Industry News
The Billion-Dollar Cost of Working at Height: The Critical Questions to Ask Before Climbing a Ladder
Author, Casey Craig, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Every year, OSHA publishes a “top 10 most frequently cited standards” list. Without question, ladders and fall protection consistently make the list. A Liberty Mutual 2023 workplace survey found that $6.26 billion was spent on falls as a result of working at height. Working at height is inherently dangerous but becomes more so when the incorrect ladders are used or improper setup for a job. Sending your employees to a jobsite without conducting a proper analysis to guarantee you have the proper equipment is setting yourself up to have preventable claims.
Need a License, Permit, or Court Bond? Rancho Mesa Can Help
Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
During our recent budget discussions for the 2024 fiscal year, the Rancho Mesa Surety Department looked at a breakdown of the bonds we wrote in 2023. As expected, 90% of our bond revenue was represented by the typical performance and payment bonds, subdivision bonds, bid bonds, bond riders, and consents of surety for our construction clients.
The Final Chapter: Addressing Training, Access and Recordkeeping in the IIPP
Author, Jack Marrs, Associate Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In this third installment of exploring an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), we will be taking a closer look at: Providing employee training and instruction, procedures to allow employee access to the program, and recordkeeping and documentation.
Developing A Strong Subcontract Agreement with Tree Care Partners
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Having strong service partners that support your customers outside of your core operations is an important part of business. Many commercial landscape businesses have regional relationships with professional tree care companies to support the needs of their customers.
WCIRB Proposes 2024 Construction Dual Wage Threshold Increase
The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has proposed an increase in hourly wage thresholds for all 16 construction dual-wage classifications.
The increases range from $1 to $4 depending on the classification and if approved will go into effect for policyholders renewing September 1, 2024 and thereafter. The chart below outlines the proposed increases for each classification.
California Expands Regulations for Employee Criminal History
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, California updated regulations regarding how employers can use criminal history to make employment decisions.
Mitigating Risks in the Solar Industry with Professional Liability Insurance
Author, Kevin Howard, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Since the outset of the 21st century, the solar installation industry has been bustling with the demand to create clean sustainable energy. Based on growing political and ecofriendly needs, the solar industry is ever changing and trying to keep up with constant fluctuations when it comes to energy storage, federal and state regulations, and supply chain demands.
California Increases Paid Sick Leave for 2024
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The state of California will officially change the paid sick leave (PSL) law for businesses in 2024. Effective January 1, 2024, the amount of PSL employees can take will increase from 24 hours to 40 hours per year.
Strategies for General Contractors to Minimize Liability
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In Episode 355 of Rancho Mesa’s StudioOne™ podcast, host Andy Roberts, an Account Executive in the Surety Group at Rancho Mesa, is joined by Ted Lee, a Contract Bond Underwriter at Liberty Mutual Surety, to discuss strategies for general contractors to limit their liability when working with subcontractors. Ted shares his background and experience in the surety industry before delving into the main topic.
Safety Evolution: General Contractors Begin Requiring Safety Helmets Over Hard Hats
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The hard hat has long been a staple for construction-site safety. However, a new contender has entered the industry in 2023 as more and more general contractors are requiring safety helmets.
How Important is Your EMR in the Pre-Qualification Process?
Author, Sam Clayton, Vice President, Construction Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
With 2024 right around the corner, general engineering and trade contractors will be required by government agencies and general contractors to enter the annual pre-qualification process in order to bid work. These entities are looking closely at a company’s project history, including project size, bonding capacity, limits of insurance as well as a companies’ Experience Modification Rate (EMR).
SB 553: Governor Signs New Law for Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
On September 30, 2023 Governor Newsom signed into law new standards for California companies regarding workplace violence. Effective July 1, 2024, Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) will expand requirements for recordkeeping, injury and illness prevention programs, and employee training.
The Road to Recovery: Commissioner Lara's Plan to Rescue Property Insurance in California
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently declared property insurance a State of Emergency in CA based on a mass exodus of property insurance companies. This has allowed CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to strike a deal with insurance companies to encourage new coverage in the State. The changes are slated to go into effect by the end of 2024. However, the hope is that insurers will begin to write homeowner’s policies sooner.
OSHA Officially Rules for Expanded Recordkeeping Requirements for High-Hazard Industries
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made its final ruling to expand recordkeeping requirements for high-hazard industries, such as construction. The new requirements will take effect January 1, 2024 and will expand on what injury and illness information is needed to be electronically submitted to OSHA.
Implementing Technology and Other Safety Tactics to Protect Your Fleet
Author, Greg Garcia, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
One of the most important practices for any landscape professional is fleet safety. Whether you have 10 trucks or 100, the exposure and risk remain the same. Explore a prior podcast episode, Episode #251, in which I delve into compelling statistics that shed light on the increasing frequency and severity of auto accidents each year.
Fire Prevention Month: Revisiting Fire Preparedness
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
October is Fire Prevention Month. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) dedicated this month to spreading awareness for fire safety and prevention. The construction industry is particularly vulnerable to fire danger, making this a good time to re-evaluate your company’s fire hazards and training protocol.
Are Bonded Projects Really Better Performers than Non-Bonded Projects?
Author, Anne Wright, Surety Relationship Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The goal of the surety, in any relationship, is to ensure that the bonded job is completed successfully, is profitable for their client, and is without claims.
Random Acts of Violence: Are They OSHA Recordable?
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Are random acts of violence OSHA recordable? This is a question many companies, particularly those that are required to report to OSHA annually, may ask. Whether the incident involves construction workers building in a high-crime area, or employees encountering hostile customers, determining if violent injuries are work-related is not always a black and white decision.
Understanding the Importance of Subcontractor Warranty Endorsement in General Liability Policies
Author, Lauren Stumpf, Marketing & Media Communications Specialist, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In a recent podcast episode, Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa, sat down with fellow Agency Principal Sam Clayton to explore a crucial topic in the realm of general liability insurance policies, the subcontractor warranty endorsement. This endorsement outlines essential requirements that contractors should pay close attention to when working with subcontractors.
Digitalization in the Construction Industry: A How-To Guide
Author, Megan Lockhart, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The construction industry stands as one of the biggest contributors to the U.S. economy. With the rapid advancements in technology, however, it still stands out as one of the least digitized industries in the world. While traditionally, construction companies have been loyal to paper methods, digitalization in construction brings many benefits such as increased efficiency, improved safety, and enhanced communication.