With unemployment rates settling near 4 percent, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the right employees to help grow your construction company. With most able-bodied workers having secure employment, this leads to having either apprentice-type employees that come with unique challenges or pulling from an aging workforce that can bring cumulative injuries and risks. Navigating these issues can be complex and there is not a perfect solution, but employer’s hiring practices need to change in order to keep up with the current state of the industry.
Guidance for Developing an Effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As some company leaders may recall, since 1991, all California employers are required to maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). An IIPP is an understandable and accessible safety program tailored to a business’ operations. An effective IIPP will help an employer establish and maintain a safe workplace while setting expectations and protocols for all employees.
Importance of Implementing a Stretch and Mobility Program
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When my baseball career ended in 2021, it was time for me to do something new with my life. For me the decision was easy and one that I am very grateful for. My dad, Dave Garcia started Rancho Mesa 25 years ago and throughout the years he and many others have contributed into what Rancho Mesa is today, a 16-time National Best Practices Agency. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to join such an amazing organization.
Maximize Your KPI Dashboard Insight
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Three years ago, Rancho Mesa launched our proprietary safety KPI dashboard, consolidating experience mod and industry benchmarking reports to one working document. As a Rancho Mesa customer, you can now maximize the benefit of your safety KPI dashboard by completing our baseline training which will challenge the stakeholders in your organization to understand the key concepts this document delivers.
Signs of a Continued Hard Property Market in 2023
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The property insurance marketplace continues to be a challenging segment in 2023. With catastrophic events that have occurred over the last several years such as hurricanes, floods, wild fires, and major storms, the property marketplace has taken a huge hit that will take many years to recover. As a result, we expect property pricing to continue increasing for the foreseeable future. There are several real-world examples of the property market hardening.
Matching Contractors with the Right Bond Company
Author, Andy Roberts, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Like any great match-maker, a surety bond agent needs to fully understand both parties in order to match the contractor with the right bond company.
Pollution Liability for Tree Care Companies
Author, Rory Anderson, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Most tree care companies use pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemicals as a part of their operations. Even if the company does not offer plant health care, many tree care professionals still use hydraulic fluids, gasoline, and other fluids to operate or maintain equipment and vehicles. The use of heavy equipment and chemicals, while operating exclusively outdoors, opens the company up to environmental exposure.
Understanding General Liability Forms and Endorsements
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications & Client Services Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Two agency leaders within Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. made a special appearance in a recent episode of the StudioOne™ Safety & Risk Management Podcast. During episode 293, Executive Vice President Daniel Frazee and Vice President of the Construction Group Sam Clayton discussed the important forms and endorsements in general liability policies.
Plan Your SafetyOne™ App to Best Suit Your Organization’s Needs
Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Rancho Mesa aims to provide clients with tools that are flexible in order to best fit their individual needs, including our proprietary SafetyOne™ application. SafetyOne’s features are systemized based on “Projects.” However, projects are highly adaptable to the way each individual organization works.
Directors & Officers Liability Series: Side A Defense Costs & Settlements
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
While an insurance agent must continually stay abreast of industry trends and market conditions, it’s equally important to educate clients on the enforce insurance policies. As a non-profit focused insurance agency, Rancho Mesa is accustomed to having important conversations with clients regarding Directors & Officers Liability insurance (D&O).
Best Practices for Growing Your Surety Program
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
You may know that the surety client/agent/underwriter relationship is different from other lines of insurance.
Whether you are new to the bonding process, or have been doing bonded work for years, there are a handful of important items that can assist with securing the best relationship for your bonding needs. It really boils down to a few key areas: timely information, accurate information, and regular communication.
Insurance Benefits of GPS Systems in Commercial Vehicles
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For businesses that rely on a fleet of commercial vehicles, insurance costs can be a significant expense. Insurance carriers calculate premiums based on a variety of factors, including the age and condition of the vehicles, driver experience and record, and the frequency and distance of trips. One factor that can positively impact insurance costs is the use of global positioning systems (GPS) in commercial vehicles. Below, we will explore some of the insurance benefits of installing GPS systems in commercial vehicles.
Properly Utilizing Tailgate Meetings
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For many foremen and superintendents, weekly tailgate meetings can feel like a task that just needs to be checked off the list. However, while the purpose of these meetings is critical for the health and well-being of fellow field employees, the time required and repetitive nature of them can create challenges. To maximize the benefits of these meetings, construction firms must be proactive and thoughtful as they develop an inventory of topics.
Take Advantage of Contractor Express Bond Programs
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Several years ago, I put together an article on various credit driven surety bond offerings that require a one-page application to qualify for bonding. Quick and simple! At that time, the maximum limits offered by various carriers was $350,000 for a single bond.
The Importance of a Job Hazard Analysis in the Janitorial Industry
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The janitorial industry faces job hazards on a daily basis. The key to running a successful and safe business is identifying hazards within the workplace well before injuries or liabilities can occur. One way to keep track and address hazards in the workplace is by creating a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). A JHA can be used to identify individual exposures to each specific jobsite and create a plan or solution to minimize these risks.
Focusing on ONE Industry: The Landscape Industry
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When my baseball career ended in 2021, it was time for me to do something new with my life. For me the decision was easy and one that I am very grateful for. My dad, Dave Garcia started Rancho Mesa 25 years ago and throughout the years he and many others have contributed into what Rancho Mesa is today, a 16-time National Best Practices Agency. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to join such an amazing organization.
Inflation Increases Cost of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Author, Sam Brown, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
As non-profits and leaders of human service organizations navigate important business decisions in the face of inflation, it’s important to consider measures that can reduce inflation’s impact to an organization’s operating budget. Today, we look at inflation’s effect on workers’ compensation insurance and strategies to reduce future costs.